305mm (12-inch) parabolic primary mirror 1500mm focal length (f/4.9) Collapsible truss-tube design (36" retracted / 55" extended) 94% reflectivity Radiant™ Aluminum Quartz (RAQ) coatings 2-inch Crayford-style focuser Includes 20mm and 12.5mm eyepieces for 75x and 120x magnification Description FAQ Specifications In the Box Downloads Warranty Sky-Watcher Flextube 300P Collapsible Dobsonian The Sky-Watcher Flextube 300P Collapsible Dobsonian combines a massive 305mm primary aperture with a fast f/4.9 focal ratio to deliver stunningly bright, wide-field views of deep-sky objects. Its 1500mm focal length is housed in a collapsible optical tube that retracts from 55 inches to just 36 inches for transport. The borosilicate primary mirror features Radiant™ Aluminum Quartz (RAQ) coatings with 94% reflectivity, ensuring maximum light reaches the included 20mm and 12.5mm eyepieces. 305mm Aperture with 94% Reflectivity Coatings The core of the Flextube 300P is its light-gathering power. The 305mm (12-inch) parabolic primary mirror gathers 44% more light than a 10-inch model, resolving details down to a Dawes limit of 0.38 arcseconds. Combined with proprietary Radiant™ Aluminum Quartz (RAQ) coatings that ensure 94% of collected light is transmitted, this telescope produces exceptionally bright images of faint galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters, revealing structure that smaller scopes cannot. Collapsible from 55" to 36" for Easy Transport Large-aperture Dobsonians are notoriously difficult to transport, a problem the Flextube design solves without compromising optical stability. The truss-tube system allows the optical tube to retract from a fully extended 55 inches down to a compact 36 inches, making it significantly easier to fit in a vehicle. This proprietary system is engineered to maintain collimation, reducing setup time once you arrive at your observing site. Tension Control for Payloads up to 46.2 lbs The Dobsonian base provides a simple and stable platform for the 46.2 lb optical tube assembly. It uses Teflon bearings for smooth, predictable motion in azimuth, while a patented tension control handle allows you to adjust the friction in altitude. This system provides enough grip to securely hold the telescope's position even when using heavy 2-inch eyepieces and accessories in the 2-inch Crayford focuser. Ready for the Sky with 75x and 120x Magnification The Flextube 300P arrives ready for observation with a well-rounded set of accessories. Locating objects is made simple with the included 8x50 right-angle correct-image (RACI) finderscope. For viewing, the package includes two 1.25-inch eyepieces—a 20mm for wide-field views at 75x and a 12.5mm for higher-power observations at 120x—providing two distinct perspectives on celestial targets right out of the box. What types of objects are best viewed with the Sky-Watcher Flextube 300P? With its large 305mm aperture, the Flextube 300P excels at deep-sky observing. It gathers enough light to resolve individual stars in globular clusters like the Hercules Cluster (M13), reveal spiral arms in galaxies like Andromeda (M31) and the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51), and show intricate detail and faint outer structures in nebulae like the Orion Nebula (M42) and the Dumbbell Nebula (M27). How portable is the Flextube 300P for travel to dark sky sites? The Flextube 300P is designed for portability. The optical tube collapses to 36 inches, making it much easier to transport than a solid-tube equivalent. However, it is a substantial instrument, with the optical tube weighing 46.2 lbs and the base weighing 38.3 lbs. Most users will find it manageable to move in two separate pieces for setup at a remote location. Does the Flextube 300P need to be collimated every time it's set up? While the Flextube design is built to maintain optical alignment, it's always good practice to check collimation after transport and setup. Minor adjustments are often needed, especially after traveling over bumpy roads. However, the system is far more stable than traditional truss-tube Dobsonians and typically holds its alignment well between sessions. What can I expect to see on Jupiter with the Flextube 300P? The Flextube 300P provides excellent planetary views. On Jupiter, you can clearly resolve the two main equatorial belts, the Great Red Spot (when visible), and finer details like smaller cloud bands and festoons. With good seeing conditions and higher magnification eyepieces (sold separately), you can also observe the shadows of the Galilean moons transiting across the planet's surface. Can I use 2-inch eyepieces with the Sky-Watcher Flextube 300P? Yes. The Flextube 300P comes with a 2-inch Crayford-style focuser and an adapter for 1.25-inch eyepieces. The mount's patented tension control handle is designed to support the additional weight of heavy, wide-field 2-inch eyepieces without drifting, allowing you to take full advantage of the telescope's light-gathering capabilities for immersive views of the night sky. Is the Flextube 300P a good telescope for a beginner? While its size can be intimidating, the Dobsonian design is mechanically simple and intuitive to use. There are no electronics or complex alignment procedures. This manual "push-to" operation is an excellent way to learn the constellations and how to navigate the night sky. The large aperture provides rewarding views immediately, which helps keep beginners engaged. Optical Design Newtonian Primary Aperture 305mm (12") Focal Length 1500mm Focal Ratio f/4.9 Mirror Coatings Radiant Aluminum Quartz (RAQ)™ with 94% reflectivity Glass Type Borosilicate Secondary Diameter 70mm Secondary Obstruction (by diameter) 23% Secondary Obstruction (by area) 5% Dawes Limit 0.38 arcseconds Rayleigh Limit 0.46 arcseconds Limiting Magnitude 14.9 Light Gathering (vs. 10" model) 44% more Minimum Magnification 43x Maximum Magnification 600x Focuser 2" Crayford-style OTA Length (Retracted) 36" OTA Length (Extended) 55" OTA Outer Diameter 14.25" OTA Weight (with accessories) 46.2 lbs Base Weight 38.3 lbs Base Dimensions 29" x 25" Zenith Eyepiece Height 55.5" Included Finderscope 8x50 Right-Angle Correct-Image (RACI) Included Eyepieces 20mm & 12.5mm (1.25") Magnification (with included eyepieces) 75x & 120x UPC 050234117401 Flextube 300P 12" Dobsonian OTA × 1 Dobsonian Base × 1 8x50 RACI Finderscope × 1 20mm Plössl Eyepiece (1.25") × 1 12.5mm Plössl Eyepiece (1.25") × 1 2" to 1.25" Eyepiece Adapter × 1 Dust Caps × 1 Download Sky-Watcher Flextube Collapsible Dobsonian Manual Download Sky-Watcher Software Sky-Watcher 2-Year Warranty
