Sky-Watcher Flextube 400P SynScan

406mm Aperture: 30% More Light Gathering

The core of the Flextube 400P is its 406mm borosilicate primary mirror, an aperture that places it in a serious class of visual instruments. It gathers 30% more light than a 14-inch telescope, a significant jump that makes faint galaxies in the Virgo Cluster and fine tendrils in the Veil Nebula (NGC 6960) pop with direct-vision contrast. The low 25% secondary obstruction by diameter minimizes diffraction effects, preserving high-contrast detail on Jupiter's cloud bands and the Cassini Division in Saturn's rings.

Flextube Portability: From 66.5" to 42.5" for Transport

A 16-inch Newtonian is traditionally a cumbersome instrument, but the Flextube design solves the problem of transport. The optical tube collapses from its operational length of 66.5 inches down to a compact 42.5 inches, allowing it to fit in vehicles that could never accommodate a solid-tube equivalent. The truss system is engineered for rigidity and holds collimation reliably between setups, saving you critical time when you arrive at a dark sky site.

SynScan GoTo with 42,900+ Objects and Freedom Find

Sky-Watcher's SynScan GoTo system turns this light bucket into an intelligent discovery tool. The hand controller's database contains over 42,900 objects, allowing you to slew from the Hercules Cluster (M13) to the Ring Nebula (M57) in seconds. The patented Freedom Find dual-encoder technology is a critical feature; you can disengage the motors and move the telescope manually to a new target without the system losing its alignment. This fusion of manual and computerized control gives you the best of both worlds.

• Dual-Axis Tracking: Once an object is centered, the mount tracks it on both axes, keeping it in the eyepiece for extended observation or planetary imaging.
• Multiple Alignment Options: Choose from Brightest-Star or Two-Star alignment routines to get your session started quickly.
• Built-in WiFi: Control the telescope wirelessly from your smartphone or tablet using the SynScan Pro app.

Mechanical Stability and Precision Focusing

The 105 lb Dobsonian base provides a stable, vibration-dampening platform for the 72 lb optical tube assembly. The patented Tension Control Handle allows you to adjust the friction on the altitude axis, accommodating different eyepiece weights and ensuring smooth, controlled manual movements. At the eyepiece, a 2-inch dual-speed Crayford focuser with a 10:1 reduction knob enables you to snap focus to a critical sharpness, a necessary feature when operating at the scope's maximum useful magnification of 799x.