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IMPORTANT: Our store is located in Canada. All orders that include products manufactured outside of Canada or USA will be subject to tariffs and duties, regardless of the order value. US customers are responsible for all applicable duties and tariffs, and those will be billed by the carrier, except for the Lacerta upgrade kit, for which we collect them at checkout.
IMPORTANT: Our store is located in Canada. All orders that include products manufactured outside of Canada or USA will be subject to tariffs and duties, regardless of the order value. US customers are responsible for all applicable duties and tariffs, and those will be billed by the carrier, except for the Lacerta upgrade kit, for which we collect them at checkout.
Sky-Watcher Classic 250P
Sky-Watcher Classic 250P
Sky-Watcher Classic 250P
Sky-Watcher Classic 250P
Sky-Watcher Classic 250P
Sky-Watcher Classic 250P
Sky-Watcher Classic 250P
Sky-Watcher Classic 250P

Sky-Watcher Classic 250P

by Sky-Watcher
SKU SW-S11620
Save 13% Save 13%
$995.00
$995.00 - $995.00
$995.00
$869.00
$869.00 - $869.00
$869.00
Price Match Policy!
  • 254mm (10-inch) Newtonian Reflector
  • 1200mm Focal Length
  • Fast f/4.7 Focal Ratio
  • 94% Reflectivity RAQ™ Mirror Coatings
  • 2" Crayford-style Focuser
  • Weighs 53 lbs fully assembled (28 lbs OTA, 25 lbs base)
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Downloads
  • Warranty

  • Sky-Watcher Classic 250P Dobsonian

    The Sky-Watcher Classic 250P Dobsonian combines a massive 254mm (10-inch) primary mirror with a 1200mm focal length in a simple, highly effective design. Its fast f/4.7 focal ratio delivers a wide field of view, while the Radiant Aluminum Quartz (RAQ)™ coatings ensure 94% of collected light reaches the eyepiece. This straightforward 'light bucket' design prioritizes raw light-gathering power over costly electronics, providing the brightest possible images for your investment.

    254mm Aperture: A 57% Leap in Light Gathering

    The 254mm borosilicate primary mirror is the engine of this telescope, gathering 57% more light than the next model down (an 8-inch). This aperture is large enough to resolve dust lanes in galaxies like Andromeda (M31), split tight double stars down to the 0.46 arcsecond Dawes limit, and reveal faint planetary nebulae against a dark sky. The views are not just brighter; they are fundamentally more detailed.

    The Dobsonian Mount: 48" Eyepiece Height and Tension Control

    True to John Dobson's original concept, the mount is a simple and stable rocker box that weighs just 25 lbs. It uses Teflon bearings for smooth azimuth slewing, allowing you to manually pan across the Milky Way with ease. A patented tension control handle adds adjustable friction, securing the 28 lb optical tube at any angle to prevent drift, even when using heavier 2-inch eyepieces. At zenith, the eyepiece sits at a comfortable 48-inch height for most observers.

    • Intuitive Point-and-View: No polar alignment or complicated setup required. Simply place the mount on the ground, set the tube in the cradle, and start observing.
    • Stable Platform: The wood construction naturally dampens vibrations, providing a steadier image than many tripod-based designs in a similar price range.
    • Tension Control Handle: This patented feature allows you to adjust the friction on the altitude axis, providing the right amount of resistance for smooth tracking and balancing heavy accessory loads.

    2" Crayford Focuser and Included Accessories

    The Classic 250P features a robust 2" single-speed Crayford focuser, a significant upgrade over more basic rack-and-pinion designs. This allows for smooth, precise focusing without image shift. The package includes two 1.25" eyepieces (20mm and 12.5mm) providing 60x and 96x magnification out of the box, along with a 9x50 finderscope to help you locate objects.

    A Manual Scope in a Digital Age

    Choosing a manual Dobsonian is a deliberate trade-off. It forgoes computerized GoTo systems for superior light-gathering power at the same price point. This requires you to learn the night sky using star charts or apps, a skill that many astronomers find deeply rewarding. The Classic 250P is an instrument that immerses you in the universe, encouraging a more profound connection with the celestial sphere than simply pressing a button.

  • Is the Sky-Watcher Classic 250P Dobsonian good for viewing planets?

    Yes. With its 254mm aperture and 1200mm focal length, the Classic 250P has excellent resolving power for planets. You can easily see Jupiter's cloud bands and Great Red Spot, the rings of Saturn including the Cassini Division, and surface details on Mars during opposition. For higher magnification, you will want to add a good quality 2x Barlow lens or a shorter focal length eyepiece to push beyond the included 96x magnification.

    How portable is the Classic 250P? Can I take it to a dark sky site?

    The Classic 250P breaks down into two manageable components: the 45-inch long optical tube (28 lbs) and the rocker box base (25 lbs). While it is not a small telescope, these individual weights are manageable for most adults to lift. It fits across the back seat of most cars, making it an excellent choice for transporting to dark sky locations.

    What does the f/4.7 focal ratio mean for the Classic 250P?

    The f/4.7 focal ratio is considered "fast." This provides a wider true field of view compared to a longer f-ratio telescope of the same aperture. This is a significant advantage for observing large deep-sky objects like the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) or the North American Nebula (NGC 7000), allowing you to fit more of the object into the eyepiece at once.

    Will I need to collimate the Sky-Watcher Classic 250P, and is it difficult?

    Yes, as a Newtonian reflector, it will require occasional collimation (alignment of the mirrors), especially after transport. The process is straightforward and becomes a quick adjustment with practice. You will need a separate collimation tool, like a laser collimator or a Cheshire eyepiece, to perform this accurately.

    Can I do astrophotography with the Classic 250P Dobsonian?

    The Dobsonian mount is an alt-azimuth design that does not track the stars in an arc, which is necessary for long-exposure astrophotography of deep-sky objects. While you can take excellent short-exposure images of the Moon and bright planets by holding a smartphone to the eyepiece, it is not suitable for imaging faint nebulae or galaxies.

    What are the first objects I should look for with my Classic 250P?

    The 254mm aperture excels on a wide range of targets. Start with easy ones:

    • The Moon: The detail will be incredible, from crater walls to mountain ranges.
    • Jupiter and Saturn: These gas giants are always spectacular.
    • The Orion Nebula (M42): A stunning star-forming region visible in winter.
    • The Hercules Cluster (M13): A bright globular cluster that the 250P will resolve into a ball of countless individual stars.
  • Optical Design Newtonian
    Primary Aperture 254mm (10")
    Focal Length 1200mm
    Focal Ratio f/4.7
    Mirror Coatings Radiant Aluminum Quartz (RAQ)™
    Mirror Reflectivity 94%
    Glass Type Borosilicate
    Secondary Diameter 64mm
    Secondary Obstruction (by diameter) 25%
    Secondary Obstruction (by area) 6%
    Dawes Limit 0.46 arcseconds
    Rayleigh Limit 0.55 arcseconds
    Limiting Magnitude 14.5
    Minimum Magnification 36x
    Maximum Magnification 500x
    Focuser 2" Crayford
    OTA Length 45"
    OTA Outer Diameter 11.375"
    OTA Weight (with accessories) 28 lbs
    Base Weight 25 lbs
    Base Dimensions 29" x 20.5"
    Zenith Eyepiece Height 48"
    UPC 050234116206

    • 250mm Newtonian Optical Tube

      × 1

    • Dobsonian Rocker Box Base

      × 1

    • 9x50 Finderscope

      × 1

    • 20mm 1.25" Eyepiece

      × 1

    • 12.5mm 1.25" Eyepiece

      × 1

    • 2" Eyepiece Adapter

      × 1

    • 1.25" Eyepiece Adapter

      × 1

    • Dust Caps

      × 2

  • Sky-Watcher 2-Year Warranty