The Sky-Watcher Heritage FlexTube is not one of the best-selling starter telescopes for nothing: a lot of mirror for little money, in a format that fits on a table. With the right Heritage 130P accessories take an extra big step out of that mirror. In this guide you will read which accessories really make a difference for the Heritage 130P and the Heritage 150P, and which ones you can safely skip.
1. A laser collimator: the first Heritage 130P accessory
Every Newtonian telescope needs to be collimated occasionally: neatly aligning the mirrors so that stars remain points instead of little comets. This applies even more to the Heritage, because the retractable FlexTube can shift slightly after transport. The included collimation cap helps you get started, but with a laser collimator (€44.90) the job is done in two minutes, even in the dark. If you buy one accessory, let it be this one.
2. Better eyepieces: the biggest visible upgrade
The included 25 mm and 10 mm eyepieces are a great start, but the Heritage optics can show more than these eyepieces pass on. Two upgrades that immediately prove their worth:
- The Sky-Watcher zoom eyepiece 8-24 mm (€115): a single eyepiece that continuously zooms from overview to detail. On the 130P that gives 27x to 81x, on the 150P 31x to 94x. Ideal if you don't want to keep switching, especially with children at the telescope.
- The Sky-Watcher 7 mm Nirvana-ES UWA (€99): an 82-degree field of view wide-angle eyepiece for the Moon and planets. On the 130P it yields 93x, on the 150P 107x: precisely the range where Saturn shows its rings and Jupiter its cloud belts.
Would you like to understand how focal length and magnification are related first? We explain that in our eyepiece explanation. This page here is about the specific choices for your Heritage.
3. A moon filter against the bright moonlight
The moon is so bright due to a Heritage that details around the full moon wash out. A variable polarization filter screw onto your eyepiece and adjust continuously to the moon phase. You can read which size and type fit your telescope in the guide on the best moon filter for your telescope.
4. A sturdy surface (no camera tripod)
The Heritage is a tabletop Dobson. The honest advice: place it on a sturdy garden table, a stool, or a barrel, and not on a photographic tripod. A photographic tripod is not built for the torque of a Dobsonian mount and will vibrate with every touch. A stable table at the right height costs nothing and works better than any shaky intermediate solution.
5. Shielding stray light at the open tube
The retractable FlexTube design leaves an open section of tubing exposed. Under a dark sky, this isn’t a problem, but with a streetlight nearby, stray light can reduce contrast. A simple homemade shield made of black foam or cardboard around the open section solves this. No need to buy anything: ten minutes of crafting, and your contrast under city lights will improve significantly.
What do we recommend per goal?
| What do you want to achieve? | Accessory | Price |
| Sharp stars, always | Laser collimator | €44,90 |
| Convenience and flexibility | 8-24 mm zoom eyepiece | €115 |
| Moon and planets in detail | 7 mm Nirvana UWA eyepiece | €99 |
| Looking at the moon in comfort | Variable polarizing filter | From approximately €25 |
| More contrast under city light | Homemade shielding | Free |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do 2-inch eyepieces fit on the Heritage 130P or 150P?
No, the Heritage series uses a 1.25-inch focuser. All eyepieces in this guide are 1.25 inches and will therefore fit directly.
Do I need to collimate every session?
A quick half-minute check is enough. Especially after transport or after sliding the FlexTube in and out, it pays off to take a quick look. With a laser collimator, readjusting is then done in no time.
Which eyepiece should I upgrade first?
If you primarily look at the moon and planets, choose the 7 mm Nirvana eyepiece. If you want one eyepiece for everything, the 8-24 mm zoom eyepiece is the most versatile choice.
Still doubting which Heritage suits you? Then read the comparison between the 130P and 150P or our extensive Heritage 130P review. All table models and larger siblings can be found at Dobson telescopes.
