Sky-Watcher Evostar-120 EQ5 - 120mm f/8.3 Refractor

Sky-Watcher Evostar-120 EQ5: The Refractor Classic on a Solid Foundation

The 120/1000mm achromatic refractor (f/8.3) on the EQ5: the mount that this meter-long tube deserves. Vibrations are immediately dampened, tracking with fine adjustment feels buttery smooth, and the mount is later expandable with tracking motors or a complete SynScan GoTo set.

What do you see through the Evostar-120?

The 120 mm lens is the popular middle of the apochromat line: Jupiter's Great Red Spot, Mars' polar caps, Saturn's rings, and a Moon full of detail. Bright deep-sky targets like the Orion Nebula and globular clusters also come through well. The obstruction-free refractor image remains steady and high-contrast, even at higher magnifications.

EQ5: the difference you feel when focusing

With a long refractor, the mount determines the viewing pleasure: on the EQ5, the image remains still while you focus, even at 150x magnification. The polar scope preparation and the steel tripod make it a foundation you can rely on for years.

This is how to get the most out of this telescope

• Almost no cool-down time A refractor lens reaches operating temperature within 10 to 15 minutes, much faster than a mirror telescope. Ideal for short sessions.
• Know what an achromat is: around very bright objects like Venus or the moon's edge, you'll see a thin purplish-blue fringe. That's characteristic of this lens design, it's visually quickly noticeable, and it's the reason why these types of apertures are affordable. For photography, it's the reason to consider an ED refractor.
• Roughly align the mount to Polaris: For visual use, north and the correct pole height are roughly sufficient; then you follow objects with one axis.
• Note the tube length: A good meter refractor plus tripod requires a permanent spot or a spacious trunk. The dew shield on the front makes it even longer.
• Magnification: the 10 mm eyepiece gives 100x; a 6 mm planetary eyepiece (167x) brings out the maximum planet detail.
• Never look directly at the sun without protection., not even: this is doubly true for a refractor. Only with a certified solar filter on the front.

For whom yes and for whom no

Hello If you want the classic, calm refractor image: sharp stars, high contrast on the moon and planets and zero maintenance (no collimation, closed tube). Our Telescope Buying Guide for Beginners Place the types side by side.

Not For faint deep-sky objects, a reflector telescope offers more aperture per euro. Direct automatic searching and tracking: that's the EQ5 Pro SynScan version. Deep-sky photography belongs with the smart telescopes or an ED refractor; moon photos with a smartphone adapter are actually rewarding work at these long focal lengths.

Featured accessories

These accessories add the most after purchase:

• Moon Filter 25%: The moon is bright in a refractor of this caliber. The Omegon Moon Filter 25% (1.25 inches) dims the light and increases the contrast. More explanation in our Moon filter guide.
• A 6mm planetary eyepiece: the Sky-Watcher 6mm Planetary UWA Eyepiece This telescope provides 167x magnification for maximum planetary detail.
• Smartphone adapter: Hold your phone up to the eyepiece for surprisingly good moon photos. The Sky-Watcher SmartPhoto+ adapter comes with a special 20 mm photo eyepiece.
• Carrier bag the refractor objective 120/1000 does this tube fit; there are also bags for the EQ5 mount and tripod. Check out the carrier bags.

Technical specifications

Included in the box

• Sky-Watcher Evostar-120 optical tube with EQ5 mount and tripod
• Eyepieces: 25 mm, 10 mm
• Searcher: 9x50
• Star diagonal: 2", 90°

Honest advice from observers

We sell and use the Sky-Watcher line ourselves. In our Sky-Watcher merk Guide We'll explain which series are strong and which you'd rather skip. View the full range on our Sky-Watcher merk Page. Order before 11:59 PM for fast delivery, in the Netherlands and Belgium.