Sky-Watcher Evostar-150 EQ5 - 150mm f/8 Refractor

Sky-Watcher Evostar-150 EQ5: the complete 6-inch refractor set

The Sky-Watcher Evostar-150 EQ5 puts the large 150/1200 mm achromat (f/8) on the EQ5 mount with a steel tripod. The largest lens of the Evostar line, delivered complete and ready for the kind of planetary nights that refractor enthusiasts live for.

What do you see through the Evostar-150?

A 150 mm refractor makes a statement: 56% more light than the 120 mm model and the kind of planetary views that refractor enthusiasts rave about. Fine details in Jupiter’s bands, the Cassini Division, bright globular clusters, and a moon that remains crystal clear even at 200x magnification. This is the largest achromatic telescope in the lineup.

EQ5: the minimum this tube deserves

An 8.5 kg tube of over a meter requires mass underneath it; the EQ5 delivers that. Tracking is done with fine adjustment, and the mount can later be expanded with tracking motors or a complete SynScan GoTo upgrade. Set the kit up in a fixed location or count on two carrying movements: that comes with this caliber.

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 10mm eyepiece gives 120x; a 6 mm planetary eyepiece (200x) brings out the maximum planetary 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 delivers more aperture per euro. Deep-sky photography belongs to the smart telescopes or an ED refractor; taking photos of the moon with a smartphone adapter is actually quite rewarding 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 geeft op deze telescoop 200x vergroting voor het maximale planeetdetail. Wil je nog een stap hoger, dan is er ook de 5 mm versie (240x).
• Smartphone adapter: clip your phone to the eyepiece for surprisingly good moon photos. The Sky-Watcher SmartPhoto+ adapter comes with a special 20 mm photo eyepiece.
• Carrier bag for refractors 150/1200 this tube fits; there are also bags for mount and tripod. Check out the carrier bags.

Technical specifications

Included in the box

• Sky-Watcher Evostar-150 optical tube with EQ5 mount and tripod
• Eyepieces: 25 mm, 10 mm
• Searcher: 9x50

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.