Sky-Watcher Explorer-250PDS – 254/1200 Imaging Newtonian Reflector

Sky-Watcher Explorer-250PDS (OTA): ten-inch for photo and eye

The Sky-Watcher Explorer-250PDS is a 254/1200 mm imaging Newtonian (f/4.7) with a large low-expansion glass mirror. Serious resolution and light gathering power for astrophotography, and visually an immediate deep-sky machine. The tube weighs 14.4 kg: plan your mount (EQ6 class) accordingly.

What can you do with it?

Photographically, this is the class where smaller galaxies, planetary nebulae, and fine structures come within reach: plenty of aperture, plenty of resolution, plenty of signal. Visually, you get a full-fledged deep-sky telescope: globular clusters resolve, nebulae show structure, and planets are razor-sharp. These are tubes that serve two hobbies at once.

Why a PDS?

The PDS versions are the photo versions of the Explorer line: the focal point is further out so that a camera comes into focus in prime focus, the tube is internally blackened to prevent stray light, and the focuser is built for the weight of a camera. Visually, you don't lose anything: with the included.

This is how to get the most out of this telescope

• Collimation at f/4.7 is a fixed ritual: check for each photoshoot. Our guide to collimation It takes two minutes.
• Include the comma corrector: For sharp stars all the way to the corners of the sensor, this fast optic requires a corrector. Ordering it at the same time saves you a second waiting period.
• Mounting choice: EQ6-R class or heavier is the advice; this tube with camera demands mass.
• Guiding Loon With this focal length, a small guide scope makes the difference between 60 and 300 second exposures.
• Size and weight: 14.4 kg tube; lift it off the mount and save the collimation check for after setup.
• Give the mirror some cooling time (30 to 60 minutes depending on the size) for the sharpest image, visually and in photos.
• Visual planetary work: a 6 mm eyepiece gives 200x.

For whom yes and for whom no

Hello the advanced photographer with a heavy mount who is looking for resolution, and the visual observer who wants one tube for everything.

Not As a first camera tube, this format is a steep learning curve; If you want deep-sky photos without a mount, guiding, and post-processing, the smart telescopes the shorter route; ours Telescope Buying Guide for Beginners explain the trade-off.

Featured accessories

These accessories add the most after purchase:

• Coma corrector At f/5, stars at the edge of the frame appear comet-shaped on the sensor. The Sky-Watcher 2 inch Coma Corrector 1.0x solves this and is the most important first purchase for serious photography with this tube.
• Cheshire eyepiece An imaging Newton only performs with tight collimation; a Cheshire makes the adjustment accurate and fast.
• Light Pollution Filter (2 inch) Under Dutch or Belgian skies, it brings out significantly more contrast in your images and your eyepiece view.
• Moon Filter 13%: with this opening, the moon is blindingly bright; the Omegon Moon Filter 13% (1.25 inches) The light fades. More explanation in our Moon filter guide.
• Carrier bag of 250/1200-bag, this tube fits exactly. Check the carrier bags.

Technical specifications

Included in the box

• Sky-Watcher Explorer-250PDS optical tube
• 28mm LET-ocular (2-inch)
• 9x50 optical finder scope with crosshairs
• 1.25 and 2 inch eyepiece adapters

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. Uncertain about mounting, guiding, or coma corrector? Call or email us: we're happy to help with photo setups.