Sky-Watcher StarGate-500P SynScan - 500mm f/4 Dobson

Sky-Watcher StarGate-500P SynScan: the 20-inch giant

The Sky-Watcher StarGate-500P is a truss-Dobsonian with a 508 mm (20 inch, f/4) parabolic mirror and SynScan GoTo. The collapsible metal construction can be assembled in about twenty minutes under a dark sky. This is the largest instrument in our Dobson assortment And frankly, not a telescope but a portable observatory: whoever considers this usually already knows exactly why.

What do you see through the StarGate 500P?

A half-meter mirror changes the night sky. Faint galaxies reveal structure invisible to smaller instruments, nebulae display colorful impressions, and with good seeing, you can resolve planetary details that approach photographic quality. The aluminized mirror with a multi-layer SiO2 coating maintains that performance for years.

Truss design with GoTo

The curved axes and smooth Dobson motion make manual tracking surprisingly quiet and stable. The SynScan control automatically slews and tracks, with Freedom Find so manual intervention never costs an realignment.

This is how to get the most out of this telescope

• Build-up Routine Plan: Reserve a half hour for the first few times; after that, twenty minutes is realistic.
• Allow for at least an hour to cool down for the half-meter mirror.
• Collimation at f/4 is surgical work: a good collimator and the routine from our guide on collimation are indispensable.
• Dehumidification and dew point control A power tank for the GoTo motors and a light shroud around the truss to prevent stray light and dew are standard equipment.
• Think of a small staircase: At high settings, the eyepiece is above eye level.

For whom yes and for whom no

Hello The seasoned deep-sky observer or observatory group looking for the ultimate visual instrument and taking logistics seriously.

Not first or second large telescope. The leap from nothing to 20 inches skips steps that make observing fun; a Skyliner-200P Classic or a 300P teaches you the sky first. Astrophotography with long exposures belongs to other systems; this instrument is built for looking.

Featured accessories

These accessories add the most after purchase:

• Moon Filter 13%: With this mirror size, the moon is blindingly bright. The Omegon Moon Filter 13% (1.25 inches) dims the light and increases the contrast. More explanation is in our Moon filter guide.
• Cheshire eyepiece the Sky-Watcher Cheshire Eyepiece Aligning the mirrors is more accurate than the included tools. With these fast opening ratios, it's not a luxury but a essential piece.

Technical specifications

Included in the box

• Sky-Watcher StarGate-500P truss Dobsonian with SynScan GoTo mount
• Eyepieces: 10 mm (1.25″), 28 mm (2″)
• Searcher: 9x50
• SynScan GoTo Control

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 or compare all models in our Dobson assortment. If ordered before 11:59 PM, it will be delivered quickly, in the Netherlands and Belgium. Not sure about the size or version? Call or email us: these are purchases we're happy to help you think through.

Manufacturer's additional specifications

• Mirror material: Low-Expansion Borosilicate Glass (primary and secondary)
• Mirror coating: RAQ (Radiant Aluminum Quartz), 94% reflectance
• Primary mirror with patented weight-saving design
• Vangspiegel: 136 mm
• Maximale nuttige vergroting: 1016x
• Included eyepieces: 12.5 mm and 20 mm, 70-degree wide-angle (1.25 inch)
• Collimation eyepiece (1.25 inch) included
• Focuser: 2 inch dual-speed Crayford met 1,25 inch adapter
• Zoeker: 9x50
• Directe spiegelreflex-camera-aansluiting
• Light shroud included
• Aandrijving: worm plus tandriem, 64 microstap / 0,9 graden stappenmotor
• Richtnauwkeurigheid: tot 5 boogminuten (RMS)
• Overbrenging: azimut 400 / hoogte 1523,796
• Power supply: DC 11V/5A to 15V/3A
• Totaalgewicht: 90 kg