Skywatcher Quattro 200/800 F4 Imaging Reflector Telescope - OTA Only

Very happy with the quality of my images with the matched aplanar corrector from SkyWatcher. The tube happily sits on my belt modded HEQ5. But there are a few rough edges you'll want to smooth out if you want to use it for imaging:The matched corrector has a working distance of 53.66mm, so some additional spacer purchases may be required depending on what you have available if you go with this corrector.If you are imaging from a suburban location with bright light sources around, a lot of that light will bleed into the tube behind the primary mirror causing artefacts in your subframes. I've blocked it off with a black beanie, and that seems to work well enough.The manufacturing tolerances on the focuser are not great. There's a flat spot on the draw tube where ... MoreVery happy with the quality of my images with the matched aplanar corrector from SkyWatcher. The tube happily sits on my belt modded HEQ5. But there are a few rough edges you'll want to smooth out if you want to use it for imaging:The matched corrector has a working distance of 53.66mm, so some additional spacer purchases may be required depending on what you have available if you go with this corrector.If you are imaging from a suburban location with bright light sources around, a lot of that light will bleed into the tube behind the primary mirror causing artefacts in your subframes. I've blocked it off with a black beanie, and that seems to work well enough.The manufacturing tolerances on the focuser are not great. There's a flat spot on the draw tube where the focuser is supposed to interface with it and apply pressure, but its has a slight concave shape on the one I received. It will only grip on the edges of this flat spot without modification (sanding it down, or an upgrade). As a result it just barely held all of my imaging equipment without slippage before modification.Finally the collimation springs are quite weak. I found that sturdier springs make it hold collimation much better.Overall quite happy with the purchase.

Premium is probably not a very accurate description of this telescope. To be fair, it is an entry level astrograph. I do regret not asking to have a look at this telescope before I bought it when I visited Jacobs shop. Unfortunately telescopes didn't appear to be on display in the shop. I might have saved myself $1200. I spent over $5000 and was offered no discount and the salespeople were among the quietest people I have ever met.The focuser and the finder scope are not flash. The eyepiece holders are the same quite loose fitting tubes with thumbscrews that come with Skywatchers Dobsonians and the biggest disappointment of the whole deal. Given that the focuser with a camera will be under the tube when taking photographs, I would have expected at least brass ... MorePremium is probably not a very accurate description of this telescope. To be fair, it is an entry level astrograph. I do regret not asking to have a look at this telescope before I bought it when I visited Jacobs shop. Unfortunately telescopes didn't appear to be on display in the shop. I might have saved myself $1200. I spent over $5000 and was offered no discount and the salespeople were among the quietest people I have ever met.The focuser and the finder scope are not flash. The eyepiece holders are the same quite loose fitting tubes with thumbscrews that come with Skywatchers Dobsonians and the biggest disappointment of the whole deal. Given that the focuser with a camera will be under the tube when taking photographs, I would have expected at least brass clamping rings with a 'premium' telescope. Collimation is fickle but achievable with a good laser. This trait apparently goes with the territory with fast F4 scopes.Apparently these little telescopes do provide quite nice images. Although I wouldn't know yet as the focuser and my Baader twistlocks dont really get along all that well.Given that a competitors 8inch Dob with a two speed focuser and a right angle finder scope can be had for a little over $800, I don't think think this optical tube offers great quality and subsequently very good value for money.I travelled several hundred kilometers to visit a proper big city telescope shop and was a little underwhelmed by the retail experience. Other things we have purchased via mail order from Jacobs have been very good. Unfortunately this little telescope isn't quite so good.