The new Sky-Watcher Virtuoso GTi Dobsonian is a high performing collapsible tabletop telescope that offers a combination of convenience, flexibility, and light-gathering power – and now with Wi-Fi.
Ideally suited for both the beginning astronomy enthusiast looking for a first telescope and as a casual backyard/travel alternative for the experienced observer, this small scope boasts big views and is the perfect camping companion for your dark sky getaways.
Available in either 130 or 150mm apertures, the Sky-Watcher Virtuoso GTi Dobsonian has undergone a major transformation from the original Sky-Watcher Virtuoso in all the ways that matter: Larger aperture, faster focal ratio, a collapsible OTA, and built-in Wi-Fi for full GoTo telescope control via a smartphone and Sky-Watcher’s free SynScan app for iOS and Android.
While the original Virtuoso from Sky-Watcher was more focused on planetary, solar, and lunar viewing with its long focal length and included solar filter, the all-new Virtuoso GTi borrows its collapsible optical tube design from the popular line of Flextube and Heritage Sky-Watcher Dobsonians for a versatile package that does it all.
The Sky-Watcher Virtuoso GTi Dobsonian features Sky-Watcher’s Radiant Aluminum Quartz (RAQ) coatings on all optical surfaces for bright, bold views and comes complete with everything you need to start exploring the night sky mere minutes out of the box including a red dot finder and two eyepieces (25mm and 10mm).
With the free SynScan Pro app – available for iOS and Android — the user has access to a database that contains over 10,000 objects, including Messier, NGC, IC, and Caldwell catalogs. Align on the stars using one of four alignment methods to put Virtuoso’s internal GPS to work and track objects like the Sun, Moon, and stars at precise rates. Patented “Freedom Find” technology uses dual encoders to allow manual control while retaining alignment.
Both the Virtuoso GTi 150P and 130P offer the following:
– Optical Design: Newtonian
– Mirror Coating: Protected Aluminum
– Reflectivity: 94%
– Mirror Type (Monolithic/Conical/Fused conical): Monolithic
– Glass Type: Borosilicate
– Primary cell supports (how many support points): Edge Support
– Optical Quality: Diffraction limited (1/4 wave)
– Collimatable Cell: Secondary & Primary
– Focuser Type: Helical
– Focuser Size: 1.25″
– Focuser: Dual or Single Speed: Single
– Compression Ring: No
– Type of bearing used (Telfon/roller): Roller
– Hardware included with base: Yes
– Collapsible Tube: Yes
– Tripod Mount: 3/8 thread block
– Required Power: 12v/AAs (8x)
– Power port diameter: 2.1mm
– Freedom Find: Yes
– Clutch Type: Hand Clutch
– Can clutches be adjusted: Yes
– Built-in WiFi: Yes
– Hand Controller: Optional
– Database: Complete Messier, Caldwell, NGC, IC and SAO catalogs, user defined objects. Total 10,000+ objects
– Eyepieces: 25mm and 10mm SUPER eyepiece (1.25″)
– Collimation eyepiece: Yes
– Included finder: Red Dot
– Mounting Hardware Dobsonian
– Manual: Yes
Virtuoso GTi 150P specifications include:
– Primary Aperture (mm): 150
– F/Ratio: 5
– Focal Length (mm): 750mm
– Secondary Diameter (minor axis): 48mm
– Secondary Obstruction by Diameter: 32%
– Secondary Obstruction by Area: 10%
– Optical Tube length (extend/retract): 25″/14.75″
– Optical Tube weight: 6.5 pounds
– Assembled base weight: 10.9 pounds
– Total Weight: 17.3 pounds
– Shipping Weight: 20 pounds
– Shipping Dimensions (Box 1 / Box): 23″x17″x17″
– Dawes Limit: 0.77
– Rayleigh Limit: 0.93
– Limiting Magnitude:1 3.36
– Minimum Magnification: 21x
– Maximum Magnification: 295x
– Magnification with included eyepieces: 30x (25mm)/75x (10mm)
– Light Gather (compared to next size down): 44% (Compared to Heritage 130mm telescope)
– Intended use: Visual
Virtuoso GTi 130P specifications include:
– Primary Aperture (mm): 130
– F/Ratio: 5
– Focal Length (mm): 650mm
– Secondary Diameter (minor axis): 40mm
– Secondary Obstruction by Diameter: 31%
– Secondary Obstruction by Area: 10%
– Optical Tube length (extend/retract): 25″/14.75″
– Optical Tube weight: 6.5 pounds
– Assembled base weight: 10.9 pounds
– Total Weight: 17.3 pounds
– Shipping Weight: 20 pounds
– Shipping Dimensions (Box 1 / Box): 23″x17″x17″
– Dawes Limit: 0.89
– Rayleigh Limit: 1.04
– Limiting Magnitude: 13.05
– Minimum Magnification: 18x
– Maximum Magnification: 256x
– Magnification with included eyepieces: 26x (25mm)/65x (10mm)
– Light Gather (compared to next size down): 56% (Compared to 100mm telescope)
– Intended use: Visual
You can learn more about the Sky-Watcher Virtuoso GTi Dobsonian here.
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