Sky-Watcher 150/750 Dual-Speed Telescope with EQM-35 Pro Go-To Mount

Everything you need to know about the Sky-Watcher 150mm f/5 Newtonian telescope.

• A perfect instrument for beginners, which can also grow with you.
• Versatile planetary observation and deep-sky initiation.
• Includes 10:1 Crayford focuser (for finer focus adjustment).
• EQM-35 German equatorial mount
• Automatic GOTO tracking and pointing included
• Can be carried by one person.

With its 150mm primary mirror, the Sky-Watcher Newton 150 captures 73% more light than a 114mm telescope . Under a dark sky, it allows observation of numerous celestial objects barely distinguishable with smaller instruments. It promises many discoveries for beginners . For planetary observation, with the help of a Barlow lens or a short focal length eyepiece, it will reveal numerous details of Jupiter, Saturn, and the Moon.

Its Newtonian design offers several advantages over other types of instruments (refractors and Cassegrain telescopes). Mirror manufacturing is more economical for the same diameter, and its average focal length (750mm) is very versatile. For an attractive price, you get a bright telescope that provides a diverse field of view . Central obstruction is also less than that of Cassegrain-type telescopes.

Unlike very inexpensive models or small-diameter Newtonian telescopes, Sky-Watcher 150mm, 200mm, 254mm, and 300mm Newtonian telescopes feature a parabolic primary mirror . Mirrors are spherically polished and then shaped to achieve a paraboloid form (a more costly and complex process). This is an essential selection criterion for instruments over 130mm with a short focal ratio (f/D) .

Focusing is achieved using a dual-speed Crayford focuser. This allows precise focusing thanks to the 1:10 reduction ratio, a significant advantage for high-magnification observations and imaging. It can support heavy loads (e.g., a DSLR camera) . A 31.75mm adapter is included as standard for using eyepieces of the same format with the 50.8mm output. A locking screw on the bottom of the focuser allows the focus to be maintained regardless of the optical tube's orientation.

To minimize obstruction, the secondary mirror flat support features four thin arms , each 0.5mm wide. Their sufficient rigidity limits diffraction spikes on bright stars and prevents excessive light loss. A 6x30 achromatic finder scope with its mount is also included as standard, along with a 28mm LET eyepiece (55° field of view) for wide-field, low-magnification observations. A short focal length eyepiece is recommended for high-magnification planetary observations.

Everything you need to know about the Sky-Watcher EQM-35 mount.

The EQM-35 represents a significant evolution of the small NEQ3-2 equatorial mount . While the latter was upgradeable, it had limitations in its astrophotography capabilities. Sky-Watcher therefore improved it, drawing inspiration from the modularity of its two smaller, portable siblings, the Star Adventurer and the Star Adventurer Mini , from which it inherits some of its photographic accessories.

The result is a highly modular mount, usable both as a classic equatorial mount and as a photographic equatorial mount with configurations identical to those of the Star Adventurer range. Its main advantage remains its maximum payload capacity of 10 kg, allowing it to accommodate optical tubes such as the 150/750 Newtonian or even the 200/1000 Newtonian for visual use, or a 150mm Maksutov-Cassegrain or a 120mm refractor. From a photographic perspective, such a payload capacity offers considerable freedom, including the possibility of mounting large professional cameras or long telephoto lenses, provided precise balancing is achieved.

To make the declination head removable, the right ascension axis has been impressively redesigned, increasing its diameter and strength, with more robust bearings than those of the EQ3-2. As a direct result, the drive gear has gone from 130 to 180 teeth, improving tracking accuracy.

The biggest advantage of the EQM-35 is its ability to transform into a photographic equatorial mount . The similarity to the Vixen GP Photo Guider mount, from which the EQM-35 seems to have drawn inspiration, is immediately apparent. Sky-Watcher's engineers wisely kept the option of re-installing a conventional declination axis, something the Japanese manufacturer did not allow. Once the declination axis is removed and the alternative Vixen-style dovetail is installed, you have the same options as on Star Adventurer mounts: installation of a photographic head, a guiding system, an L-bracket with or without a counterweight bar, etc.

Regardless of the configuration, the functionality of the included polar scope is retained . For more information, please consult the product page EQM-35.

Automated time control system of reference

The Sky-Watcher EQM-35 modular equatorial mount comes standard with an automatic GoTo pointing system , with a unique control box that allows managing both configurations: conventional and photographic. The removal of the declination axis, and therefore its motor, does not prevent tracking and guiding in right ascension. Of course, without the declination motor, the GoTo pointing system is deactivated.

In its Goto configuration, the EQM-35 mount is called the EQM-35 Pro.

After polar alignment with the polar scope on Polaris, select mount alignment on one, two, or three stars. The database stores more than 49,200 objects, including those from major catalogs (Messier, NGC, IC, as well as the planets, Moon, and Sun). For maximum comfort, the mount moves quickly, up to 3.4°/sec, using the hand controller. Easy to use, it allows quick pointing of the instrument to any galaxy, nebula, cluster, or solar system object. Discover in detail the famous Andromeda galaxy, the fabulous envelopes surrounding the heart of Orion, the Hercules cluster M13 and its core teeming with thousands of stars. Saturn, Jupiter, and the Moon are also wonders to explore without limits.

The hand controller screen, which displays the date, time, and observation location, along with the "Tour" function, allows you to point the EQM-35 Pro mount to the most interesting objects throughout the night . Enjoy a guided tour of the sky from your observation location by pressing the "Enter" button and selecting an object from the drop-down list. Pointing accuracy can reach up to 1 arc minute by compensating for the mount's mechanical errors . This procedure, called "Backlash," requires measuring the time between two opposite movements of the mount. The operation is simple and, especially in astrophotography, saves valuable time. The object you want to photograph is usually centered on the sensor... a real pleasure!

Specifications