Sky-Watcher Classic 200 vs Flextube 200 (and the StarSense 8 Inch)
EyepieceLab is reader-supported. If you buy through our links we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Disclosure.
Sky-Watcher makes two versions that differ mainly in how the tube is built. Specs are from Sky-Watcher USA's product sheets and the listings. We haven't tested them.
Side by side
| Classic 200 | Flextube 200 | |
|---|---|---|
| Aperture | 203 mm (8 in.) | 203 mm (8 in.) |
| Focal length / ratio | 1200 mm, f/5.9 | 1200 mm, f/5.9 |
| Tube | Solid, 43 in. long | Collapsible struts |
| Assembled weight | 45 lb (20 lb tube, 25 lb base) | 50.2 lb |
| Focuser | 2 in. Crayford with 1.25 in. adapter | 2 in. Crayford with 1.25 in. adapter (listing) |
| Finder | 9x50 straight-through | 8x50 right-angle (listing) |
| Eyepieces | 25 mm (48x), 10 mm (120x) | 25 mm, 10 mm |
Which one?
- Classic 200 if you have room to store a 43 inch tube and want the lighter setup.
- Flextube 200 if car or storage space is the limit. The right-angle finder is also easier on your neck.
Sky-Watcher Classic 200 Dobsonian (8 in.)
- 8 in. solid-tube Dobsonian, per the listing
- 2 in. Crayford focuser with 1.25 in. adapter
- 25 mm and 10 mm eyepieces; 9x50 finder
- About 45 lb assembled (20 lb tube, 25 lb base)
Sky-Watcher Flextube 200 Dobsonian (8 in.)
- 8 in. collapsible strut-tube Dobsonian, per the listing
- 2 in. Crayford focuser with 1.25 in. adapter
- 25 mm and 10 mm eyepieces; 8x50 right-angle finder
The app-guided alternative
Celestron's StarSense Explorer 8 inch Dobsonian is a 203 mm reflector with a phone dock that guides you to targets with on-screen arrows, per the listing.
Celestron StarSense Explorer 8 in. Dobsonian
- 203 mm (8 in.) Newtonian reflector, per the listing
- Manual alt-azimuth Dobsonian base
- Phone dock + StarSense app
First upgrades
A Moon filter (the Moon is very bright in an 8 inch) and a mid-power eyepiece around 15 mm, which gives 80x at 1200 mm. Keep a collimation tool handy too.
Celestron Moon Filter (1.25 in.)
- Cuts glare and boosts lunar contrast, per the listing
- Threads onto most 1.25 in. eyepieces
- Not a solar filter
Celestron Cheshire Collimation Eyepiece
- 1.25 in. Cheshire collimating eyepiece, per the listing
- For collimating Newtonians
More options in our Dobsonian guide.
FAQ
Main difference?
Solid vs collapsible tube.
Which is heavier?
The Flextube, 50.2 vs 45 lb.
Does the Flextube lose collimation?
Sky-Watcher says it keeps collimation; check occasionally.