Skywatcher Quattro 300P Imaging Newtonian
Skywatcher Quattro 300P Imaging Newtonian OTA
Superb fast F/4 Optics
The Quattro 300P is a high-quality and fast 300mm f/4 instrument designed primarily for astrophotography but also works well for visual use. The telescope features a high quality, internally darkened rolled steel tube of excellent rigidity. An optically matched Sky-Watcher M48 Super ED Coma Corrector (code 20231) is available separately for best astrophotography results.
Supplied with a set of tube rings, 45mm dovetail bar, piggyback camera adaptor and a 9x50 fully multi-coated finderscope with crosshair reticle. 1.25” & 2” eyepiece adaptors are included allowing virtually any standard 1.25” or 2” eyepiece to be used. Equipped with a 2" Dual-Speed Linear Power Focuser that utilises 4 precision ball bearings to support the drawtube and provides great stability and zero image shift while supporting a heavy eyepiece or camera. Moving the drawtube by the roller rather than a rack and pinion ensures exceptionally smooth operation, great feel and precise adjustability. The dual-speed feature has a second focus knob that has a 10:1 speed reduction to provide the super-fine adjustments even the most demanding users can appreciate.
The heart of any Newtonian telescope is in the quality of its mirror optics. The accuracy of the figure, the material they are made from and the coatings applied all play an important part. Sky-Watcher’s prowess and reputation for commercial mirror making is well known and one of the jewels in its crown. Sky-Watcher has demonstrated its unwavering ability to produce telescope mirrors of consistent high quality over decades. Parabolic (or Paraboloidal) mirrors are a complex shape so need to be well made to provide the high performance expected of them. A properly figured parabolic primary mirror will eliminate spherical aberrations by bringing the light rays to the same focal point. Sky-Watcher’s diffraction-limited parabolic primary mirrors will produce sharp, contrasty images that are full of detail.
The Quattro 300P primary & secondary mirrors are made from special Low-Expansion Borosilicate glass, similar to Pyrex. It has an exceptionally low coefficient of thermal expansion compared to regular glass types. In practice this means a quicker cool-down time to reach thermal equilibrium, and during the cool-down process the mirrors will maintain a better shape, reducing distortions, allowing you to start observing sooner.
The secondary mirror is held in place by four specially designed 0.5mm thin spider vane supports which are extremely rigid when tensioned. They serve to minimise obstruction to the light path, allowing the passage of more precious photons and keeping diffraction spikes to an absolute minimum
Both primary and secondary mirrors are finished with Sky-Watcher’s RAQ™ Radiant Aluminium Quartz coatings, which include layers of aluminium, tantalum pentoxide and silicon dioxide for a brilliant, highly durable finish with 94% reflectivity that will last for years.
The colour scheme is not just an aesthetic. The OTA is tastefully finished in Sky-Watcher’s proprietary Black Diamond flecked metallic paintwork and features, by design, complementary contrasting white painted surfaces. The white surfaces are a highly practical feature for providing more visibility, which can help prevent your expensive and carefully aligned telescope from being knocked accidentally in the dark.
With a tube weight of 21.8kg, this OTA would be a good match for the Sky-Watcher CQ350 Pro, EQ8-R Pro or mountings
SPECIFICATION
- Highest Practical Power (Potential) x610
- Diameter of Primary Mirror 305mm
- Telescope Focal Length 1200mm (f/4)
- 1.25” and 2” Eyepiece Adaptors supplied (no eyepieces supplied)
- 9x50 Finderscope in centring bracket (with crosshair reticle)
- 300mm Parabolic Primary Mirror (Low-Expansion Borosilicate Glass)
- Secondary Mirror Diameter 100mm (minor axis)
- Fully Collimatable Parabolic primary & secondary mirrors with Radiant™ Aluminum Quartz (RAQ™) coating providing 94% reflectivity with optimal durability and long-term performance
- Large knurled Primary Mirror Cell Collimation Knobs
- 2" (50.8mm) Dual-Speed 10:1 Linear Power Focuser
- 0.5mm Ultra-Thin Secondary Mirror Supports
- Piggyback DSLR Camera Mounting Adaptor
- Tube weight 21.8kg
- 44% more Light-Gathering than 250mm
Features High Quality Parabolic Primary Mirrors to eliminate spherical aberrations inherent in 'fast' focal lengh reflectors with spherical primary mirrors. The mirrors are parabolized to bring all the light rays to the same focal point to give sharp, constrasty images, which are full of detail.
Most reflectors today usually have a coat of aluminium as the mirror surface and then an overcoat of silicon monoxide or silicon dioxide to protect it. Silicon dioxide produces a much more durable coat than silicon monoxide but requires specialized equipment to apply it and is therefore more expensive. Protection is needed, because in most reflectors, the mirror is open to the elements and deterioration of the reflective layer reduces the resolution of the telescope. ALL Sky-Watcher reflectors are Multi-Coated with Silicon Dioxide as standard for Optimum Durability and Long Term Performance.
Note: Fast Newtonians require precise collimation and a Coma Corrector in order to be used to their full potential.
