Skywatcher 150P / 150PDS. What's the difference

[Neilsermk1]

I am new to astronomy, and have done a bit of research into which telescope I should purchase. I think the Skywatcher explorer 150 is suitable for my needs. But can anyone tell me what is the difference between the 150P, and the 150PDS

[Knighty2112]

I believe the 150PDS is designed more for astrophotography, whereas the 150P is more for visual observations. 

[DRT]

Knighty2112 is absolutely correct but I think the PDS version can also be used for visual astronomy and comes with a dual-speed focuser (the "DS" in "PDS") which gives greater control over achieving sharp focus.

 

[Dave In Vermont]

And MKN is also correct - the PDS is dual-speed 10:1 Crayford. But now for a mystery.....

The FLO (First Light Optics, this site's sponsor and a major supplier of astro-goods in the UK) website lists the 150P at £259. While the 150PDS is listed at £209. You read that right - the scope with a better focuser is selling for less than the one with a single-speed Crayford (which are also excellent!).

Here are the links to each, with the 150P first:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/reflectors/skywatcher-explorer-150p-eq3-2.html

And the 150PDS -

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/reflectors/skywatcher-explorer-150p-ds-ota.html

I won't say which to buy. But I know which one I'd go for!

Have fun,

Dave

[Stu]

3 hours ago, Dave In Vermont said:

And MKN is also correct - the PDS is dual-speed 10:1 Crayford. But now for a mystery.....

The FLO (First Light Optics, this site's sponsor and a major supplier of astro-goods in the UK) website lists the 150P at £259. While the 150PDS is listed at £209. You read that right - the scope with a better focuser is selling for less than the one with a single-speed Crayford (which are also excellent!).

Here are the links to each, with the 150P first:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/reflectors/skywatcher-explorer-150p-eq3-2.html

And the 150PDS -

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/reflectors/skywatcher-explorer-150p-ds-ota.html

I won't say which to buy. But I know which one I'd go for!

Have fun,

Dave

This is not quite the sensation billed by Dave... The first link is for the 150P with an EQ3-2 mount whereas the second is for the 150PDS OTA only. The correct comparison is with the 150P OTA which is £183 so all is correct.

EDIT Aswell as the dual speed focuser, the PDS also has a shorter tube so it is better able to reach focus for astrophotography at prime focus.

[Ricochet]

I can solve the mystery just by looking at the urls. The P is more expensive because it comes with an EQ3 mount, while the PDS is an OTA that requires a mount to be purchased separately.

 

Edit: Too slow!

[Dave In Vermont]

Aha! I think this thread, in and of itself, qualifies as a mystery!

Pity!

Dave

[Cornelius Varley]

The 150PDS is primarily designed for astroimaging. The tube is a little shorter than the 150P version, meaning that that primary mirror is closer to the secondary mirror allowing a DSLR to reach focus more easily - something that was a problem with the 150P. The secondary mirror is also larger on the 150PDS to take into account the closer primary.

[Neilsermk1]

Hi all thanks for your help. It makes sense that the DS is dual speed. I think that's what I will go for.

thanks again

[Owmuchonomy]

Remember you need a mount to put it on.