{"title":"Sky-Watcher Heritage","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Sky-Watcher Heritage line, listed by aperture. Part of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/sky-watcher-telescopes\"\u003eSky-Watcher Telescopes\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"heritage-130-tabletop-dobsonian","title":"Heritage 130 Tabletop Dobsonian","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAperture:\u003c\/strong\u003e 130 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFocal length:\u003c\/strong\u003e 650 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFocal ratio:\u003c\/strong\u003e f\/5\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOptical design:\u003c\/strong\u003e Parabolic Newtonian, borosilicate primary\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFocuser:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.25-inch helical\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMount:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tabletop Dobsonian base, Teflon bearings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Sky-Watcher Heritage 130 is a 130 mm f\/5 tabletop Dobsonian with a tube that collapses for storage and transport. At 650 mm focal length it is a short, wide-field instrument, and the whole telescope sits on a compact azimuth base designed to be set on a table, a bench, a cooler lid, or a tailgate rather than on a tripod.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe primary is a parabolic borosilicate mirror with Sky-Watcher's Radiant Aluminum Quartz coating. Parabolic matters at this focal ratio: a spherical mirror at f\/5 would show visible softness, and the parabola is what keeps stars tight across the field. The collapsing tube design retains collimation through the collapse, so packing it away is not something you pay for at the eyepiece afterwards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you want a real telescope that lives somewhere accessible and gets used often. Aperture that sits in a cupboard by the door and comes out on a clear evening does more observing than a larger scope that requires a decision and a plan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt suits camping, travel, cottages and balconies particularly well, since the base needs a flat surface rather than level ground and a tripod. It is also a sound choice as a first telescope: 130 mm shows lunar detail, the brighter planets, open and globular clusters, and the brighter nebulae and galaxies, and it does so without asking you to learn a control system first.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCollapsible tube:\u003c\/strong\u003e the scope shortens for storage and travel and comes back to collimation on extension, so portability does not cost you optical alignment every time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eParabolic primary at f\/5:\u003c\/strong\u003e the figure is correct for the focal ratio, so stars stay points rather than showing the softness a spherical mirror would produce at this speed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRadiant Aluminum Quartz coating:\u003c\/strong\u003e the quartz overcoat protects the soft aluminium layer beneath it, which matters on a scope that gets handled and transported rather than living in an observatory.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTeflon bearings with an altitude locking knob:\u003c\/strong\u003e motion is smooth in both axes and the tube can be locked at a chosen altitude, so it holds position while several people take turns at the eyepiece.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRubber feet on the base:\u003c\/strong\u003e the pads resist skidding and damp vibration, so a nudge of the table does not end the view for several seconds afterwards.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e650 mm focal length:\u003c\/strong\u003e low powers give genuinely wide fields, which suits large open clusters and makes finding objects without a computerised system considerably easier.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOptical \/ Mechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt 130 mm and 650 mm focal length the scope is f\/5, which is fast for a beginner instrument and has two practical consequences. The useful one is field width: a given eyepiece delivers lower magnification and more sky than it would in a longer scope, which makes sweeping and star-hopping much more pleasant. The one to plan around is eyepiece behaviour, since fast focal ratios expose edge aberrations in inexpensive wide-angle eyepieces more readily than slow ones do.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe focuser is a 1.25-inch helical unit rather than a rack-and-pinion or Crayford. A helical focuser moves the eyepiece by rotating a threaded barrel, which is compact and light — appropriate for a tube this size — and gives fine control, though it takes a moment to get used to if you have used a knob-driven focuser before. It accepts 1.25-inch eyepieces only.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLunar observing is where this scope makes an immediate impression: craters, terminator shadows and mountain ranges are well within reach. The brighter planets show their main features, with Jupiter's belts and moons and Saturn's rings clearly visible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWide-field deep-sky sweeping suits the short focal length — open clusters, the brighter globulars, the Orion Nebula, the Andromeda Galaxy and similar targets. It also works well for daytime and terrestrial viewing, and as a travel and camping telescope where its size and the tabletop base are the whole point.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe focuser takes 1.25-inch eyepieces. Because the scope is f\/5, simpler eyepiece designs such as Plössls tend to perform better across the field than budget ultra-wide types, and a decent 1.25-inch eyepiece makes a visible difference here for modest money.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA collimation cap or laser collimator is worth having, as with any Newtonian. Nebula filters in 1.25-inch format work with the scope, though at 130 mm the brighter emission nebulae are where they earn their keep. The base needs a stable surface at a comfortable height — a small folding table or a sturdy stool works well, and many owners settle on one dedicated piece of furniture they keep with the scope.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you would like help choosing eyepieces or a suitable table setup, tell us how and where you plan to observe and we will make some suggestions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIt is a tabletop telescope and needs something to sit on.\u003c\/strong\u003e There is no tripod and no provision for one in the box. Any firm, flat surface at seated height works, and a folding camp table is the usual answer for field use. Worth arranging before the first clear night.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe focuser is 1.25-inch only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Two-inch eyepieces do not fit, so if you already own 2-inch oculars they will not carry over to this scope. The 1.25-inch range is large and inexpensive, so this limits the widest possible field rather than limiting your choices generally.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThere is no tracking and no computerised pointing.\u003c\/strong\u003e You find objects yourself and nudge the tube to follow them, which at these magnifications is easy and quickly becomes automatic. If you want the scope to locate and follow targets, the Virtuoso GTi 130P is the same aperture class with a motorised GoTo base.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIt is not built for astrophotography.\u003c\/strong\u003e The mount is alt-azimuth and undriven, so the field rotates and objects drift. Afocal snapshots of the Moon through the eyepiece with a phone work well and are genuinely satisfying; anything beyond that needs different equipment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to set up?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo, and this is one of the easiest telescopes to get observing with. Put the base on a table, extend the tube until it locks, insert an eyepiece, and you are looking. There is no alignment procedure, no power, and no software.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat can I actually expect to see?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLunar craters in detail, Jupiter's cloud belts and its four bright moons, Saturn's rings, and the phases of Venus. On deep-sky objects, open clusters resolve nicely, the brighter globulars show granularity, and objects like the Orion Nebula and Andromeda are clear from a reasonably dark site. Faint galaxies remain faint smudges — that is aperture, not this scope specifically.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need a special table?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo, but a stable one helps. Height is what matters most, since it determines whether you observe comfortably seated. A folding table or a solid stool is what most owners use, and the rubber feet on the base handle the rest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does it compare to the Virtuoso GTi 130P?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSame aperture class and the same collapsible tabletop concept. The Virtuoso adds a motorised GoTo base with Wi-Fi control, so it finds and tracks objects for you, and it costs more. If part of the appeal is learning the sky yourself, the Heritage does the observing just as well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill my 2-inch eyepieces fit?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo — the helical focuser is 1.25-inch. If you are moving up from another scope and own 2-inch eyepieces, they will not transfer to this one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes collapsing it upset the collimation?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe design is built to return to alignment on extension, so routine collapsing is not what knocks it out. Like any Newtonian it benefits from an occasional check with a collimation cap, which is a two-minute job once you have done it once.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a 130 mm f\/5 parabolic Newtonian on a collapsible tabletop Dobsonian base, taking 1.25-inch eyepieces and needing nothing but a table to observe from. It is built to be easy to store, easy to carry, and easy to start using on the first clear evening.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sky-Watcher","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44013527597167,"sku":"S11705","price":420.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/S11705_Heritage130_FrontLeft_1800x1800__01425.jpg?v=1766554629"},{"product_id":"heritage-150-tabletop-dobsonian","title":"Heritage 150 Tabletop Dobsonian","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a Glance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAperture:\u003c\/strong\u003e 150 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFocal length:\u003c\/strong\u003e 750 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFocal ratio:\u003c\/strong\u003e f\/5\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOptical design:\u003c\/strong\u003e Parabolic Newtonian, borosilicate primary\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFocuser:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.25-inch helical\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMount:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tabletop Dobsonian base, Teflon bearings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Sky-Watcher Heritage 150 is a 150 mm f\/5 tabletop Dobsonian on a collapsing tube. At 750 mm focal length it stays short and wide-field, and the azimuth base is designed to sit on a table or bench rather than a tripod — which is how a six-inch aperture ends up in a package you can carry in one hand and store in a cupboard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSky-Watcher state that it uses the same optics as their Classic 150P Dobsonian, in a considerably smaller and less expensive package. The primary is parabolic borosilicate with the Radiant Aluminum Quartz coating, and the collapsing tube design returns to collimation on extension, so the portability is not paid for in alignment work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you want six inches of aperture without a full-size Dobsonian in the room. It is the version of a serious beginner telescope that actually gets used, because setting it up is putting it on a table rather than assembling anything.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt works particularly well for travel, camping and cottage use, where a flat surface is easier to come by than level ground for a tripod. It is also a sensible first telescope for someone who already knows they are interested rather than testing the water — 150 mm shows meaningfully more than a smaller scope, and the format means it stays convenient while it does.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSame optics as the Classic 150P:\u003c\/strong\u003e the mirror is the one from Sky-Watcher's full-size six-inch Dobsonian, so the view is not a compromise made to fit the smaller format.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCollapsible tube:\u003c\/strong\u003e the scope shortens for storage and transport and comes back to collimation, so packing it away between sessions costs nothing at the eyepiece.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eParabolic primary at f\/5:\u003c\/strong\u003e correct figuring for a fast mirror, keeping stars tight where a spherical surface at this speed would visibly soften them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRadiant Aluminum Quartz coating:\u003c\/strong\u003e the hard quartz overcoat protects the aluminium beneath, which matters on a telescope built to be handled and transported.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTeflon bearings with an altitude locking knob:\u003c\/strong\u003e smooth motion in both axes with the option to lock altitude, so the tube stays put while people take turns looking.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVibration-damping rubber feet:\u003c\/strong\u003e the base resists skidding and settles quickly after a knock, which matters more on a table than it would on the ground.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOptical \/ Mechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e150 mm at 750 mm focal length gives f\/5, and the practical effect is wide fields at low power. A 25 mm eyepiece yields 30x across a generous patch of sky, which makes finding objects by eye and by finder considerably easier than in a long-focus instrument. The trade is that fast optics are less forgiving of cheap wide-angle eyepieces, which show their edge aberrations more readily here than in a slower scope.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe focuser is a 1.25-inch helical design — the eyepiece is moved by rotating a threaded barrel rather than by a knob and rack. It keeps the upper end light and compact, which is what allows the tube to collapse the way it does, and it gives fine control once you are used to the motion. It accepts 1.25-inch eyepieces only.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause the tube collapses rather than dismantling, the scope transports as a single object. There are no truss poles to lose, no parts to reassemble in the dark, and no alignment procedure at the far end.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Moon is the immediate reward — crater detail, terminator shadows and mountain ranges are all comfortably within reach. Jupiter shows its belts and the four Galilean moons, Saturn its rings, and Venus its phases.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor deep sky, the short focal length suits sweeping: open clusters, the brighter globulars, the Orion Nebula, Andromeda, and a good working list of Messier objects from a reasonably dark site. It also makes a strong camping and travel telescope, and a good outreach scope for the same reason — quick to set up and easy for anyone to look through.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe focuser takes 1.25-inch eyepieces. At f\/5, well-corrected simpler designs tend to outperform inexpensive ultra-wides across the field, and one good eyepiece will make more difference to your views than several mediocre ones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA collimation cap or laser collimator belongs with any Newtonian. UHC and O-III nebula filters in 1.25-inch format work here and suit the brighter emission targets at this aperture. The base needs a firm surface at a comfortable seated height, and most owners end up with one table or stool they keep with the telescope.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you would like a hand choosing eyepieces or working out what to stand it on, tell us where and how you plan to observe and we will make some suggestions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIt is a tabletop telescope and needs a surface.\u003c\/strong\u003e No tripod is included and none is fitted. A firm table, bench or stool at seated height is what it wants, and since this model is larger and heavier than the 130 mm version, a stable surface matters more here. Worth sorting out before the first clear night.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe focuser is 1.25-inch only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Two-inch eyepieces will not fit, so any 2-inch oculars you already own will not carry over.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThere is no tracking and no computerised pointing.\u003c\/strong\u003e You locate objects yourself and nudge the tube to follow them. If you want the telescope to find and track targets in this format, the Virtuoso GTi 150P is the same aperture on a motorised GoTo base.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIt is not built for astrophotography.\u003c\/strong\u003e The mount is alt-azimuth and undriven, so the field rotates and objects drift out of frame. Phone snapshots of the Moon through the eyepiece work nicely; anything past that calls for different equipment, and we are glad to talk through what that looks like.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to set up?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Set the base on a table, extend the tube until it locks, drop in an eyepiece, and observe. No tools, no power, no alignment, and nothing to assemble in the dark.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow much more does it show than the Heritage 130?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEnough to notice on faint objects, since light collection scales with mirror area rather than diameter. Globular clusters resolve a little further toward their cores and faint galaxies read as shapes rather than smudges more often. Both are easy to live with; the 150 is the one to choose if you have the space for it and expect to chase fainter targets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does it compare to the Classic 150P?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSky-Watcher say the optics are the same. What differs is everything around them: the Classic is a full-size solid-tube Dobsonian that stands on the floor with a 2-inch focuser and a finderscope, while the Heritage collapses, sits on a table, and takes 1.25-inch eyepieces. Same view, very different footprint and price.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need a special table?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAny firm, flat surface works. Height is the thing that matters most, since it decides whether you observe comfortably seated. A folding camp table or a solid stool covers it, and the rubber feet handle stability.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill my 2-inch eyepieces fit?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo — the helical focuser is 1.25-inch. If you are moving across from a scope with a 2-inch focuser, plan on 1.25-inch eyepieces for this one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes collapsing it affect collimation?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe design returns to alignment when the tube is extended, so ordinary collapsing is not what puts it out. An occasional check with a collimation cap is worth doing, and it is a quick job once you have done it once.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a 150 mm f\/5 parabolic Newtonian on a collapsible tabletop Dobsonian base, using the same optics as Sky-Watcher's full-size Classic 150P in a package you can carry one-handed. It takes 1.25-inch eyepieces, it needs a table, and it is built to be the six-inch scope that actually gets used.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sky-Watcher","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44013675413615,"sku":"S11710","price":490.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/S11710_Heritage150_LeftFront_1800x1800__39004.jpg?v=1766559280"}],"url":"https:\/\/ontariotelescope.com\/collections\/skywatcher-heritage.oembed","provider":"Ontario Telescope and Accessories","version":"1.0","type":"link"}