Sky-Watcher Explorer N 150/750 PDS Telescope
Technical sheet for the Sky-Watcher Explorer 150/750 PDS Newtonian telescope: description, specifications and strengths for astrophotography.
Description
The Explorer 150PDS is a Newtonian telescope (parabolic mirror) with a 150mm aperture and 750mm focal length (f/5) from Sky-Watcher. The PDS designation (“Photographic Dual-Speed”) marks a version specifically tailored for astrophotography: the primary mirror is repositioned lower in the tube to provide the back-focus needed for a coma corrector, and the scope is fitted with a dual-speed Crayford focuser.
With its generous aperture and short focal length, it’s a versatile instrument: fast enough for deep-sky imaging while remaining usable for classic visual observing.
Technical specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Optical type | Newtonian, parabolic primary mirror |
| Aperture | 150 mm (5.9") |
| Focal length | 750 mm |
| Focal ratio | f/5 |
| Focuser | Dual-speed 10:1 Crayford, 2" (50.8 mm), M54 internal thread |
| Secondary mirror | 52 mm (minor axis), 0.5 mm ultra-thin supports |
| Tube weight | 4.9 kg |
| Tube mounting | Rings + 45 mm dovetail bar |
| Included | 28 mm LET eyepiece, 1.25"/2" adaptors, 6×30 finderscope, piggyback camera adaptor |
Values from manufacturer specifications, to be refined with real-world use.
Official product page: Sky-Watcher BK150PDS
Strengths
- Excellent aperture-to-price ratio for a dual-purpose photo/visual instrument.
- PDS design built for astrophotography (back-focus compatible with a coma corrector).
- Short focal length (750 mm): good field/resolution compromise for large deep-sky objects.
- Precise dual-speed focuser for fine focusing during imaging.
Coming up
This sheet will be expanded with the coma corrector used, collimation settings, and first deep-sky imaging results.