SKYWATCHER QUATTRO 8

Unboxing, Setup and Review of the new Skywatcher Quattro 200P 8" astrograph.

[@julianparks8485]

Thanks for sharing. I have been looking at reviews of both Orion and Sky-Watcher. Six inch of Eight inch that is the question. This is one of the better Sky-Watcher setups and reviews that I've seen. Although it does not mention it here, I have seen it mentioned in other reviews that the Sky-Watcher coma corrector is better than the Baader coma corrector. Also there are technical points I find that are better in the Orion series than the Sky-Watcher series. For instance, the focusing tube is further down in the Orion series alleviating dew issues. Also behind the focuser is a steel plate to reinforce the focuser. Also in Orion series the focuser does not use set screws to hold in the eyepieces or the camera, but a compression ring. Thanks again and clear skies!

[@Saxonpod]

Love the bracket idea!

[@enteringintospace4685]

Hey sorry for the late response....yeah so many wires and do dads now needs more attachment space.😊

[@lukesastro2380]

Great scope & images. enjoy the new scope!!!

[@enteringintospace4685]

Thank you and thanks for watching!

[@andrewvp9224]

Hi Steve, great video. I have the same scope, but the carbon fiber version and found that I had to collimate with the scope oriented in the direction I was imaging. I also found that light was leaking around the primary mirror, so I created a plate with a cooling fan in the middle. This runs the entire imaging session and there is no vibrations either. I found that this also prevents dew from forming on the secondary mirror. The skywatcher f4 aplanatic coma corrector is great, and found that it eliminated all of the coma when coupled with my SBIG st2000xm.

[@enteringintospace4685]

Wow....saying sorry for the late response seems silly...lol. Message notifications here on KZbin stink. Thanks for the light leaks tips, it's a definite issue.

[@leeadams6961]

Thank you for sharing, I am tossed between the 6" and 8", I cant go bigger because of back and neck problems. I really appreciate the information you have shared

[@enteringintospace4685]

Hey thanks! If you can manage the 8 go for it, more apature also means better resolution. Mine weighs roughly 28 lbs with all the gear on it.

[@AB-ft2lb]

I went for the 6" myself. Much prefer the fov, and it comes with a reducing coma corrector bringing it down to f3.45!

[@Philobr]

Great video. Thanks for sharing. I have the 150 version and was trying to figure out where to put things.

[@enteringintospace4685]

Thanks!! I'm still shooting with mine, good luck with yours!

[@tullyfisher]

Great video/review/test... I also liked that you show some issues you had and how to (potentially) solve them. - Thank you & cs.

[@enteringintospace4685]

Hey thanks for the positive feedback! Success is solving so when it goes good you got to savor it...lol

[@tullyfisher]

@@enteringintospace4685 agreed ;-)

[@Spaced_Out_Bill]

Great video. I have an Orion 8" reflector (not their Astrograph model) that leaks light like crazy. I was really thinking about getting a Quattro until you mentioned the light leaking. Thanks for the review!

[@enteringintospace4685]

Thanks!! Yeah I solved the light leak with a black cloth wrapped around back end. The light is coming from the gap around the primary.

[@lnlarxg]

Definitely get the SW aplanatic coma corrector, the dedicated Quattro one you mentioned. I have the 10’ Quattro and it makes a massive different. Also I used to laser collimate with a very good quality laser, but my friend introduced me to the concenter Collimator. The combination of the sw aplanatic coma corrector and the concenter Collimator together I now have absolute pinpoint stars. Have fun dude, sw Quattro is so good, I don’t see why I would ever upgrade to a refractor which is 4x the price for a good one

[@enteringintospace4685]

Hey good to hear....i was on the fence. I was informed from a high point Scientific employee that the hotech laser collimator was adjustable. Not directions on this at all! Anyway it was way out so hopefully that will help. But ill definitely be ordering the sw coma corrector. Stay tuned for a follow up video, I'll give ya a shout out 👊

[@AstroQuest1]

Awesome video and review Steve! - Cheers

[@enteringintospace4685]

Hey Thanks Kurt! It's a great scope...needs a little tweaking though.

[@richardbamfield3922]

Nice video Steve, a lot of useful info here, as I've not got a Newt (yet!).

[@enteringintospace4685]

Thanks! It's cheap aperture of your willing to fiddle with collimation. F4 will definitely cut my total exposure time down too.

[@cindyreed8040]

Excellent video...thank you.

[@enteringintospace4685]

Hey thanks for watching!

[@MrGChuff]

Very nice scope indeed, colimation has always been a negative aspect for newts for me but looking forward to seeing your future images with it. Great T-shirt btw.

[@enteringintospace4685]

Haha!! I was wondering if anyone would notice. Yeah it's cheap aperture if your willing to collimate each time.

[@woody5109]

Great video, your 100% correct on the manufacturing, it’s like car parts, most of them all come from the same

[@enteringintospace4685]

Definitely! I wish that was an in-between product for newts and RC's. Thanks!

[@elmikol2443]

Cool video. I have the Orion version of the scope. You could shoot your darks with the camera capped by itself in a dark room. Make a dark library.

[@enteringintospace4685]

Thanks! Thought about that but I'm too lazy to rig up a separate power supply...lol. I actually bought a dark frame filter for the 8th position in my filter wheel. All good now :) Thanks for watching!

[@CAPAstro]

Just got one myself and having lots of fun with it. Still need to fine-tune the collimation

[@enteringintospace4685]

Awesome!! Good luck mine came way out so had to adjust it over several nights. Plus my hotech being way didn't help...lol.

[@CAPAstro]

@@enteringintospace4685 cheers ! Also following what you put up on the FB groups...PixInsight, ZWO etc...great stuff

[@enteringintospace4685]

@@CAPAstro Awesome! yeah ive gotten alot of great support there and on instagram too! Thanks

[@danml550]

Awesome video! I’ve been wanting to get this 8” but haven’t pulled the trigger yet.

[@enteringintospace4685]

Thanks! At the price its worth it....check out my videos on the 6 things I did to make it better. They definitely helped the image quality.

[@birreboi]

Damn good photos considering the collimation problems, the light leaks, the dew and anything else I haven't mentioned!

[@enteringintospace4685]

Lol, yeah I pushed through. Hopefully the dedicated coma corrector with fix that last little quirk. Thanks for watching.

[@birreboi]

@@enteringintospace4685 Ya, I hope the new corrector works well for you.

[@douweodh4146]

Cool video!

[@enteringintospace4685]

Thanks👊

[@michal_king478]

When you said the focuser is stiff, went quiet and looked over I lost it 😂

[@enteringintospace4685]

That's cause my gr acts like a 6th grader🤣🤣

[@anthonygraham6449]

Glad I saw this video. May just get a .67 reducer for my RC6.

[@enteringintospace4685]

Hey sorry for the late response, YT notifications suck. Good luck, i never could get mine to reduce well.

[@hectordebuc2577]

The first mount you set it up is a Skywatcher and which model?

[@richardhendrick5835]

Richard - Belgium..good video Steve, I've got a 250/1200 skywatcher on a AZEQ6. I've had also problems with my darks, light coming from the back of primary miror...will check my focuser as you did. Usualy I cover the front of the scope with a dark cloth. Also, not easy to have the correct back focus of my baader coma corrector. My scope is colimation sensible...must control it often...nice to watch your videos...good..

[@enteringintospace4685]

Hey thanks for watching! I was definitely surprised as I didnt have that issue with my 6" celestron. I've order a dark frame filter to go in my filter wheel, hopefully that will help as well.

[@richardhendrick5835]

@@enteringintospace4685 since I have also the light problem as you have with your focuser, I will put a cap on the focuser tube..:-)...it works...

[@nebulasky522]

@@richardhendrick5835 I'm also going to get the 250Quattro shortly with the Azeq6. Have you had any problems with focus or collimation? Best regards

[@richardhendrick5835]

@@nebulasky522 Hi...my 250/1200 is not a quatro...wonder why it's called Quatro...maybe not the same focal lenght...I followed Steve's advice in checking if my focuser was well at 90° with the tube (watch his video)...had to fix it a bit. Collimation has to be check before each use. It has to be set a bit. Doesn't really stay stiff...Focus is alright, even if I recently had some problems with auto-focus. SGP can't find the focus point. But skies where not very good...humidity in the high atmosphere. I also put a dark frame filter, it works very well for my darks. I would say also that the AZEQ6 is very sensible in tracking. I had so many problems with tracking, and still today. Of course I'm somewhat overweight with my setup for this mount. Then it must be very well balanced, and certainly no wind...:-(....Have fun then with your new material...

[@Gozza76]

I bought the same 8" Quattro a couple of months back, had the Baader mpcc mk3 and found no matter what spacing you use, it doesn't correct the coma all that well on an aps-c sized sensor, sure it is much improved, but still too much elongation around the outside. Plus, it ruins the image by introducing the "bloat" you mentioned on the stars. Almost better to have no CC and crop half the images lol. Anyway, I bought the skywatchers aplanatic 4 element coma corrector and it is a dream. Pinpoint to the edges with no tweaking, and very crisp stars. Expensive, but worth it. Did you end up getting one?

[@tomhoskins4913]

I have an Orion 10 inch Newt that I have been waiting to built a rig with. Right now I am using 2 rigs . An Asto-Tech AT72ED II and a Rokinon 135 , Interchangeable with my Cameras ASI533MC & ASI2600MC, ASIAIR plus, AZ-GTI, and Atlas Pro. Your video was very helpful, most channels do not do much on Newts, I have the same Baader coma corrector. What guide scope would you recommend I am currently using a ZWO 30mm 120 mm Focal length scope?

[@markcarter7287]

From my experience with collimation with my 8" SN, you don't want to spin your scope around much even during the process. Moving the scope from east to west of mount can actually present different collimation results. I usually will collimate the night of the shoot, on the side of the sky the telescope is going to be facing to start with. After meridian flip, it's in your interest to check collimation again because it can be out of sync just from the flip. I'll be lying if I told you I personally do that as I'm too lazy to take all the crap off and redo that process :-D Thanks for this review, I was looking at maybe going to the 10" quattro but still TBD

[@enteringintospace4685]

Wow...collimation after a meridian flip? That's some serious astrophotography dedication, more than I have 😉 I can definitely see the heavy they ota the collimation can be skewed with moving. Good luck on the newt shopping and Thanks for watching!

[@markcarter7287]

Entering Into Space yeah I watched a lecture where a pro planetary imager said two things that stuck with me. Granted, I don’t shoot planetary but he said 8” and up should be outside all day to acclimate to temperatures, if not actually stay outside 100% of the time. Well I’m not fortunate enough to leave my rig outside like 99% of us. I do set it outside with a towel over it on the deck about 10-12 hours in advance to shooting. The other thing he said was the collimation things. And I tested it, did west of mount collimation and indeed when I moved the scope to the east side and checked it, my laser on the primary wasn’t perfect centered like it was on the west. It was indeed off. Crazy but I don’t care THAT much to re-do it.

[@DeepVoid_70]

​@@markcarter7287 It's very interesting. IMVHO, anyway, an all day acclimatation is nearly absurd for instruments of common sizes. The thermal equilibrium is achieved just after an hour, 12 hours is an eternity, mostly if you think that the environment temperature and conditions change constantly over time, with different influence on different materials with different thermal inertia. Not to mention what dew heaters do to this legendary thermal equilibrium... Thermal equilibrium in open environments simply doesn't exist. About collimation in newtonians, its loss after the meridian transit is due to the tolerance in main mirror cell, which is somewhat loose to avoid pinching the mirror during its cubic dilation after changes in temperature. It's the way newtonians are built, this "feature" can be mitigated by adopting special glasses with very very little dilation factor (thus leading quickly to expensive mirrors); this way became possible to tighten the cell grip on the mirror. For common mirrors, like the one in the Quattro 8, it's possible to add very thin and soft spacers between the cell hooks and the mirror (some use just little pieces of paper), to strenghten the cell grip without compromising the overal optic performances of the mirror.

[@andyjacinto5608]

Greetings. I’ve noticed in the early part of the video, that you are using CG-4 mount, it has motors. May I ask if it is good for guiding, and if easy to use? Thanks.

[@enteringintospace4685]

Hey! Yeah I was using it to hold the new ota as I transferred things over. I did use it for ap and yes I did upgrade it with battery powered step motors to track and fine dec adjustments. Worked great for up to 60 sec subs!

[@elmikol2443]

Looking like you need a slight increase on your backspace to fix the stars.

[@enteringintospace4685]

Hey thanks for the tip. Ive definitely been fighting that issue and was thinking I was too close. Im at 56mm now but I may trying add some distance as you have suggested.

[@jameswoods1939]

I know since this video you've switched over to an EAF and asiair pro but have to ask what batinov mask did you use prior to the switch?

[@enteringintospace4685]

Not sure of the brand but they all came from highpoint. You just have to make sure the diameter is right.

[@wafflefreetech7062]

Great Video - Great tip about the seam needing some tape. My 10" Quattro arrives in 2 weeks so it will be interesting to see how my darks work for my scope. That said, i have ordered a repladement focuser - I bought the Lacert 508N Octo-Plus 2 focuser which is a direct replacement for the Skywatcher focuser and doesn't need a new holes drills. It's built like a tank, so i high hopes for it, as some say it's built better than Feathertouch. I have a feather touch on my 8" RC so i can do a direct comparison.. I also ordered a primary mirror baffle to help reduce halo effects on bright stars. So i'll let you know if mine has the same light leaks down the seam and around the origional focuser. I'm guessing a bit of black tape will solve that issue if i have it. Ill let you know how i get on.

[@enteringintospace4685]

Holy crap! These you tube message notifications suck. Sorry for the extremely late response....did you get you newt. I eventually found with mine the biggest leak was where the primary mounts to the back ring. Made a cap to fit over the back end and problem solved!

[@seemantadutta]

What mount are you going to be using the 10”? Will my EQ6R Pro work with the 10”?

[@SKYST0RY]

I am really looking hard at this one. How are you liking this telescope four years later?

[@Cosmic_Gypsy]

Love the Tshirt 😆

[@cigarnationwarriors]

I’m considering this scope for visual observing, especially galaxies. Will it work well?

[@FisTheDucc]

ofc

[@timokobel3992]

Hey there. A little late I know but I have one question. Could you suggest the quattro 8s for visual use as well or should I better go with the 200/1000 PDS? THANKS

[@enteringintospace4685]

Hey no worries! The Quattro has baffles which aid in astrophotography. I believe these add to the cost and not necessary for visual. I would look for a newt that doesn't have them.

[@timokobel3992]

@@enteringintospace4685 thanks alot for your help. Best Regards from Germany and clear skies

[@enteringintospace4685]

@@timokobel3992 clear skies and clear minds to you 👊

[@anupamp8608]

How much would I be pushing the HEQ5 Pro mount with this scope? I feel the 6inch model is bit underpowered. Want to go to the 8 inch, but don't know if HEQ5 will take it.

[@Butzemann123]

thinking about the same and honestly i think it comes down to your location. If its more windy, the HEQ5 will struggle. Guiding accuracy should be good enough for 800mm. (mine is always below 1"RMS)

[@milos-7712]

Great video👌 And great photos as well 👏 I got one question Which mount would this thing be best paired with? Is an HEQ 5 PRO enough? Or do you gotta go with the NEQ 6 PRO or even the 6R PRO? 🤔

[@enteringintospace4685]

Thanks! With a full compliment of astro equipment I would highly recommend a mount with at least a 40 lb capacity. Mine is pushing 24 lbs, but that is also because most of my cable ride on the ota.

[@milos-7712]

@@enteringintospace4685 Got it. Thank you for the quick response 🙂

[@The_Vinceable]

Technically speaking you gave it first light when you unboxed it 😉

[@briangriffiths937]

Nice video, pity about the focuser. There should be a piece of foam rubber between the focuser and the scope to stop any stray light leaking onto the secondary.

[@enteringintospace4685]

Thanks! Yeah I was surprised. I've order a dark frame filter to help as well.

[@herblapp]

Heck it's only money as they say in astrophotography. That's why l do enjoy looking at your images! Great job!! 😉

[@dante2387]

Can this telescope be used only for deep sky and planetary observation? Or is it just for astrophotography use?

[@Nottsboy24]

Astrophotography is planetary and deep space imaging! this telescope with it's 8" aperture can do both 👌🔭

[@filipdziegielewski4742]

Did you manage to do the collimation well? I read that this is unfortunately a big problem with these telescopes and they do not forgive mistakes in relation to the F / 5 series

[@enteringintospace4685]

Its been a challenge and one I didn't have with my 6" celestron. I can get everything lined up and the stars will be off. This scope is set to full offser which isn't exactly clear to me. But I guess you get what you pay for and it's definitely a work in progress

[@filipdziegielewski4742]

Entering Into Space Nevertheless, I have seen great photos taken with this telescope, including yours

[@mauro180bit6]

Is the 250mm carbon fiber good for eq6 r pro?

[@enteringintospace4685]

Yeah should be close, I think the eqr6 has a 44 lbs capacity so 33 too 35 lbs imaging payload should be safe. But you should also consider your skies, if your in a brighter zone the extra apeture is also going to give to extra light polution. Just a thought. Good luck!

[@velocechannel]

What the difference between Explorer 200p and Quattro 200p?

[@user-ol9js7xq1e]

I bought such a telescope. Its quality turned out to be terrible. The mirror had a lot of errors and could not build a quality image. There was severe astigmatism, zonal errors, two radii, and more. It's good that I have an acquaintance in the optical production. He was able to make the mirror perfect. The telescope tube is very weak. The area near the focuser does not support the weight of the camera, wheel, and off-axis guide. Even if the focuser is of high quality. The stars change shape when the telescope is repositioned. High quality astrophotography is not available. The tube should be strengthened in the focus area. I lost a lot of time bringing it to mind. Unfortunately I live in a place with very little sun and clean nights. I can only use fast optics. Astronomy lovers in the United States are very lucky with the climate. Appreciate this. You have a lot of clear and warm nights.

[@enteringintospace4685]

Yea these scopes are definitely get what you pay for but with some work they can definitely produce great images.

[@tombeilman5579]

Really nice images, one time my stars looked like mushrooms, camera was way out of focus

[@enteringintospace4685]

Thanks!! Lol...yeah you gota tough and smart for this hobby 😉

[@jameswoods1939]

Wow! Every video I watch leaves me more torn between an SCT or a Newt... not sure I'll ever be able to decide. The SCT depth is enticing but their focall length vs my amateur skill set may be too much. The large aperture and reasonable FL of a Newt may be more my speed. Thanks for yet another great video. Oh.... are you powering everything from your home and converting to DC power?

[@enteringintospace4685]

Thanks!! I've owned both and the newts are much more forgiving. If your just starting out speed is your friend. Imaging at f5 or f4 is a whole lot more enjoyable. F10 means super long subs.

[@jameswoods1939]

@@enteringintospace4685 thanks! Guess I'll get my order in now so maybe I can get it by summer.

[@ly8370]

SCT is great for planetary imaging.

[@whoe_whate8487]

How do you think this would fare on an AVX mount?

[@enteringintospace4685]

Hey....I haven't ever owned the avx but I think it has a 30lb cap. The 8" with a guide scope and cam was around 28lbs...so you would be close. If you aren't ready to mount upgrade I would suggest buying and additional counter weight. This way you can get you counters weights closer to the center of your RA axis

[@FisTheDucc]

an avx mount is the worst choice in a eq mount u can make, they are known for shid tracking

[@kevingumfory]

Its not a box in a box .... pulls out a box. Well played homer.

[@enteringintospace4685]

lol!

[@howling_at_the_moon1]

Hi Im new to all this, infact I don't even have a Telescope at the moment. I am looking around but, so many and choose from. I'm looking at at skywatcher 150pds, 130pds and now I seen your vid I have to consider this one too. Can I ask you what kind of Tripod I would need please ? Your input would be greatly appreciated. Love your photos too ,they are really cool. Regards Roy from Wales UK.

[@enteringintospace4685]

Hey Roy, appreciate you reaching out. I've actually done a video on a full rig buyout including all the links. It's what I feel is a great scope, mount and camera to get started in the hobby. I recommend the skywatcher heq5....give a look and let me know of you have any questions.

[@nathanhassey4724]

Do you happen to know how much your setup weighs on the mount?

[@enteringintospace4685]

Yes sir...its roughly 30 lbs.

[@nathanhassey4724]

@@enteringintospace4685 oh awesome thanks! I have a similar setup and at about the same weight. I’ve been seeing forum people poo poo on the weight/capacity ratio thing.

[@enteringintospace4685]

@@nathanhassey4724 yeah don't let them spook you. I'm guiding under 1 arc sec and I'm more like 9 lbs for the "imaging capacity " I think the manufacturers tell you that so you'll buy another mount...lol

[@digitale78]

Nice video,what s the name of the intro Song?

[@amounifnd]

Great video, luring me away from a 120mm refracter. Video would have been more entertaining if you threw the Scope and left the packaging ???

[@enteringintospace4685]

Lol....sorry for the late response. No why didn't I think of that😉 I definitely would have gotten more views!

[@desbarry8414]

Nice video BUT kill the annoying music. You dont need it

[@alexanderthegreat3106]

I hate the green dovetails