Search  for anything...

Celestron CELESTRON Flextube 200 Dobsonian 8-inch Collapsible Large Aperture Telescope – Portable, Easy to Use, Perfect for Beginners (S11700)

  • Based on 0 reviews
Condition: New
Checking for product changes
$599.00 Why this price?
Save $156.00 was $755.00

Buy Now, Pay Later


As low as / mo
  • – Up to 36-month term with PayTomorrow
  • – No impact on credit
  • – Instant approval decision
  • – Secure and straightforward checkout

Ready to go? Add this product to your cart and select a plan during checkout. Payment plans are offered through our trusted finance partners Klarna, PayTomorrow, Apple Pay, and PayPal. No-credit-needed leasing options through Acima may also be available at checkout.

Learn more about financing & leasing here.

Selected Option

Free shipping on this product

Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt

To qualify for a full refund, items must be returned in their original, unused condition. If an item is returned in a used, damaged, or materially different state, you may be granted a partial refund.

To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.

View our full returns policy here.


Availability: In Stock.
Fulfilled by Celestron Direct

Arrives Friday, Apr 26
Order within 13 hours and 17 minutes
Available payment plans shown during checkout

Style: 8" Collapsible Dobsonian


Features

  • LARGE APERTURE: Get a bright, bold viewing experience at a fraction of the cost of other optical designs.
  • INNOVATIVE COLLAPSIBLE DESIGN: Unique strut design allows for optical tube to collapse for ease of portability while keeping collimation.
  • PROPRIETARY TENSION CONTROL HANDLES: These patented handles allow for accurate movement without the need for perfect balance.
  • 94% REFLECTIVE MIRRORS: Fully multi-coated borosilicate primary and secondary mirrors deliver exceptional views.
  • TEFLON BEARINGS: Proprietary Teflon bearings ensure smooth azimuth movement.
  • COMES COMPLETE: All accessories such as, 2-inch Crayford-style focuser with 1 1/4-inch adapter, two super wide-angle eyepieces (25mm and 10mm), and 8x50 right-angle finder scope are included with purchase.
  • STURDY AND LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN: When fully assembled, the Dobsonian weighs only 40 pounds fully assembled (24 pound tube, 26 pound base)

Description

For years, Dobsonian telescopes have provided astronomers with the most bang for their buck using a large aperture and simple design. Viewing with a large aperture can provide a stellar experience, however the size of large reflector telescopes can pose problems for users looking to either store or transport their telescope from one location to another. The Sky-Watcher Collapsible Dobsonian solves this problem with a unique collapsible design using three retractable steel struts, allowing for easy storage and transit. Transport Anywhere, Anytime Dobsonians are known for giving users a large aperture reflecting telescope at a low price, however they often lack portability. Sky- Watcher has innovated this classic telescope design by integrating a collapsible tube system, addressing users’ portability concerns. Sky-Watcher Collapsible Dobsonians feature a strut system carefully designed to ease setup time in the field while delivering consistent optical performance. Each strut has preset indentations which place the optics in the same position time after time, maintaining collimation. Unlike Dobsonians using a truss-tube system, Sky-Watcher’s Collapsible Dobsonian does not need to be disassembled. The strut system is comprised of three 1” steel poles, joining the bottom and top portion of the optical tube. When extended, three chrome locking screws hold the instrument in place. Unlike truss tube Dobsonians, Sky-Watcher’s Collapsible Dobsonian holds collimation extremely well, forgoing the need to collimate each time it’s used. The retracting design can shorten the optical tube up to 36%, making storage and transit much easier. Borosilicate? Gesundheit! At the heart of any Sky-Watcher telescope are observatory-grade optical components. The Collapsible Dobsonian is no exception, using components that yield exceptional contrast, 94% reflectivity and minimal vignetting. Mirrors are constructed with borosilicate glass, then coated with quartz, titanium and silicon dioxide to ensure an unparalleled viewing experience. Combining these superb optics with a large Dobsonian aperture helps ensure you’ll have bright, bold views of faint deep sky objects. To ensure Sky-Watcher Dobsonians remain easy to use, all Collapsible Dobsonians include a mount base that is so smooth, it can be rotated with the push of a finger. 8” and 10” models come complete with Teflon™ bearings, while the larger 12”, 14” and 16” models use steel needle bearings to ensure smooth and easy movement. Upgraded Pro Models Sky-Watcher’s 14” and 16” Collapsible Dobsonian Pro models offer a few additional upgrades. Pro models also use a conical parabolic mirror to help reduce the weight of the primary and for faster cool-down time. Additionally, a 10:1 dual-speed Crayford-style focuser offers users a more precise method for focusing and needle bearings produce smoother, quieter movement. Pro models also include Sky-Watcher’s premiere collapsible mount which uses an easy-breakdown base for enhanced portability. Normally, these larger aperture scopes would be extremely difficult to transport but with Sky-Watcher’s innovative design these telescopes can be used anywhere. Accessories and More At Sky-Watcher, we want you to feel confident in your purchase, knowing that your telescope will come with all required accessories to start using your telescope. All Sky-Watcher Dobsonian telescopes include a 2” Crayford focuser and a 1.25” adapter, allowing you to utilize both 2” and 1.25” eyepieces. Also included, are two 1.25” eyepieces (25mm and 10mm), a 8x50 finderscope and eyepiece tray.

Brand: Celestron


Optical Tube Length: 11 Millimeters


Eye Piece Lens Description: Plossl


Objective Lens Diameter: 203 Millimeters


Telescope Mount Description: Altazimuth Mount


Product Dimensions: 36"D x 26"W x 19"H


Focus Type: Auto Focus


Power Source: Adapter


Finderscope: Reflex


Item Weight: 67.2 Pounds


Product Dimensions: 36 x 26 x 19 inches


Item Weight: 67.2 pounds


Item model number: S11700


Is Discontinued By Manufacturer: No


Date First Available: June 22, 2010


Manufacturer: Sky-Watcher


Frequently asked questions

If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is: Friday, Apr 26

Yes, absolutely! You may return this product for a full refund within 30 days of receiving it.

To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.

View our full returns policy here.

  • Klarna Financing
  • Klarna Pay in 4
  • PayTomorrow Financing
  • Apple Pay Later
Leasing options through Acima may also be available during checkout.

Learn more about financing & leasing here.

Top Amazon Reviews


  • Perfect for a beginner to Amateur
Style: 8" Collapsible Dobsonian
I have never owned or operated a telescope before but I began looking for a beginner scope for over a year now. Upon several reviews and forum ratings, I originally went with the Celestron 127EQ (Big Mistake) So I immediately returned it. Not only was the mount hard to maneuver but darn near impossible to collimate. So I started my search over and the term Dobsonian (Type of Mount) kept popping up from amateur astronomers. So naturally I being researching and came across this magnificent scope!! Not only is The dobsonain mount easy to maneuver, lock and keep track/move with the sky. It's easy to assemble!! (All needed tools are in the box) Now to the scope it self.. When you first unbox the unit you can immediately tell it is very well crafted.. (no cheap plastic bits) The 2" focuser is very smooth (it does come with a 1.25" adapter) and the x2 - 1.25" plossl lens it comes with are very decent quality (only wish it came with a Barlow lens) The finder Scope is excellent quailty and accurate as well I was skeptical about the whole collapsible thing, but it transitions very smoothly making it much easier to store and carry. So very glad I went this way. Plus it keeps the primary mirror and secondary mirror in completely different tubes.. (Just in case you drop a tool or 2 down the tube it doesn't bust up your primary mirror.) After my horror story with the 127EQ I bit the bullet and purchased a hotech 2"/1.25" laser crosshair collimator..seriously collimation is a snap (2 mins Max) ...A must have !! After every is ready to go and it's all collimated.. And you finally sit down..on a clear night.. And look through the lens for the first time at the moon (HDTV has Nothing on this scope) it's beautiful, everything you wished for..(even in the city) My 3.5 year old son and my wife are also always wanting to use the scope.. I am seriously considering buy 2 more. So if you are on the fence of buying a scope.. STOP and get down and press Buy Now!! You won't regret it.. I know my family and I don't.. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2013 by Kevin C

  • 1-star AF
Style: 10" Collapsible Dobsonian
If you’re looking for tons of practice collimating telescopes but none of the reward of a clear image of the night sky, this is the telescope for you. I’ve owned this scope for about a month and a half now and I haven’t gotten one single clear image out of it. I’ve tried everything: collimating it countless times, checking the alignment of my collimating laser, buying a NEW laser in hopes that I hadn’t wasted $700 on a bunk telescope. I’ve heard people online say that length from the primary mirror that the secondary mirror snaps to is too close or too far to get a clear image and that you have to tweak this or that, none of which has made any difference for me. Either I’m using it COMPLETELY wrong, which I don’t find terribly likely, or it’s just extremely user-unfriendly. Either way, it has earned every bit of one star in my experience. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2019 by Sam Smith

  • I think anyone getting this scope would do well and get the Bob knobs for it ,
Style: 10" Collapsible Dobsonian
Well to start off with the scope took no time at all coming from the West coast to the east coast, I was impressed to say the least. I opened the box very carefully because of other reviews claiming easy to damage the Focuser, I didn’t have that problem .the stand went together Very easily meaning I didn’t have to fight any of the pre drilled holes from miss alignment, that was a big concern , so what ever fixtures shy watcher used to drill the pre holes were perfect, I thank you for that , I’m an aircraft builder so I know ,as far as the scope it set right in and the locking handles fit perfectly again well done with there hole matching up, now the test, well 3 night of centrails and rain didn’t happen . Then the night sky was perfect, thank you lord, only hard part was 8* temp , brrrrrr, we fought it out . Orion was out just to the south just clearing all the trees and I went straight to the nebula, oh my what a sight to see , using a 25 mm lens im telling ya the nebula seemed as big as a dinner plate. Sorry to say we couldn’t hang because of the cold , the next night I took it out again and the temp was about 26* , way better then the windy night before, got to show a few other family members and they were blown away as well, now you probably wondering about the mirror Allignment out of the box , the secondary mirror was just outside the donut and the main was just a tad off from falling in the center hole of my lazar collimating , adjusting both mirrors took no time at all, I did order bob knobs for it to make it easier not because of the Allen head screws , but because my losing the included wrench that came with it , dropping it in the grass or even worse down on the prim mirror can’t be good for anyone , can’t wait for the spring to see how I can catch the moon and planets , I’m sure as I could be it will be an awe inspiring sight , yer haw , can’t wait , I have 3 other scopes as well , a mead ETX 90, that is sweet for a small scope . Had that one I think over 20 years now , the other two are a 700x70 refractor from National Geographic, can’t believe for the $49.00 I paid for it , it works great as far as the images, tripod not to good but works , sams club special, looking at the moon is good with this one , haven’t had the chance to observe the wanderers yet the other scope is a inexpensive Bushnell reflector 700x76, looking at Orion the night we used this new 10” sky watcher was pretty good for such a small 76 mm primary mirror, still a keeper ,sorry for a long review , just wanted to make sure you New I was for real, well I hope so anyways, ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2018 by fred houseal fred houseal

  • Decent Product - Poor Customer Service
Style: 8" Collapsible Dobsonian
This product generally works very well and is a good telescope. My issues with it arise in other areas. Shipping takes quite a while and assembly is not the easiest thing in the world. The tools they provide are poor and not optimal for the screws they give you to assemble the product. I actually damaged mine in the process of trying to assemble it because of this and after contacting customer support, they seemed to have ignored me after I sent them pictures that they requested. All in all, good product, poor everything else. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2020 by Christopher

Can't find a product?

Find it on Amazon first, then paste the link below.