Skywatcher-Black Diamonds

Tropo-Bob (Bob) · #1 08-07-2017, 11:05 AM

Out of curiosity, what is the difference between a base skywatcher telescope and a black diamond of the same model? The black diamond range seems more expensive so I assume there are some significant differences.

Nikolas (Nik) · #2 08-07-2017, 12:06 PM

As far as I can tell they have better focusers just by looking at them

PeterAnderson (Peter) · #3 08-07-2017, 01:02 PM

I have only seen a couple 102cm, and 120cm OTA's when looking for a telescope for my daughter. (I got a cheapie 90 -910mm Saxon instead, but these are now rebranded 'Skywatcher'.

Okay the black diamonds had 2" diagonal, the 120mm a 8?X50 finder (the 102mm a 6x30). But the most important thing was proper baffling in the optical tube. In addition there was black flocking in the OTA's and the lens hood was also padded inside.

My overall impression was that the 'black diamond' in very much the upmarket version suitable for serious amateur astronomers. So what about mydecision. Well the Saxon 90mm was only $275 from Astro Petes and my daughter is only beginning - a 'lookenpeeper'.