Sky-Watcher Sky-Watcher EvoGuide 50DX – 50mm Guide Scope APO Doublet Refractor – Lightweight Guide Scope – Easy Mounting – 50mm Astrograph

I got this for a guild scope, but it also works great with the Starzona field flattener for a lightweight imaging telescope. I found a 3D printed setup that clamps the scope and holds the mini computer, guild scope, and EAF focuser. There is a lot of backlash with the focuser, and I haven't gotten auto focus to work with this scope yet. There isn't enough backfocus adjustments to use with a star diagonal. I have also used it for electronically assisted astronomy with a camera attached, and with my ASIair for a go-to visual astronomy.

Solid high quality, total value, absolute top shelf, light years above the other popular name brands. I've got 4 other guide scopes, the Sky Watcher just made them nearly obsolete with Pin Point stars! My guiding star size got reduced by 3 times, the auto multiple star guide picked out a dozen stars and that's twice as much as my best night with the other 4 guide scopes. I use a ASI 120MM and a ASI 220MM, both had sharp stars to the edge, without optional reducer. My guiding total error dropped dramatically compared to my other 50MM & 30MM scopes! All of the above totally justified the price. The Vixen base and spacer is solid aluminum, but you lose that weight when you attach the finder scope base. Understand that naturally there is some slop in the focus ring, as with most every focus ring, similar to gear back lash, but once you tighten the focus lock screw, it holds! All 5 stars, my only disappointment is I should've purchased a long time ago and not messed with other Z-brand, S-brand or E-brand guide scopes. I rarely write reviews, but this guide scope earned it.

This little scope is surprisingly good for wide field astrophotography, but the field flattener (optional) is definitely required. I would give it five stars except that the focus mechanism (rather crude helix device) is (wow) not at all smooth turning to get really fine focus. You turn it one way a bit, then to fine focus back you have to turn several times to take up the "slack" in the crude system. You may have to do this back and forth several times to find optimal focus. But for astrophotography (at infinity) I generally only have to do this little struggle one time at the start of the evening. After that, it stays in focus for hours. Except for the tricky focus it is a fine little wide-field astrograph.

Not only is this an excellent guide scope (VERY well constructed), but it can be used as a wide-field primary with a deep space camera. I use a Telrad-like first approach to an object, then refine with this scope, and then (if all are reasonably aligned), all should be in view in the main scope. There are several YouTube videos on using this scope as a primary.

Love this guide scope! Very well made and works great with my Sky-watcher evostar 100ed.

I bought this as my first scope for astrophotography as it was cheaper than the next best camera lens in this focal range. I 3d printed lots of custom equipment for it to transform it into a proper astrograph. Paired with the Starizona Field Flattener, it will provide a mostly flat field for three times less $$ than the WO RedCat51. This package isn't perfect though, straight out of the box you'll have pretty elongated stars, getting worse towards the edge. Either Starizona or Sky-watcher's own field flattener is necessary for AP. Additionally, the helical focuser isn't the best. Not the worst by any means (perfectly usable) but I wish it could be removed so I could upgrade it myself. The whole rear focuser end of the telescope seems to be cemented on. But... It's CHEAP!!! (in a good way)

With the Evoguide 50 field flattener you have a great portable imaging system. The quality is great.

The scope works great, but mini sure came damaged.