The Virtuoso telescope is an innovative and unprecedented device with wide possibilities. The assembly is primarily innovative. Together with the optical tube, or telescope built in the Maksutov system, it is a construction that combines the features of a comfortable, portable telescope for beginners, as well as a feature-rich photographic tripod that allows performing time-laps, photographing selected objects in a given order, or even taking panoramas. In fact, it is also a computerized photographic head with precision electric drive.

Application of Virtuoso in astronomy

MiniDob is a complete astronomical telescope in the Maksutov system with the movement of the blue sphere. Despite the modest size, the telescope is well suited to simple astronomical observations.

Like every Maksutov, it is characterized by excellent image sharpness and lack of chromatic aberration. It can be said that this telescope gives 100% details available at an aperture of 90 mm. Two glasses with 25 mm and 10 mm focal lengths are included in the set. Glasses give 50x and 125x magnification and are sufficient for observing the Moon and for basic planet observation. The glasses allow you to see details such as equatorial stripes on Jupiter, Saturn's rings or the polar caps of Mars. The telescope can be extended with further glasses and filters, thus expanding its capabilities.

The biggest advantage of the Virtuoso telescope is the ability to track astronomical objects. It is an advanced system of precision stepper motors and dual axis encoders, patented by Sky-Watcher. It is able to track an astronomical object by rotating the telescope in both axes. It also has the ability to cooperate with SynScan AZ pilots, known from Dobson's large telescopes. After retrofitting Virtuoso with such a pilot, the user has access to a database of tens of thousands of astronomical objects, which he can independently find and observe with the help of a telescope. This is the only telescope in this price class that gives you the opportunity!

Although it is a device with a guidance system and rich functions, it does not need more knowledge or skills to properly run. After leveling the telescope and entering geographic coordinates into the system, the telescope itself begins to track astronomical objects. If you've ever dreamed about observing through a telescope, but you have fears or if you can, Virtuso will not let you down. Another plus is the small dimensions. The Virtuoso telescope sits on a table and is several dozen centimeters high. It weighs a few kilos and its size will not cause anyone trouble.

Application of Virtuoso in photography

Included in the set, apart from the Maksutov optical tube, there is also a solid mount for the camera. This mounting allows you to use the assembly as a portable, automated tripod for purely photographic and multimedia applications. One can say, therefore, that it is a computerized photographic head. Automatic editing allows you to perform timelapse, movie recording with smooth guiding, cyclical shooting of several programmed objects, and what's most interesting - panoramic shooting, including shooting 360 degrees.

The telescope enables shooting in timelapse mode. The mounting allows for a smooth and slow rotation between the 6 programmed points. Rotation can be performed at various speeds, with the highest speed of rotation of 2.5 degrees per second, and at the smallest speed, the head performs a full rotation during one day.

The Virtuoso telescope also works well in photographing panoramas, both classically, by turning horizontally, and in parallel lanes. The procedure for preparing the assembly for panning comes down to defining the field of view of the lens and to determining the limits of rotation in the horizontal and vertical. With the appropriate setting of limits it is possible to make a full spherical panorama - the assembly will photograph all of its surroundings.

Another function is cyclical shooting of programmed objects. The assembly is able to precisely memorize the positions of 6 objects. Just point the camera towards the object, press the combination of buttons and the position of the object will be saved. When you start the cyclical shooting procedure, the camera is moved between successive positions and when you reach a certain position, it pauses briefly, and the attached cable releases the shutter of the camera. The sequence is repeated until the appropriate combination of keys is interrupted. Thanks to this solution, we can cyclically photograph several selected objects.

The MiniDob assembly is equipped with a cable of the cable release in the minijack standard 2.5mm. The cable is compatible with all Canon cameras in the three- and four-digit series (300D, 400D, 1000D, 550D, etc.). It is possible to use a release cable compatible with another system.

The MiniDob assembly is compatible with the GoTo SynScan drivers in the AZ version, identical to those used in the large GoTo Dobson. Connection of such a controller allows for automatic searching of celestial bodies using a programmed extensive database of objects.

Virtuoso can be mounted on a photographic tripod with a lifting capacity of approx. 10 kg through a standard photo thread used at the heads - 3/8 "mount.

Telescope applications

Moon

the planet

star clusters

nebulae

scenery

Basic technical parameters

Equipment (accessories included)

• 1.25 "glasses: Super 25 mm and Super 10 mm
• finder: Star Pointer
• angled cap: 1.25 "90 °
• "L" adapter with 1/4 "screw for mounting the camera
• compass
• 2.5 mm minijack cable

Warranty

2 years