Skywatcher Evostar-120 Refractor Review

Edgar Viertel-Harbich
Pohlheim near Giessen, Central Hesse

Skywatcher Evostar-120 Refractor 120mm 1000mm f/8.3

A first brief report after four evenings of observation

The refractor was delivered on March 18, 2025. On March 20, April 4, April 5, and April 6, 2025, I was able to gain my first observational experience with the achromat.

I use the Evostar on a Bresser Exos-2 mount with retrofitted motors. I use a Berlebach Uni 28 astro tripod as a tripod. The refractor is well supported in this combination.

The observation on March 20 took place on a nearby hill together with another member of my astronomy group. Since it was the last evening visibility of Venus,
I only included a few other objects. Time: 7-8:30 p.m. Seeing 2-3.

Beta Ori (Rigel) and Zeta Ori (Alnitak) were easily separated. Venus could be tracked as a very narrow crescent until shortly before setting. M42: Trapezium plus components E and F. I was very pleased with the telescope's performance. A brief glimpse of Jupiter was okay. At 9mm, it was already quite colorful. It was more pleasant with the Baader Contrast Booster. I didn't use higher magnifications.

The observations from April 4-6 took place in my yard in the middle of town. Therefore, only
lunar observations.

April 4: Yard, over rooftops. 8-9:30 p.m. Seeing 3-4, later 4.
Posidonius with small craters A and C, two mountain ranges that look like grooves. Unfortunately, not the central groove.

Beautiful with 9mm, 6.5mm, and 4.5mm.

April 5, Hof, 7:30-8:45 p.m., Seeing 3
Rimae Triesnecker and Hyginus. The Triesnecker Rillen could be observed from Rhaeticus A almost to Hyginus.
In addition, various branches. These include, for example, Triesnecker F and G, as well as other small craters. 9mm, 6.5mm, and 4.5mm
The refractor shows what I was hoping for!

April 6, Hof, 7:30-8:40 p.m., Seeing 3. Eyepieces 9mm, 6.5mm, 5mm, and 4.5mm
Plato with 3 small craters confirmed. I'm not sure about No. 4.
Rima Arzachel as "bycatch"
Rupes Recta
Rima Birt, Birt D, Dome uncertain - I suspected a structure that turned out to be a dome during analysis.
View from Birt K.
Thebit B and F and other small craters

In conclusion: a nice refractor that delivers a lot of performance at a fair price and, despite its moderate weight, is well handled by an EQ-5. The Evostar does have clearly visible chromatic aberration.
But it shouldn't bother you. After all, I'm not observing chromatic aberration, but rather objects. I find it well suited for the moon and double stars, and I think it will also be enjoyable for deep-sky observations. The image of M42 was significantly brighter than in the 102mm refractor.

I'm looking forward to further observations with the Skywatcher Evostar-120 refractor.

Link to the Skywatcher Evostar-120:

https://www.teleskop-spezialisten.de/shop/Teleskope/Refractor/120-130mm/Skywatcher-Evostar-120-Teleskop-120mm-1000mm-f-8-3-Refractor-OTA::233.html