Sky-Watcher’s Evoguide 50DX

WHILE THE NAME RIGHTLY implies that the Sky-Watcher Evoguide 50DX was designed as a guidescope, it’s more versatile than that. Fitted with eyepieces, it can serve as a high-quality finder and even a small telescope (more about that later). And with the optional Evoguide 50ED Field Flattener (US$105), it’s a decent wide-field astrograph that performs well with sensors as large as APS format.

The Evoguide we borrowed from Sky-Watcher for this review still carries the 50ED name badge on the side of the tube, and the company says the optical tube has not changed since its introduction as the 50ED several years ago. The 50DX now includes a nice two-ring mounting bracket with soft-tipped locking thumbscrews. This bracket attaches to either a ‘finder’ stalk with a dovetail foot that fits most quick-release finder shoes or attaches to a small riser block and 150-mm long Vixen-style dovetail bar (both are included). There’s also a small locking ring designed to slip over 1¼-inch