VITAL STATS
As the name suggests, the Sky-Watcher Evolux 82ED is an 82mm-aperture refractor that builds on the legacy left by Sky-Watcher’s Evostar range, popular with beginner and intermediate astronomers. However, at 2.9kg and a mere 425mm long when the dew shield is retracted, the Evolux is designed as a more compact and lightweight addition to Sky-Watcher’s lineup.
The Evolux 82ED arrived in a single box, revealing a solid and well-padded aluminium carry case. We were surprised at how compact this was for an OTA (optical tube assembly) of this aperture and focal length. We immediately appreciated the lightweight build and noted the extra-long dew shield, which gives extra protection fromfocusers seen on other models for a more robust 2.4-inch rack and pinion focuser. This utilises a linear geared bar on the underside of the focus barrel, which promises to hold a greater weight with less risk of slippage than legacy Crayford focusers which rely on friction alone to maintain position.
