Sky-Watcher Mercury 705 Refractor on AZ3 Mount

Sky-Watcher Mercury 705 Refractor on AZ3 Mount

DESCRIPTION

The Sky-Watcher Mercury 705 is a compact refractor with a 70 mm aperture and 500 mm focal length, delivering bright, sharp images. Its moderate f/7.1 focal ratio makes it suitable for wide-field views and useful magnification levels.

It’s well-suited for terrestrial use thanks to the supplied 45° erecting diagonal, which provides a correctly oriented image. The scope also performs well for casual astronomy, including the Moon, bright planets, and star clusters.

The AZ3 Deluxe mount is an alt-azimuth design with slow-motion controls on both axes, allowing for precise manual tracking. The lightweight aluminium tripod includes an accessory tray for added convenience.

A red dot finder simplifies target acquisition, and the package includes two 1.25" eyepieces: 25 mm and 10 mm, delivering 20x and 50x magnifications. The theoretical maximum magnification is 140x, though optimal performance is seen at moderate powers.

The optical tube is made of aluminium, offering good durability and portability. Unlike many beginner scopes, this one uses standard 1.25" accessories, providing wider compatibility and better quality than smaller 0.96" formats.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Type: Achromatic Refractor

• Objective Lens Diameter: 70 mm

• Focal Length: 500 mm

• Focal Ratio: f/7.14

• Diagonal: 45°, erect image, 1.25"

• Eyepieces Included: 25 mm and 10 mm (1.25")

• Magnifications: 20x and 50x

• Highest Useful Magnification: 140x

• Finder: Red Dot

• Mount: AZ3 Alt-azimuth with slow-motion cables

• Tripod: Adjustable aluminium with accessory tray

• Tube: Aluminium

• Light Gain over 60 mm: +36%

• Usage: Terrestrial and beginner astronomy