Astronomy Magazine has just published its 16th annual selection of Star Products: 35 outstanding products chosen by Phil Harrington. Among them, one product from our store stands out: the Sky-Watcher HAC125DX Minigraph, a compact Honders f/2 catadioptric astrograph priced at CHF 729. Here’s why it caught the gear editor’s attention—and why it might just become your next telescope.

All the info at a glance

• Name: Sky-Watcher HAC125DX Minigraph
• Optics: Honders catadioptric (refractive + reflective)
• Opening: 125 mm
• Focal length: 250 mm, f/2
• Image circle: 16 mm (optimized for IMX533 and IMX585 sensors)
• Primary mirror: Mangin, Radiant Aluminum Quartz (RAQ) coating
• Proofreader: HTMC processing
• Focusing: rear helical focuser on the primary mirror
• Secondary obstruction: 53 mm
• Weight: 3.8 kg
• Length: 40 cm
• Limitation: diffraction (1/4 wavelength)
• Rail: Vixen
• Price: CHF 729 (tube only), CHF 1,549 with EQ-AL55i PRO mount
• Availability: Available by special order in our store

Why f/2 Changes Everything

An f/2 focal ratio is five times faster than a conventional f/4.9 instrument. In practical terms: a 10-second exposure at f/2 collects as much signal as a 50-second exposure at f/4.9. For wide-field astrophotography, this means capturing nebulae in minutes rather than hours, and often without autoguiding: at a 250 mm focal length, the field of view is so wide that the tracking accuracy of a modern equatorial mount is sufficient without a guide camera.

The HAC125DX is a Honders astrograph, a catadioptric design that combines refractive and reflective elements. The result is a compact (40 cm) and lightweight (3.8 kg) tube with a short focal length (250 mm) and a large aperture (125 mm). It’s the ideal format for photographing extensive nebulae, star fields, clusters, and comets.

A 16-mm image circle for modern sensors

The 16-mm image circle is perfectly suited for modern compact sensors: Sony IMX533 (ASI533MC, ASI533MM) and IMX585 (ASI585MC). These sensors offer an excellent sensitivity-to-noise ratio in a compact format. The HAC125DX is designed to get the most out of these sensors: sharp stars from the center to the edge, no noticeable vignetting, and a flat field.

125 mm aperture: 2.5 times more light than an 80 mm lens

With a 125-mm aperture, the HAC125DX collects 2.5 times more light than an 80-mm refractor. With faint nebulae (California Nebula, Iris Nebula, wide-field Milky Way), the difference is visible from the very first exposures. The signal-to-noise ratio improves, background noise decreases, and details emerge more quickly during stacking.

Portable and compact: the ultimate grab-and-go option

At 40 cm long and weighing 3.8 kg, the HAC125DX fits into a backpack. It’s an astrograph you can take with you on trips, camping, or under a truly dark sky. Mounted on a small equatorial mount (EQ-AL55i PRO or similar), it makes for a complete setup weighing under 8 kg. It’s the opposite of a heavy setup that stays in the warmth because it takes 45 minutes to set up.

Astronomy Magazine's 2026 Picks: What's in Our Store

Astronomy Magazine has selected 35 products this year. Among those available in our store:

• Sky-Watcher HAC125DX (CHF 729): the star of this article, the Honders f/2 astrograph
• Sky-Watcher HAC125DX + EQ-AL55i PRO (CHF 1,549): the telescope with a GoTo WiFi mount
• Askar SQA130 (CHF 3,899): APO 130 mm f/4.8 Petzval quintuplet astrograph, flat field, full-frame
• Celestron Origin MKII (CHF 4,099): Automatic home observatory with 678C Starvis 2 camera

Why shop at Deep Space Astronomy?

At Deep Space Astronomy, we're not just a retailer. We're enthusiasts who test, advise, and provide ongoing support.

• Personalized Advice : We'll help you choose the setup that's right for your local sky, your budget, and your goals. By phone, WhatsApp, or by appointment in Nyon.
• After-Sales Support : Do you have a question about installing, aligning, or editing your images? We're here to help.
• 14-Day Return Policy : Not satisfied? Return the product within 14 days.
• Secure payment : Twint, credit card, invoice, Apple Pay, Bitcoin. Pay in 3 or 4 installments with no fees.
• Free shipping in Switzerland Starting at CHF 200. Free pickup in Nyon.
• Selected Brands : We only sell brands that we use and recommend. Sky-Watcher, Askar, Celestron, PrimaLuceLab, Pegasus Astro, SVBONY, ZWO, and others.

The HAC125DX is for you if…

• Are you looking for a compact, fast wide-field astrograph?
• Do you want to photograph nebulae without spending hours on each target?
• Are you looking for a portable setup (backpack, travel, camping)?
• Do you have an IMX533 or IMX585 sensor (ASI533, ASI585, etc.)?
• Do you want a 125-mm aperture without the weight and bulk of a telescope of that size?

The The HAC125DX is available for order in our store CHF 729 (tube only) or CHF 1,549 with EQ-AL55i PRO mount. Check out the full Sky-Watcher linethe Askar astrographsand the Celestron Origin MKII.

Sources

This article is based on Astronomy Magazine’s “Star Products 2026” selection (Phil Harrington, October 13, 2026) and on the official specifications for the HAC125DX published by Sky-Watcher and available at our store.