Explore Scientific Truss Tube Dobsonian / Making it Better

[@flatratewoodworks8634]

I’m so glad I found your channel! My daughter asked for a telescope for her 11th birthday recently. I almost bit the bait on a cheap go to. I even ordered one from eBay and it was the 1st time in over 10 years of using eBay that I got scammed! They sent me a box full of junk in a Celestron 127SLT box! I got my $ back after documenting the whole ordeal but I’m a firm believer in things happening for a reason. This made me want to get her an even better scope. I’ve read pretty early on after doing some research into this field that the biggest mistake people make when buying their kids their 1st telescope is buying a cheap one! They don’t see anything at all and if they do it’s not a good representation of what it could look like. They don’t even get a chance. Then it gets put away and collects dust. I’d like to see her stay with it and maybe even get into some photography after a while too. I winded up ordering her an 8” dob and after watching a few of your videos I can’t wait to get into it! It’s not even here yet and I got upgrade parts ordered already! Daddy’s got a garage full of tools! Lol..maybe that’s something I can get her into in the process as well..it’s a win/win and I’m really looking forward to it! Just wanted to share and say thanks for the videos..you do a great job explaining to people like me who maybe mechanical but have no experience with this type of gear and equipment...my only question would be is about the size of printable AZ wheel..is that in the pdf? If not what size does it need to be for an 8”?..thanks again and keep putting out the great content..new sub

[@DakotaStarryNights]

A 8" dob is perfect for a kid. Big enough to see some nice star clusters, planets, Moon ect. Yet small enough for her to manage. And your spot on with your assessment on the mistake a lot of folks make when getting their first telescope. The Messier Objects are a great place to start that will be visible in that 8 under dark skies: www.messier-objects.com/ The PDF AZ files can be found in the bottom of the description of this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/naSodnaFir-hfck Clear skies!

[@kazeshiii]

This is the first time I ever hear about using night vision monoculars on telescopes. Glad i came across this video.

[@DakotaStarryNights]

Hey Kazeshii, If you haven't seen it already I've got a workshop on NV here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKbWfKenpbuAn5o Thanks for posting. Clear skies!

[@ssaifull]

"Putting the upper cage on feels like being the designated driver in a car full of drunks" 😂😂

[@seanm7394]

Wonderful video. I got the second gen 12'' truss and was quite disappointed, it wasn't any better than my 10'' solid tube dob (sometimes even worse). Collimation was spot on, eyepieces and mirrors were clean, mirror was ambient temperature, I started wondering if the mirror was just low quality or if I was doing something horribly wrong and didn't have any clue what it was. Turns out I was letting way too much light in. Can't thank you enough!

[@DakotaStarryNights]

Glad it helped... Makes putting these vids together worth the effort! Clear Skies.

[@t3avelos]

You sir Mr Mc Guiver of dobsonians are the reason i got me a 12" ES today, after contemplating for OVER a year if an 18" or a 20" dob would work best for me. I'm sitting now for the said past year without my old trustworthy 12'' SW truss tube (with several mods) as I had to sell it when I moved from Greece to Spain (55kg of telescope). So last weekend I said to myself that I've had enough without any star gazing and now cant wait to get my hands on my new toy and mod the hell out of it )))

[@DakotaStarryNights]

I would agree figuring out mods are half the fun. :) Congrats on the new ES 12"!

[@AdioAurel]

You do an amazing job to the dobson community! Much thanks!

[@geraldmartin7417]

I stumbled upon this video 4/5/20. My first scope (Explore Scientific 10" Dob) arrives in a few days. You sir, are my new hero. Thank you for the info!!

[@DakotaStarryNights]

Glad to be of help. Congrats on the 10" Those are super portable.

[@TLI72]

Hey Dakota starry nights should I buy a 10 inch Toto or a 12 inch intelliscope

[@alllogo]

@@TLI72 if you can handle it and your budget allows for it, go for a 12 inch, more aperture = better! But, if the 12 is a bit bulky, maybe step down to a 10"

[@rktman1965]

Wow super idea's for fine tuning the dob , thanks so much for sharing.

[@DakotaStarryNights]

You're welcome!

[@brianreynolds1098]

Although I don't have one of your scopes and my 12" doesn't need most of these improvements, I really enjoyed the video you made and all the great ideas you had towards improving your scope. Never thought it could use so many improvements! Nicely done, sir! Hope Scott Roberts of Explore Scientific sees this and gets a few ideas about improving his product line....

[@DakotaStarryNights]

I've always seen dobs as the hot rods of telescopes. Half the fun, for guys like me, is tricking them out. So I don't mind making design improvements. Poor quality materials and construction, though, is never good. Thanks for posting.

[@dwightjones3305]

Thank you for making a video that’s actually helpful

[@DakotaStarryNights]

Glad you found it useful. :)

[@northdrummer]

What great advise and upgrades! Thank very much! Now to tackle those ideas!!

[@DakotaStarryNights]

Happy to hear you found it useful!

[@magicaltwig]

Very good Review. Shame there aren't more like this. Covers everything.

[@DakotaStarryNights]

Glad you found it useful. Dakota

[@brenthann2623]

thanks for such a detailed how to video.

[@DakotaStarryNights]

👊 You're welcome.

[@ricardocalderon1721]

I found your video about PBS 14 Night Vision monocular. Thank you.

[@AstroHunter5280]

Where did you find those plastic binder clips for the secondary cage? I need those!

[@franciswelker5133]

This for sharing these great ideas 👍👍

[@mariepi]

It is very useful to put in the base of a simple Dobson telescope a circle graduated in 360º to locate the celestial body according to its azimuth but also put in the telescope a small plumb line and a quarter circle also graduated from 0º to 90º to locate it according to the elevation over the horizon. And it is also very good to mark on the floor of the place where the telescope is usually placed a discrete line indicating the north south direction with the maximum precision. The computer programs also give the azimuth and the elevation of the celestial body in each moment according to the place where you are

[@JenhamsAstro]

Some clever mods. I suppose you keep the primary covered while attaching the cage? I ask because I wondered if your bolts were captive, or if they could fall onto the mirror as you wrestle the cage into place.

[@DakotaStarryNights]

The primary cover is removed after the scope is assembled. The "red pill" captures the cage bolts. :)

[@JenhamsAstro]

Makes sense, thanks.

[@JasperJanssen]

No matter what kind of telescope, keep the mirror cover on until fully assembled.

[@willrothfuss8470]

Thanks for making these videos. I jut bought a 10" and some guys posted links your videos in a topic on Cloudy Nights. I am surprised though that you didn't paint the inside of your carpet baffle flat black. Was there a reason? You think it was dark enough already?

[@DakotaStarryNights]

Thanks Will. I didn't paint the inside as I thought it was black enough but also didn't want the possibility of the paint flaking off the carpet fibers on to the primary mirror.

[@oltredding]

I like the red pill solution. Great idea.

[@shenmisheshou7002]

Thank you for your video. I have a question I am hoping you can help with. I am interested in the 10" version, but my guess is that if the answer is applicable to both the 10" and 12". In the pictures, it seems to show that the focuser comes out so that it is parallel to the ground. The more traditional location for a focuser is so that it is angled up at about a 45 degree angle (scope pointed to horizon). There seem to be a lot of holes in the secondary cage, and I was wondering if the orientation of the focuser was user selectable by perhaps changing the strut attachment points. Can you help with this question? Thanks!

[@DakotaStarryNights]

Hi Eddgie, yes you can change the position of the focuser by changing the strut attachment points. Here's a review I did on the ES UL12 three years ago shortly after its release. The information you seek is at the 27:27 timeline. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5ukd5yAbp2cpqM Keep in mind Scott Roberts, President of Explorer Scientific, has assured me that the Gen II version of this dob has since fixed some of the issues I was experiencing.

[@JamesAdams-ev6fc]

Very helpful review, Dakota Starry Nights. Thanks for making this intelligent video. Slightly off the subject, I'm curious about the quality of the night sky in the your area. I assume that you are in North or South Dakota.

[@DakotaStarryNights]

The skies are pretty good (SD) if you drive 40 minutes out of town in most any direction, cat 3-2. And cat 1 if you drive 2 hours north. The real challenge lately, in summer, is smoke from CA fires and the Jet Stream year round for high mag viewing.

[@joksom4752]

Awesome video on these explore scientific scopes, I just bought myself a 10 in and I am very excited to get it, these videos definitely helped me with the purchase and will help me with setting it up to get some spectacular visuals! I was wondering what you use for the shroud? Did you custom-make one, and if so, what did you use for the material? Again, awesome work, you earned yourself a sub!

[@DakotaStarryNights]

I used a fabric I got at Walmart called Dancewear fabric. It's kinda like spandex. Shinny on one side and flat on the other. I put the flat side facing in of course. Worked really great and used it on my Hubble Optics UL16.

[@joksom4752]

@@DakotaStarryNights Thanks for the advice! Hope the first night out with this new scope will be good.

[@boscorodriguez5871]

I can see there is no longer rust in the bottom corner of the mirror box. Did you remove the rust? if so, how did you do? I'm thinking on drilling all the rivets to disassemble the steel plates in order to remove original paint, and rust and to repaint everything with corrosion resistant paint + black paint. Also, I would remove all the aluminium debris that is between aluminium skeleton and metallic plates

[@DakotaStarryNights]

I used a wire brush to knock off the rust then carefully applied a thin film of oil with a paint brush to avoid getting it on the mirror. Your solution sounds more permanent.

[@jackfrost4033]

Hello Do you préfère the more portable twelve inch than the more luminous truss sixteen inches ?

[@DakotaStarryNights]

There's no right or wrong answer. The question is, which one are you going to use the most and get out under dark skies?

[@stevecollins1675]

do you still make the long guiding handle for the scope? If so where can i obtain one?

[@cotesud1764]

Thanks a lot for your goodies and upgrades for the 12'' UL Explore Scientific Dobsonian. I am a French star gazing and imaging enthusiast and I have just ordered this telescope delivery due mid June 2021. One of my fellows used to own such telescope and he pointed out the necessity of using a stick or a rod to grip a handle on the primary cage in order to move the telescope. Failing to do this, i.e. handling the instrument by the trusses or the secondary cage to move it, you will lose collimation setting. What do you think ? Did you experience loss of collimation manipulating the Dob by the trusses or the secondary cage ?

[@DakotaStarryNights]

Due to the light supporting structure, most ultra-light dobs are vulnerable to losing collimation when moving from one target to the next. But if handled carefully you can avoid this. I typically hold on to one or two of the knobs that secure the truss poles to the secondary cage. Check out this video here on Dakota Starry Nights for more information on this, which starts a 38:42 in the time line. And congrats on your ES12 UL! kzbin.info/www/bejne/anfYeKGfg7-fnZY

[@nxu5107]

Hi, Came across this vlog while researching the 12" ES and your presentation is brilliant. Such good ideas. One thing struck me though is that the specs say this is 50Lbs just for the bottom part. I mean isn't that too heavy to cart around? I am a diminutive short scrawny chap and so can't think of it. Would like to know your take on the weight of this beauty / beast please? Thanks.

[@DakotaStarryNights]

It has two handle holes on the side of the mirror box. I grab a hold of it there and hug the box at my waist line and against my upper thighs. That helps distribute the weight better. Everyone is built a little different so you got to be careful. I'm no weight lifter or buff type of guy. But moving it to the car this way doesn't present a problem for me. Your mileage may vary.

[@ricardocalderon1721]

Do you have a video or an explanation for selecting and using the PBS 14 night vision monocular or binocular for a telescope??. In which eyespieces you can use it?. How many magnification or field of view you can get (if you have a 15" Dobsonian f 4.5). Thank you so much and congratulations of your videos.

[@DakotaStarryNights]

Yes. For an introduction on PVS14 Night Vision astronomy : kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKbWfKenpbuAn5o

[@paulwood6729]

Some clever idea here, thanks. I'm thinking of getting a 12" Gen 2, going mad with a 21mm Ethos and using Powermates rather than other eyepieces as they could be used for AP if/when I get another rig. Is this a sensible approach? I'm thinking I'd get a high quality glass eyepiece with extreme fov, but would I notice the difference vs say a Nagler? Would the powermates limit the extra fov?

[@DakotaStarryNights]

A 2x Powermate should be in every astronomy kit. It's one of those things you should keep. You can typically double your telescope focal length without any problems for visual (and astrophotography) work. This in turn increases your eyepiece's magnification which in turn reduces the field of view. A 20mm turns into a 10mm ect. You still get the 100 degrees, but at a higher magnification. There a some incidences where using just an eyepiece to obtain a certain magnification has some advantages. The most common is to reduce weight and length at the focuser. BTW Congrats on the ES 12! Cheers!

[@paulwood6729]

@@DakotaStarryNights That's great, thanks!

[@alexm7056]

Great summary! I am looking at ES 10" now for sale ($760 with free shipping), but also found a guy nearby who sells old used 12.5" Meade Starfinder for around $500. I live close to light polluted city and have to travel with scope. So mobility is a key. I am thinking of either getting larger aperture old Meade just for optics and rework it into truss myself, or add $200 more and get brand new ES 10" and don't bother. What would you choose?

[@DakotaStarryNights]

Well, it really depends on a few factors. Meade optics are typically good from that time period. But what condition is the mirror coating in? The focuser is a rack-and-pinion type as I understand it which is good. Not sure if it's 2" or 1 1/4" The ES is a two speed 2" rack. If you have the skill set, time and like to build then maybe the Meade would be a fun project. But the ES 10" is "good to go" and super portable. The ES 12" was a snap so the 10" would be really easy to pack out to a dark site if mobility is key. And the ES dob ease of collimation should not be overlooked. Right now I'm finding the ES 10" on their site for $950 so if you can bag one for $760 that's pretty sweet. Clear skies!

[@alexm7056]

@@DakotaStarryNights Thank you!

[@jamesdixon2085]

when you talk about PVS 14, are you referring to an eyepiece to use with a scope? I found goggles, binos, and monoculars but not something to plug into a telescope, thanks

[@DakotaStarryNights]

There's a night vision video workshop here on Dakota Starry Nights that's got the answers. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKbWfKenpbuAn5o Thanks for posting. Dakota

[@brianhusk4593]

How come your mirror box lid isn't attached to the alt wheel?

[@joeponthetrails]

Probably to let the shroud go over the trusses easier?

[@franciswelker5133]

Hello, can you give me the specifications of your monocular eyepiece ? Many thnxs

[@DakotaStarryNights]

It's a PVS14 night vision monocular. I've got a detailed video on night vision and where I got it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKbWfKenpbuAn5o

[@eladlevy8852]

how would you recommend protecting the primary while transporting the es truss tube in a car? just close the lid of the mirror box? and what about storage (prevent the primary from dust) ?

[@DakotaStarryNights]

Take a look again at the video at 6:12 in the timeline for protecting the primary. And, yes, close the lid of the mirror box for storage and transportation. Where dust might be a concern, you could put the whole mirror box in a plastic garbage bag.

[@eladlevy8852]

@Dakota Starry Nights yes I saw this .. but again this is for observation time .. so transport by car - as is ? Thank you very much

[@WarrenPostma]

MyGen2 12" is here and I'm basically working through all your ideas. It's not much different. There's a hockey puck brake on the side. The optics did not come anywhere close to collimated. In fact I'm not certain that the focuser is even aligned to the secondary. I am gonna build almost a solid tube exterior for mine, I think, I plan to use something like crazy carpet material, spray painted matte black on the outside, and covered with flocking on the inside. I plan to make liberal use of magnets to keep the light shielding in place.

[@DakotaStarryNights]

At the end of the day the ES 12" Gen2's are really nice scopes for the money. Especially if you're lucky enough to catch them on sale. And the way they're construction a guy can do all kinds of customization if wanted. Congrats!

[@starsnstuff842]

Mrs Dakota- ' Where the hell's my laundry basket'?!

[@DakotaStarryNights]

Ah, yeah, honey about that laundry basket....

[@eladlevy8852]

I am interesting in the 12" version of this telescope ... i have 2 questions, mind if you could help: 1. can i attach Rigel quickfinder and RACI finder to this telescope ? from photos online seems this telescope don't have lots of space to put it 2. this telescope has no mirror cover while assembly .. this is real problem . i saw your mod but won't this can scratch the mirror somehow ? should i make one from black foam ? thank you for the informative video on this telescope

[@eladlevy8852]

also in 17:53 - what are those 2 things attached to the upper cage?

[@DakotaStarryNights]

@@eladlevy8852 1) You would probably have to drill holes in the secondary cage to accommodate the RACI finder. 2) I use a plastic corrugated board for the mirror cover. It doesn't sit on the mirror. See 24:33. It rests on the collimation screw supports. Foam would work but be sure it's stiff enough that it won't sag on top of the mirror. 3) the 2 "things" attached to the upper cage are for mounting the dew shield. Hope this helps. DSN

[@eladlevy8852]

@@DakotaStarryNights thank you ! Do you have experience with Meade lightbridge?

[@DakotaStarryNights]

@@eladlevy8852 Don't know that one.

[@pparker6210]

Nice!

[@davegeorge7094]

Use a 30 or so mm hole drill bit with built in start drill to cut out the plastic washers.

[@DakotaStarryNights]

Thanks for the tip. Clear skies!

[@herrbrahms]

12:24 The all new TeleVue Nagler clothes basket boasts 12.5 inches of towel-dropping aperture, lens elements so amazing that they can be neither seen nor felt, and costs $499.99.

[@DakotaStarryNights]

... and costs $499.99. That's without the dirty linen. :)

[@davidbrandenburg8029]

I wonder why they didn't design a guide ring for the tops of the truss tubes then have the cage snap onto the guide ring?.

[@DakotaStarryNights]

Extra costs? But the red tabs really work great and cost nothing. Give them a try if you've got a ES/UL dob.

[@ignatprokhoropchyuck4652]

DSN has a 12" Dob as i see

[@MrWesleymoon]

Use plastic bag with rubber band to cover the secondary

[@DakotaStarryNights]

The problem is a plastic bag doesn't provide a hard shell means of protection. During transportation any number of things can hit the secondary mirror. It's odd how most guys wouldn't ever travel with the primary mirror exposed but often let the secondary go with little or nothing. The only exception would be if it were covered with a Crown Royal purple pouch. :)

[@vizionthing]

Man near telescope with pointy stick, makes me nervous

[@packrat2113]

ok. when you're talking about a narrow band light pollution filter (7 to 12nm), how much cash are we talking about here .... curious? nubee here... so patience is a virtue (smiley face)

[@vizionthing]

Well its been a month since you asked this, shame nobody else answered, these filters cost anywhere from $30 to $1500

[@hdagent8080]

HAHA look at how dirty that mirror is

[@ignatprokhoropchyuck4652]

Ugly ultra hardcore straight edge rules!!!

[@wireworks616]

If you have to make this thing light resistant, then it's a poor design from the manufacturer.

[@DakotaStarryNights]

All truss tube dobs require some sought of shroud to block ambient light. And most of the "ultra light" versions have an open cage. Thanks for posting.

[@MrWesleymoon]

Or you could be like me and many others and spend that money on a home in the country without neighbors next to you.

[@dedskin1]

I think Dobson is a great mount but for last few decades , i think game changes so much that its not even a good scope any more let alone a good mount , i mean i get these images in no time , its 1 exposure of 10 seconds , i can go about night sky looking like this ,its a dslr lens ,but on EQ tracking mount , drive.google.com/drive/u/0/my-drive Orion , i dont think this dob can do better , and its a big scope

[@DakotaStarryNights]

Happy to hear you found a way that suits your style of observing. But I can't agree that a Dobsonian telescope is of no value any more. Imaging is great, especially in town with narrow-band filters to knock down light pollution. But it's still looking at a screen. These days there's too much of that for my taste. I like the tactical feel of looking through an eyepiece in real time. And if you're lucky enough to have access to a cat 1 or 2 dark skies, like here in South Dakota, then a big dob is a no brainer. Thanks for posting. Dakota