How to improve your Dobsonian telescope - 5 DIY tips

Here are 5 DIY tips on improving your Dobsonian telescope. They are easy to make/add to your telescope and can help improve your viewing experience. So make sure to check this video out!
⬇️ More Information down below ⬇️
Contents of this video:
0:00 - Intro
1:24 - 1st Improvement: Swivel Caster Wheels
2:08 - 2nd Improvement: Guiding Knob
2:47 - 3rd Improvement: Collimation Thumb Screws
3:40 - 4th Improvement: Dethloff Eyepiece Shade
4:37 - 5th Improvement: Telescope Flocking
5:50 - Outro
Items in this video
Swivel caster wheels (affl):
amzn.to/3tg6Bhg
Guiding Knob (affl):
amzn.to/45cpxul
Collimation Thumb Screws:
For primary mirror (affl):
amzn.to/46uQ1sN
For secondary mirror (affl):
amzn.to/3ZImB7H
Dethloff Eyepiece Shade:
The Memphis Astronomical Society - • Telescope Tips- Episod...
Black Flocking Material (affl):
amzn.to/3t9CY0P
Thank you for your support!

[@mikejung3908]

I like the idea of a shield to stop light for viewing, I feel that when viewing the sun this would be very helpfull.

[@knightclan4]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@vickyvonstein2331]

very helpful tips. thank you!

[@jons2447]

EXCELLENT! Thank you!

[@elray4932]

Thank you Bogdan, great tips. I especially liked the knob tip - makes aiming my 8“ dob so much easier and was easy to do. BTW, I added handles to the base using 8“ x 1“ steel plates I got at the hardware store. They come pre-drilled with several holes. Screws, nuts, a little Locktite and a little patience was all it took. It makes all the difference in the world. I can grab it and hall it around by myself, makes it so easy to observe. I really enjoy your content so keep it coming! Astronomy is fascinating.

[@spizzlo]

newer skywatcher dobs, at least the 8-inch come with thumb screws now for collimation. For anyone that needs them though, bob's knobs are very well regarded.

[@poorman-trending]

Get some vanta black and paint the secondary mirror supports. You can reduce the diffraction spikes this way.

[@krishnaananda3617]

Thanks a lot! Perfect.....

[@cristiansandor4435]

Good video. Good tips.

[@dbaoo1]

Świetna robota dzięki wreszcie konkretny gość. Pozdrawiam😃

[@abumoslemtamer7331]

Thanks

[@AlexIstrate_Ro]

The best upgrade i did for my telescope was motorization. 2 used nema23 steppers, a raspberry pi and a few 3d printed gears were cheap enough

[@BogdanDamian]

Nice! Now that's a serious DIY project.

[@ViktorMito2099]

Do you have a link for that project?

[@stephenfishman4964]

I upgraded my Dobsonian, too. I have to move the XT8 out on the drive to get a clear view. Casters wasn't enough, so I built a 3-wheeled platform with a long handle. The base of the telescope is held in place with a quick release strap and a shock cord. Also, ther is a removable platform for a laptop when taking pictures and a place for a home built wood box for eyepieces.

[@BogdanDamian]

@stephenfishman4964 Sounds like a nice upgrade. I'm thinking about a platform with bigger wheels as well to make it easier to get over bumps and other irregularities in the pavement.

[@mzmagister]

I got guiding knobs (10pieces) and thumb screws for both mirrors after watching this, before getting my new 10" skywatcher. Turns out there is a knob already, and thumb screws on the bottom as well :D only needed the screws for the secondary!

[@BogdanDamian]

@ManuelZ Nice to hear that you are getting a new 10" telescope. It's going to be great! I also hope you can return the extra screws and knobs. I had no idea that Skywatcher are fitting then from the factory. Clear skies!

[@SpaceFactsWax]

Thanks for sharing. I had the chance to view a rocket launch in 2018. Unbelievable experience. I shared a pretty cool montage of the journey to my channel.

[@WayneCarey-t4e]

Hi, i would like to know if there is a way to make the top plate and bottom plate on the dobinson base , mine jumps over the screws that connect to the right and left side panels, thanks.

[@irfanrashid2114]

Thanks especially for the 3rd tip. I was thinking to get Bob's knobs but they are way too expensive for what they are. I have a skywatcher 8" dobsonian telescope (Flextube). Do you have any replacement suggestions for the philips head screws?

[@BogdanDamian]

@Irfan Rashid The Phillips head screws on the primary mirror of the 8" Skywatcher dob are size M5 and 16mm long. Both the fixing and the collimation screws. In the video description are links to where you can find the right size thumb screws. They are nothing special. As long as the size fits, you can get any type you want.

[@freeman10000]

Flocking a dob with black velvet material works well.

[@BogdanDamian]

I'm glad it worked for you as well!

[@alimogadm7273]

🙏🙏🙏

[@danielbrowniel]

I have a question. Why today, would you bother using adhesive flocking fabric when there is black paint now that should be able to absorb significantly more light.

[@jackfrost4033]

Good morning Do you have rocker problems where the notches to put the axles in are too narrow so that you cannot remove the tube?

[@rajamanohar8004]

👏👏👏👏

[@jfjoubertquebec]

Just subscribed. A few questions! 3:06 I have a "DIY" 8" on Dobsonian mount. But it's hard to find a good way to attach the telescope to the mount. I'm using "Metal Worm Gear Clamps" (like for plumbing) to keep the telescope in place if you can imagine... Also... I'm thinking of putting the scope on a "trailer" for bicycle touring. Any ideas on how to make things light? Thanks for your video!

[@BogdanDamian]

@J J Thank you! I don't know what your Dobsonian mount looks like, but your safest bet would be to go with something like this: www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p4378_TS-Optics-Attachment-Plate-for-D-230mm-tubes.html combined with this: www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p6767_TS-Optics-Friction-bearing-for-altitude-axis---for-ATM-mount-and-Dobsonian-construction.html. If you prefer the DIY way, then I believe building something like this would also work well: www.cloudynights.com/uploads/monthly_08_2011/post-25081-14073723672432_thumb.jpg. As for the "trailer" I would find a way to transport the tube separately from the mount because vibrations and shocks from uneven road surfaces could damage your telescope if it's transported in an assembled state. The wheels of the "trailer" should also be as beefy as possible. Here is an idea: velocelt.blogspot.com/2017/06/

[@jfjoubertquebec]

@@BogdanDamian Woah!!! I asked the right person!! Thank you very much!!

[@DiegoGarcia-wb8hk]

Hi , how are you? I'm facing Lot of stray light issues on my 10inch dobsonian maybe is the space in the midle of the tube since is the Flex version of skywaycher. I'm buying a fan also and i'm doing the flocking see how it goes.

[@BogdanDamian]

Hi, that doesn't sound good. Do you have any type of cover for the exposed section of the tube? If you don't, then definitely get one. Also make sure that it's made out of a material that completely blocks light. Adding a fan and flocking material is a good idea! I would also recommend making your own dethloff eyepiece shade. It will darken everything around your peripheral field of vision. There are a few instructions on the internet on how to build one. You could also check if there are any shiny bits on the inside of the tube that could cause the unwanted reflections. Also check if the mirrors are properly collimated. Hope you can solve the problem soon.

[@yasserafifi3685]

great tips! what is the screw size that you used to fix the wheels into the telescope's base?

[@BogdanDamian]

@Yasser Afifi I think they were 16x3mm.

[@spizzlo]

high point has an upgrade kit for the apertura dobs that includes some of these upgrades.

[@TheMaddoguk]

Hi, great video, again!! Can you add UK Amazon URLs as well?

[@BogdanDamian]

@TheMaddoguk Hi, thanks! The UK Amazon links are now in the video description.

[@TheMaddoguk]

@@BogdanDamian Thank you!!

[@georgel.correa4921]

Hi Bogdan ! Like you DIY video, I already ordered the caster wheels, but I dont see the limk for the primary mirror thumb screws. Can you send please. I just received my 12 "Dob from Apertura & I am making upgrades already. Thank you in advance buddy. Clear skies always !

[@georgel.correa4921]

Saw my question answered in another thread.. no need to repond. Got it !!

[@romainvictoria9274]

Thanks for this video. I happen to own the skywatcher 8" that you also have.

[@BogdanDamian]

The 8" Skywatcher is a great telescope. It was my first real telescope and I loved observing the night sky with it.

[@miodragpetkovic6142]

I did it floacking to my Astromaster 130 and that is huge improvment...

[@BogdanDamian]

@Miodrag Petkovic Awesome, good job!

[@ViktorMito2099]

If you add more material to darken the inner tube you will also insulate it better so to speak, which may result in longer cool down times.

[@BogdanDamian]

@Vito Ciccia Romito True, that is another aspect to keep it mind. Thanks for sharing.

[@freeman10000]

I just flock the top of the scope particularly opposite the eyepiece; works well.

[@RaulAyanami]

what about vanta black?

[@Astronurd]

You should have upgraded the springs on the mirror and you will not lose collimation

[@scotterwin3652]

Saw another mod video where they flocked the edge of the secondary mirror too. ?

[@BogdanDamian]

@Scott Erwin Hi! I heard about that as well, but because of the small surface area and being that high up inside the telescope, I'm not sure it will have a measurable impact on reducing unwanted reflections. I don't see any negative effects either, so it won't hurt to try out. If you do, I would be curious to find out if it does make a difference.

[@mihaitaene4644]

Buna ziua. Am un telescop Zoomion Cassini 76/300 mm. Cit de mult l as putea imbunatatii ( barlow, oculare ) ? Multumesc frumos !!

[@BogdanDamian]

@mihaitaene4644 Buna ziua! Puterea maxima a telescopului e undeva pe la 150x cea ce il face adecvat pentru luna si planetele mai mari, precum Saturn si Jupiter. Pentru a obtine 150x as recomanda un ocular de 4mm + Barlow de 2x. Alternativ ar merge si un ocular de 6mm + Barlow de 3x, insa prima varianta ar fi mai buna daca vei dori candva sa upgradezi telescopul. Ca si modele de oculare, Cronus WA 4mm de la Omegon sau Planetary HR 4mm de la TS-Optics ar fi niste alternative decente pentru telescopul tau. Iar ca si Barlow, cel de la Omegon cu 3 elemente si 2x putere, ar fi bun.

[@johnmarler6735]

What model roundback guitar is that in the background?

[@BogdanDamian]

@John Marler It's a Hora Reghin acoustic guitar - Standard size M. Hora Reghin is a popular Romanian manufacturer of acoustic equipment.

[@johnmarler6735]

@@BogdanDamian Nice. It reminds me of my Ovation Balladeer.

[@running2standstill685]

I am favoring omegons 10 or 12 dob over other brands. Would you recommend it?

[@BogdanDamian]

@running2standstill685 Yes, I can definitely recommend the Omegon Dobs. Go for the Pro version, as it comes with a few accessories, that are very useful. In terms of size, I would get the 10" as the 12" is right at the limit of what I can carry outside.

[@running2standstill685]

@@BogdanDamian i was gonna go for the 10, as similar to what you said the 12 is already challenging the term portability. But the 12 gathers 40% more light than the 10 according to specs and im too much of a DSO nut to lay off of it 🤣 Additionally Omegon offers a 2 inch UW 32 mm eyepiece and a 10/1 fine focuser which really made omegon so irresistible.

[@BogdanDamian]

@running2standstill685 I can totally understand. After all I have the 12" for a reason 😅 Omegon is a good choice, let me know has you like the telescope once it arrives.

[@Mrcloc]

Awesome! I would just suggest 3 wheels rather than 4. 4 can teeter.

[@somvirsinghkadian5699]

I am beginner and want to buy a telescope but I am confusing to choose from go to mount or dobsonian please guide me my budget is 500$ if possible suggest me some good telescope thanks in advance

[@BogdanDamian]

@somvir singh kadian Hi! What telescope to get, depends on what your main interests are. If its planetary observations, then you don't necessarily need a GoTo mount, except if you want to do astrophotography as well. Good choices here are the Skywatcher 102/500 StarTravel AZ-GTe GoTo (approx. 500$) or with a bit of a budget stretch the Skywatcher 102/1000 EvoStar BD EQ3-2 (approx. 580$). If observing DSOs is what you want, then go for an 8" Dob. Taking everything into consideration the best all rounder for 500 bucks would be the Skywatcher 102/500 StarTravel AZ-GTe GoTo. Hope this helps.

[@raueugen9047]

de unde "veniși" Bogdane ?

[@starastronomer]

Buy a refractor...😳😜😆

[@outtakontroll]

You say "without further ado, then proceed with about a minute further ado. Do you understand what "without further ado" means? It means without fuss or delay. Immediately. thumbs down.

[@OMaMaRMY]

🤡