Setting up an Explore Scientific 16" Newtonian Reflector Truss Tube Dobsonian Telescope

A short video of the procedure to set up an Explore Scientific 16" Newtonian Telescope. The video also displays some modifications I've done to the telescope. The first was to index the truss tubes, numbered 1 through 4 always returning them to the same position they were in previously. It greatly shortens the collimation procedure. The next modification was to make a cover for the open mirror box, part of it remains as a light shroud even when telescope is in use. I boxed in the secondary mirror assembly. I've added Velcro fasteners to the top of the cloth light shroud to keep it from falling/sliding down the truss tubes. The cardboard truss tube fillers were for when the cloth light shroud didn't have Velcro on it. I've also added a degree wheel for azimuth position and marked the altitude degrees on the yellow wheel/hinge. I find leaving the base and mirror box assembled a great time saver. It also makes what was already very heavy even more so, worse, even more bulky.

[@Minseok_48]

I am looking to buy a new 16" UC dobsonian. This video is very helpful. Thank you!

[@mechanicmike69onYouTube]

Glad it was helpful!

[@oscarcordoba1218]

Hello, many thanks for the video, quite useful. I have just bought the same telescope. Very nice the tuning to avoid parasit light. A couple of questions. Which material are you using to cover the mirrors keeping their properties? Why you are not using the mirror box expanded polystirene to transport the screws? Thanks

[@PCPointerDE]

Nice Dobson. Enjoy it.

[@mechanicmike69onYouTube]

Thank you, I do!

[@TheJohn48231]

Looks great, I currently have an 8" Skywatcher dobsonian and am looking to upgrade, not sure I can afford the 16" so will likely go with the 12". Hopefully still a good upgrade from an 8"

[@mechanicmike69onYouTube]

To be honest the 12" is probably a better choice than the 16". The greater ease of setup and smaller size make for a far more portable and still a large size primary mirror.

[@bmoney6482]

Do you have to collimate it every time you assemble it?

[@forcecreator]

plan on getting ES's 16" truss dob myself when they go back into production. The black soft custom shaped panels you inserted between the truss poles, that something new that comes with the scope or something you made?

[@mechanicmike69onYouTube]

I made those. I will be cutting them down shorter as I now have added Velcro to the top edge of the cloth light shroud to keep it from sliding.

[@forcecreator]

I know light shroud fabric isnt completely opaque, were your panels to help block remaining light or just to help keep the truss design more sturdy, or .. ?

[@mechanicmike69onYouTube]

Shroud fabric is very dark and heavy blocks light very well. It is also stretchy but as delivered wouldn't stay up, kept sliding down unless I pulled it way up on 2nd dary mirror frame, which caused the light shroud to no longer reach to the primary mirror box. So I put in those Cardboard triangles to cover what the light shroud wouldn't. A later modification was to add Velcro to the 2nd dary mirror frame and the inside top edge of the light shroud fabric. Now the shroud can be placed low enough to reach down to primary mirror box without slipping off at top.

[@philip1207]

@@mechanicmike69onKZbin Can you tell me more about that fabric and where I could find something like that? I’m also looking for something similar for my 10in truss

[@mechanicmike69onYouTube]

The light shroud came from Explore Scientific. Specifically made for that telescope.

[@KrishnaKumar-wj6jt]

Hi Mike, very nice video. What is the weight of the mirror box alone? I see you are lifting the mirror box and base together. How much would that be? Thanks.

[@mechanicmike69onYouTube]

The mirror box and base together weight somewhere in the range of 80lbs. give or take 10lbs.

[@ashok7181]

Hi there, currently I have a 10 inch Dob and I am planning to buy the same telescope ES 16 Inch Dob, with the hope of seeing some shape and structure in the DSOs..but the more I try to get the answer of what I can/cannot see through this, the more it is getting complicated..since you have the same scope, I would like to know in a simple and clear way , under various sky conditions, what we can see with a 16 inch?? It has been so difficult to find a convincing answer..so I am hoping to get some conclusive answer, since you have the first hand experience..thanks..clear skies..

[@mechanicmike69onYouTube]

You will be amazed at how many more stars you can see with this 16" dob over an 10" dob. This telescope is for DSO. Yes, I have seen multiple galaxies in one view looking out in Virgo's cup. I originally went from an Orion 8" xt8+ to an ES 12" dob. And even that was an amazing jump in visible objects in the sky. But soon after I found someone selling this 16" dob for less than I bought the 12" for! So, I grabbed it. This telescope can view objects in the sky you can't even see are there with the naked eye. Some constellations become unrecognizable through the eyepiece because of all the extra stars it brings out. I live in Florida, probably the absolute worse state for astronomical viewing, but this telescope still manages to pull out amazing views of the universe every time I pull it out. This is a lousy telescope for astrophotography. It is an amazingly great telescope for visual viewing, but do not expect to see views commonly seen in astro photos created with time lapse. Dark skies in the low humidity of the SW United States are best for viewing. Hope this helps. Clear skies to you as well.

[@ashok7181]

Hello, thank you for your reponse(sorry for late appreciation)..I may need some more advice on this scope and hope u will response thank you again..CS..

[@dalemartinrunning]

When assembling, do you ever find that the final and fourth truss tube to upper OTA attachment can get pinched, aka under pressure? or that the lower truss pole attachment 'pops out'?

[@mechanicmike69onYouTube]

I do a few things to prevent that. First when splitting/opening up the truss tubes after installing them into their respective corners. I always overlap them in a clockwise fashion, meaning the truss tubes all overlap in the same direction. Also only start the thumb screws connecting the tubes to the 2ndary mirror frame, do not tighten them until all tubes are connected and screws are started. Hope this helps.

[@dalemartinrunning]

@@mechanicmike69onKZbin Great, thanks, I will try that next time I am out.

[@uuuu5371]

Hi. l want to buy a 16''dob as yours ，but l dont know where i can buy It。and how much is ti？

[@mechanicmike69onYouTube]

Currently out of stock: explorescientificusa.com/products/16-truss-tube-dobsonian

[@mechanicmike69onYouTube]

They are now back in stock. explorescientificusa.com/products/16-truss-tube-dobsonian