22-inch f/4.1 Zambuto-Astrosky Travel Dob

[rlow]

22-inch f/4.1 Zambuto-Astrosky Travel Dob

They say good stuff is worth the wait. Well, I waited about six years for this dob.

I conceptualise the design and originally intended to build it myself. In the end, I got James Grigar of Astrosky to custom-build it based on my design. It did not turn out perfectly but he did a great job. This design is probably not new or revolutionary, but I had certain ideas which was incorporated into this dob.

DESIGN GOAL
To build the largest dob that I can carry, and that can be compact for airline check-in baggage

OBJECTIVE:
1. Largest aperture dob between 20-24" that I can carry and setup just by myself
2. Large aperture dob portable to transport by trolley and fit width-wise through standard doorways, lifts, etc and to fit into a standard-sized car without ramps
3. Able to break-down into Ultra-Compact Airline Mode for airplane travel, and to meet typical airline check-in baggage standard size & weight limits
4. Able to accommodate a range of eyepiece weight changes including binoviewer without loss of balance
5. Lightweight yet rigid structure, with premium components, including premium optics optimised for performance up to 50x per inch
6. Minimalist dob design and yet provide adequate light baffles for maximum image contrast

SPECIFICATION
UTA, Mirror Box, Alt.Bearings & Rocker Base in Baltic Birch Plywood
22-inch f/4.1 Zambuto Mirror with new state-of-the-art ZOC Coating
4-inch Protostar "handpicked" Secondary Flat
Webster 18-Point Mirror Cell with Sling Support
Astrosystem 4-Vane Heavy-Duty Spider (modified by Astrosky)
Astrosystem Secondary Holder & Dew-heater
8 nos. Moonlite Black-Anodised Aluminium Trusses
Moonlite Double Ball-Socket Lower Connectors
Astrosystem-Type Upper Connectors
Astrosky Inter-Truss Connectors
Light Shroud, Light Baffles for UTA / Mirror Box (done by me)
Feathertouch Focuser
Telrad & Stellavue 60mm Finder
Astrosystem Scope Cover

I did some minor upgrades after receiving it, and here it is after the upgrade:

[Airconvent]

Awesome Richard! If you can mount this scope on the back of a pickup, you will be truly mobile (as long as you don't alarm the SAF!) Can't wait to see how it looks with a Bino viewer on Omega Centauri and the Whirlpool !

[rlow]

Thanks Rich1.

Good point, I have not tried the 22" dob with my Denk II binoviewer yet. Yes, I suppose it should be quite awesome on Moon, Saturn, Andromeda Galaxy and globular clusters, just to name a few.

[Canopus Lim]

Looks awesome! To look at zenith, how many steps one must climb?

[wucheeyiun]

Nice...
When will be Singastro next star party?
If Richard turn up with this, it will be a crowd.