Cloud Break Optics

Generation II - 20-inch Truss Tube Dobsonian Telescope - DOB2036-00

Generation II - 20-inch Truss Tube Dobsonian Telescope - DOB2036-00 - Main image
$6699.99 $9999.99 In stock

Category: Reflecting Dobsonian

There are additional custom delivery charges that will be due at time of shipping. In the US this charge can be $600 or more.

Description

The ideal workhorse for the deep sky observers, the Explore Scientific 20-inch f/3.6 Truss-Tube Dobsonian is our largest aperture telescope. The 500mm mirror collects 5100 times more light than the naked eye. Details on planets and deep sky objects will be visible even for inexperienced observers. Bright star clusters are resolved to the core, and the sight of the terminator on the moon is an unforgettable experience.

The fast 20" f3.6 main mirror as well as the large 120mm secondary mirror are made of high quality quartz material, so the cooling time is reduced to a minimum and this Dobsonian is quickly ready for use. Every main mirror is delivered with an individual optical test certificate, which guarantees the highest capacity. A laser engraved center mark of the main mirror allows easy adjustment. The optical surface has a high-quality aluminum coating with 94% reflectivity and an extremely resistant quartz protection layer. The mirror overcomes frequently occurring dew fogging and cleanups without damage and guarantees a long service life.

No telescope type has changed the hobby quite as much as the Dobsonian. Before the introduction of the Dobsonian by John Dobson, the vast majority of amateur telescopes consisted of small telescopes with primitive mechanics - barely enough to see the polar caps of Mars or the rings of Saturn. Larger telescopes, such as the Schmidt-Cassegrain were reserved for the wealthy. The ingenious combination of simple yet effective mechanisms with the greatest possible opening gives the Dobsonian telescope a unique triumphant march around the world. Nowhere do you get as much light for your money like a good Dobson. Disassembly of the scope without tools ensures a trouble-free transport of this great scope even in small cars. The entire structure has been optimized for maximum stiffness with minimal weight. The combination of high altitude bearings with optimized aluminum structures allows fine adjustment flows at high magnifications.

A complete redesign of this Dobsonian was necessary to ensure the significantly increased requirements to stiffness and load bearing capacity of the optical components. All connections of the tube structure were made in the TIG welding process and no rivets and screws were used. This has made it possible for us to produce this 20" light weight Dobsonian so unbelievably stiff in spite of the low weight - a noticeably good quality which is begging you to take one home. The production of almost all mechanical components is carried out by our partners in Hungary and the final assembly of the optics and subsequent quality control takes place in Rhede, Germany. 

A second 40° displaced installed mounting plate with a viewfinder shoe allows the rotation of the tube top in combination for a favorable position of the viewfinder tube or the mounting of an additional TELRAD viewfinder. The 6 supporting feet underneath the rocker box offers perfect stability and guarantees smooth tracking in azimuth. Four smaller fans are installed in the side of the mirror box as well as a large fan installed under the main mirror. This allows an even quicker adaptation to the ambient temperature and reduces the tube seeing (boundary layer removal). The lateral altitude wheels can now be stowed comfortably in the foam layers of the mirror box.

Includes 2.5" HEX focuser with helical gearing and 10:1 reduction; LED Red Dot Finder, collimation assist tool; soft light baffle and two radial main mirror fans for fast temperature equilibrium.

The scope is ready for the use with our optional coma corrector.

CA Residents: Prop 65 WARNING(S)

Specifications

Item Number DOB2036–00
f/ratio f/3.6
Focal length 1,826 mm
Primary mirror diameter 50 cm
Secondary obstruction 24%
Mirror cell support points 18
Truss pole length 100 cm
Truss pole diameter 25 mm
Secondary cage assembly diameter 57 cm
Secondary cage assembly weight 8 pounds
Secondary cage assembly height 95 cm
Mirror box/rocker box height 56 cm
Mirror box weight * 105 pounds
Height to center of eyepiece at zenith 170 cm
Theoretical limiting stellar magnitude 0.23 arc sec
Theoretical Rayleigh limit 0.23 arc sec
Theoretical limiting magnitude 16.19 mag
Theoretical maximum magnification 1,000x
* Mirror weight can vary because of the manufacturing process; these values are approximate

Limited Warranty is one year, which converts to the Explore STAR Transferrable Product Warranty when product is registered within 60 days of purchase. Click Here to register.

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Standard Shipping: Handling (business days) 0–1; Transit (business days) 7–15.

Express Shipping: Handling (business days) 0–1; Transit (business days) 7–15.

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Delivery costs

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Standard Shipping · United States: $0.00

Express Shipping · United States: $3.99

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Returning an item

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United States · Return window (days after delivery): 30. Return method: By mail. Return postage: Seller pays.

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Customer Reviews (4.8 / 5 · 5 reviews)

Scarlett P. ★★★★★

I’m still grinning after my first night with this 20-inch truss tube—the way it resolves globular clusters into individual stars is unreal. The secondary mirror stays perfectly collimated even after assembling the tube sections. That $600 shipping stung, but the views make it worthwhile.

Evelyn W. ★★★★★

The 20-inch aperture gathers light like nothing I've used before — I could see spiral structure in the Whirlpool Galaxy from my backyard. Assembly took a patient evening, but the collimation knobs made fine-tuning the mirrors straightforward. Just budget for that hefty shipping charge mentioned in t

Harper Y. ★★★★★

The 20-inch aperture is absolutely mind-blowing for deep sky observation—I could clearly resolve the spiral arms of M51 from my moderately light-polluted backyard. Assembly took a bit of patience due to the truss tube design, but once collimated, the views are incredibly sharp and stable. The custom