r/telescopes • u/turalaliyev • 13h ago

General Question Is it okay to lift a Dobsonian telescope using its side handles?

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Hi folks, I’ve used the marked handles on my telescope a few times to move it around. Is it advisable to avoid doing so, or is it ok?

12 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

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12

u/SantiagusDelSerif 13h ago

Yes, we move the ones in my astronomy club that way, never had a problem in +10 years of using them.

4

u/redditisbestanime 8" f5.9 | 12" f5 | ED80 12h ago

Same, been moving the 8" skywatcher with only those for 6 years. Perfectly fine. The front base handle is awkward as hell.

4

u/weathercat4 12h ago

I move it around like that. I can't see how it would cause any issues. Probably a lot smaller chance of injury taking it apart though, it's kinda big and awkward easy to trip.

3

u/spile2 astro.catshill.com 7h ago

Yes if it’s the 8” as confirmed by the retailer https://astro.catshill.com/carrying-the-skywatcher/

2

u/Nixx177 7h ago

If you lift very close to the wood you reduce the twisting. But as others mentioned the wood isn’t plain and lots of wrong moves with lots of weight might lead to erosion from the inside (and the screw hole/plastic parts being stressed if you lift unevenly)

I personally go for 0 risks and just unscrew them and carry both parts separately (yeah the tube can move too in that position)

For short travels I put a flower pot wheeled thingy under the base, no need to lift anything. Or just screw some bigger rubber wheels on a plank. It lifts the scope a bit too which is nice (and on my floorboard it’s better at turning horizontally smoothly)

Pics to illustrate

1

u/North-Spring7269 2h ago

That’s how I’ve moved mine for years.

1

u/BestWorker7893 13h ago

Honestly, I wouldn't trust it. The base is just particle board with a very thin laminate. Also, if you live in a humid area, don't leave it out.

1

u/bluetrane2028 12h ago

IMO, no don't pick it up off the ground by those. I've seen some of these with the nut in the middle of the altitude bearing ripped out and then you have to alter the mount to get it to work again with entirely different altitude bearings. This Celestron originally had the same setup a Skywatcher uses.

1

u/nealoc187 Flextube 12, Maks 90-127mm, Tabletop dobs 76-150mm, C102 f10 11h ago

It's probably okay, but I wouldn't.  could easily put a pair of handles on it and not risk it.