HandyDob6 Steel Tripod Stability Plate
As Ed Ting mentioned in his YouTube review of the HandyDob6, one of the first practical questions with a tabletop Dobsonian like the HandyDob6 is simple:
Where should you place it?
Ed Ting’s HandyDob6 review:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLRy20GfcHA
The HandyDob6 ground board includes a standard 3/8-inch tripod nut, allowing the telescope to be mounted directly on a tripod.
However, when the HandyDob6 is mounted on a general-purpose camera tripod instead of an astronomy tripod with a wide top contact area, vibration can become more noticeable.
The main HandyDob6 body is made from thick, rigid 3D-printed PETG-CF, but like any printed polymer structure, it still has a small amount of elasticity. When that structure is connected to a camera tripod with a narrow top contact surface, vibration damping becomes more difficult.
With some experience, users can reduce vibration slightly by holding the UTA and the ends of the side bearings while observing. But this is not a fundamental solution.
Why Tripod Contact Area Matters
Astronomy tripods such as the Photoclam Astro Tripod or ZWO TC40 have a much wider top contact area. They are not a perfect solution in every situation, but they provide noticeably better vibration control with the HandyDob6. Because they are made from carbon fiber, they also remain lightweight and portable.
But most HandyDob6 users already own a general-purpose camera tripod.
We tested different ways to improve this setup without making the telescope harder to carry or use. After comparing different plate sizes, thicknesses, weights, and storage options, we found a simple and effective solution:
Add a steel plate between the tripod and the HandyDob6 ground board.
This steel plate is not a perfect cure for every tripod, but it is a meaningful improvement. By adding a wider and more rigid support layer, it helps distribute pressure more evenly and reduce vibration during observation.
Availability
The HandyDob6 Steel Tripod Stability Plate is now available from both our BuiltAstro store and Amazon.
The product has arrived at Amazon warehouses and is being prepared for fulfillment. Shipping availability may take a few days to fully update, and Prime shipping is supported.
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Amazon US:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GYKYYD2L
Product Details
The HandyDob6 Steel Tripod Stability Plate is a dedicated accessory designed to improve tripod stability when using the HandyDob6 portable Dobsonian telescope.
It is made from a 178 mm (7 in) diameter steel plate with a 1.6 mm (0.063 in) base steel thickness, and weighs approximately 280 g (0.62 lb). Both sides have a matte powder-coated finish. Due to the powder coating, the finished thickness may be approximately 1.8 mm (0.071 in), while the base steel plate thickness remains 1.6 mm (0.063 in).
This plate is especially helpful when the HandyDob6 is mounted on a general-purpose tripod or any tripod with a narrow top contact area. Placed between the tripod and the HandyDob6 body, it provides a wider, more rigid contact surface and helps reduce vibration during observation.
It can also be used with astronomy tripods for additional support and improved rigidity.
Storage holes allow the plate to be kept inside the HandyDob6 body when assembled, making it easy to carry as part of your portable telescope setup.
In addition to the storage holes, the plate also includes pre-drilled bolt holes for users who prefer to use the plate while keeping it attached to the ground board. These holes are positioned to avoid interference with the UTA when the HandyDob6 is assembled. To use this option, users must drill matching holes in the ground board and install the plate themselves using suitable bolts.
Key Features
- Made for HandyDob6 - Dedicated stability plate designed specifically for the HandyDob6 portable Dobsonian telescope.
- Helps reduce vibration - Adds a rigid steel support layer between the tripod and HandyDob6 body to help reduce vibration during observation.
- Improves tripod contact area - Especially useful when mounting HandyDob6 on general-purpose tripods or tripods with a narrow top contact surface.
- 178 mm steel plate - Made from a 178 mm (7 in) diameter steel plate with a 1.6 mm (0.063 in) base steel thickness and an approximate weight of 280 g (0.62 lb).
- Matte powder-coated finish - Finished with matte powder coating on both sides; final coated thickness is approximately 1.8 mm (0.071 in).
- Stores inside HandyDob6 - Designed with holes so the plate can be stored inside the HandyDob6 body when assembled.
- Optional ground board mounting - Includes pre-drilled bolt holes for users who want to attach the plate to the ground board; this requires drilling matching holes in the ground board and using suitable bolts.
This improvement is the result of valuable user feedback.
We will continue to refine the HandyDob6 based on real user experience and practical needs.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us at the email below.
Warm regards,
BuiltAstro Support Team
[email protected]