Travel Telescope 114mm V3.0

Travel Telescope Discord server

Hardware kits available for purchase

Introducing the Travel Telescope 3.0, a completely redesigned iteration of the Travel Telescope. It’s the perfect companion for your next dark-sky adventure and can easily collapse to fit into a backpack. Building this telescope yourself is an amazing way to learn how telescopes work, and it’s designed to be as beginner-friendly as possible so anyone can do it. Version 3.0 introduces many new features and improvements, including a premium 2" focuser, an Astro Hopper phone mount for navigating the night sky, light shroud mounts, improved optical performance, a completely updated manual, and more. I’ve linked my store where I sell 3D printing kits that include all the hardware needed to build the telescope, including screws, heat inserts, mirrors, and aluminum extrusions. This is the easiest way to source everything in one place. The telescope can be mounted onto star trackers and standard tripods. It’s designed as a beginner-friendly way to learn how telescopes work and the basics of astronomy.

Happy building!🔭

Travel Telescope Learning Guide: 

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0642/3953/4217/files/TravelTelescope114LearningGuide.pdf?v=1771961751

Discords Server: https://discord.gg/anjj3JdsJK 

(Join the discord community of astronomy enthusiast and get help and show off your build!🔭 I'm working on new builds too so don't miss out!)

Change Log:

• Updated 2" premium focuser

• Improved tool free collimation

• Overhauled in depth learning guide

• 1/4" mounting threads for tripod compatibility

• Light shroud mounting compatibility

• Sturdier design

Printing Settings:

• No supports

• 0.6 or 0.4mm nozzle

• PETG (Or other strong filaments)

• TPU for legs and mirror clips (Recommended but not required)

(you don't have TPU, you can get away with printing the mirror clips out of anything but you'll need to print something to go over the legs if you use the included tripod so they don't scratch a surface)

(I strongly recommend using all black for any parts that face the optical surfaces, the tripod can be printed any color.)

(See user manual for more detailed printing instructions)

Hardware Needed:

There are a lot of parts required for assembly. I'm selling hardware kits (or the assembled Telescope) with the parts needed through an online store I made. This is the cheapest way to buy the hardware as you would be buying way more than you need if you bought them all separately. 

Link to Hardware/Telescope kit: 

https://www.nstarscientific.com/products/telescope 

Detailed assembly guide: PDF file is in downloads

(feel free to reach out with questions)

Bill of Materials:

There are a lot of parts required for assembly. I'm selling a kit of the parts needed through an online store I made. This is the cheapest way to buy the hardware as you would be buying way more than you need if you bought them all separately. here are the links of the parts I bought:

450mm version: 

-All parts are the same except you only need 4 aluminum extrusions and a different mirror.

114/450mm Primary (Parabolic): https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804066457264.html

-Parabolic shape is recommended spherical shaped will be cheaper but lower quality. 

40mm secondary: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806013389244.html

-(Make sure to select 40mm)

Please note if you are buying your own parts, heat inserts are come in different sizes so please be aware of that. You can also use all hex bolts and use the bolt topper to turn them into thumbscrews to reduce the BOM. Please also note parts from other stores will also work, most of the links below are for Amazon. (note links may change to different products I will try to keep this up to date but always double check its the correct part)

[1x] 114x900mm Mirror:

https://www.amazon.com/Skyoptikst-Diameter-Newtonian-Reflector-Astronomical/dp/B096F28YR6/ 

[5 or 4x] Aluminum extrusions 2020 V-Slot 400mm: 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2P434PD?ref=fed_asin_title&th=1 

[16x] M6 x9x8mm heat inserts: 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CS6YCWHD?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details 

[20x] M3 5.7x4.6mm heat inserts: 

https://www.amazon.com/ruthex-M3-Threaded-Inserts-RX-M3x5-7/dp/B08BCRZZS3/ref=sxin_16_pa_sp_search_thematic_sspa?content-id=amzn1.sym.9ce0d71e-7aca-4397-8822-32313a4aff8e%3Aamzn1.sym.9ce0d71e-7aca-4397-8822-32313a4aff8e&crid=11LZHDJ9W4KMJ&cv_ct_cx=m3%2Bheat%2Binserts&keywords=m3%2Bheat%2Binserts&pd_rd_i=B08BCRZZS3&pd_rd_r=c72743d3-ed14-417e-aba3-84cec8234b00&pd_rd_w=F9Qed&pd_rd_wg=OvqIe&pf_rd_p=9ce0d71e-7aca-4397-8822-32313a4aff8e&pf_rd_r=53N4NCMY523Z0WP1N05E&qid=1760408326&s=industrial&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sprefix=m3%2Bheat%2Binsert%2Caps%2C162&sr=1-3-6024b2a3-78e4-4fed-8fed-e1613be3bcce-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9zZWFyY2hfdGhlbWF0aWM&th=1 

[1x] 1/4" heat insert (Optional):

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FTXHP49K?ref=fed_asin_title&th=1

Bolts:

M3: You could just buy a M3 bolt set but here are the individual sizes (Hex socket)

Example kit:

https://www.amazon.com/Screws-Assortment-Plated-Socket-Washers/dp/B0D3X5CT2J/?th=1 

[4x] M3x25mm thumb screws:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F5GLKW8C?ref=fed_asin_title 

[6x] M3x16mm (Recommended black)

[4x] M3x8mm

[6x] M3x10mm Thumbscrew:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GVDX9RC?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_5 

[1x] M3: Allen wrench

[3x] M6x30mm Hex:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08CXTVXJ8?ref=fed_asin_title 

[12x] M6x25mm Thumbscrew: 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CMT6WMCW?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details 

[4x] Spring 9x15x1.2mm: 

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805215795899.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.41.74d51802CrTzeh&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa 

[1x] Fender washer 1-1/4'' (Recommended but not required) 

[1x] M6x25 Philips:

https://www.amazon.com/Machine-Screws-Cross-Stainless-Finish/dp/B0CTQ1JWNH/?th=1 

[2x] Washer Bearing 64mm: 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CJRKRKS?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1 

(Other similar parts will work, i.e. springs of slightly different wire diameter. Feel free to ask about replacement parts on the discord.)

 Silicone glue (Not included in kits): 

https://www.amazon.com/Permatex-80050-Silicone-Adhesive-Sealant/dp/B0002UEPVI/ref=zg_bs_g_256251011_d_sccl_3/142-9494576-7373107?psc=1 

Modifications/Remixes:

Xyrpis Mod for EQ mount

Notes:

Assembly does require heat inserts, Soldering iron and soldering iron tip is not included in the hardware kit. You will also need to glue the mirror, glue is not included. (Silicone glue/sealant is recommended). The focuser is tight tolerances and may require light sanding and post processing.

If you'd like to see a design change, an added feature, or would like to remix a part, please reach out for suggested improvements. 

NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN EVEN WITH SOLAR FILTERS, OPEN TELESCOPE DESINGS SHOULD NEVER BE USED FOR SOLAR OBSERVING!!!