Skip to content

Dobsonians

The Dobsonian is the most efficient answer ever devised to a simple question: how do you point a very large mirror at the sky without spending more on the mount than the optics? A simple altazimuth box, a large primary, and nothing else — which is why a 300 mm Dobsonian costs a fraction of a 300 mm equatorial system. David Astro carries Dobsonians in Canada, stocked domestically and ready to ship.

Aperture is the point, and transport is the constraint. Tell us your vehicle, your storage space and who will carry it, and we will recommend an aperture you will actually use.

Filters

CA$104.00 - CA$104.00
CA$104.00
CA$104.00 - CA$104.00
CA$104.00

Celestron FirstScope Signature Series Moon by Robert Reeves Telescope

CEL-22016

76mm (2.99") Newtonian Reflector Fast f/3.95 Focal Ratio for Wide Views Includes 15x and 75x Eyepieces Ultra-Portable 4.3 lb Tabletop Dobsonian Mo...

View full details
CA$104.00 - CA$104.00
CA$104.00
CA$104.00 - CA$104.00
CA$104.00
CA$2,223.00 - CA$2,223.00
CA$2,223.00
CA$2,223.00 - CA$2,223.00
CA$2,223.00

Celestron StarSense Explorer 12" Smartphone App-Enabled Dobsonian Telescope

CEL-22472
1 in stock

305mm (12") Newtonian Reflector Optics 1500mm Focal Length (f/4.9) StarSense Explorer App-Enabled Telescope Guidance Gathers 1895x More Light Than...

View full details
CA$2,223.00 - CA$2,223.00
CA$2,223.00
CA$2,223.00 - CA$2,223.00
CA$2,223.00
CA$528.00 - CA$528.00
CA$528.00
CA$528.00 - CA$528.00
CA$528.00

Celestron StarSense Explorer™ 114mm Smartphone App-Enabled Tabletop Dobsonian Telescope

CEL-22480
1 in stock

114mm (4.48") Newtonian Reflector with Parabolic Mirror Fast f/4 focal ratio for wide, bright fields of view Uses patented StarSense Explorer tech...

View full details
CA$528.00 - CA$528.00
CA$528.00
CA$528.00 - CA$528.00
CA$528.00
CA$667.00 - CA$667.00
CA$667.00
CA$667.00 - CA$667.00
CA$667.00

Celestron StarSense Explorer™ 130mm Smartphone App-Enabled Tabletop Dobsonian Telescope

CEL-22481

130mm (5.12") Newtonian Reflector with Parabolic Primary Mirror StarSense Explorer app uses your smartphone for real-time object locating 650mm fo...

View full details
CA$667.00 - CA$667.00
CA$667.00
CA$667.00 - CA$667.00
CA$667.00
CA$834.00 - CA$834.00
CA$834.00
CA$834.00 - CA$834.00
CA$834.00

Celestron StarSense Explorer™ 150mm Smartphone App-Enabled Tabletop Dobsonian Telescope

CEL-22482

150mm (5.9") Newtonian Reflector Optics 750mm Focal Length (f/5) StarSense Explorer App-Enabled Navigation 30x & 75x Magnification with Includ...

View full details
CA$834.00 - CA$834.00
CA$834.00
CA$834.00 - CA$834.00
CA$834.00
CA$1,667.00 - CA$1,667.00
CA$1,667.00
CA$1,667.00 - CA$1,667.00
CA$1,667.00

Celestron StarSense Explorer™ Smartphone App-Enabled Dobsonian Telescope - 10"

CEL-22471

254mm (10") Newtonian Reflector Optics 1200mm Focal Length (f/4.7) StarSense Explorer Smartphone-Enabled Navigation Altazimuth Dobsonian Base Gath...

View full details
CA$1,667.00 - CA$1,667.00
CA$1,667.00
CA$1,667.00 - CA$1,667.00
CA$1,667.00
CA$1,222.00 - CA$1,222.00
CA$1,222.00
CA$1,222.00 - CA$1,222.00
CA$1,222.00

Celestron StarSense Explorer™ Smartphone App-Enabled Dobsonian Telescope - 8"

CEL-22470

203mm (8") Newtonian Reflector Optics 1200mm Focal Length (f/5.9) Patented StarSense Explorer Sky Recognition Technology 841x Light Gathering Powe...

View full details
CA$1,222.00 - CA$1,222.00
CA$1,222.00
CA$1,222.00 - CA$1,222.00
CA$1,222.00
Explore Scientific 10-inch f/5 Hybrid Truss Tube Dobsonian Telescope
CA$1,260.00 - CA$1,260.00
CA$1,260.00
CA$1,260.00 - CA$1,260.00
CA$1,260.00

Explore Scientific 10-inch f/5 Hybrid Truss Tube Dobsonian Telescope

ES-DOB1045C

254mm (10-inch) Aperture f/5 Newtonian Optical Design Hybrid Truss Tube for Portability Includes 25mm and 10mm Plössl Eyepieces Red-Dot Finder and...

View full details
CA$1,260.00 - CA$1,260.00
CA$1,260.00
CA$1,260.00 - CA$1,260.00
CA$1,260.00
Explore Scientific 6-inch Tabletop Dobsonian Reflector Telescope
CA$700.00 - CA$700.00
CA$700.00
CA$700.00 - CA$700.00
CA$700.00

Explore Scientific 6-inch Tabletop Dobsonian Reflector Telescope

ES-ON15205TT

152mm (6-inch) primary mirror for bright, detailed views Fast f/5 focal ratio provides a wide field of view Lightweight and compact tabletop Dobso...

View full details
CA$700.00 - CA$700.00
CA$700.00
CA$700.00 - CA$700.00
CA$700.00
Explore Scientific 8-inch Dobsonian Reflector Telescope (Red)
CA$980.00 - CA$980.00
CA$980.00
CA$980.00 - CA$980.00
CA$980.00

Explore Scientific 8-inch Dobsonian Reflector Telescope (Red)

ES-ON20859RR

208mm (8-inch) Primary Mirror 1219mm Focal Length f/5.9 Focal Ratio 2-inch Crayford-style Focuser with 1.25-inch Adapter Dobsonian-style Mount Inc...

View full details
CA$980.00 - CA$980.00
CA$980.00
CA$980.00 - CA$980.00
CA$980.00
Orion Optics UK 150mm Dobsonian Mount
CA$411.00 - CA$411.00
CA$411.00
CA$711.00
CA$711.00 - CA$711.00
CA$711.00

Orion Optics UK 150mm Dobsonian Mount

OOUK-150MM-DOBSONIAN-MOUNT-ACCEOTS-TUBES

Designed for 150mm Newtonian Telescopes Classic Dobsonian Alt-Azimuth Design Intuitive Point-and-View Operation Stable, Ground-Based Platform Manu...

View full details
CA$411.00 - CA$411.00
CA$411.00
CA$711.00
CA$711.00 - CA$711.00
CA$711.00
Orion Optics UK 200mm Dobsonian Mount
CA$490.00 - CA$490.00
CA$490.00
CA$790.00
CA$790.00 - CA$790.00
CA$790.00

Orion Optics UK 200mm Dobsonian Mount

OOUK-200MM-DOBSONIAN-MOUNT-ACCEOTS-TUBES

Designed for 200mm (8-inch) Newtonian Telescopes Accepts Optical Tubes up to 225mm in Diameter Classic Dobsonian Rocker-Box Design Provides a Stab...

View full details
CA$490.00 - CA$490.00
CA$490.00
CA$790.00
CA$790.00 - CA$790.00
CA$790.00
Orion Optics UK 250mm Dobsonian Mount
CA$501.00 - CA$501.00
CA$501.00
CA$801.00
CA$801.00 - CA$801.00
CA$801.00

Orion Optics UK 250mm Dobsonian Mount

OOUK-250MM-DOBSONIAN-MOUNT-ACCEOTS-TUBES

Designed for 250mm (10-inch) class Newtonian telescopes Accepts optical tubes with an outer diameter up to 280mm Classic Dobsonian rocker box desi...

View full details
CA$501.00 - CA$501.00
CA$501.00
CA$801.00
CA$801.00 - CA$801.00
CA$801.00
Orion Optics UK 300mm Dobsonian Mount
CA$635.00 - CA$635.00
CA$635.00
CA$935.00
CA$935.00 - CA$935.00
CA$935.00

Orion Optics UK 300mm Dobsonian Mount

OOUK-300MM-DOBSONIAN-MOUNT-ACCEOTS-TUBES

Designed for Optical Tubes up to 236mm in Diameter Classic Dobsonian Alt-Azimuth Design Provides a Stable, Vibration-Free Platform Ideal for High-...

View full details
CA$635.00 - CA$635.00
CA$635.00
CA$935.00
CA$935.00 - CA$935.00
CA$935.00
Orion Optics UK 350mm Dobsonian Mount
CA$859.00 - CA$859.00
CA$859.00
CA$1,159.00
CA$1,159.00 - CA$1,159.00
CA$1,159.00

Orion Optics UK 350mm Dobsonian Mount

OOUK-350MM-DOBSONIAN-MOUNT-ACCEOTS-TUBES

Accommodates large Newtonian optical tubes Designed for 350mm class telescopes Accepts tube diameters up to 385mm Classic Dobsonian alt-azimuth de...

View full details
CA$859.00 - CA$859.00
CA$859.00
CA$1,159.00
CA$1,159.00 - CA$1,159.00
CA$1,159.00
Orion Optics UK 400mm Dobsonian Mount
CA$1,228.00 - CA$1,228.00
CA$1,228.00
CA$1,528.00
CA$1,528.00 - CA$1,528.00
CA$1,528.00

Orion Optics UK 400mm Dobsonian Mount

OOUK-400MM-DOBSONIAN-MOUNT-ACCEOTS-TUBES

Designed for 400mm Newtonian Optical Tubes Accepts Tube Diameters up to 434mm Classic Dobsonian Rocker Box Design Provides a Stable, Vibration-Fre...

View full details
CA$1,228.00 - CA$1,228.00
CA$1,228.00
CA$1,528.00
CA$1,528.00 - CA$1,528.00
CA$1,528.00
CA$720.00 - CA$720.00
CA$720.00
CA$720.00 - CA$720.00
CA$720.00

Sky-Watcher Classic 150P

SW-S11600
1 in stock

152mm (6-inch) Newtonian Reflector 1200mm Focal Length f/7.9 Focal Ratio 94% Reflectivity RAQ™ Mirror Coatings 2-inch Rack & Pinion Focuser ...

View full details
CA$720.00 - CA$720.00
CA$720.00
CA$720.00 - CA$720.00
CA$720.00
CA$1,010.00 - CA$1,010.00
CA$1,010.00
CA$1,010.00 - CA$1,010.00
CA$1,010.00

Sky-Watcher Classic 200P

SW-S11610

203mm (8-inch) Newtonian Reflector 1200mm Focal Length f/5.9 Focal Ratio 94% Reflectivity Radiant™ Aluminum Quartz (RAQ) Coatings 2-inch Crayford ...

View full details
CA$1,010.00 - CA$1,010.00
CA$1,010.00
CA$1,010.00 - CA$1,010.00
CA$1,010.00
CA$1,380.00 - CA$1,380.00
CA$1,380.00
CA$1,380.00 - CA$1,380.00
CA$1,380.00

Sky-Watcher Classic 250P

SW-S11620

254mm (10-inch) Newtonian Reflector 1200mm Focal Length Fast f/4.7 Focal Ratio 94% Reflectivity RAQ™ Mirror Coatings 2" Crayford-style Focuser Wei...

View full details
CA$1,380.00 - CA$1,380.00
CA$1,380.00
CA$1,380.00 - CA$1,380.00
CA$1,380.00
CA$1,180.00 - CA$1,180.00
CA$1,180.00
CA$1,180.00 - CA$1,180.00
CA$1,180.00

Sky-Watcher Flextube 200P

SW-S11700
1 in stock

203mm (8-inch) Newtonian Reflector 1200mm Focal Length Fast f/5.9 Focal Ratio Collapsible OTA Extends from 33" to 44" 94% Reflectivity Radiant Alu...

View full details
CA$1,180.00 - CA$1,180.00
CA$1,180.00
CA$1,180.00 - CA$1,180.00
CA$1,180.00
CA$2,260.00 - CA$2,260.00
CA$2,260.00
CA$2,260.00 - CA$2,260.00
CA$2,260.00

Sky-Watcher Flextube 200P SynScan

SW-S11800
2 in stock

203mm (8-inch) Newtonian primary mirror 1200mm focal length (f/5.9) Collapsible Flextube design for portability SynScan GoTo system with 42,900+ o...

View full details
CA$2,260.00 - CA$2,260.00
CA$2,260.00
CA$2,260.00 - CA$2,260.00
CA$2,260.00
CA$1,600.00 - CA$1,600.00
CA$1,600.00
CA$1,600.00 - CA$1,600.00
CA$1,600.00

Sky-Watcher Flextube 250P

SW-S11720

254mm (10-inch) Newtonian Reflector 1200mm Focal Length Fast f/4.7 Focal Ratio Collapsible Truss-Tube Design (31.5" retracted) 94% Reflectivity Ra...

View full details
CA$1,600.00 - CA$1,600.00
CA$1,600.00
CA$1,600.00 - CA$1,600.00
CA$1,600.00
CA$2,630.00 - CA$2,630.00
CA$2,630.00
CA$2,630.00 - CA$2,630.00
CA$2,630.00

Sky-Watcher Flextube 250P SynScan

SW-S11810
1 in stock

254mm (10-inch) Newtonian Optical Tube 1200mm Focal Length (f/4.7) SynScan GoTo with 42,900+ Object Database Collapsible Flextube Design for Porta...

View full details
CA$2,630.00 - CA$2,630.00
CA$2,630.00
CA$2,630.00 - CA$2,630.00
CA$2,630.00
CA$2,630.00 - CA$2,630.00
CA$2,630.00
CA$2,630.00 - CA$2,630.00
CA$2,630.00

Sky-Watcher Flextube 300P

SW-S11740

305mm (12-inch) parabolic primary mirror 1500mm focal length (f/4.9) Collapsible truss-tube design (36" retracted / 55" extended) 94% reflectivity...

View full details
CA$2,630.00 - CA$2,630.00
CA$2,630.00
CA$2,630.00 - CA$2,630.00
CA$2,630.00

Dobsonian Designs and Practical Aperture

The biggest telescope you own is worth less than the biggest telescope you set up. Design choices here are mostly about making aperture manageable.

  • Solid-tube Dobsonians: Simplest and most rigid, holding collimation well. Beyond about 250 mm the tube becomes awkward to lift and transport as one piece.
  • Collapsible truss designs: Struts that retract or disassemble, reducing a large telescope to two manageable components — the practical route to 300 mm and beyond.
  • GoTo and push-to Dobsonians: Encoder-based systems that direct you to targets, valuable under light-polluted skies where star hopping fails for lack of visible guide stars.
  • Tracking platforms: Equatorial platforms that track for an hour or so beneath a Dobsonian, allowing high magnification and short-exposure imaging.
  • Base movement quality: Smooth altitude and azimuth motion determines whether high magnification is pleasant or frustrating; bearings and tension adjustment matter more than they look.
  • Collimation: Faster large Dobsonians need checking each session, which takes about two minutes with the right tool.

Why Choose David Astro for Dobsonians

Aperture is easy to over-buy, and a telescope that stays in a garage shows nothing.

  • Transport reality checked: We ask what vehicle you have, how far you carry it and whether stairs are involved, because these determine your practical maximum aperture.
  • Cooling advice for winter: A large mirror moved from a warm house shows soft images for the first hour. We discuss fans and staging so your first hour is not wasted.
  • Eyepiece set matched to focal ratio: Fast Dobsonians demand more of eyepieces at the field edge, and we recommend accordingly rather than selling premium glass you do not need.
  • Authorized dealer: Full manufacturer warranty with support handled in Canada.
  • Ships from Canada: Large items delivered domestically with no duties or brokerage fees.

Dobsonians in Canada — Frequently Asked Questions

What size Dobsonian should I get?
The largest you will comfortably move and set up alone. For most people that is 200 to 250 mm solid tube, or 300 mm and up in a collapsible design. A 200 mm used often beats a 400 mm used rarely.
Can I image with a Dobsonian?
Lunar and planetary work is very achievable with short video captures. Deep-sky imaging needs an equatorial platform, and even then exposure lengths are limited. Dobsonians are visual instruments first.
How much does light pollution matter?
Enormously for deep sky. Aperture helps with globular clusters and planetary nebulae under city skies, but galaxies and faint nebulae need dark sites regardless of aperture. A filter helps on emission nebulae only.
Do I need GoTo?
Under suburban skies it saves considerable frustration since few guide stars are visible for star hopping. Under dark skies many observers find manual navigation part of the enjoyment.

Choosing an aperture?

Tell us your vehicle and storage and we will recommend a size you will actually use. Canadian stock, no surprise duties.