Elli
A refined Dobsonian for people who learned from the first one
Built to order in a small workshop. Tell me what you'd like — colour, finish, timing — and I'll get back to you.
What it does, more or less.
A refined Dobsonian for people who learned from the first one
130mm of light-gathering capability
Larger primary mirror for noticeably better views of things that are, objectively, very far away
More color options, same existential dread
Extended customization palette because you should at least get to choose the color of your cosmic insignificance
Improved truss system
Redesigned truss joints that actually stay aligned, unlike certain promises
Dual-speed Crayford focuser
10:1 reduction for the kind of precision that makes planetary viewing genuinely rewarding
Elli
The Elli is what happens when you build the M42, use it for a year, and then build a better one. Same core philosophy — ultralight, 3D-printed, portable — but with a larger aperture, a refined truss system, and a focuser that actually deserves the word “precision.”
Named for the Norse giantess who wrestled Thor and won, because a 130mm mirror gathering ancient light from objects billions of light-years away deserves a name with some gravitas.
What’s Included
- 3D-printed customizable optical tube assembly with dual-speed Crayford focuser
- Redesigned Dobsonian mount with improved altitude bearing system
- 25mm/52°FOV Plössl & 9mm/68°FOV Plössl eyepieces
- 6×30 right-angle finder scope
- Collimation cheshire
- Tensioner system for altitude/azimuth resistance adjustment
- Assembly instructions + alignment guide
Build Notes
The Elli takes approximately 4–5 hours to print per unit and is built to order. The improved truss design eliminates the slight flex present in the M42 at high magnification. The Crayford focuser is a meaningful upgrade — planetary observation in particular benefits from the fine-focus capability.
Assembly
Assembly takes 45–60 minutes. All hardware included. The modular truss design breaks down to fit in a medium backpack.
Care & Maintenance
- Store in a dry, dust-free environment
- Clean optics with proper astronomical cleaning supplies only
- Collimation is easy and documented — check it after every transport
- Crayford drawtube tension is adjustable via a single thumbscrew