Astro Devices Explore Scientific Truss Dobsonian Encoder Kit

Product Overview

The Explore Scientific Truss Dobsonian Encoder Kit adds the two optical encoders that let a set of digital setting circles read the position of your telescope. Digital setting circles have no way of knowing where a scope is pointed on their own; the encoders mount to the azimuth and altitude axes and feed continuous position signals back to the DSC, which then guides you to targets across the sky. The kit is built specifically for Explore Scientific Truss-tube Dobsonians in the 10", 12", and 16" apertures, so the brackets, hardware, and cable are matched to those scopes rather than adapted from a generic set.

Who It's For

This kit fits Explore Scientific Truss Dobsonian telescopes in 10", 12", and 16" apertures. It is the encoder half of a push-to setup: pair it with a compatible digital setting circle or Nexus unit to turn a manual Dobsonian into a push-to scope that points you to objects by hand.

Key Features & Design

• Matched to the scope: designed specifically for Explore Scientific Truss Dobsonians in 10", 12", and 16" sizes.
• Selectable azimuth resolution: the azimuth axis runs at either 20,480 steps or 311,296 steps, giving you a standard and a high-resolution option.
• Aperture-matched altitude resolution: 304,000 steps on the 10", 380,608 steps on the 12", and 454,600 steps on the 16".
• Complete kit: ships with 2 encoders, an installation hardware set, an encoder cable, and an installation instruction booklet.
• Light and compact: the full kit weighs 400 g.

Encoder Resolution

Resolution describes how finely each axis is divided, and finer division means the setting circles can resolve smaller pointing movements. The Standard option runs the azimuth axis at 20,480 steps, while the High option runs it at 311,296 steps for tighter pointing on longer focal-length and higher-magnification work. Altitude resolution is fixed to the aperture, ranging from 304,000 steps on the 10" to 454,600 steps on the 16", so larger scopes read their vertical axis at a proportionally higher count.

Recommended Uses

The kit suits any observer who wants to add push-to object location to an Explore Scientific Truss Dobsonian. Once the encoders are installed and connected to a digital setting circle, you select a target and the display walks you to it, which shortens the hunt for faint galaxies, nebulae, and clusters that are hard to star-hop to under light-polluted skies.

Compatibility and Accessory Notes

This kit is made for Explore Scientific Truss Dobsonian telescopes in 10", 12", and 16" apertures. It supplies the encoders, mounting hardware, and cable only; a compatible digital setting circle or Nexus unit is required to read the encoders and provide the push-to interface. Two installation guides are published for the kit, covering the standard and high-resolution configurations.

Good to Know Before You Order

• Encoders, not a full DSC: the kit provides the position encoders your scope needs; the digital setting circle that reads them is a separate purchase.
• Resolution is chosen at purchase: the Standard and High options set the azimuth step count (20,480 vs 311,296). Pick the resolution that matches how you observe.
• Aperture-specific altitude count: the altitude resolution is tied to your scope size, so the kit is matched to 10", 12", or 16" Explore Scientific Truss Dobsonians.
• Documentation included: an installation instruction booklet ships in the box, and standard and HD installation PDFs are available as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

What comes in the kit?

Two encoders, an installation hardware set, an encoder cable, and an installation instruction booklet.

Do I still need a digital setting circle?

Yes. The encoders report position, and a compatible digital setting circle or Nexus unit reads those signals to provide the push-to display.

What is the difference between the Standard and High options?

They set the azimuth resolution: Standard runs at 20,480 steps and High runs at 311,296 steps. The higher count resolves finer pointing movements on the azimuth axis.

Which telescopes does it fit?

Explore Scientific Truss Dobsonian telescopes in 10", 12", and 16" apertures.

Is it difficult to set up?

The encoders mount to the azimuth and altitude axes using the supplied hardware and connect with the included cable. An installation instruction booklet is included, and standard and HD installation PDFs are published to walk through each step.

Bottom Line

This is the purpose-built encoder set that brings push-to object location to an Explore Scientific Truss Dobsonian. Matched to the 10", 12", and 16" scopes and offered in standard and high azimuth resolution, it supplies the encoders, hardware, and cable that let a digital setting circle read exactly where your telescope is pointed.