22” f/4 UC

The 22” UC is the best deep sky value in it's category. More light gathering power per dollar than all other UCs.

Jürgen Breitung, - 22" UC owner in Kreuznach Germany

22” UC

$11,495

Plus Shipping & Crating

The 22" f/4 UC (Ultra Compact) is a revolutionary design. It is a large aperture telescope that collapses into a very small package. If you have limited hauling or storage capacity, (like the trunk of a small car) then this is the scope for you.

Our revolutionary Virtual Mirror Box (VMB) is the foundation of the UC design. It is a welded steel framework made from NC laser cut steel. It provides four main functions. It provides the primary mirror cell, the altitude bearings, the connection points for the truss poles, and a retainer for the wheelbarrow handles.

Now everyone can have a huge aperture scope and take it to their dark sky site. This telescope will appeal to those that like the ultimate in form follows function style. Lower eyepiece height means 80% of observing will be done with your feet on the ground. The UC is all black with a modern space frame construction. If you own a small vehicle, then the Ultra Compact is the obvious choice. And if you want big scope views and the ultimate in Dobsonian evolution, the Obsession Ultra Compact 22" is it.

No compromises. The UC uses the same proven design criteria and materials that made the Classic Obsession so successful and the most copied larger aperture dob on the market. We use the same premium optics from Ostahowski that we do in our Classic series of telescopes.

  • Diffraction limited and all figured and tested with interferometry.

  • Ion deposition 96% enhance primary coating.

  • Two inch flex free glass.

  • One tenth wave 96% Diamond brite secondary mirror.

As with our Classic series, you cannot get better optics at any price anywhere. Ostahowski is so confident of their quality that they post the serial number and test data for every mirror they make on their web site for everyone to review. Nobody else does this.

Quick Specs:

  • Collapsed, the base is 28" x 29" x 18" high

  • Weight of heaviest component is 90 pounds

  • Eight truss poles instead of six

  • Eyepiece height at zenith is 7 feet 4 inches

22" UC includes:

  • Feathertouch focuser

  • Telrad

  • Wheelbarrow handles

  • Counterweight kit

  • External light baffle

Our revolutionary Virtual Mirror Box (VMB) is the foundation of the UC design.

Bruce B, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Paul Koller and Justin Kabaus, 22" UC owners in southern Austria - Sept 2012

Die heutigen Dobsons haben ja nichts mehr gemeinsam mit den einfachen Geräten und der Philosophie von John Dobson. Alles ist heute mit Technik und Elektronik vollgestopft, GOTO gehört einfach dazu zu den großen Geräten, die natürlich nun auch eine entsprechende Stromversorgung benötigen - aber die Bedienung der Geräte und das Aufsuchen von anspruchsvollen Objekten wird dadurch natürlich erst möglich bzw. erleichtert.

Dave Kriege, Gary Kopff (creator of the Argo Navis) and Mike Beachamp at dawn on Mauna Kea after a night of observing at 9200 feet with 22UC.

Videos

Cedar Ridge Star Gazing Parties

Paul Koller and Justin Kabaus of Austria with a pair of 22 UCs at Hohe Dirn mountain.

3X the light gathering power of a 12.5"

7.5X the light gathering power of an 8” Schmidt-Cassegrain

ULTRA COMPACT

22” UC in trunk of Compact Chrysler Cirrus

John Nymark - 22” UC in 2012 Corvette

22" UC Specifications

Metric info shown in italics

Primary Mirror:

  • 22" - 559 mm Ostahowski 2 inch thick mirror

  • Fused silica glass standard on all 22" UC primary mirrors.

  • 96% reflectivity

  • Enhanced Aluminum Coating and Dielectric Overcoat (a supreme coating)

  • Center marked for precise collimation

  • plus Interferometry certification

see Optics page for more info

Secondary Mirror:

  • Pre-installed

  • 3.5" - 89 mm United Lens 1/10 wave or better

  • Interferogram included

  • 96% reflectivity at 550 nm

  • Super enhanced Brilliant-Diamond non-fading multi-dielectric coating

see Optics page for more info

Focal Length:

  • 88" (± 2") - 2,235 mm (± 50 mm)

Eyepiece Height at Zenith:

  • (approximately) 84" - 213 cm

Mirror Cell:

  • 9 point

Truss Pole:

  • Length: 70" (± 2") - 178 cm (± 5 cm)

  • Diameter: 1.25" - 32 mm

  • Wall Thickness: 0.035" - 0.9 mm

Upper Assembly:

  • Diameter: 27" - 69 cm

  • Height: 11" - 28 cm

  • Weight: 8 lbs. - 3.6 kg

Lower Assembly:

  • Virtual Mirror Box stacked in Rocker for Transport
    29" x 29" x 27" high

Standard Features and Accessories

Feathertouch focuser by Starlight Instruments

Standard on all Ultra Compacts

Starlight Feathertouch 2 inch focuser, with 1-1/4 inch threaded adaptor for filters. Compression rings. Can be swiveled on it's base to the most convenient position. A joy to use and beautiful to look at.

Telrad

Standard on all Ultra Compacts

Upper and lower light baffles

Standard on all Ultra Compacts

Counterweight kit

Standard on all Ultra Compacts

Wheelbarrow handles

Comes standard on all Obsessions 12.5" through 25" at no extra charge.

Primary Mirror Coating

Enhanced Aluminum - 96% reflectivity, with dielectric overcoat (a supreme coating) standard on all primary mirrors. See Optics page for more info.

Secondary Mirror Coating

An Obsession exclusive - Super enhanced Brilliant-Diamond is standard on all Obsession secondary mirrors. This premium multi-dielectric coating has 96% reflectivity at 550 nm. The ultimate coating for the deep sky obsessed. This coating is standard on all Obsession secondaries at no extra charge. Brilliant-Diamond is just one of the reasons Obsessions out perform all others.

With 96% enhanced on the primary and our standard 96% Brilliant Diamond secondary, the optical system is equivalent to an extra 2" of aperture!

12 volt cooling fan

12 volt cooling fan comes standard on all Classic and Ultra Compact scopes.

Fused quartz

22” UC Obsessions use fused quartz for the primary and secondary mirror glass.
See Optics page for more info.

Optional Accessories

See the Accessories page for more info on these items

Paracorr

(Highly recommended at f/4)

$550

The Tele Vue Paracorr is a popular optical device called a coma corrector. It fixes an optical flaw called coma in fast Newtonian and Dobsonian telescopes. Coma makes stars near the edge of your view look like little comets instead of sharp points.

Ripstop Nylon light shroud

(Highly recommended)

$209 for 15" UC
$219 for 18" UC
$259 for 22" UC

Our custom fitted light shroud really fits.
Made of Ripstop Nylon
Sports an embroidered logo.
Custom nylon stuff sack with cord lock closure included.

Barlow-Laser Collimator 2" barrel

(Highly recommended)

$195

Includes 2" magnetic barlow lens and mask for the new barlowed laser collimating technique. Great visual aid and no better way to accurately align fast Newtonians. learn how

Nexus Digital Setting Circles Pro

with ultra res 32K encoders

$895

We fabricate our own steel mounting hardware and cables for the ultra res 32K res encoders. When you buy the Nexus Pro Digital Setting Circles with your Obsession you get quality factory installation. Encoder arms are easily removed with brass thumb screws. No tools required. more info

Dew heater for secondary mirror

$85

Secondary mirror heating system automatically senses the air temperature and the mirror temperature, then maintains the secondary at a preset (adjustable) temperature above the ambient air temperature to prevent dewing or icing.

Gently warms the secondary at 2-4 watts when on full. Six evenly spaced contact points for optimal thermal distribution. Uses a 9v battery (smoke alarm battery) mounted at the holder, eliminating the need for wires across the spider. No more heat ropes! On/off sensor and LED indicator included.

Sizes available to fit all apertures

Pre-installed (if ordered).

Ordering Information:

A Deposit is required to place an order ($2,200 for 22" UC)

Mail the deposit to:

Obsession Telescopes
PO Box 804
Lake Mills, WI 53551
USA

You can e-mail your order, or mail it with the deposit.

  • With your order, please list any options and/or accessories you want, your mailing address, e-mail address if any, and phone number(s).

  • After we receive it, we will send you an order confirmation letter.

  • Delivery is usually 1 to 2 months from time of order.

  • Please e-mail for current delivery times.

  • Balance due prior to shipment.

  • Prices do not include shipping and crating. We ship throughout the world via UPS.

  • Any questions, please call or e-mail.

  • NOTE 10% order cancelation charge.

22” UC