Premium Ultra Light Series

UL16 16" Premium Ultra Light Dobsonian

The ultimate marriage of portability and power. Featuring our revolutionary sandwich mirror technology, enhanced optical coatings, and all-metal CNC-machined construction. Fully assembled weight: just 65 lbs.

f/5: $2,395 USD

f/4.5: $2,695 USD

Deposit (50% of base system)

Sandwich Mirror Lightweight All Metal Dual-Speed Focuser

Aperture

406mm (16")

Focal Ratio

f/4.5 or f/5

Mirror

Sandwich

Weight

65 lbs

Exclusive Sandwich Mirror Technology

The lightweight sandwich mirror design cools dramatically faster than solid mirrors, minimizing thermal gradients and eliminating a major source of image distortion. Unlike fan-based cooling, this passive design achieves rapid and stable thermal equilibrium naturally — without introducing vibration.

Why this matters

One of the primary limitations in large-aperture telescopes is "mirror seeing" — turbulence caused by temperature differences between the mirror and the surrounding air. In changing conditions, a thick solid mirror may never fully reach equilibrium, preventing it from achieving its full optical performance. The sandwich mirror design minimizes this effect, allowing the system to reach optimal performance quickly and consistently, delivering sharper and more stable views without the need for active cooling.

Enhanced Optical Coatings

96% enhanced reflective coatings on both primary and secondary mirrors with precision-controlled dielectric layers. Maximum light throughput for bright, contrast-rich images on deep-sky targets.

Engineered Mirror Support

Optimized 6-point flotation system with completely independent sling lateral support and collimation. Eliminates the potato-chip astigmatism found in simpler designs.

All Metal Construction

CNC-machined 6063-T6 aluminum alloy truss tubes, structural steel mirror cell, and aluminum alloy OTA and mount structure. Finished with environmentally friendly black powder coating.

UL16 telescope alternate view UL16 mirror cell closeup UL16 f/5 model assembled UL16 on pier mount UL16 outdoors by the bay UL16 set up for night observing UL16 under the night sky UL16 with 8x50 finder scope attached
Optical Design Reflector
Optical Diameter 406.4mm
Focal Length 1829mm (f/4.5), 2032mm (f/5)
Focal Ratio f/4.5, f/5
Eyepiece Height at Zenith 66.5" (f/4.5), 74.5" (f/5)
Optics Type Parabolic
Optical Quality Diffraction limited++ (Strehl 0.95+, 1/10 lambda PV secondary)
Focuser 2" dual-speed linear bearing Crayford
Secondary Obstruction 80mm / 19.7% (f/4.5), 70mm / 17.3% (f/5)
Mirror Coatings 96% Enhanced on both primary and secondary
Tube Material 6063-T6 Aluminum Alloy, structural steel mirror cell
Weight (Tube) 55.0 lbs
Weight (Assembled) 65.0 lbs
Dawes Limit 0.29 arcsec
Rayleigh Limit 0.33 arcsec
Limiting Magnitude 15.5
Max Magnification 800x
Accessories 8x50 Finder, Shroud, Wheelbarrow, Cushioned Grips (optional)
Other Features Sling lateral support, push-pull brass knob collimation

Advantages of f/5

Sharper images with about 30% less coma — no coma corrector needed at all. Smaller central obstruction (2.76" vs 3.1" for f/4.5). And you save $500.

Advantages of f/4.5

No ladder needed for most people — the eyepiece stays conveniently close to the ground. Wider field of view for sweeping panoramic observations.

Both f/5 and f/4.5 provide excellent views. The f/5 is perfect for the most demanding observer without a coma corrector. The f/4.5 provides a wonderful wider view. With our unique two-section truss tubes for f/5, both are equally portable and strong. Please note that some counter weight will be required for f/5 at the bottom (not provided).

"I purchased a 16inch F4.5 last year and I'm extremely happy with how it performs. It was clear the optics were very good from the first night. Stars beautifully resolved into the core of 47 Tucanae."

Damien Kilmartin

"I want to express my admiration for your excellent optics. It gave us a lot of pleasant hours under the southern stars."

Vladimir

Damien Kilmartin with his UL16 Damien Kilmartin UL16 setup Saturn taken by Damien Kilmartin using UL16 Jupiter taken by Damien Kilmartin using UL16 Eric Blown with his UL16 on a Byers GEM EQ mount Vladimir UL16 under the southern stars

Add these when ordering, or contact us at info@hubble-optics.com

View all 12 accessories

Carbon Fiber Truss Tubes

$800

Elegant, stronger, and lighter Carbon Fiber Truss Tubes.

Red Dot Finder Scope

$45

Light weight Red Dot Finder with brackets and dovetail. Simple, effective, and easy to adjust. Free shipping with system.

8x50 Illuminated Finder Scope

$100

Top quality 50mm achromatic finder with dovetail bracket. Scale markings and adjustable red illumination. +$25 shipping.

Truss Tube Grips

$7 each

0.9m cushioned vinyl foam grips — insulate, cushion vibration, and protect the truss tubes. Free shipping with system.

Shroud

$120

Top quality Nylon/Lycra blend. Blocks stray light for better contrast. Free shipping with system.

Wheelbarrow Handle

$250

Stainless steel handles with two 6" pneumatic tires and ball bearings. Includes $100 shipping. Order with system only.

Truss Tube Carry Bag

$60

Deluxe waterproof Nylon bag with draw-string cord. Free shipping with system.

5-Star Artificial Star

$22

Essential collimation tool. Free shipping when ordered with system.

Scope Storage Cover

$120

Polyurethane-coated nylon — light reflecting, water and dust resistant. Full protection in storage and in the field. Free shipping with system.

Mirror Cover

$45

Strong plastic mirror cover. Free shipping with system.

Light Baffle

$50

Reduces stray light for improved contrast. Free shipping with system.

SkyHub Wireless DSC

$249 + $45 S&H

Wireless Digital Setting Circle with high resolution, low power ball bearing encoders. Learn more

No fan needed — our sandwich mirror reaches thermal equilibrium without one.

There's a 50% deposit for the base system, and the full payment for the optional accessories at the order time. The rest including shipping will be paid before the delivery (about 60 days after the deposit) via a PayPal invoice. UL16 will be shipped in 3 boxes: the main structure, the truss tubes and the primary mirror.
Country Regular (US$)
US 672
US (Hawaii) 722
Australia 625
Austria 610
Belgium 635
Brazil 1790*
Canada 610
Chile 870
Denmark 610
France 610
Germany 610
Israel 618
Italy 610
Japan 420
Korea, South 405
Mexico 715
Netherlands 615
New Zealand 615
Norway 615
Philippines 322
Poland 640
Portugal 715
Romania 690
Russia 990
Singapore 378
South Africa 775
Spain 650
Sweden 620
Switzerland 590
Taiwan 380
UK 610

* Shipped via FedEx, the exact cost depends on your specific address.