Big telescopes often mean big challenges – bulky mounts, long setups, and transport nightmares. But what if a powerful scope could travel light and work fast? That’s exactly what Astro Labs USA set out to solve with their Travel Truss 12.5-inch f/4 Dobsonian telescope. Designed for mobility and high performance, this telescope combines deep-sky capabilities with a compact and thoughtful design.
The travel truss
This is a 12.5-inch, f/4 Dobsonian telescope with a truss tube design. That means it has a large mirror, a short focal length, and a collapsible structure. The result? A wide field of view, bright images, and easy transport. You can break it down, pack it in a car, drive to a dark site, and set it up in minutes.
It’s built for visual astronomy but can handle astrophotography with the right add-ons. Most importantly, it targets those who love deep-sky objects and don’t want to be tied down by heavy, fixed setups.
The optical edge
The 12.5-inch primary mirror gathers a ton of light. You’ll see galaxies, nebulae, globular clusters, and faint fuzzies like never before. M51 shows spiral arms. The Veil Nebula stretches across the eyepiece. And Omega Centauri looks like a glowing swarm of bees. The fast f/4 focal ratio means the telescope is short. That gives you a wide field of view, great for sweeping star fields and fitting large objects in the frame. It’s especially useful for objects like the Andromeda Galaxy or the North America Nebula.
But fast optics come with trade-offs. Coma at the edge of the field can appear unless you use a coma corrector. Eyepiece quality matters more here than in slower scopes.
Build and design
Astro Labs put a lot of thought into the mechanics. This telescope is designed to fold down and travel well. The truss system uses aircraft-grade anodized aluminum. It locks in place securely and resists flex. The components fit together precisely, keeping collimation stable.
The upper cage is slim, rigid, and CNC-machined for strength. It holds the secondary mirror and focuser with perfect balance. The lower base is made of lightweight, precision-cut material. Movement in altitude and azimuth feels buttery smooth thanks to floating bearings and well-machined pivots. Despite the large aperture, the entire setup is manageable. With practice, you can assemble it in 10–15 minutes and disassemble it in even less.
Setup and portability
Portability is this scope’s superpower. Traditional solid-tube 12-inch Dobsonians are hard to transport. They don’t fit in most cars, and they’re heavy to move alone. The Astro Labs Travel Truss splits into smaller parts, each light and easy to carry.
The entire telescope fits in a compact car. You can pack it with your eyepieces, battery, and observing chair and still have space left over. That’s a big deal for anyone who likes chasing clear skies to remote locations. Setup is tool-free. You connect the trusses with locking knobs and insert the mirror cell with secure clasps. Once assembled, the scope stands solid. You don’t feel wobbly, even in breezy conditions.
Astrophotography potential
This telescope isn’t designed for full-scale deep-sky astrophotography with tracking mounts. It’s a visual scope first. But with the right setup, such as a tracking platform, camera adapter, and coma corrector, it can handle planetary and lunar imaging or even short exposures of bright DSOs. For people who love EAA (electronically assisted astronomy), this scope can be paired with a camera and screen to live-stack images in real time. That’s useful for outreach or public events.
Price and availability
The True Travel Truss 12.5” f/4 is available for pre-order via the official website for $4,500.
Final thoughts
The Astro Labs Travel Truss 12.5-inch f/4 Dobsonian telescope is a serious tool for serious skywatchers. It hits a sweet spot, large enough for breathtaking views but small enough to travel easily. It respects the needs of mobile astronomers who want quality without compromise. This isn’t a beginner’s telescope. But for those who’ve spent years under the stars and want a next-level experience, it’s a brilliant choice. It captures faint galaxies, rich star fields, and glowing nebulae in a way few other scopes can, especially ones that fit in the trunk of your car. For backyard explorers, desert trekkers, or mountain observers, this telescope promises unforgettable nights.
Clear skies!
