Built Not Bought

If you had told me last year that I'd be beta testing a 3D-printed Newtonian telescope, I'd have thought you were joking. Back then, my astrophotography setup was pretty simple, I spent most of my nights imaging with a Samyang 135mm and a 61mm triplet refractor, chasing wide-field nebulae and enjoying the simplicity of short focal length rigs. I loved the ease of setup and the forgiving nature of refractors, but I was itching to take the next step.

That’s when Ten Telescopes and the Skyward 150 came into my life, and with it, a whole new challenge.

The Skyward 150, a 3D-printed 150mm f/5 Newtonian, wasn’t just any telescope, it was part of a community-driven project to make astronomy accessible, flexible, and fun. I was lucky enough to be asked to beta test this scope, and while I didn’t quite know what I was getting into, I was excited. Moving from a familiar refractor setup to a Newtonian astrograph was like switching from an automatic hatchback to a manual sports car; more power, but a lot more to handle. From the start, I knew this was going to push me.

Skyward 150 in its original visual configuration - this is where it all began.

At first, everything felt foreign. Collimation, something I’d never really dealt with before, was now essential. I’ll admit, those first nights were frustrating. I’d spend hours just trying to get everything aligned, only to realize something was off with my balance or focus. The 3D-printed design meant there was room for flexibility, but also room for me to mess up.

There were times I wondered if I should’ve just stuck with my trusty 61mm triplet. The longer focal length of the Skyward 150 was unforgiving, showing every small error in guiding, tracking, or focus. I had to learn how to balance the rig properly, especially after we modified it for imaging. Bryan had originally designed the scope for visual use, with bearing rings and a simple 1.25" focuser. But for imaging, we reworked it: swapping the alt-az bearings for a Vixen-style dovetail and upgrading to a beefier 2" rack-and-pinion focuser to fit a GSO coma corrector (Bryan even released a 3D-printed version for those without a metal focuser), tweaking the spider assembly, being able to add dew heaters etc., the list can just go on! There were moments when I wasn’t sure if I could get this rig working the way I wanted. But every tinkering session, every experiment (and every bit of swearing), brought me closer to mastering it.

But here’s the thing: every challenge taught me something new.

My two imaging setups side-by-side; the 61mm triplet I started with (right), and the Skyward 150 that pushed me further (left).

One of the coolest parts about using the Skyward 150 was how customizable it was. Everything from the handle with cable loops to the printed brackets for my ASIAIR and guide scope was designed with tinkering in mind. And the fact that everything was 3D printed? That made experimenting easier. Need a new part? Just print it.

Bryan, who designed the scope, really thought about how to make it modular. I wasn’t just using someone else’s setup; I was building mine.

Fully equipped and balanced - this was the first version where everything finally came together.

Skyward 150 Astrograph - rebuilt with a stealthy new color scheme.

We even had this fun concept for balance weights, called “deadweight”, using old batteries in 3D-printed holders to fine-tune the balance. While I didn’t need that as much for my imaging rig (since I could simply slide the dovetail which is bolted to the entire optical tube assembly along the extrusion rails to find the right balance point), it was just another example of how creative the whole project was.

After weeks of trial and error, something clicked. I finally had the collimation dialed in, my cables neatly managed, and the scope balanced like a dream. I remember one night, everything just worked, and I captured one of my first deep sky images with this setup using my DSLR. It wasn’t perfect, but it was mine, and it marked a turning point.

Rosette Nebula - First light with the Skyward 150 and Canon 6D, marking a turning point in my progress.

The 750mm focal length (850mm with the 2-inch GSO coma corrector) opened up a whole new world. Targets that were too small or faint for my previous rigs now became reachable. Galaxies, tight clusters, and finer details were finally in range. It wasn’t just about taking pictures anymore,  it was about pushing my limits and seeing what I could really achieve.

M51 - Skyward 150 + Asi1600MM (LRGB+Ha)

M81 + M82 - Skyward 150 + Asi1600MM (RGB+Ha)

Working with the Skyward 150 has been one of the most transformative experiences in my astrophotography journey. It taught me patience, problem-solving, and how to adapt. Before this, I never imagined myself running a fully automated rig with an EAF (electronic automatic focuser), EFW (electronic filter-wheel), guiding, and a mini-PC (in this case, an ASIair) all working together in sync. Now, it’s second nature.

I also learned that you don’t need the most expensive gear to capture something amazing. With a bit of creativity and a willingness to learn, even a 3D-printed telescope can take you places.

The Skyward 150 isn’t just a telescope, it’s a platform. It’s something you can build on, adapt, and make your own. Being part of this beta test has been more than just trying out new gear, it’s been about growth, discovery and becoming part of a community that values exploration and innovation.

If you’re just starting out, or even if you’ve been imaging for a while, I can’t recommend getting involved with Ten Telescopes enough. The journey might not always be smooth (and let’s be honest, with astrophotography no journey is EVER smooth!), but it’s worth every moment. Looking back at those early nights of trial and error, it’s wild to think how far this project has brought me - not just in gear, but in mindset. I didn’t just grow as an astrophotographer, I built my confidence with every image.

Rosette Nebula: A closer look - Skyward 150 + Asi1600MM (Foraxx HSO)