Corvane Bramble 114 Dobsonian, tube only

Specifications

Description

The Bramble 114 is a Newtonian reflector mounted on a Dobsonian rocker base. Its 114 mm parabolic primary mirror has a focal length of 684 mm, which gives a focal ratio of f/6. At that ratio, a 20 mm eyepiece gives about 34 times magnification, and a 25 mm eyepiece gives about 27 times, a range that suits star clusters, bright nebulae, the Moon, and the planets. The mirror carries an aluminum coating with a protective overcoat, which helps it keep its reflectivity between recoatings.

The rocker base uses a plywood box with a Teflon-faced altitude bearing and a sliding azimuth surface, so you can move the tube smoothly by hand without a tripod. The base folds into two pieces for storage and transport. The 2 in single-speed Crayford-style focuser holds a star diagonal and a heavy eyepiece steadily, and the 6x30 finder scope gives a wide view for locating targets before you center them in the main eyepiece. Collimation is done with adjustment screws on the secondary holder and the primary cell, which keeps the optics aligned after transport.

Because the tube is open at the top and sits on a low base, the 114 mm mirror reaches the outdoor air temperature within roughly one hour, which reduces tube currents when you start observing. The tube weighs 6.4 kg, and the base adds further weight, so the whole instrument is best set up in one place rather than carried often. Typical targets include the Orion Nebula, the Ring Nebula, the Andromeda Galaxy, and the globular clusters of Hercules, which show resolved stars under dark skies. On the Moon and planets, the mirror shows crater detail, the belts of Jupiter, and the Cassini Division of Saturn's rings when seeing is steady.

About this configuration

The Corvane Bramble 114 Dobsonian is offered in several configurations, and the notes below describe what this particular combination adds or changes. Buying the tube alone makes sense if you already own a suitable mount or plan to choose one separately. Without a mount in the package, check the tube weight against the payload rating of your mount, with some margin to spare. The gloss white tube reflects sunlight, which helps it stay closer to air temperature while you set up before dusk.

The starter kit adds two eyepieces and a Barlow lens, which gives you four magnifications from three pieces. The 2025 edition keeps the same optical figures as the earlier years of the Bramble line. If you plan to add accessories later, compare the compatibility notes with the parts you already own before choosing a configuration.

What's in the box

• Optical tube with primary and secondary mirrors
• Rocker base in two sections
• 2 in single-speed focuser
• 6x30 optical finder scope with bracket
• Collimation tool
• Dust caps for focuser and tube
• 25 mm and 10 mm eyepieces (1.25 in)
• 2x Barlow lens (1.25 in)

Compatibility notes

• Accepts 2 in eyepieces and 2 in star diagonals directly.
• Accepts 1.25 in eyepieces through the supplied 1.25 in adapter.
• The rocker base works on a table or a sturdy stand for low-profile observing.