Apertura 8" Dobsonian Performance Upgrade Kit
Increase the Performance of Your Apertura 8" Dobsonian!
The Apertura 8" AD Dobsonian offers great performance out of the box, and now Apertura is taking it one step further with this multi-faceted performance upgrade kit! Included in this upgrade kit are upper and lower OTA flocking papers, a set of hassle-free secondary mirror collimation knobs, primary mirror collimation springs, and installation tools. The Apertura Performance Upgrade kit will help you get the most out of your Dobsonian telescope so you can spend more time viewing the night sky and less time worrying about collimation or stray light.
Check out our Complete Performance Upgrade Kit Guide!
This Performance Upgrade Kit for the 8" AD Dobsonian from Apertura is designed to not only increase the performance of your telescope but also provide everything you need to do so in one box. This eliminates the need to find and purchase individual accessories that are compatible with your telescope, saving you time and money. In this upgrade kit, you will find upper and lower OTA flocking material that reduces the amount of stray light coming in through the open end of the telescope by dampening and absorbing the light, ultimately improving your view. Also included are two collimation aides. The first comes in the form of secondary mirror collimation knobs that will help you easily achieve the careful alignment needed for optimal performance. The second collimation aide, the primary mirror springs, take more energy to compress than the factory-supplied springs, helping the mirror to maintain the correct position.
Learn More About the Upgrade Kit Components Below!
Apertura has curated this performance kit to include high-quality tools and accessories that will help you take your Apertura 8" Dobsonian to the next level. Check out the information below to learn more about why the flocking papers and collimation accessories included in this kit will help your telescope's performance.
Flocking Material
In the Apertura Performance Upgrade Kit for the 8" Dobsonian, you will find two pieces of flocking material, one for opposite the secondary mirror and another for around the primary mirror. These have been sized to perfectly fit your 8" OTA, and will not be compatible with the 10" or 12" Apertura Dobsonians. Flocking paper is a velvet-like material with small strands that stick up, similar to a carpet. When stray light enters the open end of your Dobsonian OTA and hits the surface of the flocking paper, the light will be dampened and absorbed. This ultimately increases the quality of your view. Using this method, as opposed to internal baffling, allows internal tube currents to ride smoothly along the telescope's interior surface. The currents then remain mostly out of the light path, as they would with the original factory configuration. In many cases, it can be a costly and involved process to flock every internal surface, excluding the mirrors, of your OTA. This kit provides a better solution by providing flocking material for the most critical areas of your OTA that have the largest positive impact while remaining cost-effective and easy to install. With an unbaffled tube, there is still the possibility of stray light entering the focuser, but the placement of the included flocking material will greatly reduce the chance of that occurring.
Secondary Mirror Collimation Knobs
The Apertura 8" Dobsonian, like all Newtonian telescopes, requires careful alignment of its two mirrors in order to get the best performance. In order to adjust the secondary mirror so that it lines up with both the focuser and primary mirror, the three screws of the secondary support need to be adjusted, and they will dictate the angle of the secondary mirror. It can be a hassle to manipulate these screws, and most telescopes require a screwdriver or hex key to turn the screws. When you replace the factory-supplied screws with these upgraded secondary mirror collimation knobs, you'll be able to make adjustments using just your hand to turn the knob. Once you're comfortable using the knobs, you may even find that you can turn the knobs and make adjustments without needing to look away from your chosen collimation tool or focuser.
Primary Mirror Collimation Springs
The primary mirror of your Apertura Dobsonian sits in a cell that supports and positions the mirror. The included factory springs support the weight of the mirror and allow for some position adjustability. The upgraded springs require more energy for compression than the factory springs, so they can help keep the mirror in its correct position, both when making adjustments and after those adjustments are completed.
Included Installation Tools
In order to accurately install the performance upgrade kit components, you will need a Phillips head screwdriver and cleaning wipes. These two tools are already included within the kit, so you can be ready to install your flocking papers and collimation tools right away! A scannable QR code is also included so you can access written installation instructions as well as a video. You can also access the installation instructions by clicking the above "Product Attachments" tab and downloading the "Installation Instructions" PDF. It is advised that you complete installation in a well-lit area that has a flat, clean surface. You may also want to use a box cutter/razor knife and masking tape during installation, but these are optional and not included with the purchase of this kit.