Apertura AD8 Dobsonian: Full Review


If you are looking for the best Dobsonian on the market, the Apertura AD8 hits the mark in all aspects. The Apertura AD8 is a Dobsonian telescope with 8 inches of diffraction limited optics, a focal ratio of f/5.9, and a focal length of 1200mm. Manufactured in Taiwan, the build quality of this telescope really stands out compared to competing telescopes. A telescope of this size is what our product experts refer to as a deep sky telescope. The 8” mirror is large enough to collect light from the fainter galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters giving you access to an entirely new category of objects over a telescope with a smaller aperture. The AD8 will keep you entertained for years as you progress through your amateur astronomy journey.

The Apertura AD8 comes with a wide variety of accessories to enhance your viewing experience. An eyepiece tray for easily swapping your eyepieces, a 30mm and 9mm eyepiece for a variety of magnifications, a moon filter for added contrast during lunar observation, an upgraded right angle finder scope, and even a high-quality laser collimator for aligning your diffraction limited optics. Apertura didn't stop there! They are continuously producing new upgrades and accessories to optimize your experience so your telescope can grow with your overtime.



Apertura AD8 Upgrades


The Apertura Performance Upgrade Kit takes the optical performance of the AD8 to an entirely new level. For example, this kit comes with internal flocking for your Dobsonian to increase contrast through the eyepiece. The included collimation knobs allow for easy secondary mirror adjustment and the upgraded primary collimation springs help keep consistent collimation throughout the night. This means less time collimating and more time enjoying the night sky.


Secondly, Apertura has produced the Apertura Carrying Case, a great option for those who want to make traveling to dark sky sites as simple as possible. When your telescope is not in use, it prevents dust from settling on the optical tube and it also protects it from unwanted surface scratches and dings.


The Apertura series of SWA 70-degree Eyepieces deliver a crisp, resolute, wide field of view that really enhances the observation of all kinds of celestial objects. These eyepieces are a great upgrade as you progress through your journey and ensure immersion as you gaze through them. Lastly, the AD8 is backed by the industry-leading Apertura warranty because they understand that accidents happen.

The painstaking time spent on these incredible upgrades and accessories is only surpassed by the build quality of the telescope itself. Unlike other Dobsonians on the market, Apertura understands and integrated meaningful community-driven features such as a dual speed focuser, the highest quality altitude and azimuth bearings, a cooling fan, and even the ability to adjust the balance of the optical tube itself. When combined, these features create a Dobsonian that can't be matched in its performance and value.

So who is this telescope designed for? The better question may be “Who isn't this telescope designed for?” The Apertura AD8 is not only the highest quality Dobsonian on the market, but it is also the best telescope on the market for the beginning amateur astronomer. You will see that many intermediate and advanced amateur astronomers recommend a Dobsonian as a first telescope. The AD8 is one that is large enough to supply beautiful views for years to come, one that can grow with you as you upgrade and expand its optical abilities and ease of use with all accessories, and one that is of top-notch quality. It doesn't just appeal to the beginner but the advanced astronomer as well due to the optical quality and performance that the scope delivers.

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This Article was Last Updated on 07/25/2023