Telescope-Replacement Parts-Apertura 12″ Dobsonian Performance Upgrade Kit

Flocking Material
In the Apertura Performance Upgrade Kit for the 12″ 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 12″ OTA, and will not be compatible with the 8″ or 10″ 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 12″ 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.