nwink

The flocking is something you could do yourself, I would not expect the inside of the OTA to be sort of white anyway but have known of crazier stuff.

Collimation springs, difficult. The skywatcher ones here are likely questionable, but if you went for Orion I would of half expected them to have put in slightly better items. Additionally not sure what the upgrade implies - longer, stronger? What.

Light Shield - bit confused, it is a solid tube OTA what light shield? They are generally for a truss tube dobsonian and the one show is not a truss.

Suppose that the secondary collimation knobs are supposed to be a bit like Bob Knobs, possibly useful, may make collimation easier.

Upgraded Washers? What is an upgraded washer.

Guide knob, nice but cosmetic, people have managed for years without one, you would seem to have, and it is actually something I can see could be more annoying then use. It has to be in the right place for you.

5 Hole accessory tray - useful if you have a goto, it is somewhere to put the handset. Everything else I suggest a nice big plastic storage box. Hang a red light torch round your neck.

For the $230 I would get the plastic storage box and 3 Astro Tech Paradigms.

Ronin, I agree with your thoughts.  About the most valuable thing appears to be the flocking, in my opinion.  I've heard flocking takes a bit of work, but isn't too hard?  I've heard the whole inside doesn't have to be flocked to get the max benefit (I'd have to look up the resource again for more specifics).

If Apertura are a good brand they ought to fit adequate collimation springs to even their base models.

The scope is a GSO though (same as the Zhumell) and certainly the 12" GSO's have known to have weak collimation springs for years. Something so easy to sort out and yet year after year they don't

These are all low cost modifications and I don't think justify a $230 premium. The washers upgrade refers to plastic ones fitted beneath the adjustement screws on the diagonal boss. That costs nothing to do oneself, apart from a little time, as the washers are cut from plastic milk cartons.

Thanks for your thoughts, John.  I'm also thinking it's a lot of money for low-cost modifications.  I agree that adequate collimation springs should just come with the base models!

Seems like quite an expensive upgrade ... Money that could buy a really nice ep or two to compliment the scope...?

Yeah, that's the direction I'm leaning.

HMMM,

Have a look at :-- http://www.telescope.com/Telescopes/Dobsonian-Telescopes/Classic-Dobsonians/Orion-SkyQuest-XT10-Classic-Dobsonian-Telescope/pc/1/c/12/sc/13/p/102006.uts

At $580

Damian, why's that...do you prefer Orion over Zhumell?

I understand many of the people on this forum aren't in the US, so I'll provide a link with details regarding my question.

I'm a newbie looking to buy my first telescope (I've used a borrowed 8" dobsonian for a while), and I'm planning to get a 10" dobsonian. I know Apertura is a pretty good brand, but they also are more expensive due to their now-standard "Tweaker's Dream Package." (http://www.opticsmart.com/apertura-ad10-dobsonian-reflector-telescope.html)

Flocking preinstalled to the Optical Tube Assembly

•  Upgraded primary collimation springs

•  Light Shield

•  Hand-adjustable secondary collimation knobs

•  Upgraded Washers for the secondary mirror

•  Soft-grip guide knob

•  Additional 5-hole accessory tray for base

My question is: in your opinion, how valuable do you think this package would be? The cost of this Apertura would be $700, but a standard Zhumell Z10 would be $470. I want to buy a telescope I'll use for a long time, but it only seems like marginal benefit would be obtained with the Apertura package, so I may save myself that money and get something else instead with the difference. But I want to hear others' thoughts on the matter. Thanks!

Qualia, thank you SO much for this excellent post you wrote.  Years ago, I went to an observatory and got to see Jupiter in the large telescope, but was not impressed since it was just a bright white dot with the bright white moons around it.  I decided to give astronomy another try since I love the night sky and learning about space, so I just recently purchased a decent set of binoculars.  I also read some short beginner books on astronomy and binoculars.  Last night I tried the binoculars out for the first time and, some other factors aside, I was a litte disappointed feeling wondering why I wasn't so blown away and seeing things like several of the online reviewers had been saying about the binos (photos they'd posted after using nice equipment and software to edit).  Now, I understand what has been some of my misunderstandings and improper expectations the past few years, and reading everyone's thoughts on this post has given me encouragement to go back and try it again, with a different purpose and outlook now...knowing what I'll see, and being excited and stunned at these beautiful celestial objects so far away that we can see.  Thank you for your wisdom and for the encouragement and help your post was for me.