Hubble UL12 – 12" Lightweight Reflector Telescope
Hubble UP12 – An Ultra-Portable 12" Dobsonian Telescope
The Hubble UP12 is a premium 12-inch Dobsonian designed for observers who want serious optical performance in an exceptionally compact and travel-friendly form. Weighing just 14.5 kg) fully assembled, the UP12 delivers true large-aperture performance in a package that can be transported, stored, and deployed with ease.
Once disassembled, the UP12 can be packed into airline-approved luggage, making it one of the most portable 12-inch telescopes available. This is a genuine “take anywhere” instrument for dark-sky trips, remote expeditions, and observers who value performance without bulk.
Light, Compact and Truly Portable
The UP12 is less than half the weight of a traditional 12-inch Dobsonian. Its modular construction allows the entire system to be assembled in just a few minutes, with no heavy components and no complex setup.
All major structural elements are made from precision-machined aluminium alloy, providing excellent rigidity while keeping weight to an absolute minimum. The result is a telescope that feels effortless to transport, yet remains mechanically stable at high magnifications.
Optical Performance
The UP12 uses a premium parabolic primary mirror, individually tested and finished to achieve diffraction-limited performance (Strehl 0.95+). The secondary mirror is specified to 1/10 wave or better, delivering high contrast and sharp stellar images across the field.
Both mirrors receive 96% enhanced reflective coatings, maximising light throughput and reducing scatter. From a dark sky site, the UP12 is capable of revealing most NGC objects, subtle structure in bright nebulae, fine planetary detail on Jupiter and Saturn, and even challenging targets such as the Horsehead Nebula when used with appropriate filters.
A Perfect Balance of Power and Portability
The UP12 gathers around 44% more light than a 10-inch telescope, yet remains dramatically smaller and lighter than traditional 12-inch designs. Its full 12-inch optical surface (with a generous 12.4-inch overall diameter) provides slightly more true light-gathering area than many mass-produced 12-inch mirrors.
This balance makes the UP12 a telescope that actually gets used. It is large enough to deliver meaningful deep-sky performance, yet portable enough to be taken out frequently without hesitation.
Specs:
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Optical design | Reflector |
| Optical diameter | 12" (304.8 mm) |
| Focal length | 1372 mm |
| Focal ratio | f/4.5 |
| Eyepiece height at zenith | ~1320 mm |
| Optics type | Parabolic |
| Eyepieces | Not included |
| Optical quality | Diffraction limited++ (Strehl 0.95+ for primary 1/10 λ PV for secondary) |
| Finder scope | Not included |
| Focuser | Lightweight low-profile 2" dual-speed linear bearing Crayford (50.8 mm) |
| Secondary mirror | 60 mm |
| Secondary mirror obstruction by diameter | 19.7% |
| Secondary mirror obstruction by area | 3.9% |
| Mirror coatings / over-coatings | 96% Enhanced coating on primary and secondary mirrors |
| Tube material | 6063-T6 Aluminium Alloy tubes with black zinc-plated steel knob screws all aluminium alloy structure |
| Weight, fully assembled | ~14.5 kg |
| Dawes Limit | 0.38″ |
| Rayleigh Limit | 0.44″ |
| Limiting Magnitude | 14.9 |
| Maximum Magnification | 600× |
| Additional / optional accessories | Red-dot finder 8×50 Finder Tube Shroud Vinyl foam cushioned grips |
| Other features | Stainless steel cable sling lateral support and deluxe push-pull brass knob collimation screws |
