asaint
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 04/25/03
Posts: 2092
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Stellarvue AT1010N Nighthawk
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Jim Carpenter
sage
Reged: 04/24/03
Posts: 297
Loc: Usually here, sometimes there
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Scott,
Thanks for the great review of a classic scope. I was sad to see the demise of the AT1010/Nighthawk series, but the advent of the 80ED class of telescopes at only a few dollars more made it inevitable. A used Nighthawk is still one of the great bargains in our hobby. I plan to keep mine forever. Yes, it's heavy and built like a tank, but that only makes it more attractive as go-anywhere, leave-in-the-trunk instrument for quick views anytime, anywhere. Mine stays in the motorhome where it's always available wherever we travel.
Jim
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Scott Beith
SRF
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 37989
Loc: Frederick, MD
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In my short time as an amatuer astronomer my Nighthawk has been my most used scope. It is easy to grab and head out the door and it performs wonderfully. It is an impressive little achromat.
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   SLAP Observer (TMB130SS, SV102V{LOMO Lens}, SV80ED)
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -- Edmund Burke.
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell
"The measure of a man’s greatness is not determined by what he accomplishes for himself, but by what he accomplishes for others.” -- Some Bald Guy
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Chris G
Post Laureate
Reged: 08/12/04
Posts: 4341
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Great review Scott, I echo Jim's thoughts that it was sad to see them go, glad to still have one in my house. You covered the scope well anyone picking up a good used one will know just what to expect. 
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"Ain't nothin' Human 'bout the Human Race"
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Scott Beith
SRF
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 37989
Loc: Frederick, MD
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Thanks Chris. These little scopes have increased my enjoyment of the night sky more than you can imagine. A small short tube refractor (either achromat or apochromat) makes a fine grab and go or travelscope.
I have learned more about astronomy using the Nighthawk than I have with any other scope I have owned.
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SLAP Observer (TMB130SS, SV102V{LOMO Lens}, SV80ED)
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -- Edmund Burke.
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell
"The measure of a man’s greatness is not determined by what he accomplishes for himself, but by what he accomplishes for others.” -- Some Bald Guy
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Clive Gibbons
Mostly Harmless
Reged: 05/26/05
Posts: 14163
Loc: Oort Cloud
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Fine review, Scott. 
There's no better fun scope than a well made, super-portable shorty refractor.
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A few telescopes of dubious value.
Understanding wife, two curious cats and one sadly departed.
"Semper ubi sub ubi"
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Scott Beith
SRF
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 37989
Loc: Frederick, MD
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Thanks Clive. Amazing what a 5 degree FOV will do to help you find stuff in the night sky. 
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SLAP Observer (TMB130SS, SV102V{LOMO Lens}, SV80ED)
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -- Edmund Burke.
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell
"The measure of a man’s greatness is not determined by what he accomplishes for himself, but by what he accomplishes for others.” -- Some Bald Guy
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rick rian
Re-Peter
Reged: 08/03/04
Posts: 23116
Loc: Upper Midwest
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Nice job Scott ... careful, Sky and Telescope may be calling you soon! 
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Rickster
Scopes: C8, TV85
Mounts: NexStar 8i w/Ray's bracket, GM8, Oberwerk wood tripod w/Helix single arm mount
EPs: TV, Baader, TMB, UO
Denk STD Bino w/S2 PxS diagonal
Too much other stuff to mention
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Scott Beith
SRF
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 37989
Loc: Frederick, MD
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Yeah when they want me to renew my subscription. 
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SLAP Observer (TMB130SS, SV102V{LOMO Lens}, SV80ED)
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -- Edmund Burke.
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell
"The measure of a man’s greatness is not determined by what he accomplishes for himself, but by what he accomplishes for others.” -- Some Bald Guy
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Clive Gibbons
Mostly Harmless
Reged: 05/26/05
Posts: 14163
Loc: Oort Cloud
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Bet they'll be calling around suppertime... 
(Can't wait for you next reviews, Scott! )
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A few telescopes of dubious value.
Understanding wife, two curious cats and one sadly departed.
"Semper ubi sub ubi"
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Scott Beith
SRF
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 37989
Loc: Frederick, MD
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I have 5 more I am working on. 
If anyone has constructive criticism I would like some input on improvements to be made to my reviews.
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SLAP Observer (TMB130SS, SV102V{LOMO Lens}, SV80ED)
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -- Edmund Burke.
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell
"The measure of a man’s greatness is not determined by what he accomplishes for himself, but by what he accomplishes for others.” -- Some Bald Guy
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John Kocijanski
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/22/03
Posts: 1707
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Nice review Scott. After reading your Next Generation review I was seriously considering selling my Nighthawk to get the newer scope. Now after reading this review I'm not so sure. I think I may have to spend some more time with my Nighthawk to see if I really want to give it up. I haven't used it much lately in favor of my larger aperture scopes. I really enjoy the Nighthawk but the urge to upgrade to a more apo like scope is growing.
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Deep Space Observer 10 * SPC-8 * C102 HD f/10 * XT 4.5 * Orion/Moonlite 80ED * PST *
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Scott Beith
SRF
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 37989
Loc: Frederick, MD
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Either way you will have a great scope. Short Tube refractors are incredibly useful scopes.
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SLAP Observer (TMB130SS, SV102V{LOMO Lens}, SV80ED)
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -- Edmund Burke.
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell
"The measure of a man’s greatness is not determined by what he accomplishes for himself, but by what he accomplishes for others.” -- Some Bald Guy
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David E
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/25/06
Posts: 3247
Loc: North Carolina
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Scott, your story about viewing Jupiter while trying to block out the sunlight was too funny! The Nighthawk is a great little scope for planets IMO. A few years back I managed to follow Ganymede in an entire transit, from ingress to egress. I've also caught Europas's disc in front of Jupiter, as well as shadow transits of all the moons except Callisto.
David E
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David E
"If there was life on other planets, we would have sent them some foreign aid by now." -commedian James Gregory
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Scott Beith
SRF
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 37989
Loc: Frederick, MD
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I looked silly, but I had fun.
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SLAP Observer (TMB130SS, SV102V{LOMO Lens}, SV80ED)
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -- Edmund Burke.
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell
"The measure of a man’s greatness is not determined by what he accomplishes for himself, but by what he accomplishes for others.” -- Some Bald Guy
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Rich
member
Reged: 01/21/06
Posts: 22
Loc: Seattle
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Thanks for the review Scott. I really enjoy my Nighthawk, especially the quality of the optics. It is not all about CA with optics (and I don't find the CA to be all that objectionable in this scope) there are many characteristics which go into a good view and this little scope is a good one. My only complaint really is the weight of the scope which requires more mount/tripod than an f6 80mm would usually need.
When you write more reviews of other scopes please include your comparison of the views to this scope as it gives a great reference point.
Rich
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Rich
80mm Nighthawk, 8" Meade SCT
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Scott Beith
SRF
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 37989
Loc: Frederick, MD
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Thanks Rich,
The other scopes I will be testing aren't in the 80mm range and wouldn't be a fair comparrison to the Nighthawk as they are a 4" doublet apo and a 5.1" apo triplet. If I run any more 80mm short tube achromat tests I would probably use the Nighthawk as a baseline due to its high quality.
While CA does blur an image slightly on brighter targets, it is hard to find on DSO's and the Nighthawk seems made for sweeping star fields and open clusters. Darn fine little scope.
It is a heavy little beast, but it is likely to last a lifetime.
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SLAP Observer (TMB130SS, SV102V{LOMO Lens}, SV80ED)
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -- Edmund Burke.
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell
"The measure of a man’s greatness is not determined by what he accomplishes for himself, but by what he accomplishes for others.” -- Some Bald Guy
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naglertized
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/10/07
Posts: 1516
Loc: Jacksonville Florida
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Another great review Scott! Makes me want to get my lil ole short tuber out but it's raining!
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Clinton
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Scott Beith
SRF
Reged: 11/26/03
Posts: 37989
Loc: Frederick, MD
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Thanks Clinton. I have clouds tonight as well. Rain is enroute.
Glad you liked the review.
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SLAP Observer (TMB130SS, SV102V{LOMO Lens}, SV80ED)
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -- Edmund Burke.
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell
"The measure of a man’s greatness is not determined by what he accomplishes for himself, but by what he accomplishes for others.” -- Some Bald Guy
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John Kocijanski
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 08/22/03
Posts: 1707
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Quote:
Makes me want to get my lil ole short tuber out but it's raining!
Not raining here and the article inspired me to take my Nighthawk out for a spin. I had a nice session and am still not sure if I will upgrade to the 80ed. Here was my hit list for the evening.
Mizar
Polaris
Cor Caroli
Nu Draconis
Mu Draconis
16/17 Draconis
Ras Algethi
Izar
Epsilon Lyrae
Graffias
Albireo
M13
M92
NGC 6229
M81
M82
M97
M108
M57
M5
M3
M10
M12
M51
NGC 5195
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Deep Space Observer 10 * SPC-8 * C102 HD f/10 * XT 4.5 * Orion/Moonlite 80ED * PST *
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