Stellarvue AT1010 (OTA)

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Stellarvue AT1010 (OTA)
I bought the 80mm F6 OTA version AT1010 the 2 inch focuser along with the Red Dot Finder and an added extra ($24.95).

This scope is very solidly built and has the same optics as the AT1002 but with a metal lens cell and oversize focuser.

The fittings and finish are of excellent quality. I was particularly impressed by the quality of the lens cell… machined from aluminium and black anodised. Enough has been said about the optical quality of Stellarvue scopes already in other reviews that I feel I need not repeat the obvious except to say that the images are pin sharp, chroma is well controlled and the scope comes to focus in a very crisp manner. It is a delight to use.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that the scope had been supplied with a 90 degree prism rather than the more usual front silvered type of mirror diagonal. The OTA is much more robust than I’d expected and comes with quick release tube rings.
I ordered Stellarvue’s Red Dot finder as an extra and although the supplied 6*30 optical finder is of superb quality, I doubt if I’ll ever fit it to the scope. Instead, I used it to replace the rather mediocre finder on one of my other scopes. The Red Dot finder is an absolute joy to use, having a huge 30mm window and variable dot brightness.

The two inch focuser (I believe this is of Chinese origin, similar to those used by Bresser and Helios) is silky smooth and the (supplied) two inch to 1.25 adaptor has a thread cut in it to accept a ‘T‘ mount for camera use. IMHO the focuser is not quite to the same very high cosmetic standard as the remainder of the scope, although it is perfectly acceptable from a mechanical point of view. .

The scope is fitted with three aluminium light baffles and a great deal of attention has been paid to absorbing stray internal reflections by the use of black light-absorbing material. The lens has a dark green coating with no flaws or blemishes of any sort.

You won’t find a department scope anywhere near as good as this one for the money.
It screams quality and although waiting lists for these scopes can be fairly long (I waited about 6 months), I’m delighted with the scope and very glad I had the patience to wait my turn in the queue.

Even with additional cost of postage to the UK ($58) plus £79 sterling for VAT and import duty, I still rate this scope as a great buy. It is everything I want in a portable scope.


Allan Copland
Paisley,
Scotland.

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Stellarvue AT1010 (OTA)
Hi People.

For anyone who read my previous posting, I'm glad to be able to report that Stellarvue's lens supply problem has been resolved and these fine scopes are now available 'off the shelf'.

Vic Maris of Stellarvue spent a lot of time and effort trying to find optical companies that could manufacture the lenses used to his strict specification.
He has now found a few companies that can deliver to his specifications (after re-tooling and training) and as a result, there is no longer a waiting list for the AT1010 scope. Vic was previously rejecting up to 90% of the lenses being supplied to him! I like this attention to detail.

If you are in the market for a short tube refractor, the AT1010 should surely be on your list. Also worthy of your attention is the Stellarvue group on YAHOO.COM

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Stellarvue AT1010 (OTA)
My first views of NGC7000 (North American Nebula) and M57 were startling considering this is an 80mm scope. They were only slightly dimmer than my 8" SCT and provided nearly as much detail. Combined with an orange filter, I can see more surface detail on Mars than with the SCT (at the same approximate power). Better yet is the mechanical quality of the scope. It has a beefy, quality feel and the 2" focuser is superb. Each scope is handmade and mine seems custom designed for me. I attribute that to great customer service from owner, Vic Maris.

Overall Rating: 10
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Stellarvue AT1010 (OTA)
Stellarvue's AT1010 (80mm,f6) offers superb wide field AND high power capability in an extremely convenient airline portable package. Low color, ultra high contrast and astounding resolution are its strengths, as well as is its light (~4lb.) weight. Stellarvue's variable intensity red-dot finder has a larger than average sight, and is very effective -- the best,IMO.

The OTA mechanicals are well executed and servicable, as is the standard 90* mirror diagonal.

I've found a Gizo photo tripod to suit it well for grab and go, and prefer my Speers-Waler 5-8mm "zoom" w/ Celestron Ultima 2x barlow for most any viewing.

BTW -- OTA price is ~$450 now. Vic's dedication and customer service is legendary and true.

This scope's optics are outstanding and able to convey the rich grandure of the heavens like few others -- absolutely delightful!

Thanks again for the views, Vic.

Overall Rating: 10
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Stellarvue AT1010 (OTA)
I have used my AT1010 for about one month now. It consistently works
beyond my expectations of a 80mm Achromat. The color is much less than
I expected: no hue shading of the gas giants or the moon, and only a
slight purple fringe on the edge of the moon in a full-type phase.
Vega has a purple haze around it, Jupiter a slight haze, and Saturn
virtually no purple (saw a alight amount at 171X). It works fine at
high power, with great viewing consistently at 120X to 171X.
The resolution/definition is outstanding. The focuser works very well
and the cool-down for viewing is a short length of time. All in all I
am delighted. I rate it a 10.

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Stellarvue AT1010 (OTA)
Really high resolution for a fast achromat, it easily manages 160-170X on Saturn without image degradation.

The overall contrast and darkness of field is simply great and leaves absolutely nothing to be desired.

Anders H.
Stockholm Sweden

Overall Rating: 10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Stellarvue AT1010 (OTA)
This is one fine scope. The first time used I was able to see the Dumbbell Neb. aand I did not think a little 80MM with a 26MM EP could even touch it. The mount that comes with the scope is silky smooth and extremely stable. It does not get in the way of viewing. Later in the evening Saturn and Jupiter were up and the image this little gem gave was nothing short of terrific. Orion looked equally as good. Stars were pinpoints with great contrast.

Overall Rating: 10
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Stellarvue AT1010 (OTA)
I originally rated this telescope in the category listed for the model with the 1.25" focuser. My remarks and comments regarding this fine scope remain the same. I have owned it now for about 8 months and enjoy it all the more every time I use it. One very fine telescope and worth the very few extra dollars paid over the commercially made scopes from the major mfgrs. Simply no comparison in optically quality or finish. A solid 10+!! A telescope that anyone would be proud to own and use. I have mine mounted on a CG5 mount and it is a perfect match-up. Reallly a joy to use. I strongly recommend upgrading to a quality 2" diagonal, as this does make a difference in both brightness and contrast, at least with my eyes.

Overall Rating: 10
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Stellarvue AT1010 (OTA)
Will show slight color on the brightest objects under less than perfect skies. I've had a couple of nights where it was next to impossible to see color on the limb of the moon, for example. Support for Vic Maris is no less than sensational. Would recommend this scope to anyone.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:9 Mount:8 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
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Stellarvue AT1010 (OTA)
Stars focus to pinpoints. Marginal (though not intrusive under most atmospheric conditions) color on Moon and Jupiter. Rugged construction. Biggest surprise, was sold OTA as a "blem" but can find no significant cosmetic flaw in scope. Excellent customer support from Vic Maris.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Ease of Use:9 Value:10
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Stellarvue AT1010 (OTA)
Purchased the stellarvue AT1010 with a Televue Everbrite diagonal. Nice sharp optics. Very nice for scanning the star fields. For the price its a very good choice. recomended

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
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Stellarvue AT1010 (OTA)
A remarkable scope, especially at this price.

I bought mine used on Astromart, and have enjoyed it so much - and so often - that selling my 8" SCT has crossed my mind!

Mounted on Tele-Vue's Telepod, I can use the scope sitting or standing and the hours just breeze by. Scan for clusters, or zero in on the planets, this scope does both, and at a bargain price.

I seem to split my time between a 22 Panoptic and 9 Nagler in this scope.

Highly recommended. I also think this would make an excellent first scope.

Overall Rating: 9
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
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Stellarvue AT1010 (OTA)
This is one rock-solid scope, with excellent optics. Sunspots resolve with incredibe clarity with observable but not distracting false color on the limb. Split the double-double nicely at 128X while it was still low and in less than wonderful skies. Works great on a Telepod head mounted on the rock-solid Bogen 3036 tripod. The build is all-metal, the focus is smoooooth, the heft is satisfying and it oozes thoughtful construction all the way. I gave a 9 for optics because it is, after all, an achromat...an incredible achromat. It is very easy to use, and though it is more expensive than the usual Chinese short-tube, it is built to exacting standards that have made Vic Maris a hero to all those who use his scopes.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:9 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Stellarvue AT1010 (OTA)
Considering that a TV achromat in the form of the Pronto will run you over $1000 once you have purchased all the necessary accessories, the AT1010 will provide incredibly clear, sharp images even in less than stellar skies for half that much. It mounts like a dream on my Telepod head on a Bogen mount and is also built to last. It may not have the "heirloom" look, fit and finish of the Pronto, but it is built to function well. The 2" focuser is very good (if you want better, get the SV78, which has the two-speed JMI focuser, an additional $350), the scope is easily adjustable to balance in its rings, and it is very portable. It makes a killer solar scope, with razor-sharp definition of sunspots with Baader film, it gives pleasing views of the Moon and splits Epsilon Lyrae cleanly into its four components at 120X on a night of poor seeing. I cannot wait to try this baby out on planets, and I haven't had it long enough to have skies that permit DSO observing.

Highly recommended. If you get one, join the Yahoo Stellarvue Owner's Group.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Stellarvue AT1010 (OTA)
This little scope is incredible. You MUST try one to understand just how good it is. I give public star parties about once a month (adult continuing education) and I usually have three telescopes set up at the same time. I've been doing this for some time now, but for the last two months (since I got the AT1010) the longest line is always behind the Stellarvue. The 8" Newtonian "wins" on deep-sky objects because of its greater light-gathering power, but on everything else the better optics and higher contrast of the Stellarvue win hands down. I have never seen better views through a small telescope. I also just acquired some Vixen LV eyepieces and have ordered my first Televue Nagler just because of this scope. It seemed a shame to have such a great refractor and not put some better eyepiece glass in it.
I have an engineer friend who is very smitten with the Stellarvue. He raves about the quality of machining and assembly compared to other telescopes. When he comes to the star parties I practically have to kick him to use anything else.
Technically, I haven't found any objectionable false color. It simply isn't there at all on planetary views. I can't see any edge-to-edge light or focus falloff along the lunar terminator, either. I considered ordering an minus-violet filter with it, but didn't, and now I find I don't need it.
If you're looking for the best introductory experience, I'd recommend the AT1010 with a couple of Harry Siebert eyepieces (the 7mm is my favorite).
To top it all off, Vic is now occasionally offering the AT1010 OTA on eBay! That's how I got mine. At the time, I was looking at the Orion 120ST rich-field ... same price range, similar features. I had used the Orion at a star party given by a local dealer and was impressed. So when I found the Stellarvue at about $100 less as an OTA (I already had an extra CG-5 mount with motor), I was worried about the difference in size. I shouldn't have: the views through the AT1010 are very much better than through the Orion even given the difference in aperture.
Try it ... you'll like it. A red-dot finder, star diagonal, 40mm Plossl, mount rings, and an easy-to-set up, portable scope ... all for under $400 including shipping. Amazing.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Ease of Use:9 Value:10
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
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Stellarvue AT1010 (OTA)
Star test: Out of collimation from factory. I know of three other people who have experienced this with their scopes.

Overall Rating: 7
Optics:5 Ease of Use:8 Value:7
Weight: 10 (Trustworthy Vote)
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>Star test: Out of collimation from factory. I know of three other people who have experienced this with their scopes.


This problem has been eliminated. Not that it was serious. With 1300 scopes sold in two years and only a handful knocked out of alignment by UPS this was not serious. In addition, this individual was encouraged to return it for a free fix but refused. What else can we do?

The new model AT1010's now use a push pull system in our aluminum lens cell. Each lens is now held in place with four screws cushioned with rubber o-rings. So if UPS drops the box, the lenses are held in alignment.

However, if something occurs, we will repair it and encourage our customers to let us do so. We do not want damaged telescopes on the market. Most of our business is word of mouth.

Vic Maris
Owner
Stellarvue
Stellarvue AT1010 (OTA)
I have had my AT1010 OTA with 2" focuser now for several months and am extremely pleased. The scope arrived double boxed with no problems. EP's I am using are Vixin LV 9 & 15, an Ultima 12.5 and a TV 18mm Radian. Views through all are very sharp with excellent contrast, little or no off-color and a very flat field. This is an achro that doesn't know it's an achro. Fit and finish are of high quality. The extra large knobs on the 2" focuser are a delight since they act almost like a fine tuning adjuster plus they're great in the cold. The scope's light weight makes it a perfect match for my simple photo tripod mount, albeit a heavy duty tripod. An alt/az or EQ would be even better of course.

I would not hesitate to recommend the AT or any of the other Stellarvue scopes. High quality products with customer service to match!

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Stellarvue AT1010 (OTA)
I have had a number of Stellarvue AT1010 scopes and after their ads I was expecting a really good scope, almost an semi-apo and a really smooth focuser.

I wasn't really impressed with this telescope, and have sold every one I got so far. Yes, they look great and the focuser is a 2" model. But the optics are not all that good in my opinion and the scopes I received all had little perceptible flaws.

- DBE

Overall Rating: 7
Optics:6 Ease of Use:8 Value:8
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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>I have had a number of Stellarvue AT1010 scopes and after their ads I was expecting a really good scope, almost an semi-apo and a really smooth focuser.
>
>I wasn't really impressed with this telescope, and have sold every one I got so far.  Yes, they look great and the focuser is a 2" model.  But the optics are not all that good in my opinion and the scopes I received all had little perceptible flaws.
>
>- DBE

I have to agree..I tried two of these telescopes and sent both back. Pinpoint images? no, stars were not pinpoint images and had flares. Yes, they are "built like a tank", impressively built.. maybe too heavy for their size. 
 Do you really want a telescope that can't be collimated in case you get one that needs it?
RD
Stellarvue AT1010 (OTA)
I just recieved the 2003 version of this scope, at first i thought they sent me the wrong scope. I paid $499 and the scope i recieved looked like something that would cost at least $1000 or more. To say i was impressed would be a understatement. The scope performs equally well, just the smallest amount of color at higher powers, (around 100x up to 160x) very sharp, crisp views. I was going to purchase a tele-vue 76 apo, but i did'nt want to spend $1700. I am very happy i went with stellarvue, this scope is an amazing value, stellarvue does the right thing and advertises this scope as an achromat, but of all the companies advertising semi-apo scopes (and i hate the term semi-apo) this scopes comes as close to semi-apo as is possible. I say this based on the fact that although i am not an optical expert, i have had the opportunity to spend a good amount of time under the stars with scopes from astro-physics, televue, and takahashi. If you are looking for a wide field low power scope and dont want to break the bank this scope is for you. (i actually like it better than the same size scopes from televue, it kicks the pronto's butt, the televue 76 has better color correction at higher power).

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Ease of Use:10 Value:10
Weight: 1 (Unreliable Vote)
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Stellarvue AT1010 (OTA)
aperture rules they say, i have had this scope for a month now and just wanted to give an example where this is not always the truth. i live in the north east under very dark skies, but it is also very cold at this time of the year. temps zero and below are the norm for long periods of time, when it is this cold there always seems to be a warm layer of air in the upper atmosphere that degrades the images at the eyepiece. i own a six inch f8 dob that provides excellent images when the atmosphere is steady, in the past two months that has been only one night. on the other hand the AT1010 has been providing me with much sharper, crisper views during this time every night. an example would be the multiple star beta monoceros, the dob split two stars easily while the closer pair was fuzzy, at the same magnification in the AT1010 the 3 stars were ceanly split being much sharper. those of you who live in the south west have it made when it comes to "seeing". the AT1010 is only 78mm and with only 480mm of focal length is not really made for the planets although it performs quite well. the scope looks like a small traveler and for me has the same emotional appeal the traveler has, just looking at it makes me want to take it outside and observe. it really is built like a tank and at the introductory price of $499 is a steal. yes i know aperture rules, but this little scope has been getting all my attention.

Overall Rating: 10
Optics:10 Value:10
Weight: 5 (Veritable Vote)
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