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Hardin Optical Deep Space Hunter 10" f/5
Brand | Hardin Optical |
Part Number | |
Availability | available |
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Product Info
Overview
Reviews
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Jun 4, 2009
Great scope made by GSO
Pros:Great optics, portable, great focuser and finder, love the supplied 30mm Supeview eyepiece
Cons:None - Mount has been improved
Comments:I don't believe Hardin sells these GSO-made dobs anymore, but I'm doing this review because Zhumell still gets their dob scopes from GSO. I have been extremely pleased with this scope. I bought this used a year and compared it with my 10" Meade LX 200. The views at the same magnification are virtually identical. The views with this scope are very crisp and have a lot of contrast. I've used the supplied 30MM GSO superview (42x), 9mm (140x) Nagler, and 5mm (250x) Nagler eyepieces in this scope. All have given superb sharp views. M13 in the 5mm showed pinpoint stars and resolved M13 about halfway to the core. Incredible. I think 250X may be the maximum useful magnification, though. I bought this so I would have a scope that I could take outside quickly and easily. This scope is very portable and I can set it up in my backyard in about 60 seconds. The tube is only about 4 feet long and very light.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
Here are some particulars:
10-inch parabolic mirror (really 9.75")
1250mm focal length (makes it an F/5)
2-inch crayford-type focuser (super smooth with a 1¼" adapter)
Aluminum tube with enameled finish
8x50mm finderscope
2 fully-coated GSO eyepieces:
30mm Superview (70 deg AFOV)
9mm Plössl
Moon filter
Needle bearing swivel base with tension springs and an aluminum eyepiece rack (this design has changed for the better). The current design no longer has springs but uses a tension knob. And the scope can slide back and forth to accommodate significant weight changes.Apr 28, 2007Hardin Optical 10" f/5
Pros:Very good views!! Easy to setup right from the box - 10 minutes max!! Smooth focuser
Cons:The OTA wasn't balanced correctly, when low it will slowly fall to the ground!!
Comments:This was my first Dob telescope and also the biggest telescope!! The views were very powerful and although this is a large telescope, its very easy to handle! The 2" Crayford type focuser was very smooth with zero backlash!! Easy to transport also if you own a larger car or a small mini van, I had a great time using this Hardin 10 f/5 and for the price, you can't go wrong!! I owned my Hardin 10" f/5 for almost a year and if i was to buy another, it would be this!!
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesSort by