138 replies to this topic

[Obs30]

I just learned that my delivery of the FF130 is not before August and this date is not even guaranteed, either. 🙁

[Ar3s701]

I just learned that my delivery of the FF130 is not before August and this date is not even guaranteed, either.

Which site did you pre-order through and when?

[Obs30]

Switzerland, Photo Zumstein, April 28th.

[BrentKnight]

Does not look good...

 

 

From AgenaAstro

[Ar3s701]

Oof....thanks Askar and ZWO.

[BrentKnight]

The pretty green Askar is looking better and better...

[Obs30]

Well, I have been putting off buying a true astrograph for sooooooo long. A couple of months won’t make much of a difference.

Actually, the TS CF Apo 130 mm with FPL 55 glass has been smiling at me: https://www.teleskop...Zertifikat.html

…. Oh well. Got to be patient 😃🤦‍♂️

Edited by Obs30, 17 May 2023 - 01:53 AM.

[Obs30]

ZWO updated the „start of shipping date“ on their homepage to August. The „what’s in the box“ is still the original misleading version.

https://astronomy-im.../zwo-ff130-apo/

[BrentKnight]

I found a used Askar, so I'm going that route.  I really don't think I'd ever use the reducer anyway.  I don't mind being green.

[Ar3s701]

I really would like the free reducer, but I mean Agena has a 130PHQ in stock right now.

[BrentKnight]

I really would like the free reducer, but I mean Agena has a 130PHQ in stock right now.

I almost pulled the trigger on that one - before I found the used one ($1,000 cheaper).

 

I felt bad canceling the order with Agena, but I've done tons of business with them (and just ordered a pier extension for this beast).

[sehoon104]

I almost pulled the trigger on that one - before I found the used one ($1,000 cheaper).

 

I felt bad canceling the order with Agena, but I've done tons of business with them (and just ordered a pier extension for this beast).

Welcome to the green family! Hoping to get my 151phq soon haha

Edited by sehoon104, 17 May 2023 - 07:15 PM.

[Ar3s701]

I almost pulled the trigger on that one - before I found the used one ($1,000 cheaper).

 

I felt bad canceling the order with Agena, but I've done tons of business with them (and just ordered a pier extension for this beast).

Congrats on your luck! The good deals usually slip right by me haha.

[NoDarkSkies]

ZWO updated the „start of shipping date“ on their homepage to August. The „what’s in the box“ is still the original misleading version.

https://astronomy-im.../zwo-ff130-apo/

Are you sure that that is not for New Orders?
 

[BrentKnight]

Are you sure that that is not for New Orders?
 

I think the phrase "Changed by ZWO" makes it pretty clear.  Nobody (even AgenaAstro) can't expect any before August.

[Obs30]

Are you sure that that is not for New Orders?

Good question. Everything is hinting to this. I ordered end of April and I am fully affected.

[BrentKnight]

I know it's not the ZWO, but my new (to me) Askar 130PHQ made it to me yesterday.

 

 

My largest refractor before this one was the AT102ED.  What a difference 30mm makes along with the added weight of the quad.  This guy is really big.

 

I had clear skies for first-light but the seeing got worse and worse so not a great test for this scope.  But I was impressed by the generally great images this scope put up without having to bother with backfocus issues...

[Obs30]

Congratulations! Looks so cool 😃👍

Seems that the EAF fits well.

Same here 😃, my next biggest refractor is the Orion 102ED F7.

You are making me jealous. Enjoy! Let there be first light… with good seeing!

[BrentKnight]

My first capture was the SN in M101.  Conditions weren't the best, but it was clear (on the day I got the scope).

 

 

M101 and SN 2023ixf | Askar 130PHQ @ f/7.7 and ASI2600MC-Pro | EAA capture of 15s, 80m

[Obs30]

Beautiful!

[Markolone58]

The my Askar 130 phq was with many CA, with the reducer the CA was too high, a big lemon, returned.

[BrentKnight]

The my Askar 130 phq was with many CA, with the reducer the CA was too high, a big lemon, returned.

Sorry to hear that.  I'm flat-out loving mine.  Probably never going to use the reducer though.

[sehoon104]

The my Askar 130 phq was with many CA, with the reducer the CA was too high, a big lemon, returned.

That's sad to hear. I had similar issue with heavy CA for the Askar FRA300, so I've returned to get a cheaper used one from CN. Fortunately, the 2nd one had a lot less CA, and I felt okay with it. I think it's just the quality of the glass their using. The glass in the Askar scopes are certainly not on the level of FPL-53, but I believe these minor flaws can be fixed in processing.

I think most of the reviews are saying the reducer is not worth it. Well because of this, I took a huge leap and got the Esprit 150 with its dedicated 0.77x reducer instead. However, I believe Askar certainly has better value for price.

Edited by sehoon104, 19 June 2023 - 04:25 PM.

[Markolone58]

Before the 130 phq I had tried a used FRA 600, higher CA than the 130 phq. Now I bought WO 132 flt, also with 0,72X reducer CA is imperceptible, for me excellent.

Edited by Markolone58, 20 June 2023 - 09:25 AM.

[Ar3s701]

Looks like I might end up canceling my pre-order

 

Was in a head-on collision (no serious injuries) and the money I had stashed away for this will be going towards a replacement car.