119 replies to this topic

[Oldfracguy]

I don't know what you would use as a blanking plate - I didn't check to see what the thread is.

 

The removeable section is similar to ones on other scopes. It has a male thread one end and a female at the other. I cant see how removing it changes alignment.

In my particular case I removed it to go bino and found out the focuser had to be so far out.............I didn't need to remove it in the first place.........so reattached it.  MBII and baader T2 prism.

 

Oldfracguy is probably the man to respond about adjustment screws. I don't touch that kind of thing.

You could have just used a 2" extension tube, perhaps a 35mm long one.  Here is one that I needed to use in order to get the eyepiece in a Baader T2 Prism diagonal to come to focus in my 120 in monoviewing mode with the removable tube section in place ahead of the focuser:

 

Edited by Oldfracguy, 13 March 2025 - 01:19 PM.

[ris242]

You could have just used a 2" extension tube, perhaps a 35mm long one.  Here is one that I needed to use in order to get the eyepiece in a Baader T2 Prism diagonal to come to focus in my 120 in monoviewing mode with the removable tube section in place ahead of the focuser:

 

101_2732.JPG

I have a massive 2" orion diagonal that I can raise the 1-1/4" collet before locking to get even more height if needed......for mono'ing. I have a 4" long clicklock (extension tube in M68) as well if I really want to keep the removable section off the 120. It fits better in the case with it on........so I leave it on.

 

The point was........with a T2 prism, you don't need to remove the section to bino - at all - with the right setup.

And the focus is only 10-20mm out from the start so it is very rigid.

 

 

As you remove dewshields, you're in a better position to talk about the screws - and whats there - under them. 

[Kbobrex]

Looks like the price of these has gone up $200 overnight, even at places like High Point Scientific and Starizona which had them "in stock" at the prior price yesterday.  It feels just like when a service station raises the price of gas already in the station's tank in immediate response to some external world event.  I understand that the dealer has every right to price their stock at whatever amount they think the market will bear. And I've also heard the argument that when the manufacturer or supplier raises their price they have to charge more so as to have the money to buy replacement stock.  But for them to re-price an item on their shelf they've already paid for just seem more than a bit like gouging to me. 

 

Serves me right to delay considering buying it until after tax time.  Guess my priorities are out of whack. Taxes vs a front row seat to the universe.  I chose poorly.

[Oldfracguy]

Looks like the price of these has gone up $200 overnight, even at places like High Point Scientific and Starizona which had them "in stock" at the prior price yesterday.  It feels just like when a service station raises the price of gas already in the station's tank in immediate response to some external world event.  I understand that the dealer has every right to price their stock at whatever amount they think the market will bear. And I've also heard the argument that when the manufacturer or supplier raises their price they have to charge more so as to have the money to buy replacement stock.  But for them to re-price an item on their shelf they've already paid for just seem more than a bit like gouging to me. 

 

Serves me right to delay considering buying it until after tax time.  Guess my priorities are out of whack. Taxes vs a front row seat to the universe.  I chose poorly.

Agena pulled the same stunt:

 

https://agenaastro.c...-telescope.html

[kgb]

That is pretty standard. Once a supplier raises a price, retail prices get adjusted. Would be very difficult to manage otherwise since they do not create separate stock identification numbers based upon acquisition/receiving date.

Edit: I would advise anyone interested in making a purchase. Do it now. Warning signs of impending price increases have been flashing for a while now.

Edited by kgb, 14 March 2025 - 08:03 PM.

[Kevin_A]

Tariffs in the USA on China products are now starting to hit the retailers. 

[BigBanger]

Just pulled the trigger on the 120. Yup, !,699 from Agena. Timing is everything.

[tenderfootnewbie]

Looks like big price jumps across the board.  EAF, cameras, scopes.  An AM5 is now $2500.  Even the seestar went up $50

 

Glad that I front-loaded my equipment purchases for the year.  It was only a matter of time.

 

@BigBanger, Glad that you got the 120 APO.  I love mine.

 

Best

-Doug

[Brachiopod]

Looks like big price jumps across the board.  EAF, cameras, scopes.  An AM5 is now $2500.  Even the seestar went up $50

 

Glad that I front-loaded my equipment purchases for the year.  It was only a matter of time.

 

@BigBanger, Glad that you got the 120 APO.  I love mine.

 

Best

-Doug

I bought the 120 in December because I could see this coming. It probably will get worse too. Love my 120 so far, paid $1599 which I'll bet going to seem like a real deal by the end of the year.

[Aquawind]

I am currently using a 2600MC with my 120APO and a 50mm guide scope with 120MM Mini. I am looking for suggestions to optimize guiding with an OAG and reallocate the guide scope setup to its original rig. What OAG and camera would you suggest or not? I appreciate your time. 

 

Thanks, Paul 

[chvvkumar]

I am currently using a 2600MC with my 120APO and a 50mm guide scope with 120MM Mini. I am looking for suggestions to optimize guiding with an OAG and reallocate the guide scope setup to its original rig. What OAG and camera would you suggest or not? I appreciate your time. 

 

Thanks, Paul 

I use the Askar OAG with my 140apo and write like it over the normal zwo OAG. Your do have very little rotation flexibility on the camera side, though and have to basically settle for one location where the helical focuser will not interfere with the few.

 

[Aquawind]

I like the 10x10 window on the Askar and the integrated helical focuser. Still need a new guide camera to match with the scope. I have never used a OAG and like the kiss concept.  

 

Thanks, Paul 

[ar-pharazon]

Does anybody know how Askar 120 APO compares to Takahashi TSA-120?

[ris242]

Does anybody know how Askar 120 APO compares to Takahashi TSA-120?

Its close to the 102........so the TSA 120 would be a lot better.

[ar-pharazon]

Its close to the 102........so the TSA 120 would be a lot better.

Thanks for your answer. 

 

Could you (or anybody else) explain in what ways? If I understand correctly, TSA-102 is close (tad better) than Askar 120 APO. Correction or contrast, maybe? Am I wrong?

 

I have read very good comments on Askar's focuser. Takahashi focusers are not among the best appreciated. It seems that Askar 120 APO has several details that make it user-friendly. But my priority is the best image quality with this diameter, size, and weight. According to the general praise on the Askar, I thought the 120 APO could be at least as good as the TSA-120, but you think the opposite and by a far margin.

 

My interest is not only visual but both visual and astrophoto.

 

How do they perform in near-UV (CaK for solar imaging)?

 

Thanks again.

Edited by ar-pharazon, 07 April 2025 - 07:34 PM.

[Oldfracguy]

Thanks for your answer. 

 

Could you (or anybody else) explain in what ways? If I understand correctly, TSA-102 is close (tad better) than Askar 120 APO. Correction or contrast, maybe? Am I wrong?

 

I have read very good comments on Askar's focuser. Takahashi focusers are not among the best appreciated. It seems that Askar 120 APO has several details that make it user-friendly. But my priority is the best image quality with this diameter, size, and weight. According to the general praise on the Askar, I thought the 120 APO could be at least as good as the TSA-120, but you think the opposite and by a far margin.

 

My interest is not only visual but both visual and astrophoto.

 

How do they perform in near-UV (CaK for solar imaging)?

 

Thanks again.

You might want to familiarize yourself with this thread:

 

https://www.cloudyni...post&p=13496460

 

These Askar 103 and 120 APO focusers can be made to work very well indeed, but don't expect them to be as good as they can be right out of the box.

[Gaiden]

hi!
I'm pointing at this Askar 120APO to upgrade my astrophotography setup (actually a SW 80ed + asi533mc).
how is it comparing the ES 127/900 CF or SW Esprit 120/100?

[Nikguy]

hi!
I'm pointing at this Askar 120APO to upgrade my astrophotography setup (actually a SW 80ed + asi533mc).
how is it comparing the ES 127/900 CF or SW Esprit 120/100?

I was faced with a similar decision and decided in favour of the ESPRIT 120, as I had the ASKAR APO 140 and had thick blue stars on the subs. I quickly sold the APO 140 again.

 

I'm very happy with the ESPRIT 120 so far, because it has no problems with a ZWO 2400 full-frame camera and the Flattner 1.0x.

[Haggish59]

I was faced with a similar decision and decided in favour of the ESPRIT 120, as I had the ASKAR APO 140 and had thick blue stars on the subs. I quickly sold the APO 140 again.

 

I'm very happy with the ESPRIT 120 so far, because it has no problems with a ZWO 2400 full-frame camera and the Flattner 1.0x.

I did the opposite. From Esprit 120 and 100 ed pro to Askar 120APO and I’m very pleased. With the flatener and the 0.8x reducer I have a 2 in 1 telescope and it can easily be shorter for transport.

Some results in FF can be seen here:

https://app.astrobin...Haggish#gallery

[skybadger]

To answer my own question about blanking plates for the broken down tube sections, the main tube thread is M107x1.0mm and the rotator is M84x1.0mm
I have printed my own and they fit quite nicely.
As to the scope, I'm using it with an Atik11000 and the focal reducer and getting flat full field images very nicely.