121 replies to this topic

[CHASLX200]

I considered trying out the 203, but scaling up the existing design while remaining at F7 might not perform quite as good as the 185.

 

The 25mm jump in aperture over the 160 along with the size, weight, and price made the 185 more appealing. It's no more difficult to mount than the AP160.

 

Mike

F/11 would be much better but need a monster mount and plenty of money.

[ZX12]

Even c14?? How come?

The C14 with its long focal length and large aperture is much more limited by seeing here. It's also more vulnerable to temperature changes, as well as dew.

With a BV installed on the 14", the views of globulars are much closer to the 185 in mono mode.

 

The Sharpstar photo of the APO line of scopes shows the 203 with the dew shield collapsed, while the 185 is extended.

 

Mike

[SandyHouTex]

Askar continues to deliver incredible refractors from the price/value/quality standpoint. First their140 and now a 185 that punch well above their price point.  As I have said before as to pricing for the remaining made in Japan refractors, the top end Chinese firms are rapidly beginning to eat their lunch.

I think it's a good thing.  Most people can't afford a 7 inch premium refractor for $20,000.  This gets you similar results for 1/4 the price.

[SandyHouTex]

New Sharpstar 203mm APO will be interesting...

https://www.sharpsta...s_1/203APO.html

Isn't that going to be like $7500?

[CHASLX200]

Isn't that going to be like $7500?

Not a bad price but the mount cost is gonna be a killer.

[Wibo]

not if you observe visually, then a used fluid head such as a Vinten V30 is sufficient

Edited by Wibo, 17 August 2024 - 10:46 AM.

[denis0007dl]

203mm available 1 piece in stock for 7774 Euros

https://www.highpoin...et-ed-refractor

[Raum]

The C14 with its long focal length and large aperture is much more limited by seeing here. It's also more vulnerable to temperature changes, as well as dew.

With a BV installed on the 14", the views of globulars are much closer to the 185 in mono mode.

 

The Sharpstar photo of the APO line of scopes shows the 203 with the dew shield collapsed, while the 185 is extended.

 

Mike

I was planning on buying the EdgeHD 14", but I am not so sure after reading your thread. Still using the askar 185 more than the c14? Why not use it with the .7reducer?

[ZX12]

I was planning on buying the EdgeHD 14", but I am not so sure after reading your thread. Still using the askar 185 more than the c14? Why not use it with the .7reducer?

Yes, the 185 has spent the most time in my observatory since it arrived. It has proven to be an excellent scope both visually and for AP.

 

I've had superb views of Jupiter and Saturn, and only the seeing here seems to be limiting me to 430x with a 3mm eyepiece.

 

I bought a pair of ES62 9mm's for use in the binoviewer, and it is the perfect power on most nights with average seeing combined with a 1.7x GPC at 215x.

Studying Jupiter on a night of excellent seeing allowed me to see the small ovals and festoons in great detail along with the swirls in the GRS. 

Transits of Jupiters moons are also spectacular with the large image scale obtainable at this size aperture. Very 3D like image quality with the binoviewer.

 

Watching stars in M13 pop out with an ES92 12mm as the sky darkens is another spectacular image that I never get tired of seeing. They look like fireflies swarming a beehive in space.

 

Both the reducer and flattener arrived shortly after writing the review and give round stars to the corners on an APS-C sensor.

Comparing photos taken with the 185 to my AP160 shows the stars are not bloated or distorted other than what the seeing or mount might induce.

 

The reducer is meant for photographic use and I don't feel it would provide any benefit visually if it could even work, as the 185 gives low enough powers and a reasonably flat field with most eyepieces.

 

The 185 is also easy for a large refractor to mount, especially compared to the C14.

 

Mike 

Edited by ZX12, 09 November 2024 - 08:15 AM.

[ZX12]

The Askar 185 has been performing great in the cold weather. I had several nights of 18 - 20F with wind chills near zero and no issues with lens pinching or other thermally induced artifacts.

 

I spend about half the time using the 185 visually, and the rest split between deep sky and planetary photography.

 

Here are a several shots with the 185 and ZWO664 camera in good seeing. 

 

Mike

 

 

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[CHASLX200]

I want a used 185.

[denis0007dl]

The Askar 185 has been performing great in the cold weather. I had several nights of 18 - 20F with wind chills near zero and no issues with lens pinching or other thermally induced artifacts.

 

I spend about half the time using the 185 visually, and the rest split between deep sky and planetary photography.

 

Here are a several shots with the 185 and ZWO664 camera in good seeing. 

 

Mike

Awsome images Mike,

 

 

 

did you did further comparation of your Askar 185mm vs your AP 160mm APO you have on same, high powers?

[ZX12]

Hi Denis,

 

I have done several comparisons with the AP160 and 140. Also with the CFF250 and Meade 12" ACF.

 

With a BV installed the 185 compares well with the 250 and 12" when viewing the planets, but with the advantage of being free of thermal equilibrium issues.

The CFF does much better than the Meade in this regard, but summer temps require the fans to run.  

 

The 185 compares well against the premium APO's unless you have superb seeing and can use very high powers.

 

The AP's don't break down in image quality easily, while I feel the 185 might not hold up as well if compared directly at 400x+. I don't have the seeing to prove this, but I can extrapolate from experience that this would likely be true.

 

If you are a purist about color correction, you might also prefer to spend the extra 10-15K over the Askar to obtain that perfection.

I don't see any obvious color on Jupiter, Venus or the Moon up to around 430x.

It mainly shows up on brighter stars when viewing out of focus, but is also one possible culprit that could cause image degradation at high powers.

 

The 185 shows more faint stars than the smaller AP's when viewing globulars and open clusters at low to mid powers. They have that look of fine glowing dust refractors are known for. Hard to beat aperture once a certain optical quality level is reached.

 

The 185 also shows the dozen or so faint stars around the Trapezium in M42 more easily than the 160.

 

I would not expect an F/7 triplet with ED glass to be as well corrected as the AP's (F7.5 and using FPL-53), but Askar got the figure and lens cell design right so its performance is as good as it should be for this level glass.  

 

Mike

[cougarone]

Would an AP1100 mount be able to hold the Askar 185 fully loaded for astrophotography?

Edited by cougarone, 12 January 2025 - 02:26 AM.

[R Botero]

Would an AP1100 mount be able to hold the Askar 185 fully loaded for astrophotography?

Yes, I would think so. I had an AP152 f/7.5 and a Stowaway on my 1100GTO and it handled them in tandem with no issues for imaging. I doubt the 185 would be much heavier than those two.

[CHASLX200]

Would an AP1100 mount be able to hold the Askar 185 fully loaded for astrophotography?

More than easy. My AP800 could do it. Never knew this was on it.

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[ZX12]

Would an AP1100 mount be able to hold the Askar 185 fully loaded for astrophotography?

The 1100 could easily handle the 185. 

 

I mounted the 185 on my Mach 2 and it had no issues doing visual or AP, but the 1100 (or 1200 in my case) is a better choice with strong winds.

 

Mike

[Dave Novoselsky]

“The 185 is also easy for a large refractor to mount, especially compared to the C14.”

What isn’t easy to mount compared to a C14!  

[RichA]

“The 185 is also easy for a large refractor to mount, especially compared to the C14.”

What isn’t easy to mount compared to a C14!  

Thing is, the C14 weighs 50lbs, but it's short and relatively easy to handle,  the results possible are worth it.

 

https://ap-ug.groups.../message/107438

[Dave Novoselsky]

Could be worse.  Could be a C16.

[CHASLX200]

Could be worse.  Could be a C16.

That was like a 1000lbs.

[Dave Novoselsky]

I actually saw either a C20 or C22 back years ago (memory isn’t clear on this point) at a Chicago Planetarium event owned by a very wealthy amateur and set up in a home observatory. The OTA was staggering but the fork mount looked large enough to hold the Statue of Liberty.  Massive!

[CHASLX200]

I actually saw either a C20 or C22 back years ago (memory isn’t clear on this point) at a Chicago Planetarium event owned by a very wealthy amateur and set up in a home observatory. The OTA was staggering but the fork mount looked large enough to hold the Statue of Liberty.  Massive!

Mush dog?

[turtle86]

I want a used 185.

 

Used would be great but the new price is very attractive.  Agena has two in stock right now.  If you want a big frac at a reasonable price this might be your best chance.

[CHASLX200]

Used would be great but the new price is very attractive.  Agena has two in stock right now.  If you want a big frac at a reasonable price this might be your best chance.

Looks like i just got a new big gun.  But not a fract.  Can't pass up a Zambuto that is just so close to me.