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Askar 185 APO short review

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#101 Rob Moore

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Posted 21 March 2025 - 02:30 PM

I just ordered the Losmandy HD folding tripod and adapter from AP. Should be a lot better than the AP wooden tripod.
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#102 Rob Moore

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Posted 21 March 2025 - 02:33 PM

I will also have the AP 8” extension to go on top of the tripod so should give me enough height.

#103 Rob Moore

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Posted 21 March 2025 - 02:34 PM

I had the same mount setup, when I got my 160EDF it was overwhelmed. The old AP/Baader wood tripod is definitely the weakest link. A Berlebach Planet is much better, but you'll still be undermounted with it.

A Losmandy HD tripod is another good option, along with an 8" pier. That should clear up most of the shakes. Maybe with something like that you can get by. The 600 is such a great basic EQ mount, I miss mine although I need the Mach1's ability to break into 2 pieces. I miss the elegant simplicity of the 600.

If you think about it, the Askar is, at a minimum, like a traditional RFT scope with the CA cleared up. i.e., even without a perfectly precise lens it should be able to blow away older RFT's like those 7" and 8" achromats APM sold for a while. Those were supposed to be excellent. This scope has similar roots except upgraded with ED glass and a sturdier OTA.



#104 Rob Moore

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Posted 21 March 2025 - 02:36 PM

I do love the 600 mount also because it’s so clean on outside with all motors being internal. I just love the look of it. Sounds stupid I know.

#105 Rob Moore

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Posted 02 April 2025 - 06:31 PM

I received my new Losmandy HD folding tripod today. What a work of art. It is beautiful and I can’t believe how solid this thing is. Really glad I got this instead of the Tri pier.
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#106 Joe G

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Posted 02 April 2025 - 08:49 PM

Rob, when you get a chance can you provide links and pics of the tripod, extension and the Askar mounted on it.

 

I have the iOptron tri-pier.  It works.  The paint job is not good and the connecting steel parts rust.  I had them replace those part after they got a new vendor.

 

Still rusted.


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#107 Rob Moore

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Posted 02 April 2025 - 10:18 PM

I will as soon as I can. The upper legs are 3” in diameter and the bottom part that extends out is 2 1/2 “ in diameter. It has a 450lbs weight capacity. The tripod legs on my Nexstar c 11 are only 2” in diameter at the upper part that is the thickest. I was surprised at how nice it is. I actually called Losmandy and told them how thrilled I am with it.
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#108 Rob Moore

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Posted 03 April 2025 - 01:21 PM

Here is the Losmandy HD folding tripod with the MA plate and 4” Astro-Physics pier extension. The MA plate is 4” so I have 8” total.  

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#109 CHASLX200

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Posted 03 April 2025 - 06:11 PM

I would just go back to my 7ft pier if i went 185 like i did on a top heavy 6" ED.

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#110 Rob Moore

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Posted 03 April 2025 - 08:40 PM

The 185 Askar is not real long so I will have plenty of height.

#111 Rob Moore

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Posted 03 April 2025 - 08:44 PM

It is 48” with dew shield extended

#112 CHASLX200

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Posted 04 April 2025 - 05:50 AM

Gotta be top heavy and hang low in the rings i would think.


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#113 Joe G

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Posted 05 April 2025 - 02:15 PM

Here is the Askar beast on a Pegasus NYX-101 SWM attached to the Berlebach Planet tripod.  Check out the little counterweight.

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#114 Rob Moore

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Posted 05 April 2025 - 02:21 PM

Such a small mount for that scope. I haven’t used any of the new strain wave mounts. I would think the more mass the better.


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#115 Joe G

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Posted 05 April 2025 - 02:31 PM

Amazingly it is very stable.  Slews without effort.  Maybe takes a second to stop shaking while focusing.


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#116 Psion

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Posted 05 April 2025 - 02:46 PM

Here is Askar 203 mm on the RST300.

 

Askar203_mount1.jpg


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#117 Joe G

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Posted 05 April 2025 - 02:50 PM

Even more impressive!



#118 CHASLX200

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Posted 05 April 2025 - 03:00 PM

Here is Askar 203 mm on the RST300.

 

Askar203_mount1.jpg

Odd mounts these days.


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#119 39.1N84.5W

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Posted 08 April 2025 - 06:21 PM

I'm surprised they shipped it with a vixen dovetail.

#120 Rob Moore

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Posted 08 April 2025 - 06:24 PM

Mine came with Losmandy dovetail.


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#121 CHASLX200

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Posted 08 April 2025 - 06:38 PM

I'm surprised they shipped it with a vixen dovetail.

Ouch that has to flex rex.



#122 PeterR280

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Posted 17 April 2025 - 05:47 PM

The dovetail is Losmandy




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