110 replies to this topic

[Apennine]

Hi Everyone,

 

I've started to see advertisements for this upcoming refractor, but no information/speculation on Cloudy Nights yet. What does everyone think? It seems pretty promising, albeit from promotional material.

 

-Chris

[akdwivedi]

Looks similar to wo scopes. If it performs as good as their fra series, it would be a good alternative to Tak fsq85. 

[Recorte]

From the spot diagrams the SQA series is superior to the FRA and PHQ series, specially off-axis.

[PeterWar]

From the diagrams, it really seems superior to everything except maybe the Vixen VSD90SS under this cathegory.

[charles.tremblay.darveau]

Yes, I can’t wait for the review as well. May be time to replace my FRA400.

[charles.tremblay.darveau]

Seems First Light optics has the first batch available. Any taker?

[AstroFritz_]

Here in Germany Teleskop Spezalisten also have some in stock.

Im thinking of buying one.
The scopes looks really intersting to me.

 

If someone has experiences with the SQA85 a report would be nice!

Edited by AstroFritz_, 16 October 2024 - 01:27 PM.

[Apennine]

I hope we get some reviews soon! Glad to see they are starting to arrive in Europe. I was considering an FRA400/500, but the SQA85 or Redcat 91 seem to be worth the wait.

[AstroFritz_]

Think so too.

 

I will buy the Redcat 91 or the the SQA85.
You cant even preorder the new Redcat here in EU. I asked my dealer for the scope.
But they also dont have any informations.

[Wow!]

Yes, I can’t wait for the review as well. May be time to replace my FRA400.

Same with me. Would be a great replacement for the FRA400 though if weight/size is important for travel, the FRA400 is still a great option

[JimTheEngineer]

Some initial thoughts:
1) I was impressed by fit and finish of scope. The stars did look excellent on the left side and middle of the ASI2600MC APS-C sensor. Much better than the AT60ED with field flattener. However, I apparently had some severe tilt ~20% which caused issues on right side. I simply slapped the same optical train from my AT60ED which previously had only minor tilt at 5%. Not sure what caused this, but I did have to make some adjustments on the ZWO OAG due to clearance issues. No tilt adjustments yet.

2) I also noted some vignetting, but the camera had an M42 tilt plate and M42 connection to the ZWO 2” filter drawer and standard OAG. I’m ordered the M54 Askar filter drawer and OAG to hopefully eliminate this. It was only slight vignetting on the extreme corners of the APS-C sensor from the flats I took.

3) the rear lens has a 43mm opening, but there is a purple aperture mask around it that constricts the clear aperture further by 2mm plus. So I’m guessing the light has to travel at an outward angle (not straight back) based on the petzval design to hit a 44mm image circle - not sure. It makes me question whether a full frame sensor and and OAG could be used. It could, but I don’t have that sensor to test.

4) I didn’t install my EAF and just manually focused the scope. I also did not install the focus lock screw. I did notice some movement in focus throughout the evening and chalked it up to no focus lock rather than thermal equilibrium.

5) The scope had a piece of metal shaving (like a large piece of lint) stuck to the backside of the lens. So it’s now in a return process. However, this setback hasn’t deterred me from getting a replacement.

My only advice is if you want to use full frame and off axis guiding, I would get some more information on this before purchase. I’m happy with an APS-C on this scope.

Sorry for the brief and incomplete review, but only had it for 2 days (1 night of use) before initiating the return process. Overall, it seems like a nice scope that I think I will be happy with.

Edited by JimTheEngineer, 30 October 2024 - 10:04 AM.

[Apennine]

I also received my SQA85. I was in the market for a widefield setup, after moving on from my SVX90.

 

I agree in the build quality being great. My lenses also appear clean (Sorry about that lint Jim).

 

I have only had one night testing too. With a 2600MM bolted directly to a 36mm EFW, also some slight vignette that flats will eliminate. I also have what I believe is tilt on the bottom right corner. Since I don't have a tilt adjuster, I ordered the Baader M68 tilter to hopefully eliminate the tilt.

 

Simple stack of 20x10" L exposures, no flats/darks/processing:

 

 

Edited by Apennine, 30 October 2024 - 10:20 AM.

[charles.tremblay.darveau]

I also received my SQA85. I was in the market for a widefield setup, after moving on from my SVX90.

I agree in the build quality being great. My lenses also appear clean (Sorry about that lint Jim).

I have only had one night testing too. With a 2600MM bolted directly to a 36mm EFW, also some slight vignette that flats will eliminate. I also have what I believe is tilt on the bottom right corner. Since I don't have a tilt adjuster, I ordered the Baader M68 tilter to hopefully eliminate the tilt.

Simple stack of 20x10" L exposures, no flats/darks/processing:

Very nice, thanks for sharing the results. I was also looking at the SVX90, do you still think this is an upgrade?

[charles.tremblay.darveau]

Some initial thoughts:
1) I was impressed by fit and finish of scope. The stars did look excellent on the left side and middle of the ASI2600MC APS-C sensor. Much better than the AT60ED with field flattener. However, I apparently had some severe tilt ~20% which caused issues on right side. I simply slapped the same optical train from my AT60ED which previously had only minor tilt at 5%. Not sure what caused this, but I did have to make some adjustments on the ZWO OAG due to clearance issues. No tilt adjustments yet.

2) I also noted some vignetting, but the camera had an M42 tilt plate and M42 connection to the ZWO 2” filter drawer and standard OAG. I’m ordered the M54 Askar filter drawer and OAG to hopefully eliminate this. It was only slight vignetting on the extreme corners of the APS-C sensor from the flats I took.

3) the rear lens has a 43mm opening, but there is a purple aperture mask around it that constricts the clear aperture further by 2mm plus. So I’m guessing the light has to travel at an outward angle (not straight back) based on the petzval design to hit a 44mm image circle - not sure. It makes me question whether a full frame sensor and and OAG could be used. It could, but I don’t have that sensor to test.

4) I didn’t install my EAF and just manually focused the scope. I also did not install the focus lock screw. I did notice some movement in focus throughout the evening and chalked it up to no focus lock rather than thermal equilibrium.

5) The scope had a piece of metal shaving (like a large piece of lint) stuck to the backside of the lens. So it’s now in a return process. However, this setback hasn’t deterred me from getting a replacement.

My only advice is if you want to use full frame and off axis guiding, I would get some more information on this before purchase. I’m happy with an APS-C on this scope.

Sorry for the brief and incomplete review, but only had it for 2 days (1 night of use) before initiating the return process. Overall, it seems like a nice scope that I think I will be happy with.

Faster scope means more visible tilt effects.

[JimTheEngineer]

True. I’ll also mention that my guiding was down as far as 0.24” which was an all time low. Maybe quality stars in the guide FOV really has a positive affect on guiding…

[Apennine]

Very nice, thanks for sharing the results. I was also looking at the SVX90, do you still think this is an upgrade?

I really liked the SVX90, but I unfortunately had two issues where I had to ship it back to Stellarvue (across the country). They were 100% great to work with, and the issues could have been caused by shipping. But, after the second return, I elected just to get a refund. I view this scope as an upgrade for me personally, since it has a bit wider FOV and is faster. Also, not having to set backfocus is a benefit for me too. I think that image quality (star shapes/size) is somewhat comparable from what I have seen so far, minus the issues I  had with the SVX which were isolated to my OTA.

 

So, I think overall it is a bit of a toss-up between the great Stellarvue customer support, but the somewhat "better" performance from the SQA85 for my requirements. 

[Recorte]

New Askar SQA106

 

https://www.sharpsta...s_1/SQA106.html

 

spot diagram is impressive in the whole field

 

[charles.tremblay.darveau]

New Askar SQA106

https://www.sharpsta...s_1/SQA106.html

spot diagram is impressive in the whole field

Interesting. Though the Sqa85 spot diagram still seems a bit better.

[charles.tremblay.darveau]

For those who owns the SQA85, did you notice any sag from the focuser?

 

Also, anyone looked at the color correction on full frame?

 

Thanks, and exciting to see first lights on this scope. I'm one click away from the buy button .

[Apennine]

For those who owns the SQA85, did you notice any sag from the focuser?

 

Also, anyone looked at the color correction on full frame?

 

Thanks, and exciting to see first lights on this scope. I'm one click away from the buy button .

The focuser seems very stable/not saggy across various slew angles. This is with a Pegasus Falcon Rotator, EFW, and 2600MM. I say go for it! 

[Raum]

The focuser seems very stable/not saggy across various slew angles. This is with a Pegasus Falcon Rotator, EFW, and 2600MM. I say go for it! 

Do you know by any chance what the dimensions of the package were (roughly) and the weight?
How is it holding up so far? Is there anything better than the sqa85 except takahashi and stelarvue?
appreciate your answer.

[charles.tremblay.darveau]

Do you know by any chance what the dimensions of the package were (roughly) and the weight?
How is it holding up so far? Is there anything better than the sqa85 except takahashi and stelarvue?
appreciate your answer.

I actually went ahead an ordered the SQA85. Will be able to provide report when I get it and 'IF' I get clear weather (astro weather has been very sparse this year for the Pacific Northwest).

 

I was also interested in the Tak 85 FSQ, but that design seems old and requires extra flattener to get reasonable performance on modern CMOS. "On paper", the SQA should beat it.

[gpsfool]

I see Highpoint Scientific is now listing the SQA106 for pre order.  $3395 clams. 

 

looks like a nice scope.  

[JimTheEngineer]

Received a 2nd scope. It has some smaller metal pieces on the inside rear lens. That’s the second time with the same issue. Will see if these will fall off. Also the focuser had some minor up/down movement, but you can get most of it out by tightening up the rotator lock. Also, not a big deal, but the rotator lock does not allow you to rotate the Askar OAG around it unless you add 5mm+ extension between to OAG and scope. Hopefully these metal bits drop off the rear lens shortly. Askar really needs to look at their assembly procedure to eliminate these metal shavings. Maybe blow the tube out and some QC?

First pic is rear lens right out of box with M48 adapter removed. Second is after some cleaning.

Edited by JimTheEngineer, 07 November 2024 - 01:54 AM.

[LewisM]

It's ludicrous, but I can import a brand new Tak FSQ-85EDX including ALL accessories including flattener, reducer, extender, diagonals, finders etc from Hong Kong or Japan CHEAPER than I can buy a new SQA85 from the local dealer (same local dealer has FSQ85 more than double the HK/JP price).

Warranty...not really worried with a Tak TBH in all the 20+ Taks I have owned.

I know the Vixen VSD90SS is expensive even from Japan, but I find it very alluring.

Dismayed to hear about the shavings on the SQA rear - could you have lens bulb dusted it off yourself Jim?

Edited by LewisM, 06 November 2024 - 08:23 PM.