114 replies to this topic

[GroßATuin]

Hey all together,

ive done my first night out with the SQA85 and was able to do some aftermath. I was aiming for some star fields, to get as much data as possible. At the first test i had to fokus with a bathinov mask, because i was not able to get my gemini focuser to work. I had some driver (serial to usb driver) missing, so my mini pc was not able to detect the focuser. Because is had the focuser already installed, i also was not able to lock the fokus, so the following results might be influenced by not perfect fokus. After that introduktion, i will let the pictures do the talking:

 

 

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[GroßATuin]

As you can see there was a fair amount of tilt left in the rig. But later that night i finally got the fokuser running and did some further testing with autofucused pictures and a fixed fokuser. As you can see, the tilt is gone and the picture is a lot sharper. The field is flat as a pancake. Results:

 

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[GroßATuin]

All the above pictures were taken with an imx571 color sensor. There is no sign of false color up to the edges is in the second frames and only a minimal sign of ca in the edges, probably due to defocus and the slight tilt on the first frame. I am really impressed by the sharpness of the scope, that is clearly shown in the resolution of the star clusters in the fastly processed frame 01 (that even was not perfectly in focus probably). For me this scope is an absolute keeper! Further tests are planned.

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[GroßATuin]

Hey all together,

just something is noticed a couple of days ago: it is not possible to connect an Touptek OAG-L to the OAZ of the Askar. The helical focuser of the OAG collides with the black adapter ring of the scope.

I now ordered an OAG-X from Touptek with an M64 adapter. That should work out.

CS Ben

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[JimTheEngineer]

Ben - can you raise the stalk of the OAG a little bit? The Askar M54 OAG came fully down and I had the same issue until I made some adjustments around the stalk (prism). Alternatively you can put a 5mm spacer in there which should leave you 10mm of room after focus (assuming no other accessories spacing issues). Good luck.

 

Sharpstar/Askar needs to redesign this area. They really need to adjust the optical design to add about 20-22mm in this area so you can add accessories. Absent that, they need to make the adapter AND manual rotator both optically shorter and less diameter. It seems like a significant oversight on their part to not notice this issue especially since the rotator lock knob cannot go past the OAG. This could have been cause for the initial tilt in my optical train…

Edited by JimTheEngineer, 13 January 2025 - 12:59 PM.

[JimTheEngineer]

Just received the adapter from PreciseParts for the draw tube to M54 thread (minimum backfocus). It fits the draw tube precisely. Ashley did an excellent job! I still don’t have the CAA.

Edited by JimTheEngineer, 15 January 2025 - 12:22 AM.

[JimTheEngineer]

The CAA should fit on the M54 thread of the adapter. I will then put a 14mm M54 spacer between the CAA and the M54 OAG which should clear the 12.5mm overhang of the helical focuser. Should have about 8mm spare focus room…

[BumbleBeeArray]

I am keenly looking to select my first serious scope since college days. After Cuiv's review I was almost ready to pull the trigger on the SQA85 (or the 106 with its large image circle). A bit disappointed now, especially for the lack of visual support. Now back to considering something portable (like a Stellarvue SVX90 or 102). Better alternatives in the same price range?

[XTATDSM]

I am keenly looking to select my first serious scope since college days. After Cuiv's review I was almost ready to pull the trigger on the SQA85 (or the 106 with its large image circle). A bit disappointed now, especially for the lack of visual support. Now back to considering something portable (like a Stellarvue SVX90 or 102). Better alternatives in the same price range?

I love my Stellarvue SVX90. solid build and optically close to being perfect.

 

Ahmed

[Becomart]

I'm curious - How does this scope compare to something like the Redcat 71 WIFD? I'd expect it to be better given the price difference and obviously not quite the same focal length.

[charles.tremblay.darveau]

I'm curious - How does this scope compare to something like the Redcat 71 WIFD? I'd expect it to be better given the price difference and obviously not quite the same focal length.

Much better performance on the SQA. The new cat 91 is about equivalent in performance.

[charles.tremblay.darveau]

I am keenly looking to select my first serious scope since college days. After Cuiv's review I was almost ready to pull the trigger on the SQA85 (or the 106 with its large image circle). A bit disappointed now, especially for the lack of visual support. Now back to considering something portable (like a Stellarvue SVX90 or 102). Better alternatives in the same price range?

It seems like some visual is possible, but some more exotic configuration may not reach focus due to limited backfocus.

 

See this recent review:
https://www.youtube....h?v=vlPSEg97NKk

[PeterWar]

I am keenly looking to select my first serious scope since college days. After Cuiv's review I was almost ready to pull the trigger on the SQA85 (or the 106 with its large image circle). A bit disappointed now, especially for the lack of visual support. Now back to considering something portable (like a Stellarvue SVX90 or 102). Better alternatives in the same price range?

Go to Japan and shop a Vixen VSD90SS (they are much cheaper there), I'm using it for visual all the time.

[Vince_VdB]

Hi folks, I am after some inspiration on the fit-out of this scope. My SQA85 is on the way and shall be used with:

- 50mm guide scope

- Pegasus Astro Ultimate Powerbox v3

- Mele Quieter 4c mini PC

- Pegasus Astro Focuscube 

- Pegasus Astro Falcon II rotator

- Filter drawer

 

I like the frame that holds the scope itself except the top part that is basically the slot for holding the guide scope. Wish there was just the possibility to fix a Losmany style dovetail on top of the scope for holding the Powerbox & mini PC.

 

Anyway, can those who own the scope and use it with a guide scope and a mini PC solution post a photo how you mounted it to your scope?

Thank you already, much appreciated. 

 

Added this: 

What to think of having these kind of riser blocks to have space below the scope for the PB and mini PC? Any disadvantages to this idea?

https://altairastro....ed-10242-p.asp 

Edited by Vince_VdB, 03 March 2025 - 11:26 PM.

[JimTheEngineer]

WARNING: I received my CAA yesterday and I think it does NOT work with the Precise Parts adapter and OAG. The problem is with the rear lens cell diameter that exceeds the M54 inside diameter of the CAA. Completely missed that! I am unable to save the 25mm distance of the manual rotator. Will send pic later as I try to figure out alternatives. I will end up not using the CAA if I have remove the OAG…

Was working with Ashley at PreciseParts. The part is now in the Build an Adapter program, but I think it’s untested yet whether this will work with the CAA. I have ordered it in the “0” mm minimum size which takes up only about 1mm backfocus.

In particular there are at least a couple areas to consider. First, the CAA backfocus is 16.5mm and it has a part that extends an additional 18mm towards the scope. So when you install it you have to rack the focuser outward until tightened and then rotate this section to the top to avoid interference with the focuser knobs. Fortunately the SQA85 focuser is 89mm in diameter and the CAA has a clearance of 92mm. However, I think the two top shoes on the focuser need to be removed.

Second, although your OAG backfocus may be 16.5-17.5mm, it’s actually the helical focuser that can interfere with the rotator. I have the Askar M54 OAG which is 17.5mm backspace. There is at least an additional 12.5mm +/- on the camera side of the CAA that is needed to provide the necessary clearance. I have the Agena M54 4-9mm 6 piece set and some fine spacer rings for this adjustment.

The total space available between the 25mm manual rotator and the additional racked in focuser travel of 15mm is 40mm. Based on the above, I should have at least 30mm (16.5+12.5+1.0) of additional parts which leaves 10.0mm for focus and some additional space for clearance between the OAG and CAA (maybe a 2mm gap). So 8mm of focus room is cutting it close.

This is all untested and I hope I haven’t missed anything. Will let you know if this works as soon as I receive the CAA.

Edited by JimTheEngineer, 09 April 2025 - 03:29 PM.

[sharpstar-service]

We’ve seen your post. Please send the relevant photos or videos to our email: support@sharpstar-optics.com.
We’d be happy to help resolve this for you.

WARNING: I received my CAA yesterday and I think it does NOT work with the Precise Parts adapter and OAG. The problem is with the rear lens cell diameter that exceeds the M54 inside diameter of the CAA. Completely missed that! I am unable to save the 25mm distance of the manual rotator. Will send pic later as I try to figure out alternatives. I will end up not using the CAA if I have remove the OAG…
 

[JimTheEngineer]

I failed to achieve focus using an OAG with a CAA on the SQA85. My initial thought was to get some additional space by removing the manual rotator and replacing it with a Precise Parts adapter that only took up 1 mm back spacing. As you can see, I added about 13mm of m54 extension tubes to get clearance for the OAG.

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Edited by JimTheEngineer, 11 April 2025 - 05:11 AM.

[JimTheEngineer]

You can see in the pics below the Precise Parts adapter. What I did not anticipate was the rear lens cell OD was greater than the M54 Precise Parts ID. This prevented the CAA from racking in the focuser closer. Focus could not be achieved.

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Edited by JimTheEngineer, 11 April 2025 - 04:58 AM.

[JimTheEngineer]

You can see where the Precise Parts adapter gets stuck. How do you prevent mistakes? - Experience. How do you get experience? - by making mistakes. Let me know if you see something that would make this work. I don’t think I will use the CAA if I have to take the OAG off.

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Edited by JimTheEngineer, 11 April 2025 - 01:51 PM.

[Foobaria]

I'm impressed with the SQA85, but $2395 sounds a bit steep, what makes it worth this premium price? 

[JimTheEngineer]

Smaller spot diagram than Tak FSQ85, full frame flat field, half the cost of FSQ85 (before tariff increases). WO Cat91 is similar, built in Taiwan. So is tariffs are bad on Askar in China, simply switch to WO in Taiwan.

Edited by JimTheEngineer, 12 April 2025 - 05:48 PM.

[Nick2313]

Hi guys, does anyone have any image blurring/shifting when focusing (especially when using thin)?

https://astronomy.ru...html#msg6284838

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[Nick2313]

Nick2313 - noticed you have only posted 3 times, ever. Why?

I'm sorry, are we discussing the number of posts or sqa85?

[JimTheEngineer]

Congrats on 4th post! Can you tell us more about the test posted? The synthetic interferogram results look like a lot of tilt was present in the optical train. Not sure what you mean by “especially when using thin”. I have seen the focuser move very slowly over the course of a night with an optical train on the back and no EAF installed. It was simply the weight of the optical train pulling to focuser out. I didn’t bother tightening the focuser since I installed an EAF on it the next day. My stacked frames including before and after meredian flips require almost no cropping, but I’m usually guiding between 0.19”-0.4”. I don’t see any shifting in my scope. The only issue I have had related to tilt/movement was the manual rotator. It needs to be tightened down real tight. I noticed this when I was checking tilt.

I think this is an excellent scope. The first one I received had some metal shavings in the tube like holes had been drilled after the lens was installed. However the optics looked excellent. I sent that one back and got another one. The optics look excellent on this one as well. I can’t see any chromatic aberrations at the corners of an APS-C sensor and stars are tiny and round to the corners as well. Others have said the same using full frame. So while I was not impressed by the initial QC done by Askar, the scope I have is excellent.

I'm sorry, are we discussing the number of posts or sqa85?

Edited by JimTheEngineer, 16 April 2025 - 09:43 AM.

[Nick2313]

It's probably all the translation difficulties. When using the fine focus knob, the image randomly shifts. Adjusting the screws does not improve the results, except when pressed hard, the focuser stops moving.