3 replies to this topic

[chapleau]

I'd like to let the great 102 doublet ota move along so a triplet can come in.  I'm looking at an AT115EDT, ($1400 +150FF), the Askar103 ($1000+200FF), or just go all in with the ZWO/Sharpstar102FF ($2000 no FF needed).  I own a zwo ff65 and do love it.  Not interested in shortening the focal length.  But the two other options sure save money if on can manage back focus gremlins.  Any thoughts.  I know there are tons of threads on this, but I haven't seen one on the $800 difference between the Askar and ZWO/Sharpstar.

Clear skies!

Richard

[daveco2]

I have the Askar 103 with 1x flattener.  Excellent workmanship and performance, thankfully covers asi2600MM sensor with no vignetting.  Achieved back focus correctly on first try, so the Askar

I believe the published Askar number is good.  

[chapleau]

I'm going to run it with a 533MC Pro.  If I go bigger, I mosaic.  Glad that back focus worked!  BTW, I'm just up the road in Santa Clarita.   I image often up by Frazier Park. 

 

I have the Askar 103 with 1x flattener.  Excellent workmanship and performance, thankfully covers asi2600MM sensor with no vignetting.  Achieved back focus correctly on first try, so the Askar

I believe the published Askar number is good.  

[daveco2]

I also have the Askar FMA180.   Thinking about the Askar 71F for $600.  If I get another scope, it'll be Askar - love the beefy and smooth rotator, no wobble M54 screw-on camera connections, high level of build quality, at very affordable prices.

 

I've often thought about traveling to Frazier Park, what I would call an accessible deep sky site; but having worked out narrow band imaging of nebulae and LRGB imaging of galaxies from Bortle 8, I don't know if that will happen.

 

On a side note, I have an AT60ED, and found that the proper back focus was 30 mm out from their published value.  A big surprise.  Not sure what happened there, maybe a problem with their 1x corrector; but happy with the performance now.

I sent them pictures of the before and after, but no response.  I also beefed up the springy scope attachment foot.  That was several years ago.

Edited by daveco2, 06 December 2024 - 08:23 PM.