18 replies to this topic

[Jawaid I. Abbasi]

Hello.

I am now seriously thinking to shop Askar 103 APO but there are not many reviews.

I am strictly use visually and no interest in astrophotography at all so, need to know using visually as well as Bino viewing.

 

Please provide your input to make sound decision.  

 

Thank you

[ris242]

Can you push yourself to the 120? if you have a suitable mount?

 

its lighter than it looks and very capable.

[Jawaid I. Abbasi]

Can you push yourself to the 120? if you have a suitable mount?

 

its lighter than it looks and very capable.

Actually, 120 is way out of my budget... though, I would like to have 120 over 103

Edited by Jawaid I. Abbasi, 20 February 2025 - 12:14 AM.

[tcm2007]

I've not got a bino viewer, but very happy with this scope for astrophotography. I've had a quick look visually at Saturn and looked good to me but I'm no expert. 

[Oldfracguy]

Hello.

I am now seriously thinking to shop Askar 103 APO but there are not many reviews.

I am strictly use visually and no interest in astrophotography at all so, need to know using visually as well as Bino viewing.

 

Please provide your input to make sound decision.  

 

Thank you

For strictly visual observation, right now I would suggest thinking about getting a Sky-Watcher 100ED Evostar.  Those are marked down quite a bit from their absurdly high regular price, and are less expensive that an Askar 103 APO right now.  They are great for visual use.

 

If you do get an Askar 103 APO, I posted a thread last year about how to make adjustments to the focuser to get it to work right:

 

https://www.cloudyni...ser-adjustment/

 

The issue that some owners have encountered, me included, was the focuser slipping down out of position with a 2" diagonal and 2" eyepiece installed.  That issue can plague the Sky-Watcher xxxED Evostars as well, but the dual-speed Crayford focusers on those can usually be readily adjusted to fix that problem.

 

The Askar 103 APO has a removable section of the tube that you can take out to use the scope with a binoviewer.  I think using a binoviewer with the Sky-Watcher Evostars is more problematic.  In fact, a couple years ago I bought a used 120ED Evostar that I needed to use a long 2" extension tube to reach focus with a regular diagonal and eyepiece.  Turns out the previous owner had actually cut off about 100 mm of the tube and redrilled the three holes to attach the focuser so he could use his binoviewer  .

Edited by Oldfracguy, 21 February 2025 - 12:50 AM.

[Jawaid I. Abbasi]

Although, I have an 80mm Binocular telescope that actually has 2" focuser to accept 2" eyepiece. 

I have reviewed here and my website as well. The instrument is really good and versatile.

 

I just wanted a 103mm or little, bigger telescope to use sometime in mono vision but also use my binoviewer as well. So far, most if not all praised about Askar 103mm especially compared with SVbony 102mm.

 

The Askar 103mm is almost double price what SVbony is selling their 102mm ED version. I could go up to $1000 after selling my almost new Celestron 10"-star sense explorer.

 

Yet, I have not decided and still scratching my head to buy one? If buy a refractor, should it be SVbony 102mm ED or Askar 103mm APO

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Edited by Jawaid I. Abbasi, 21 February 2025 - 03:04 AM.

[Jawaid I. Abbasi]

I have question about Askar 103APO:

How is the start test?

Does it have tight start and how the optics shows edge of the lens (Does it bloated or elongated without using the field flattener)

 

Anyone interested to give answer?

[NumeroHuevo]

Check out Nebula Photos’ 4” refractor shootout on YouTube. He tests the Askar 103 APO, the Founder Optics FOT106, the ZWO FF107 APO, and the Sky-watcher Esprit 100ED.

The Askar performed really well.

[Doug Culbertson]

I currently have an Askar 103 and I find that it performs admirably. I bought it for white light solar with a binoviewer and, when you remove the 4” threaded section of the OTA it works perfectly with a binoviewer with no need for a Barlow or corrector. If you want to use a diagonal and single eyepieces you will need to rethread the 4” removable section or use an extension tube. I like this TeleVue 3’ extension and it works perfectly with all of my single eyepieces. https://www.highpoin...n-tube-x3c-0009

 

While mine has been used far more for solar than for nighttime observing, I found that mine star tests very well. Vega shows a perfect blue-white with nice concentric rings, and even Sirius and Venus show no signs of chromatic aberration. 

 

The focuser on mine is nice and smooth with no backlash and I have not needed to adjust it at all in the several months that I have owned it. FWIW, I also wanted the 120 but it wasn’t really in the budget at the time, but the 103 does exactly what I bought it for. 

 

Edited to correct spelling errors. 

Edited by Doug Culbertson, 24 February 2025 - 03:26 PM.

[Jawaid I. Abbasi]

Check out Nebula Photos’ 4” refractor shootout on YouTube. He tests the Askar 103 APO, the Founder Optics FOT106, the ZWO FF107 APO, and the Sky-watcher Esprit 100ED.

The Askar performed really well.

Where is the link? I would like to see it

[Doug Culbertson]

Where is the link? I would like to see it

https://m.youtube.co...2NoZXJjaGV1cmU=

[Jawaid I. Abbasi]

I currently have an Askar 103 and I find that it performs admirably. I bought it for white light solar with a binoviewer and, when you remove the 4” threaded section of the OTA it works perfectly with a binoviewer with no need for a Barlow or corrector. If you want to use a diagonal and single eyepieces you will need to rethread the 4” removable section or use an extension tube. I like this TeleVue 3’ extension and it works perfectly with all of my single eyepieces. https://www.highpoin...n-tube-x3c-0009

 

While mine has been used far more for solar than for nighttime observing, I found that mine star tests very well. Vega shows a perfect blue-white with nice concentric rings, and even Sirius and Venus show no signs of chromatic aberration. 

 

The focuser on mine is nice and smooth with no backlash and I have not needed to adjust it at all in the several months that I have owned it. FWIW, I also wanted the 120 but it wasn’t really in the budget at the time, but the 103 does exactly what I bought it for. 

 

Edited to correct spelling errors. 

I have the 4" extension as well.

So, it has no issue using binoviewer  Wow!

I actually want to use refractor with binoviewer (80%)

 

Is there any constructive feedback or any hidden thing that it makes on top of the list.

 

One concern that when I was browsing only telescope and verify the contents, I did not see handle is also the part of purchase. Do, I need to but the carrying handle separately?

[Doug Culbertson]

The handle is included and it’s also set up to hold a finder, etc with a Vixen/Synta foot.

 

No problem at all using a binoviewer in native mode once you remove the detachable 4” section of the OTA. It’s easy to remove and reattach the focuser. 
 

There doesn’t seem to be a lot of information out there about this telescope other than reviews on Agena’s site, and that’s mostly imagers. For me it does just what I wanted it for. 

[Jawaid I. Abbasi]

Finally, I ordered Askar 103mm APO and SVbony 2" diagonal

They both may deliver by Monday

[Jawaid I. Abbasi]

Is it or will it be a perfect setup for the Askar 103mm APO, SVboney 2" diagonal and about 1/2 pounds eyepieces plus 1/2 pounds iPhone on a manfrotto Nitrotec N12 and 3036 bogan tripod?

Will it be a smooth movement use the above equipment?

[Jawaid I. Abbasi]

ASKAR 103mm APO

Binoviewer

SVbony 2" diagonal

32mm Baadar classic

16mm APM ultra

8.5mm Pentax

N12 mount

 

"Love at first sight"

Yesterday, I received Askar 103mm APO and the first impression to look at is just impressive!!

Took outside in daytime and look at various distance objects and found the optics is excellent. No traces of colours even tried to look for it!!

 

At night, only got a chance to look at Vega to confirm colour fidelity which showed me pure white and no fringes. Also check couple of star clusters and Jupiter and the views were awesome.

 

In dusk time, the moon was visible and use 32mm, 16mm, and 8.5mm mono mode first then use my binoviewer in native mode and the views were stunning. The binoviewer came to focus with plenty of in focus travel.

In just under one hour, I did not find any issues in mechanical or optical wise yet..............

 

I am not putting pictures now, since pictures are readily available everywhere.

It will be a detail review after it is used for couple of weeks depends on the duration; it is being used. A summery will be available here at Cloudynights but the full report available on my site.

[Astro-Remete]

Same! I really like this set. It gives excellent view with BHZ.

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Edited by Astro-Remete, 01 April 2025 - 11:21 AM.

[Jawaid I. Abbasi]

Tonight's clear skies provided the perfect opportunity to take out my telescope for a long-awaited session. After an indoor collimation check that showed near-perfect alignment, I spent about 30 minutes observing and testing my setup.

 

My first priority was the star test—a crucial check to ensure optical quality. Using the 8.5mm Pentax eyepiece in mono mode, I was thrilled to see that the telescope passed the test with flying colors. Encouraged by the result, I then inserted my TS binoviewer, a trusted companion for my 10" reflector and other scopes.

However, the star test did not perform as expected with the binoviewer, leading me to investigate further. Upon checking the collimation, I noticed a 2mm to 3mm deviation from the target, even when rotating the laser in both barrels.

 

Key Observations:
The 2" diagonal—while securely fastened—might have a very slight wobble due to its weight.

The 1.25" focuser in the binoviewer does not hold the eyepiece as securely as needed.

Moving Forward:
Given these findings, I believe switching to a 1.25" diagonal instead of the heavier 2" diagonal may offer better stability. Additionally, I’d like to experiment with another binoviewer, though acquiring one will have to wait until I have the resources.

 

Tonight’s session, though short, was insightful—it’s always exciting to uncover new ways to refine and improve my setup. More tests to come, and hopefully, even better results next time!

 

What do you think—have you experienced similar challenges when using a binoviewer? Let’s discuss!

[Astro-Remete]

I have a similar experience. So I switched to the Baader line.
My 2" mirror is connected with a clicklock system and I bought a heavy-duty T2 Baader mounting set for my 1.25 T2 prism and mirror. My binoviewer is, Maxbright II, which also holds the eyepieces centrally. I tried to keep the collimation in place with this. I have a similar experience. So I switched to the Baader line. My 2" mirror is connected with a clicklock system, I bought a heavy-duty T2 Baader mounting set for my 1.25 T2 prism and mirror. The binoviewer-email, Maxbright II, which also holds the eyepieces centrally. I tried to keep the collimation in place with this.
I got away with the Askar103Apo focuser a little, so it is harder to rotate, but it tilts less under heavy load.

Edited by Astro-Remete, 18 April 2025 - 12:48 AM.