Triplet Astrograph Telescope Askar APO 103 mm f/6.8

In astrophotography, aperture size has a significant impact on observability and image quality. The 103 mm aperture confers an inherent advantage in terms of light gathering power, resolution, brightness and contrast, allowing the photographer to capture more light and present more detail and brighter objects in the image.

The Askar 103APO not only adopts a triplet lens design (while low-cost scopes on the market typically use a doublet), but also incorporates ED glass to further enhance image quality.

In addition to the careful design of the objective itself, all aspects of the Askar 103APO is dedicated to providing users with a better shooting experience.

The entire inside of the sun visor of the Askar 103APO is lined with matte felt, while the inner walls of the main tube are coated with matte paint and equipped with the internal baffle. This effectively reduces light scattering and reflection inside the OTA, improving the brightness, contrast and resolution of observed targets.

Each Askar 103APO is equipped with a unique name ring for identification purposes, making each telescope Askar 103APO is exclusive to its owner.

The retractable design of the lens hood, together with the enlarged locking screws, allows for comfortable use. The purpose of the lens hood is to protect the lens from the impact of external and internal light and to protect the lens itself.

Additional features:

The Askar 103APO has a total of two search bases. Each side of the eyepiece holder is equipped with a finder base. Many users have expressed concern about the limited space to install additional astronomical accessories during use.

To solve this problem, we have installed special finder bases on both sides of the eyepiece holder. This not only eliminates the need to disassemble when changing the finder position, but also provides additional mounting positions for other astronomical accessories.

The handle of the Askar 103APO has a special slot design, which also makes it a good base for mounting a finder. The handle is sturdy and durable.

The overall tube design is lightweight, with a total weight of only 750g. The knurled screw on the tube ring allows easy opening and locking of the tube. At the same time, the elevated base creates more space to accommodate astronomical accessories. Comfort has been kept in mind at all times.

The dovetail plate is the standard dovetail plate from Vixen, compatible with most equatorial mounts and bases on the market. We have also made additional extensions and hole position designs, up to 290 mm in length, which make it more practical for balancing on the equatorial mount.

Thanks to the groove in the handle, the gap between the tube ring can be adjusted as required.

The detachable main tube design allows an OTA to increase the focal ratio to f/4 compared to the native f/6.8. It can also be used for binocular observations.

Optical accessories:

The Askar 103APO has three optional advanced accessories: a 1x flattener, a 0.8x reducer and a 0.6x focal reducer. All three accessories have integral 2" threads for direct installation of filters. In addition, they come with M54/M48 adapters and the 0.6x reducer includes an additional M68 adapter ring for convenient connections.

In Univers Astro you will only find the Corrector and the 0.6x reducer, which we believe is probably the main interest of this optional equipment.

The 1x flattener itself does not change the focal ratio of the telescope. Once connected to the Askar 103APO, always maintains a focal ratio of f/6.8. The flattener corrects the curvature and coma of the field, resulting in flatter field edges and finer star points.

The 0.8x reducer can increase the focal ratio of the Askar 103APO up to f/5.4. This is a standard reducer that also has field flattening capabilities. A shorter focal ratio gives the OTA a wider field of view and faster exposure times, making it suitable for capturing large areas of nebulae, star clusters and faint, fast-moving celestial objects.

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The 0.6x reducer can bring the focal ratio of the Askar 103APO down to f/4, while providing field flattening. The Askar 103APO adopts a detachable tube design, in which the rear of the tube can be removed when using the 0.6x reducer, allowing the telescope to have the necessary length to reach a focal ratio of f/4.

Example with 0.6x reducer:

Use of the Askar 103APO for visual observation

Thanks to the design of the removable objective tube, the Askar 103APO can be used for observations with a binocular head.

In terms of visual observation, the Askar 103APO pays great attention to the quality of observations. It can easily focus when connected to 1.25" or 2" diagonals or multiple eyepieces.

With respect to the portaocular, the Askar 103APO is equipped with a large and rigid 3.3" double speed rack and pinion eyepiece holder, which can be compatible with most motorized eyepiece holders on the market. It also features a high-precision 10 cm focusing stroke scale. The entire body of the eyepiece holder is CNC machined with an internal anti-glare design and matte paint, which provides additional measures to eliminate stray light.

The back of the eyepiece holder incorporates a large, high-precision 360° rotator as well as precise scales for convenient adjustment and storage of rotation angles, enabling precise rotation. It also features an enlarged rotator locking screw that can be easily fixed even with heavy loads.

The telescopic rear interface comes with a 1.25"/2" adapter.

Characteristics:

Aperture: 103 mm

Focal length: 700 mm

F/D: f/6.8

Lens: triple apo air-spaced (including ED glass)

Length: 600 mm (when the spray guard is retracted), 711 mm (when the spray guard is stretched)

Tube weight: 4.75 kg

weight with accessories: 5.5 kg

Adapters: 2", 1,25

Product supplied:

- 103APO Viewer

- CNC tube rings with carrying handle and dovetail bar

- Two research shoes mounted on the eyepiece holder

- Carrying bag