Looking for a refractor recommendations in the 600-800 mm focal length range to complement my stable of a 200 mm refractor, 400 mm refractor, and C8 SCT. I’d like to keep the cost below $2700 and the focal ratio at or below F/7 if possible.
Recommendations for used scopes are fine if it the scope is fairly common. I’m not getting any younger and am probably not interested in scanning the classifieds for six months looking for that rare find!
Thanks in advance.
The askar 107phq is a nice f/7 749mm quadruplet refractor for new 2,300 on agena.
I’ve been very happy with my Askar 120 APO. 840mm and f/7 at native FL and down to 672mm and f/5.6 with the reducer. I think it falls within your budget for the scope, flattened and reducer.
Just in the middle of your wish is the ASKAR 103APO with 700mm focal length.
The AT115EDT is quite good. 805mm focal with flattener, 644mm with 0.8x reducing flattener. I used one as my main scope for 5 years and still use it when it is the best fit for the object field.
Askar 107PHQ. I have the Askar 103apo and it is fine, but I wish I had gone for the 107PHQ. I have an Askar 65PHQ that is exceptional for the money so I would expect nothing less from the 107.
CS, Bob
Svbony SV550 122mm is the lightest in its class by far. The color correction is better than in Askar 120. Very affordable and with the native reducer the FL goes to 680mm from the native 854. It is not 100% color free but it is very close. It works with 1x flattener too, the Sky Rover one.
If you budget allows ant it looks like it does the 107PHQ might be your best choice for imaging given it is very well corrected.
I’ve been really happy with my AT130EDT telescope. And the price is attractive compared to others. Big nosed refractors like it can be surprisingly nose heavy. After adding the FF/FR my focal length shrank back to 728mm and F5.6. But I’m really happy after the initial focal length reduction the FF/FR brought from the 910mm FL it advertised. I wish the sellers would advertise real world use instead of the biggest number the ad writers can come up with. Watch out for that. If it needs a 0.8 FF/FR, which many do need to get a full image to the corners, you may be disappointed that you wind up with less telescope than you thought you were buying.
Now that I have everything the way it needs to be I’m happy with my big eye. And getting much bigger images, which was my point in going from my 80mm to the 130mm. I’m one of many who can recommend this telescope.
One sure thing is a Petzval. You get what you bought because they don’t need any add-ons. If you can stomach the price.
The reason that my AT115EDT doesn’t get used as much as it used to is because I added an AT130EDT. The new scope does a little better on galaxies with its longer focal length. I use it at times with the reducer and other times with just a flattener.
I have very good experience with an APM Super APO AP107/700 telescope. 700mm , F7. I’ve used it with a Riccardi 1.0 Flattener and a Riccardi 0.75 reducer which delivers 525mm at F5.25. See : https://www.astroshop.eu/telescopes/apm-apochromatic-refractor-ap-107-700-super-ed-astrograph/p,52140
Maybe a hot take, but I have had great experiences with my SVBONY 80mm refractor, so I would consider that if your budget can’t quite make the Askar.
dayglow · Feb 4, 2026 at 02:08 AM
The AT115EDT is quite good. 805mm focal with flattener, 644mm with 0.8x reducing flattener. I used one as my main scope for 5 years and still use it when it is the best fit for the object field.
I agree fully with this advice. I have been using my AT115EDT for three years and it performs quite well for a decent price. It fits nicely between my 80mm APO and my 8” ACF with reducer. The AT115EDT also works well with my HOTECH flattener.
Bob Rucker · Feb 3, 2026, 05:33 PM
I’ve been very happy with my Askar 120 APO. 840mm and f/7 at native FL and down to 672mm and f/5.6 with the reducer. I think it falls within your budget for the scope, flattened and reducer.
I am looking at this one pretty closely along with the 103mm version. Do you know if the 0.6x reducer advertised with the 103 also works with the 120?
Thank you everyone for the thoughts. Lots to mull over.
John Tucker · Feb 4, 2026 at 10:37 PM
Bob Rucker · Feb 3, 2026, 05:33 PM
I’ve been very happy with my Askar 120 APO. 840mm and f/7 at native FL and down to 672mm and f/5.6 with the reducer. I think it falls within your budget for the scope, flattened and reducer.
I am looking at this one pretty closely along with the 103mm version. Do you know if the 0.6x reducer advertised with the 103 also works with the 120?
Bob Rucker · Feb 4, 2026 at 11:49 PM
John Tucker · Feb 4, 2026 at 10:37 PM
Bob Rucker · Feb 3, 2026, 05:33 PM
I’ve been very happy with my Askar 120 APO. 840mm and f/7 at native FL and down to 672mm and f/5.6 with the reducer. I think it falls within your budget for the scope, flattened and reducer.
I am looking at this one pretty closely along with the 103mm version. Do you know if the 0.6x reducer advertised with the 103 also works with the 120?
John, the Askar reducers are scope specific so the 0.6 reducer will not Work with the 120.
Another vote for the 107phq here. Feel free to check out my pics for examples. Do not get the reducer.
I have one of these:
ZWO 107 mm Apochromatic Quadruplet Refractor
Its been a great scope so far. I also have one of these:
FF65-APO Astronomical Telescope
which also has been a great wider field scope.
Rainer Ehlert:
Just in the middle of your wish is the ASKAR 103APO with 700mm focal length.