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$599 Askar Quadruplet 71f flat field refractor, my unboxing and initial review

Askar 71F Flat-Field Refractor Refractors Portable Setup
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AstroShed avatar
AstroShed avatar
I am building myself a second more portable small imaging rig, and it’s based around the superb Askar 71f flat field quadruplet scope, priced at $599, yes you read that right $599
take a look here..

https://youtu.be/-OIwhzN09d0?si=L7oekhqbNXk-o0pP
Dominic Gareau avatar
Dominic Gareau avatar
I got one about 2 months ago. Here is the latest picture I took with that scope:
Pelican Nebula (Dominic Gareau) - AstroBin
AstroShed avatar
AstroShed avatar
Dominic Gareau:
I got one about 2 months ago. Here is the latest picture I took with that scope:
Pelican Nebula (Dominic Gareau) - AstroBin

That’s a superb image, I look forward to some great images with this in the coming months…👍🏻
Well Written Respectful Supportive
AstroShed avatar
AstroShed avatar
If anyone else has images from this scope, especially taken with an APS-C and full frame sensor, I would really like to see them, please leave a link here to them please….👍🏻
Dominic Gareau avatar
Dominic Gareau avatar
Thomas Amby avatar
Thomas Amby avatar
I have had the Askar 71F for a little more than 6 months and I love it. I have been using it with my Nikon Z5 (Full-Frame) and has recently switched to and ASI533MC Pro.
Here is an image taken with the Askar 71F and my Nikon Z5 
https://app.astrobin.com/i/51u8b5
Dominic Gareau avatar
Dominic Gareau avatar
Thomas Amby:
I have had the Askar 71F for a little more than 6 months and I love it. I have been using it with my Nikon Z5 (Full-Frame) and has recently switched to and ASI533MC Pro.
Here is an image taken with the Askar 71F and my Nikon Z5 
https://app.astrobin.com/i/51u8b5

I recently acquired the ASI533MC Pro. Here are the pictures I took with it and the Askar 71F so far:
Headphone Nebula - AstroBin
NGC 2174 - AstroBin
IC 405 - AstroBin
Tareq Abdulla avatar
Tareq Abdulla avatar
I keep thinking about this scope for a while, but only to use it as a second setup with another setup together, and if i get this scope then i will use it with APS-C sensor camera, but i can't decide which one i should use for which, i mean one setup for RGB only so IMX571 color camera, the other setup is only for either Lum or Ha with mono using 4/3" sensor, but i won't decide on this Askar 71F until i first finish my plan or decision of other multi setup.
Clayton Ostler avatar
Clayton Ostler avatar
AstroShed:
I am building myself a second more portable small imaging rig, and it’s based around the superb Askar 71f flat field quadruplet scope, priced at $599, yes you read that right $599
take a look here..

https://youtu.be/-OIwhzN09d0?si=L7oekhqbNXk-o0pP

Thanks for the review, nice work. I'm intrigued by this scope.

For me, the price is really more like 800$ for an f5.6. But that also changes it to no longer be petzval design and puts me back to dealing with back focus spacing. Not a huge deal but it does add a bit of complexity. 

The upside is the weight,  the scope would work on a small mount really easily.

Are the images you collected at f7?

​​​​​​Did f7 feel slow? Slow also reduces CA so I see that making it beginner friendly. 

I think for beginners ( a lazy imagers like me) you kind of have to assume osc cameras. So I would like to know more about CA in the scope. 

Thanks for the review and congrats on the new scope.
Respectful Engaging Supportive
AstroShed avatar
AstroShed avatar
Clayton Ostler:
AstroShed:
I am building myself a second more portable small imaging rig, and it’s based around the superb Askar 71f flat field quadruplet scope, priced at $599, yes you read that right $599
take a look here..

https://youtu.be/-OIwhzN09d0?si=L7oekhqbNXk-o0pP

Thanks for the review, nice work. I'm intrigued by this scope.

For me, the price is really more like 800$ for an f5.6. But that also changes it to no longer be petzval design and puts me back to dealing with back focus spacing. Not a huge deal but it does add a bit of complexity. 

The upside is the weight,  the scope would work on a small mount really easily.

Are the images you collected at f7?

​​​​​​Did f7 feel slow? Slow also reduces CA so I see that making it beginner friendly. 

I think for beginners ( a lazy imagers like me) you kind of have to assume osc cameras. So I would like to know more about CA in the scope. 

Thanks for the review and congrats on the new scope.

Hello,
thanks very much
yes the images were at f6.9 the native focal length, as I did not have the reducer at the time of the review.
and since I have had it due to one thing or another not used it much 
the CA is very well controlled on this scope, and it was on par with my Esprit 100 which is also very good, the stars are a bit tighter on my Esprit, but for the difference in price, you would expect the Esprit to be loads better, but not the case at all.
Enjoy your new scope if you decide to purchase.