Seeking advice on ASkar 107 PHQ vs Skywatcher Esprit 100 EDX

Esprit 100, always. I own Esprit 120 and was having Esprit 80 for 2 years, I was also trying few Askar scopes . Askars are great pieces of optics, no doubt and have excellent price/performance ratio. However my personal experience is that Esprits (old types) are slightly better.

Get the counterweight for your AM3. Cheap and the AM3 will be able to handle the 107PHQ in my opinion. You may give up a little in guiding, should still be able to guide at .65 to .80. I use the AM3 with the 65PHQ with no counterweight and my 103apo with the counterweight, even though not required for the weight of the 103. I guide between .45 and .68 normally with the 103/AM3 combo. Sure, it would be better to get an AM5 but you can do that later if the AM3 and counterweight is not to your liking.

CS,

Bob

I use 107 variant on my am3 with counter weight. Works totally fine.

AstroStew · Oct 11, 2025 at 08:54 PM

IMO the cost saving is in the optics,

What makes you say that?

AstroStew · Oct 11, 2025, 08:54 PM

I have both the Esprit 100 older version and the Askar SQA106, the Askar is better, but not by much, the new Esprit EDX is a LOT cheaper than the previous version, and IMO the cost saving is in the optics, so I would be aware of buying the new EDX version rather than the older Esprit

I was under the impression that SW are saying the optics are the same…. From the First Light Optics page on the scope:

This new Esprit EDX telescope features the same highly regarded f/5.5 triplet (three lenses) optical system as its predecessor, with a premium Japanese Ohara FPL-53 glass lens. The optical surfaces feature proprietary anti-reflection metallic coatings that deliver high-contrast views and light throughput approaching 99.5%!

But it would be great to see some back to back comparisons. The pricing might just be a reflection of the fact that Askar are taking market share.

AstroStew · Oct 12, 2025 at 08:27 AM

CraigT82 · Oct 11, 2025 at 09:43 PM

AstroStew · Oct 11, 2025 at 08:54 PM

IMO the cost saving is in the optics,

What makes you say that?

Well the tube has been made better, with a rotator added and on the 80 and 100mm a fixed dewshield, with better rings and a handle, these all cost money, yes they have omitted the finderscope and eyepiece which would save a bit. But the scope is half the price is was before, so how do you think they saved the money, to be able to sell that cheap ?? I think the optics are cheaper 🤷🏼‍♂️

I think the optics are the same as before, and with those mechanical improvements it might cost a bit more to produce, mitigated by the lack of included accessories, but now they’re forced to sell with a much smaller margin to compete with Askar who have disrupted this corner of the market.

Go with the Esprit, fpl53 always wins….