Be sure to watch these other great reviews which show star sample images in the various configurations: SaraMaths Astro: th-cam.com/video/jG9_Oiz3lmI/w-d-xo.html Nebula Photos: th-cam.com/video/BnXmQZY7CO8/w-d-xo.html Cuiv, Lazy Geek: th-cam.com/video/0c5Tm519J8E/w-d-xo.html
Peter, thanks for the video. It corroborates my decision to buy the Askar V. So far I love it. I use it on a CEM 26 with an Astro-modded Nikon D5200 and ASIAir+ and Zwo EAF. I live in the mountains of Colorado (Bortle 2) so seeing is good when clouds go away. Love your videos and courses. Thanks for the great instruction.
Bought the Askar V. I have nothing to compare but it feels and built very well. Upgraded from a c90 mak. Cloudy skies of course. Just did a flat to actually see how "flat" it is using 80mm with reducer. Flat looks totally uniform without stretch and after stretch, not as uniform but still flat for me. Compared to the c90, the flat is a full circle. Using canon 60d. Retiring 60d. 2600mc coming soon! Doubt before Xmas.
Had my Askar V since June. Absolutely love it. I had none of the manufacturing issues you found. Good chance they rushed out the first run to send out for reviews. It really is nice to have some play with the focal length. It allows for more targets without buying an additional scope. I would definitely recommend the telescope for beginners to intermediates. If you are not using the flattener there is a little bit of star deformation in the corner. It really isn't bad and most of that will be cropped out with stacking artifacts.
@@Jazzinthecountry Excellent, sharp clear image. Nice wide field of view. I have a little bit of star trailing in the corners but I'm sure that my back focus is a little short. But honestly its so little of an issue I just haven't gotten around to correcting it.
I do have the Askar V and I am very happy with it as well, specially with all the flexibility of focal lengths it brings. I find the support a bit heavy for the 60mm configuration, but it is adequate for the 80mm. Great review Peter! Greetings from the summer nights of Spain. Currently pointing to M33 with it :)
05:38 WO 🤦♂️ patent on implementation of design that was freely given without patent to all by Pavel Bahtinov. I find this modular design really interesting, your image results were amazing. Thank you for the review!
This was one of the smaller refractors I was considering picking up. I’ve been going back and forth between this one and a RedCat. With the couple of QC issues you’ve pointed out, along with the nonchalant attitude of Askar, I think I will go with the RedCat. Glad I caught your review. Your channel just popped up in my feed. Sub’d.
The Redcat is very good. Not going to knock it. But the ability to change your focal length or get a wider field of view is a very nice option. My Askar V didn't have any of the QC issues. I really think the issues he had were an annomoly. No other reviewer had these issues nor did the couple of people in my astronomy club who purchased it.
@@Sirge57 thanks for the response. I do like the Askar V as well. Tough decision. Probably gonna take a while to decide. It helps knowing it may just be an isolated QC issue with the model demo’d here. Thanks again! I like the idea of having a couple of focal length options. I only have an SCT right now, but have enjoyed having up to (3) focal length options between the native, focal reducer, and Hyperstar. But, I don’t always feel like lugging it around. So, looking at small refractors now. Have a good one!
I learned one important thing, when entering astrophotography after 30 years absence, and that is CLOUDS and TIME. Hence, I'd much rater opt for the Altair 70mm EDQR F5, it gives you twice the fun (speed) which in these continously more cloudy skies is pretty important. And it's not twice the price, and the optics are s-fpl 53. I think it speaks for itself, even though the Akskar is a good budget option, well that is until you put money on your 2x of hours you need to capture similar amount of photons.
Certainly looks like the scope has been played around with a bit before arriving to you for review. I would hope that the quality control issues are not present in a 100% brand new purchase, and that a replacement of the damaged parts are offered in lieu of a response saying that it is fine. Thanks for the review!
Been looking at the Askar V - it would be nice to know if they are going for a 100/120 optic tube in the future. There is quite a bit of overlap on focal lengths with the 60 (270-446mm) and 80 (384-600mm). Saw a different review and it seemed to have a fair amount of CA on almost every configuration on that one - she used Aberration Inspector in PI Scripts - which is one thing which makes me hesitant to make the purchase. She did say that hers was a pre-release review model - so perhaps this has been corrected. I am concerned about the two issues you found - threads nicked and hinge. It should be near perfect for that price. I do like that they are selling the masks themselves. Perhaps someone will take their design and improve on it.
Looks great, but beyond what I can afford. Plus, I simply don't get enough clear nights around where I live to justify buying more gear. Good luck with it!
Great video as usual Peter. Regarding all the Bahtinov mask hoopla, have you considered using an EAF? I have EAFs on all my scopes now and they really have taken my astrophotography to the next level. The ZWO EAFs are $200 and are well worth the investment, in my opinion. I hope to see an EAF video on your channel soon!
Can you help me understand what benefit something like this would have over just a full frame camera lens like the Sony 200 - 600 mm? It seems like there’s not much difference from a focal length or aperture standpoint. Thanks, and great content!
there isn’t much of a difference focal length and aperture wise, but dedicated astrographs offer much easier focusing, better compatibility with accessories, and primarily and most importantly, better stars for the price. hope that helps a bit :)
Good question. The general rule is that telescopes are sharper than camera lenses for extraterrestrial targets. That being said, before I got my ED80 I used my Nikon 200-500 5.6 with my QHY 268M and got pretty good results with it.
It looks like your total length of back-focus with 2600 MM pro was 56 mm and not 55 mm. 16.5 mm T2 M48 Adaptor + 2 mm M54 to M48 adaptor + 20 mm 2"EFW filter wheel + 17.5 mm camera = 56 mm. How were you able to obtain 55 mm with EFW filter wheel and 2600 MM pro Camera? If not, so 56 mm backfocus works as good as 55 mm in focusing with this scope? Thanks
@@quincylee2276 You wouldn't have to. You decide what you are going to image that night, and based on the target, set up the Askar in the correct configuration. THe concept of swapping components multiple times per night is a non starter.
I just bought a Celestron EdgeHD 8. Had I known about this system I would’ve gotten this instead. I’m considering selling my EQ6R to buy this. I have an AM5 that can also handle the EHD, so I don’t really NEED two mounts.
Love my EQ6R. If you do sell it make sure you get top dollar. There is still a 3 to 6 month waiting list. I would love to get and AM5 to travel with but I would still keep my EQ6R. I like having a heavy stable mount that can hold a lot of weight. We get alot of wind and the EQ6 handles it like a champ.
@@Sirge57 I’ve sat on that decision since. I know the AM5 can handle the Celestron but I trust the EQ6R more with that heavier imaging train. I consider that mount my Christmas miracle because I was able to find one during the holidays in 2021 when they were even harder to come around. My Z61 is meeting my imaging needs so I’m likely just gonna save up for the Askar V the old fashioned way.
I didn't notice a dew shield on the 60mm.Does not look like it has one but why is that? Is the 80mm dew shield interchangeable on the 60mm too? Update: nevermind... 60mm lens is sunken back. Not sure how deep. But good enough, I guess.
Love your video, and the Askar V looks like an interesting scope! How did the focuser peform in terms of stability, smoothness, friction, backlash and such? It seems like the optics performs OK? Any info on Strehl ratio? What glass is used etc.? For that price, I guess you don't get any better quality though :/ Regards / Daniel
If they ever come out with a 100/130 combo, capable of taking a 0.6x or at lease 0.7x reducer, I would give them my money with a big smile on my face. 😁 Great video though! 👍
The reducer, flattener & extender are all set up to produce 55mm backfocus. Note: if you use filters, then you need to add 1/3 of the filter thickness to the backfocus. Also, the sensor in any camera or astro-camera may not be precisely at the advertized distance from the front of the camera. That means that the true required backfocus for most astrophotographers will never be exactly 55mm. Instead, it will be 55mm +/- a fraction of a mm for your camera + between 0.1 and 1.0mm extra for the filter. You can purchase spacer rings to add tiny amounts of backfocus until you find the right distance for your system. This may sound picky, but CCD & CMOS sensors are inherently picky, and the latest sensors have very high resolution, so even 0.1mm or 0.2mm error will show up when you look closely at an image of a field of stars.
![สาวเมืองเพชร - ธีเดช ทองอภิชาติ [Official MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kEt7F9PvO3I/mqdefault.jpg)
Be sure to watch these other great reviews which show star sample images in the various configurations:
SaraMaths Astro:
th-cam.com/video/jG9_Oiz3lmI/w-d-xo.html
Nebula Photos:
th-cam.com/video/BnXmQZY7CO8/w-d-xo.html
Cuiv, Lazy Geek:
th-cam.com/video/0c5Tm519J8E/w-d-xo.html
I'm excited to see where this pushes the industry.
Peter, thanks for the video. It corroborates my decision to buy the Askar V. So far I love it. I use it on a CEM 26 with an Astro-modded Nikon D5200 and ASIAir+ and Zwo EAF. I live in the mountains of Colorado (Bortle 2) so seeing is good when clouds go away. Love your videos and courses. Thanks for the great instruction.
A bit of self adhesive felt on the inside OD of the Bahtinov masks should snug them up to the dew shields and keep them from falling off.
Bought the Askar V. I have nothing to compare but it feels and built very well. Upgraded from a c90 mak. Cloudy skies of course. Just did a flat to actually see how "flat" it is using 80mm with reducer. Flat looks totally uniform without stretch and after stretch, not as uniform but still flat for me. Compared to the c90, the flat is a full circle. Using canon 60d. Retiring 60d. 2600mc coming soon! Doubt before Xmas.
Had my Askar V since June. Absolutely love it. I had none of the manufacturing issues you found. Good chance they rushed out the first run to send out for reviews. It really is nice to have some play with the focal length. It allows for more targets without buying an additional scope. I would definitely recommend the telescope for beginners to intermediates. If you are not using the flattener there is a little bit of star deformation in the corner. It really isn't bad and most of that will be cropped out with stacking artifacts.
That's good to hear. How is the 60 with the reducer?
@@Jazzinthecountry Excellent, sharp clear image. Nice wide field of view. I have a little bit of star trailing in the corners but I'm sure that my back focus is a little short. But honestly its so little of an issue I just haven't gotten around to correcting it.
this is an awesome scope! and great review, you have an excellent presenting style and the video looks nice and professional :) great work!
I do have the Askar V and I am very happy with it as well, specially with all the flexibility of focal lengths it brings. I find the support a bit heavy for the 60mm configuration, but it is adequate for the 80mm. Great review Peter! Greetings from the summer nights of Spain. Currently pointing to M33 with it :)
05:38 WO 🤦♂️ patent on implementation of design that was freely given without patent to all by Pavel Bahtinov.
I find this modular design really interesting, your image results were amazing. Thank you for the review!
This was one of the smaller refractors I was considering picking up. I’ve been going back and forth between this one and a RedCat.
With the couple of QC issues you’ve pointed out, along with the nonchalant attitude of Askar, I think I will go with the RedCat.
Glad I caught your review. Your channel just popped up in my feed. Sub’d.
The Redcat is very good. Not going to knock it. But the ability to change your focal length or get a wider field of view is a very nice option. My Askar V didn't have any of the QC issues. I really think the issues he had were an annomoly. No other reviewer had these issues nor did the couple of people in my astronomy club who purchased it.
@@Sirge57 thanks for the response. I do like the Askar V as well. Tough decision. Probably gonna take a while to decide. It helps knowing it may just be an isolated QC issue with the model demo’d here.
Thanks again! I like the idea of having a couple of focal length options. I only have an SCT right now, but have enjoyed having up to (3) focal length options between the native, focal reducer, and Hyperstar. But, I don’t always feel like lugging it around. So, looking at small refractors now.
Have a good one!
Awesome scope concept even if there are some QA/QC issues.
This channel is the best.
I learned one important thing, when entering astrophotography after 30 years absence, and that is CLOUDS and TIME. Hence, I'd much rater opt for the Altair 70mm EDQR F5, it gives you twice the fun (speed) which in these continously more cloudy skies is pretty important. And it's not twice the price, and the optics are s-fpl 53. I think it speaks for itself, even though the Akskar is a good budget option, well that is until you put money on your 2x of hours you need to capture similar amount of photons.
Very tempted to get one of these. As long as the coma isn't too bad on the edge of APS-C that would be enough for me.
Certainly looks like the scope has been played around with a bit before arriving to you for review. I would hope that the quality control issues are not present in a 100% brand new purchase, and that a replacement of the damaged parts are offered in lieu of a response saying that it is fine. Thanks for the review!
Been looking at the Askar V - it would be nice to know if they are going for a 100/120 optic tube in the future. There is quite a bit of overlap on focal lengths with the 60 (270-446mm) and 80 (384-600mm).
Saw a different review and it seemed to have a fair amount of CA on almost every configuration on that one - she used Aberration Inspector in PI Scripts - which is one thing which makes me hesitant to make the purchase. She did say that hers was a pre-release review model - so perhaps this has been corrected.
I am concerned about the two issues you found - threads nicked and hinge. It should be near perfect for that price.
I do like that they are selling the masks themselves. Perhaps someone will take their design and improve on it.
Looks great, but beyond what I can afford. Plus, I simply don't get enough clear nights around where I live to justify buying more gear. Good luck with it!
Great video as usual Peter. Regarding all the Bahtinov mask hoopla, have you considered using an EAF? I have EAFs on all my scopes now and they really have taken my astrophotography to the next level. The ZWO EAFs are $200 and are well worth the investment, in my opinion. I hope to see an EAF video on your channel soon!
Can you help me understand what benefit something like this would have over just a full frame camera lens like the Sony 200 - 600 mm? It seems like there’s not much difference from a focal length or aperture standpoint. Thanks, and great content!
there isn’t much of a difference focal length and aperture wise, but dedicated astrographs offer much easier focusing, better compatibility with accessories, and primarily and most importantly, better stars for the price. hope that helps a bit :)
Good question. The general rule is that telescopes are sharper than camera lenses for extraterrestrial targets. That being said, before I got my ED80 I used my Nikon 200-500 5.6 with my QHY 268M and got pretty good results with it.
Nice presentation. Pleasing voice.
Nice review, can you send full quality of picture in astrobin link or something else please ?
I have redcat 51 and I want to compare quality of both
It looks like your total length of back-focus with 2600 MM pro was 56 mm and not 55 mm. 16.5 mm T2 M48 Adaptor + 2 mm M54 to M48 adaptor + 20 mm 2"EFW filter wheel + 17.5 mm camera = 56 mm. How were you able to obtain 55 mm with EFW filter wheel and 2600 MM pro Camera? If not, so 56 mm backfocus works as good as 55 mm in focusing with this scope? Thanks
My thoughts are moving in the same direction. As an ASI user, why not configure the Askar with an EAF? Completely simplifies the process.
My assumption is that for portability, it becomes a hassle having to constantly remove and install whenever you need to transport it using the case.
@@quincylee2276 You wouldn't have to. You decide what you are going to image that night, and based on the target, set up the Askar in the correct configuration. THe concept of swapping components multiple times per night is a non starter.
@@robertgrenader858 I was referring to the EAF, I have it attached to my telescope and it can't fit into the carry case while attached.
How would you compare the image quality between that set and the RedCat51?
I just bought a Celestron EdgeHD 8. Had I known about this system I would’ve gotten this instead. I’m considering selling my EQ6R to buy this. I have an AM5 that can also handle the EHD, so I don’t really NEED two mounts.
Love my EQ6R. If you do sell it make sure you get top dollar. There is still a 3 to 6 month waiting list. I would love to get and AM5 to travel with but I would still keep my EQ6R. I like having a heavy stable mount that can hold a lot of weight. We get alot of wind and the EQ6 handles it like a champ.
@@Sirge57 I’ve sat on that decision since. I know the AM5 can handle the Celestron but I trust the EQ6R more with that heavier imaging train. I consider that mount my Christmas miracle because I was able to find one during the holidays in 2021 when they were even harder to come around. My Z61 is meeting my imaging needs so I’m likely just gonna save up for the Askar V the old fashioned way.
Mmm interesting. I have yet to buy my first telescope (Im still using my thrusty tamron 600mm), Maybe this scope is the one.
Time to get an EAF they are amazing and take hands away from the scope. No shaky scope while trying to focus.
I didn't notice a dew shield on the 60mm.Does not look like it has one but why is that? Is the 80mm dew shield interchangeable on the 60mm too? Update: nevermind... 60mm lens is sunken back. Not sure how deep. But good enough, I guess.
Love your video, and the Askar V looks like an interesting scope!
How did the focuser peform in terms of stability, smoothness, friction, backlash and such?
It seems like the optics performs OK? Any info on Strehl ratio? What glass is used etc.?
For that price, I guess you don't get any better quality though :/
Regards / Daniel
If they ever come out with a 100/130 combo, capable of taking a 0.6x or at lease 0.7x reducer, I would give them my money with a big smile on my face. 😁
Great video though! 👍
no aberration inspector?
I hope you bought it after
Isn’t a 102/1350 mm F13 or 102/1000 mm F10 achromat better and also cheaper than a 80 mm APO ?
What's the backfocus for, say, a Canon t7? First telescope, I don't know my typical backfocus
The reducer, flattener & extender are all set up to produce 55mm backfocus. Note: if you use filters, then you need to add 1/3 of the filter thickness to the backfocus. Also, the sensor in any camera or astro-camera may not be precisely at the advertized distance from the front of the camera. That means that the true required backfocus for most astrophotographers will never be exactly 55mm. Instead, it will be 55mm +/- a fraction of a mm for your camera + between 0.1 and 1.0mm extra for the filter. You can purchase spacer rings to add tiny amounts of backfocus until you find the right distance for your system. This may sound picky, but CCD & CMOS sensors are inherently picky, and the latest sensors have very high resolution, so even 0.1mm or 0.2mm error will show up when you look closely at an image of a field of stars.
Thanks
I clicked because I thought it was an over engineered Rifle scope.. but I hit the like