The Askar 103APO Apochromatic Triplet Refractor for Astrophotography

Askar’s latest addition to an already impressive line of telescopes, the 103mm Apochromatic triplet refractor offers versatility and flexibility with the optional Askar 1x Flattener, Askar .8 Reducer, or the Askar .6 Reducer. Building upon Askar’s modular telescope design, the 103mm Apo has a removable body extension which is required when using the optional .6x reducer as well as a binoviewer for visual use making this a choice scope for a versatile imaging system.

Utilizing ED glass, Askars 103mm apochromatic triplet yields high contrast images with pinpoint stars across a full frame imaging sensor. Askar’s 103mm’s of aperture comes in at a focal ratio of f/6.8 with 700mm of focal length. Add the .8 reducer and you are now imaging at a focal length of 560mm. With the .6 reducer, the field of view is widened even further at a focal length of 420mm. This allows for near perfect framing of your favorite deep sky objects! Couple this with CNC machined rings, a vixen style dovetail bar, slotted top rail for a guide scope and guide camera, and a dual speed 10:1 focuser you’ll see why Askar’s 103mm APO is a fantastic option for any astrophotographer looking to get a premium refractor! The Askar 103mmAPO weights only 12lbs when the rings and dovetails are attached and this means you can use this on nearly all the latest computerized equatorial mounts or even robust alt/az mounts for visual use. In addition to this already feature rich telescope, Askar’s modular body design affords you the ability to use binoviewers for visual use and a .6x reducer transforming your telescope to a very fast f/4 astrograph.

Packed with features, Askar’s 103mmAPO is a cut above the rest!
For a true understanding of what makes this telescope a candidate for the astrophotographers dream refractor, take a look at the list below of the Askar 103mmApo’s impressive and necessary features.

Let’s Talk Optics

At a focal ratio of f/6.8 and 700mm’s of focal length, utilizing high contrast, well color corrected glass, the Askar 103mmAPO’s optics are fantastic! They have been designed to provide sharp stars without color fringing across a full frame (when used with a flattener or reducer). You will find that the extra work and masking techniques performed during post processing for correct star color (when using a doublet), is eliminated.

Quality Through and Through

The Askar’s 103APO includes everything that we love about refractor design. The Dual speed 10:1 ratio focuser allows for precise focus control when using the scope visually or with an optional bahtinov mask. The high quality CNC machined rings can be removed and adjusted to install Askar’s optional .6 reducer. The adjustability is also useful for fine tuning declination balance. The included handle bar atop the CNC rings is designed to fit guide scopes, finder scopes, and other accessories utilizing a synta style finder shoe. Askar has included two additional synta brackets atop the focuser providing ample room to add all mountable accessories for a successful imaging rig. The Vixen dovetail is double-mounted to the CNC rings ensuring a stable connection to your equatorial mount and the adjustable dew shield prevents hours lost under clear skies by shielding the ED optics from settling moisture.

Optical Versatility

On top of Askar’s mindful build quality, they have certainly considered the need for versatility in an imaging refactor. Askar offers their ASKAR 103APO 1.x Flattener for those who want to photograph nebulae and galaxies at the full 700mm focal length while maximizing resolution from their imaging system by retaining the original focal length. Next, Askar offers their Askar 0.8x Full frame Reducer transforming the f/6.8 refractor into a faster f/5.6 imaging system – A great combination of resolution and light gathering power, especially for the cameras with smaller to medium sized pixels (2.3um – 3.76um). Finally, Askar offers their Askar 0.6 Reducer for 103APO to those wishing for sweeping widefield shots without a reduction in aperture size (i.e. a smaller and wider refractor). The Askar 0.6 reducer increased the speed even further and brings the focal down to an impressive f/4.07, the optimal choice for those with the smallest of pixels or for those who desire the widest framing options. Possessing the trio provides you with 300mm of focal length play.

Perfect Focus

The Askar 103APO meets the standards of accessory compatibility with the option to attach an electronic focuser – the optimal way to ensure every single sub exposure is as crisp as possible. With the easy-to-follow instructions, installing your brand new EAF or simply switching your EAF from another scope to this one is simple. The difference in sharpness from your average bahtinov mask is… well, astronomical.

What’s in the box
103APO OTA with 3.3″ Focuser
Rotator
2″ Adapter
2″ to 1.25″ Adapter
Pair of Tube Rings
Handle
290mm Vixen Dovetail Plate
Manual
Oxford-cloth Carry Case