Lee_P

They're both great. I'll go against the grain and say I prefer the second one. The reduced stars make it easier to see the faint extremities of the galaxy, to my eyes at least!

I'm very happy to be placed near those winning two images -- they're incredible!

@powerlord is wise!

To answer the OP, I'd say that astrophotography is a hobby, and a hobby should be fun. So, if you're not enjoying the mini PC and NINA, maybe it's a sign that you should try an ASIAIR. Buying one second-hand so that you can sell it on for minimal loss if you don't get on with it is a good call.

Another cracking image!

A brilliant first image, congratulations!

Big difference, nicely done!

9 minutes ago, 900SL said:

Looking forward to seeing your results. I have the IDAS NBZ dual band Ha Oiii OSC filter and am thinking of getting the Askar Oiii Sii as well. I haven't had great experiences with Askar QA on a scope so looking forward to any third party reviews 

I just need a few more clear nights and then I'll have enough data to produce two images using these Askar filters. I'll post a link to my tests in the Members' Reviews section when it's all done

Thanks everyone, I'll relay this info.

Hi SGL, I'm posting this on behalf of a friend. He's just bought a used RedCat 51 and has taken some test shots using a Canon ESO 700D on a Star Adventurer. The stars look like teardrops, and he says it's the same regardless of exposure length. He's confident that the images he's taken are in focus.

Here's an example image, and the result after I ran it through PixInsight's AberrationInspector. My initial thought is coma and / or sensor tilt, but I'd appreciate the opinion of anyone more clued up on this particular topic!

I just came across this custom astrophotography planner: https://digitalstars.wordpress.com/2019/05/05/custom-digital-editions-of-the-astrophotography-planner-now-available/

Looks pretty good. I'm wondering, has anyone ordered one and can comment on the quality? Or, what else do people use to plan their imaging targets as efficiently as possible?

12 hours ago, Ouroboros said:

That’s an excellent image. Colour balance is spot on to my preference.  I am amazed this was taken under Bortle 8 and with no filter. Your single sub on your website looks horribly light polluted. Just shows what’s possible with the correct use of software.  The stars look nice and tight right out to the corners too. 

Thanks, to be honest I was surprised it came out so well considering it's just 10 hours. It's weird how this f7.7 'scope feels like it gets decent signal faster than my previous f5.6 when it should be half the speed (before binning).

Stunning, and only two hours 🤯

10 hours ago, Sunshine said:

They look amazing but especially the image of the 130 is beautifully composed and exposed! would be great if this thread suddenly morphed into a "show us your best image of your scope" thread, your 130 shot would be a finalist, I would say.

Could be an interesting SGL imaging competition idea, maybe suggest it to the mods? 😛

I always thought that my kitted out Askar FRA400 looked pretty badass, and I had it sitting on a shelf by my desk when not in use. Now my Askar 130PHQ has the astrophotography kit, but is too heavy for the shelf!

I think that the processing is handled by the ASIAIR itself, with your iPad simply being used to interface with the ASIAIR. 

Cracking shot!

2 hours ago, tooth_dr said:

Good looking scope and lovely photo!

What do you reckon is the likelihood that all the scopes will have perfectly round stars like the one you tested?

Good question. First off, I'm using an APS-C sensor, and the telescope should in theory be able to handle much larger. Alas, I can only test with what I have... But to answer your question, the few images I've seen from other Askar 130PHQ telescopes all seem to be good to the edges of the frame. Also, given the high quality of everything else, I kinda expect the optical quality to be consistently good across all these telescopes. Plus they're not cheap! So, I think the likelihood of all the scopes giving round stars to be high, although I can't say for sure. I have a really good Askar FRA400, but apparently there are some lemons out there. I expect Askar's quality control to be tighter on the 130PHQ though.

Hi SGL, I've just published a review of my new telescope, an Askar 130PHQ. I put quite a lot of time into it, so I hope it's of use to anyone considering buying one. Click here for the review.
 

Ooh that's a new one. Very nice!

9 minutes ago, Steve143 said:

That's a great image! I'm still collecting data on M31 in Bortle 7, but with all the clouds we've had recently it's taking a while to get enough data captured.   

I know right, the weather's been really awful lately. Hence me stopping with just 10 hours of data!

The first broadband target for my new Askar 130PHQ! This was just 10 hours of integration time from a Bortle 8 city centre using a ZWO ASI2600MC-Pro camera. No filters. I like M31 photos with dark dusty lanes, so tried to make those quite contrasty. More image details on my website here.

* November 2022
* Bristol, UK (Bortle 8 )
* Telescope: Askar 130PHQ Flatfield Astrograph
* Camera: ZWO ASI 2600MC-PRO
* Filter: None
* Mount: Sky-Watcher EQ6-R PRO
* Guide: William Optics 50mm Guidescope with 1.25″ RotoLock; ZWO ASI 120MM Mini
* Control: ASIAIR Plus
* Software: PixInsight, Lightroom
* 300 x 120 seconds

Total integration time: 10 hours

By Lee Pullen

Re: 8" RC, one for sale here 😁

+1 for tracing panels from Amazon, or if you want to go down the DIY route then this is an option.

2 hours ago, MiladyB said:

Something like this, maybe? https://www.firstlightoptics.com/beginner-telescopes/sky-watcher-evostar-90-660-az-pronto.html

I reviewed that telescope and liked it. 

3 hours ago, bottletopburly said:

The ultimate definitely shines out better , interesting how the newer askar 3nm will compare , I use the extreme and hate the halos on bright stars it produces  , damn this hobby gets expensive 😆

I'm looking forward to testing the Askar 3nm versus the Optolong L-Ultimate. Askar are currently out of stock, but they'll send me one when they get more in. Fingers crossed it won't be too long a wait!