Jump to content

NLCbanner2024.jpg.2478be509670e60c2d6efd04834b8b47.jpg

Askar FM180 - RedCat alternative?

Icesheet
 Share

Recommended Posts

Icesheet

Icesheet

Posted
Posted (edited)

I’ve been looking for a compact scope that could double as an astrograph and terrestrial spotter and came across this. As far as I can see it’s manufactured by SharpStar

http://www.askarlens.com/index.php/wap/class3/186.html

 

It’s not what I was looking for to be honest but I’m interested now. It doesn’t say what the ED elements are so I’m guessing not FPL-53. Maybe someone can explain the spot diagrams, is it regarding colour correction?
 

Anyone know anything about this? Potential RedCat competitor?

It’s available at Teleskop Express. I feel the urge to pull the trigger on this!

 

Edited by Icesheet
Link to comment
Share on other sites
RayD

RayD

Posted
Posted (edited)

Looks really good, but I don't think it can be paralelled with the RedCat, they are different things.  The Redcat is a Petzval and has a couple of other features such as built in bahtinov mask, dew shield and the facility to house a 2" filter internally.  The newer version also has a built in tilt plate.

I think it looks like a really good piece of kit, at a good price, but probably fairer to compare it with similar FL camera lenses.

Edited by RayD
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Icesheet

Icesheet

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Yeah, I see their ACL 200mm lens is probably more of a RedCat competitor. Interested to see how it compares to my Samyang 135. Also looking forward to see how it does with a 1.25” star diagonal attached. Since it’s modular I’m hoping it will be a very compact travel companion. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
RayD

RayD

Posted
Posted
8 minutes ago, Icesheet said:

Yeah, I see their ACL 200mm lens is probably more of a RedCat competitor. Interested to see how it compares to my Samyang 135. Also looking forward to see how it does with a 1.25” star diagonal attached. Since it’s modular I’m hoping it will be a very compact travel companion. 

Defintiely.  Look forward to seeing how you get on with it.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Adam J

Adam J

Posted
Posted
On 28/07/2020 at 14:46, Icesheet said:

Probably right. I’ll find out anyway as I couldn’t resist temptation and ordered one 🙈

I gave in and ordered one too, I could have waited and find out if its any good, but its 10% off as an introductory offer and at £350 I can live with myself if it turns out to be a bit meh. If its good then its probably exactly what I wanted for an ultra portable setup.

Adam

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Icesheet

Icesheet

Posted
  • Author
Posted
3 hours ago, Adam J said:

I gave in and ordered one too, I could have waited and find out if its any good, but its 10% off as an introductory offer and at £350 I can live with myself if it turns out to be a bit meh. If its good then its probably exactly what I wanted for an ultra portable setup.

Adam

Nice one! You'll probably have a chance to get it out before me. Will still be a few weeks before I have skies anywhere near dark enough.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Adam J

Adam J

Posted
Posted
On 28/07/2020 at 15:37, RayD said:

Looks really good, but I don't think it can be paralelled with the RedCat, they are different things.  The Redcat is a Petzval and has a couple of other features such as built in bahtinov mask, dew shield and the facility to house a 2" filter internally.  The newer version also has a built in tilt plate.

I think it looks like a really good piece of kit, at a good price, but probably fairer to compare it with similar FL camera lenses.

180mm is similar to 250mm in my book :)

You have to admire some of the features of this too, the ability to place a 2 inch filter over the front of the lens cell, even a cheap filter will never cause reflections from that position or vignetting on full frame sensors for that matter. You could go ultra portable and change filters without the need for a wheel. The back focus after the reducer corrector is huge something like 75mm so you can fit a tilt adaptor and an off axis guider and a filter wheel with space to spare.

Its is a simpler optical design than the Redcat so less to go wrong, I am not sure how it is now but I kept seeing coma on the early Redcats.

Its a slightly faster F-ratio at F4.5 so good for a mobile rig when you might not get multiple nights on a target and lets face it you have to stop most camera lenses down to F4 anyway if you want to get the sharpest stars. Its a good size for viewing an eclipse or for imaging a total eclipse full disk with a planetary camera.

You can put a diagonal or a solar wedge on it without any special extra expensive adaptors from WO costing £100 just for a 1.25 inch diagonal.  Again I have traveling to see a total eclipse in 2024 in mind here.

https://www.widescreen-centre.co.uk/125-inch-redcat-erecting-prism-for-redcat-51-only.html

Finally it comes with all the extentions to allow you to attach it to many different cameras included in the package.

I think I can see an easy way to add an autofocuser.

All in all for half the cost of a redcat. If it turns out to be ok optically this thing is a steal at the £350 I just paid if you ask me. I guess for me I just could not have a £700 scope sitting about doing nothing for most of the year when I am not traveling. 

Adam

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Icesheet

Icesheet

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

I note it’s not even listed anymore on the site I presume you ordered it from @Adam J. I cancelled an order from another supplier as they were showing stock so I hope there’s not an issue. Have you heard anything since you ordered?

Edited by Icesheet
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Icesheet

Icesheet

Posted
  • Author
Posted
3 minutes ago, Icesheet said:

I note it’s not even listed anymore on the site I presume you ordered it from @Adam J. I cancelled an order from another supplier as they were showing stock so I hope there’s not an issue. Have you heard anything since you ordered?

Ignore that. I just checked back and it’s showing again but out of stock.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Adam J

Adam J

Posted
Posted
1 minute ago, Icesheet said:

I note it’s not even listed anymore on the site I presume you ordered it from @Adam J. I cancelled an order from another supplier as they were showing stock so I hope there’s not an issue. Have you heard anything since you ordered?

If you mean 365Astronomy then yes. I have my email from them confirming my purchase and have heard nothing from them since that. I know that they only had 2 left in stock after I ordered and that a friend of mine bagged one of those two, that would have left only one after him and so I am assuming that they have just sold out and so removed it from the site in the absence of any other information.

Adam

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Adam J

Adam J

Posted
Posted
15 minutes ago, Icesheet said:

I got the order confirmation so should have one too 👍🏻

Nice, well they have put up a message saying that the first batch sold out in only 2 days....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.