Imaging with the Askar / ZWO 80PHQ

Space Oddities · July 22, 2023

Hello!

I thought I'd start a topic to share our experience with the Askar 80PHQ (which is the same as the one released by ZWO recently), in case someone is considering getting one I haven't seen many people using this telescope so far, so hopefully this will be useful.

I've had mine for a few months now, and I'm very happy so far. The image quality it provides is excellent (at least to my eyes!), with tight, round star to the edges. So is the build quality, with a beefy focuser and modern accessories.

I like the fact you can add a reducer to bring it from 600mm to 450mm, and thus a faster f-ratio. That makes 2 scopes in 1, and can prove useful for those big nebulae. I haven't purchased it yet, but if anyone has experience with the reducer, I'd be happy to hear some feedback!

Here is a picture I took last night with it, using my ASI2600MC camera (APS-C). It is just 30x10min subs, uncalibrated, and is very slightly cropped to get rid of dithering artefacts:

The field appears to be very flat indeed:

An older picture of M13, still with he APS-C camera and minimal processing:

The corners of a single raw file :

Anyone else using this telescope?

Space Oddities · February 16

Looks like I'm the only one with a 80PHQ out there!

Just a few information, for anyone having the same issues as I did.

I never liked the default handle the scope came with: it's not comfortable to use, it looks very thin, and the slit only accepts M6 screws. For some reason it lacks maybe half a millimeter and 1/4" screws do not fit, so you can't use most finder shoes out there (unless you drill a hole in the handle...).

Then I saw that Askar sells this finder plate, which is supposed to be the same size (holes 130mm apart). I got a copy of it on Amazon, branded Omegon and 15€ cheaper, but it's the same really.

This plate does fit, but you need to be cautious:

Since it's flat, there isn't enough clearance for your fingers anymore. You need spacers of some kind
The holes aren't really 130mm apart on either the original handle, or the finder plate. There's a half millimeter difference maybe, but enough so, that the 2nd screw cannot be screwed in...

For problem #1, I simply got a pair of spacers from PrimaluceLab. This gives enough clearance for your fingers. And unlike the picture on the product page, they do have a central hole!

For problem #2, you simply have to open the rings and loosen the screws at the bottom of the rings. Then attach the finder plate, put the scope back into the rings and tighten everything again. Everything will self align.

I also got another pair of those PrimaluceLab spacers to put at the bottom of the scope and give more clearance for my EAF. The bracket was actually lower than the dovetail bar, which put pressure on the EAF when the scope is on a flat surface... 10mm gives enough clearance.