Did someone say 8 inches? - Askar 203mm apo triplet

[Elp]

Sure if someone's got the capability it'd be of interest...

https://www.sharpstar-optics.com/Products_1/203APO.html#saf-detail-0

Was looking around and found the info, reported much earlier in the year on CN.

[globular]

😍

[Steve Ward]

https://www.highpointscientific.com/askar-203apo-triplet-ed-refractor

[Elp]

Here's me contemplating whether the 120 is too big a scope...

[Bivanus]

I am just about the last to be nitpicking such a beast , however , BECAUSE it's a beast , one must ask : optical test certificate ?

I am most definetly not a glass snob , if it's ED that's that , but at this size it's rather an observatory level scope and I would really want to know what performance can pull before considering it.

PS: My loving wife wamt's me to kindly add that NEVER EVER outside of a 'uuuuuge lotery windfall would I consider it.... 😅  

[Elp]

Unfortunately Askar aren't very forthcoming about glass

[RobertI]

Despite the above image, it’s hard to visualise how big this thing is in reality - I guess the 24kg weight is a clue!! 😲

[Alan White]

An 8" refractor has to be a beast, deffo not a grab and go in anyone's imagination.

[Elp]

Just now, Alan White said:

deffo not a grab and go

Grab and go-nowhere

[Mandy D]

Just now, RobertI said:

Despite the above image, it’s hard to visualise how big this thing is in reality - I guess the 24kg weight is a clue!! 😲

Have you seen the photo of Space Koala laid on the floor cuddling her 185? It certainly gives a better idea of scale!

[Elp]

Here's an image of an APM 203 mounted:

https://astronomytechnologytoday.com/2020/12/21/apm-203-f-7-triplet-apo/

 

[TiffsAndAstro]

Top of my list for my next guide scope

[TiffsAndAstro]

15 minutes ago, RobertI said:

Despite the above image, it’s hard to visualise how big this thing is in reality - I guess the 24kg weight is a clue!! 😲

The 185 in that photo comes in a coffin sized case.

[Elp]

8 minutes ago, TiffsAndAstro said:

The 185 in that photo comes in a coffin sized case.

After the other half finds out you'll need it...

[globular]

The 203 come in a 'coffin' too....

The length of the 'coffin' is about 1.2m or 4 feet.  A lot shorter than a coffin I'd need. (And narrower, but I won't admit to that here).

[DaveS]

32 minutes ago, Alan White said:

 deffo not a grab and go in anyone's imagination.

Oh but it is. I grabbed it and now my back's gone.

[Steve Ward]

I know one thing , I wouldn't trust this little mount to carry it however clever they might be ... 😂

 

[DaveS]

Too heavy for my DDM 60 but deffo doable on my DDM 85

[VNA]

Hello, If you are talking of the Askar 185,  it is large and heavy but not very different from my 10" Meade SCT, at least in weight.
The Askar is easier to mount on my CGX because of its rings/cradle set up.
Fortunately, can leave my set up through the summer months because it is not raining, besides it is always covered plus a garden umbrella.
Yes the views are impressive! BTW Steve Ward's link price if off by a couple of $thousands

[Steve Ward]

11 minutes ago, VNA said:

 BTW Steve Ward's link price if off by a couple of $thousands

Same price on both stockists over here , no doubt different over your way as is the way of the world , try comparing Lunt prices on each side of the pond.

https://agenaastro.com/askar-203-apo-triplet-refractor-telescope.html

[Louis D]

When you're getting up into that price range, I'd like to know how temperature stable the objective cell really is.  My 90mm TS-Optics APO Triplet (possibly Sharpstar made) takes 30 minutes to reach equilibrium when there's only a 20 degree F temperature difference.  I can't even fathom how long the same cell design might take with a 203mm triplet.  Until the cell reaches equilibrium, I see pinched optics visually.

[Mr Spock]

Mine! 

[Mr Spock]

7 minutes ago, Louis D said:

My 90mm TS-Optics APO Triplet (possibly Sharpstar made) takes 30 minutes to reach equilibrium

My 100m is ready to use immediately. Taks just do that somehow 

[Louis D]

49 minutes ago, Mr Spock said:

My 100m is ready to use immediately. Taks just do that somehow 

Exactly.  From what I've read online, APs are the same way.  That's my point.  It's not just about the glass and optical figure/correction.  It's also about the entire mechanical construction as well.

[bosun21]

1 hour ago, VNA said:

Hello, If you are talking of the Askar 185

They are discussing the 203.