Askar 185APO f/7 Triplet

185mm Triplet APO Objective with ED Glass

The heart of the 185APO is its objective lens, a 185mm air-spaced apochromatic triplet. The 185mm aperture gives an inherent advantage in light-gathering power, resolution, brightness and contrast. The triplet includes one Extra-low Dispersion (ED) element, and the Askar APO series uses multiple elements to correct chromatic aberration for better detail and color accuracy.

1295mm Focal Length at a Native f/7 Ratio

With a focal length of 1295mm, the Askar 185APO provides significant image scale for framing smaller galaxies, planetary nebulae, and details on the Moon and planets. For visual observers, this focal length gives a wide range of magnifications with 1.25" and 2" eyepieces; for imagers, it gives a large image scale.

95mm Retractable Tube for Visual and Imaging Focus

The 185APO has an integrated 95mm retractable rear lens tube. With it contracted, the 185APO can be used with a binoviewer for visual observation. With it stretched, it takes the specific 0.8x reducer or 1.0x flattener for imaging, or a 2" diagonal and eyepiece. The design is strengthened so the optical axis is not affected when the tube is stretched, and a rudder-type locking ring makes it easy to loosen or tighten.

Full-Frame Imaging with the Optional Correctors

A flat field on large sensors needs a dedicated corrector. Askar offers two optional accessories for the 185APO, a 1x flattener and a 0.8x reducer, each supporting a 44mm full-frame image circle, with M68, M54 and M48 adapters and a built-in 2" filter thread. Both screw in after the 2" and 1.25" adapters are removed, with the rear tube stretched.

f/5.6 Speed with the Optional 0.8x Reducer

The optional 0.8x reducer is a quadruplet with field flattening that gives 1036mm at f/5.6; the same exposure takes about 64% of the time needed at f/7. It supports a 44mm image circle and has a standard 55mm back focus from the base of the M48 male thread.

• 1x Flattener: A triplet that keeps 1295mm at f/7 and corrects field curvature and coma. 55mm back focus.
• 0.8x Reducer/Flattener: A quadruplet-element corrector that reduces the focal length to 1036mm and the focal ratio to a faster f/5.6. 55mm back focus.

3.5-inch Rack & Pinion Focuser with 100mm of Travel

The 185APO has a dual-speed 3.5-inch rigid rack-and-pinion focuser with a 1:10 fine adjustment and a high-precision scale on its 100mm travel. A big 360° rotator with precise scales and an enlarged locking screw sits at the rear, followed by 2" and 1.25" adapters. The focuser is compatible with most motorized focusers.

17.2kg Gross Weight with 400mm Losmandy Plate

The OTA weighs 14.9 kg, while the complete package with the included tube rings and dovetail plate comes to 17.2 kg. The integrated tube rings weigh 2.3 kg, open and lock with thumb screws, and have a heightened base. They sit on a 400mm standard Losmandy-style dovetail plate with multiple holes, which makes balancing easier. An extended 400mm handle with a special slot can also serve as a finder base.

1081mm Minimum Length for Transport and Storage

Despite its large aperture, the Askar 185APO was designed with portability in mind. By contracting the dew shield and the 95mm rear tube, the telescope's overall length shrinks to just 1081mm. An aluminum case is included. With the dew shield stretched, the total length is 1222mm.