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Askar 185APO f/7 Triplet

Askar 185APO f/7 Triplet

by Askar
SKU ASK-185APO
CA$7,391.00 - CA$7,391.00
CA$7,391.00
CA$7,391.00 - CA$7,391.00
CA$7,391.00
Price Match Policy!
  • 185mm Aperture Triplet APO Objective
  • 1295mm Focal Length at f/7
  • Includes one ED Glass Element for Color Correction
  • 95mm Retractable Rear Tube for Binoviewer and Imaging Focus
  • 17.2kg Gross Weight with Rings and 400mm Losmandy Plate
  • Supports Full-Frame 44mm Image Circle
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Downloads
  • Warranty

  • Askar 185APO f/7 Triplet Refractor

    The Askar 185APO delivers the light-gathering and resolving power of a 185mm objective in a remarkably manageable design. Its 1295mm focal length and native f/7 ratio are corrected by an air-spaced triplet objective containing one ED glass element, ensuring high-contrast views free of false color. Despite its large aperture, the OTA collapses to just 1081mm for transport and weighs 14.9kg, a feat made possible by a 95mm retractable rear lens tube that provides critical focus travel for any accessory.

    185mm f/7 Triplet APO Optics with ED Glass

    The optical system is built around a 185mm (7.28") objective lens, giving it immense light-gathering power for resolving faint galaxies and pulling detail from planetary surfaces. The air-spaced triplet design, which incorporates a key ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass element, provides apochromatic color correction, ensuring that stars are sharp, white pinpoints without distracting violet halos. At its native 1295mm focal length, the f/7 ratio strikes a balance between high-magnification capability for small targets and a wide enough field for larger nebulae.

    95mm Retractable Tube for Portability and Binoviewers

    A key innovation in the Askar 185APO is its 95mm retractable rear lens tube. This design allows the telescope's overall length to shrink to 1081mm, making it significantly easier to store and transport than fixed-tube refractors of this size. In use, this travel is critical for versatility: contract the tube to achieve focus with accessories that require significant in-travel, such as binoviewers, or extend it to accommodate imaging trains with correctors and cameras.

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

    To support heavy imaging payloads without flexure, the 185APO is equipped with a massive 3.5-inch dual-speed rack and pinion focuser. This unit features 100mm of precise focusing travel, marked with a high-contrast scale for repeatable settings. The entire assembly terminates in a 360° rotator with a large locking knob, allowing you to frame your target perfectly without rotating your camera and upsetting cable management. Dual finder bases provide flexible mounting options for guide scopes or other accessories.

    17.2kg Package with 400mm Losmandy Plate and Handle

    The Askar 185APO is engineered as a complete, field-ready system. The included tube rings are integrated into a single, rigid assembly, which connects to a 400mm Losmandy-style dovetail plate, ensuring compatibility with most high-capacity equatorial mounts. The total weight of 17.2kg requires a substantial mount, but the long dovetail provides ample room for achieving perfect balance. A matching 400mm handle runs along the top, offering a secure grip and additional mounting points for accessories.

    f/5.6 Imaging with Optional 0.8x Reducer

    For astrophotographers, the 185APO is a versatile platform capable of covering a full-frame 44mm image circle. While it performs beautifully at its native f/7, an optional 0.8x reducer transforms it into a faster f/5.6 astrograph. This shortened focal ratio captures wide-field targets like the North America Nebula (NGC 7000) more efficiently, significantly reducing required exposure times. For imaging at the native 1295mm focal length, a dedicated 1x flattener is also available to ensure pinpoint stars across the entire frame.

  • What makes the Askar 185APO a good choice for both visual and imaging?

    The Askar 185APO's large 185mm aperture provides high resolution for visual observers, while its triplet APO optics deliver the color fidelity required for imaging. The key feature is the 95mm retractable rear tube, which allows the scope to reach focus with short-back-focus visual accessories like binoviewers and long imaging trains with equal ease.

    How does the 95mm retractable rear tube on the Askar 185APO work?

    The rear section of the main optical tube can slide in and out by 95mm and is locked in place with a large, secure rudder-style ring. By contracting the tube, you gain the necessary in-travel to bring binoviewers to focus without a Barlow. By extending it, you provide the out-travel needed for imaging trains that include reducers, flatteners, and filter wheels.

    How would the Askar 185APO perform on the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) with the 0.8x reducer?

    With the optional 0.8x reducer, the focal ratio becomes a faster f/5.6. This wider field of view is ideal for capturing large targets like the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), allowing you to frame the entire galaxy and its companions on a full-frame sensor while benefiting from shorter exposure times.

    Can I use a binoviewer with the Askar 185APO on a target like Jupiter?

    Yes. The 95mm retractable rear tube is specifically designed to accommodate the long optical path of a binoviewer. By fully contracting the tube, you can easily reach focus for high-power, immersive views of planets like Jupiter without needing an optical corrector assembly (OCA) or Barlow lens.

    What kind of mount is required for the Askar 185APO's 17.2kg weight?

    With a gross weight of 17.2kg (37.9 lbs) plus the weight of your camera and guide scope, you will need a high-payload equatorial mount. A mount rated for at least 50-60 lbs for imaging is recommended to ensure stability and precise tracking. The included 400mm Losmandy dovetail plate is compatible with most mounts in this class.

    What is the difference between the optional 1x flattener and the 0.8x reducer for the Askar 185APO?

    The 1x flattener corrects for field curvature without changing the telescope's native 1295mm focal length or f/7 ratio, making it ideal for imaging smaller targets at high resolution. The 0.8x reducer also flattens the field but shortens the focal ratio to f/5.6, providing a wider field of view and cutting exposure times by about 36%, which is better for large nebulae and galaxies.

  • Aperture 185mm
    Focal Length 1295mm
    Focal Ratio f/7
    Objective Lens Triplet Air-Spaced APO with one ED Glass Element
    Image Circle 44mm
    OTA Weight 14.9 kg
    Gross Weight 17.2 kg (including tube rings and dovetail plate)
    Overall Length 1081mm (dew shield contracted) | 1222mm (dew shield extended)
    Rear Retractable Tube Travel 95mm
    Rear Adapters 2" and 1.25"

    • 185APO OTA

      × 1

    • Tube Rings

      × 1 Pair

    • Handle

      × 1

    • Askar 400mm Losmandy Dovetail Plate

      × 1

    • Aluminum Carrying Case

      × 1

    • Manual

      × 1

  • Askar 1-Year Warranty