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IMPORTANT: Our store is located in Canada. All orders that include products manufactured outside of Canada or USA will be subject to tariffs and duties, regardless of the order value. US customers are responsible for all applicable duties and tariffs, and those will be billed by the carrier, except for the Lacerta upgrade kit, for which we collect them at checkout.
IMPORTANT: Our store is located in Canada. All orders that include products manufactured outside of Canada or USA will be subject to tariffs and duties, regardless of the order value. US customers are responsible for all applicable duties and tariffs, and those will be billed by the carrier, except for the Lacerta upgrade kit, for which we collect them at checkout.
Askar 140APO f/7 Triplet

Askar 140APO f/7 Triplet

by Askar
SKU ASK-ASKAPO140
$2,499.00 - $2,499.00
$2,499.00
$2,499.00 - $2,499.00
$2,499.00
Price Match Policy!
  • 140mm Aperture
  • 980mm Focal Length
  • f/7 Focal Ratio
  • Air-Spaced Triplet APO with ED Glass
  • OTA Weight: 9.2kg
  • 125mm Retractable Rear Tube
2 in stock
FREE Shipping in CONUS
  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Downloads
  • Warranty

  • Askar 140APO f/7 Triplet Refractor

    The Askar 140APO f/7 Triplet refractor combines a 140mm aperture with a 980mm focal length for high-resolution planetary and deep-sky observation. Its air-spaced triplet objective, which includes one ED glass element, is housed in an OTA weighing just 9.2kg. The entire package, including tube rings and a 300mm Losmandy plate, comes to 10.9kg and contracts to a portable 735mm for transport.

    140mm f/7 Triplet APO Optics: High-Contrast Imaging with ED Glass

    The optical system is built around a 140mm air-spaced triplet objective. By incorporating a low-dispersion ED glass element, the 140APO delivers images with sharp, high-contrast stars and virtually no false color, ensuring accurate color rendition from the brightest stars to the faintest nebulosity. The native 980mm focal length at f/7 is a versatile starting point, striking a balance between wide-field views of large targets and the image scale needed to resolve detail on planets and smaller galaxies.

    Portable Engineering: A 10.9kg Scope Measuring Just 735mm

    Despite its large aperture, the Askar 140APO is engineered for field use. The optical tube assembly weighs only 9.2kg and measures 735mm in length with its dew shield retracted, making it manageable for transport and setup. When fully assembled with its included rings and 300mm dovetail plate, the total weight is 10.9kg. The retractable dew shield extends the total length to 870mm, providing excellent stray light and dew protection without compromising its compact storage profile.

    Imaging Mechanics: 125mm Retractable Tube for Focus Flexibility

    A key feature of the 140APO is its 125mm retractable rear lens tube, designed to accommodate a wide range of accessories. When contracted, the shortened back focus allows binoviewers to reach focus without the need for a Barlow or optical corrector. When extended, it provides ample back focus for a full imaging train, including a reducer or flattener, off-axis guider, and camera. This mechanical flexibility is managed by a large, dual-speed rack-and-pinion focuser built to handle heavy loads without slipping, complemented by a 360-degree rotator for precise image framing.

    Stable Mounting System: 300mm Losmandy Plate and Integrated Handle

    The 140APO includes a robust mounting solution right out of the box. The 300mm Losmandy-style dovetail plate is longer than typical plates, providing a greater range of adjustment for balancing the telescope, especially with front- or rear-heavy accessory loads. The CNC-machined tube rings are secured by large, easy-to-use thumb screws, and the 220mm handle features an integrated slot, allowing it to double as a mounting base for a finder or guide scope.

  • What is the benefit of the Askar 140APO's 125mm retractable rear tube?

    The retractable rear tube provides critical focus flexibility. When contracted, it shortens the light path, allowing accessories with high in-focus requirements, like binoviewers, to be used without extra optical correctors. When extended, it provides the necessary back focus distance for full astrophotography trains that include flatteners, reducers, filter wheels, and cameras.

    Can the Askar 140APO be used for visual observing with a binoviewer?

    Yes. Thanks to its retractable rear tube design, the Askar 140APO is fully compatible with most binoviewers. By retracting the 125mm tube, you can achieve focus without needing a Barlow lens or optical correcting system, which is a common requirement for refractors that lack this feature.

    How does the Askar 140APO perform on targets like the Orion Nebula (M42) with its optional 0.8x reducer?

    With the optional 0.8x reducer, the Askar 140APO transforms into a faster f/5.6 system. This configuration is excellent for large targets like the Orion Nebula (M42), as it provides a wider field of view to capture the entire nebula complex and reduces exposure times by approximately 36%, allowing you to gather more signal in less time.

    Is the Askar 140APO suitable for imaging Jupiter with a high-frame-rate camera?

    Absolutely. The 140mm aperture provides excellent resolving power, and the 980mm native focal length gives you a good starting image scale for planets. For optimal results, you would add a 2x or 3x Barlow lens ahead of your planetary camera to increase the effective focal length and magnify details like Jupiter's Great Red Spot and cloud bands.

    What kind of mount is required for the Askar 140APO?

    Given the fully-loaded weight of 10.9kg and its length, the Askar 140APO requires a stable equatorial mount with a payload capacity of at least 40-45 lbs (approx. 20 kg) for astrophotography. Mounts in the Celestron CGX, Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro, or iOptron CEM40 class are suitable choices to ensure stability and precise tracking.

    What accessories are needed to start imaging with the Askar 140APO?

    To begin imaging, you will need a field flattener or reducer to ensure sharp stars across the entire frame. Askar offers a dedicated 1x flattener (maintains the f/7 focal ratio) and a 0.8x reducer/flattener (creates a faster f/5.6 system). Beyond that, you will need a T-ring for your camera, a stable equatorial mount, and a guiding solution for long exposures.

  • Aperture 140mm
    Focal Length 980mm
    Focal Ratio f/7
    Objective Lens Triplet air-spaced APO (with one ED glass)
    Image Circle 44mm
    Retractable Tube Travel 125mm
    Overall Length 735mm (dew shield contracted) | 870mm (dew shield extended)
    OTA Weight 9.2kg
    Total Weight 10.9kg (including tube rings and dovetail plate)
    Rear Adapters 2" and 1.25" visual adapters included

    • 140APO OTA

      × 1

    • Pair of Tube Rings

      × 1

    • Handle

      × 1

    • Askar 300mm Losmandy Dovetail Plate

      × 1

    • Oxford Cloth Case

      × 1

    • Manual

      × 1

  • Askar 1-Year Warranty