Askar V 60/80mm Modular Telescope

The Modular V System: One OTA, Two Included APO Objectives

The Askar V has replaceable 60mm and 80mm objective lenses on one body with the focuser, rotator and tube. You can switch between a 60mm wide-field instrument and an 80mm telescope with more light grasp and resolution.

You can choose the 360mm V60 for large nebulae or the 500mm V80 for smaller galaxies and clusters.

The V60 Configuration: A 60mm f/6 Wide-Field Imaging Platform

The primary V60 objective is a 60mm air-spaced triplet apochromat containing two ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass elements. This design can effectively eliminate chromatic aberration and increase image clarity.

At its native 360mm focal length and f/6 focal ratio, the V60 gives about 5.7 x 3.8 degrees on a full-frame sensor, enough for the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) or the North American Nebula (NGC 7000) in one frame.

The V80 Configuration: A Larger 80mm Aperture for Increased Resolution

Also included in the Askar V kit is the V80 objective lens, an 80mm triplet APO with two ED glasses, 500mm focal length and f/6.25. Swapping in the V80 objective turns the telescope into a 500mm instrument with a retractable lens hood.

In V80 mode the OTA is 411mm long with the dew shield retracted (479mm stretched) and weighs 3.4kg with tube ring and dovetail plate. The larger aperture gathers more light and resolves finer detail, for targets too small for the V60's field.

Six Focal Lengths from Three Correctors: The 0.75x, 1x, and 1.2x System

The Askar V has three accessories, each adjusted by rotation (a spiral mechanism) to a 60 or 80 scale to suit the objective in use. With the two objectives that gives six configurations.

• V Reducer 0.75x: This corrector reduces the focal length and increases the speed of the optical system. With the V60 objective it gives 270mm at f/4.5; with the V80, 384mm at f/4.8. It reduces exposure time and widens the field. It weighs 0.44kg.
• V Flattener 1x: It improves field curvature and edge quality and reduces aberrations. With the V60 the focal length stays 360mm at f/6; with the V80 it is 495mm at f/6.18. It weighs 0.48kg.
• V Extender 1.2x: This accessory increases the focal length for more magnification on smaller targets. With the V60 objective it gives 446mm at f/7.43; with the V80, 600mm at f/7.5. It weighs 0.46kg.

A 55mm Back Focus Platform for Astrophotography

The rear of each accessory (reducer, flattener and extender) has M54×0.75 and M48×0.75 adapters.

The back focus is a standard 55mm from the M48 adapter, a spacing many astronomy cameras and DSLR T-rings are built around (mirrorless bodies usually need extra spacers). The adapters have a built-in 2-inch filter thread.

Scaled 360° Rotator and Focuser

The focuser has a knob cap, and a finder base sits on the body.

A new scaled 360° rotator lets you turn the imaging train to frame your target.

2.8kg (V60) or 3.4kg (V80) with Ring and Dovetail

In V60 mode the gross weight with tube ring and dovetail plate is 2.8kg and the length without accessories is 318.5mm; in V80 mode, 3.4kg and 411mm. The finish is ivory white and silver.

The multifunctional handle bar makes the V more portable and easier to connect to a Vixen-style finder base and accessories.

Visual Astronomy with the Askar V: Using the 2" and 1.25" Adapters

The V supports high-quality visual observation, with 1.25-inch and 2-inch visual adapters for a star diagonal and eyepieces.

In its 60mm configuration it gives wide views of open clusters like the Pleiades (M45) or the Double Cluster in Perseus. With the 80mm objective attached, it offers brighter views and the ability to use higher magnification for observing details on the Moon, Jupiter, and Saturn.