Telescope-Refracting Telescopes-Askar 185APO Triplet Air-Spaced Refractor

Optical Performance
The Askar 185APO has a large aperture of 185mm (7.28″), a focal ratio of f/7, and a focal length of 1295mm. This provides the OTA with an advantage in light gathering power, resolution, brightness, and contrast. This also provides the OTA with the ability to reach a limiting magnitude of 13.1. The optical design is made up of three air-spaced lenses, one of which is made of ED glass, which corrects chromatic aberration and provides higher-quality images, in both details and color accuracy. The ED glass, also called low-dispersion glass, is specifically designed to reduce chromatic aberration, allowing for fewer lens elements and a lower price while not sacrificing performance.

Retractable Tube Design
Askar aimed for a portability and succeeded, primarily due to the implementation of the retractable lens tube design. The rear lens tube has the integrated retractable design. When retracted, the OTA measures only 42.56″ (1081mm) and when extended, it measures 48.11″ (1222 mm). Askar has strengthened the overall stability of the refractor to ensure that the optical axis will not be effected with the lens tube is stretched. The retractable portion also comes with a rubber-type locking ring that is easy to grip when you are loosening or tightening. This design means that while still the OTA has premier light gathering power, it is still compact and lightweight enough to go with you wherever you wish to go! When the tube is contracted, you can pair it with a binoviewer (not included) and the OTA will be suitable for visual observation or, when extended, you can attach a diagonal and eyepiece. The Askar 185APO comes with a unique name ring for identification and is CNC machined with anodized and surface spray paint treatments. Askar made sure to keep in mind the importance of aesthetics, and designed the white tube with bright and eye-catching orange accents to give the OTA a stylish appearance.

3.5″ Rack & Pinion Focuser
Included with the refractor is a 3.5″ rigid, CNC machined Rack & Pinion focuser with a 1:10 fine adjustment. This focuser is compatible with most motorized focusers on the market. You will be able to see a high-precision scale printed on the 100mm focusing travel. The focuser comes with an anti-reflective internal design and matting paint, reducing stray light. On both sides of the focuser, there is a finder base that eliminates the need for disassembling to change the position of the finder scope and gives additional mounting positions for other accessories. On the rear of the focuser, there is a 360° high-precision rotator and precise scales for adjustment and saving rotation angles. An enlarged rotator locking screw is included that can be secured, even when there are high loads. The focuser includes a 1.25″ to 2″ adapter for increased diagonal and eyepiece compatibility.

Included and Suggested Accessories
The Askar 185APO OTA is loaded with accessories so you can get the most out of its performance. The OTA itself has an integrated design for the included tube rings. The rings and base weigh 5 lb. (2.3 kg) and come with thumb screws that allow for easy opening and locking of the rings. The base of the rings is also elevated to provide more space. Askar has included a 400mm handle with special slots for installing a user-supplied finder scope. The included Losmandy dovetail measures 400mm for increased balance and is compatible with most equatorial mounts and bases. The design of the dovetail includes multiple holes for easy position adjusting. When it comes to suggested accessories, Askar has also designed a 1x flattener and a 0.8x reducer specifically for the 185APO telescope. Please Note: The reducer and flattener are not included with the purchase of this telescope, but they can be purchased using the links near the cart on this page or by clicking on the links in this paragraph.