Askar 185APO Triplet Refractor

Askar 185APO Triplet Refractor

TECHNICAL DATA SHEET

• Aperture: 185 mm

• Focal length: 1295 mm

• Native focal ratio: f/7

• Limiting magnitude: 13.1

• Optical design: air-spaced APO triplet

• Optical element: one low-dispersion glass element

• Glass type: ED

• Chromatic aberration correction through multi-element optical design

• Retractable optical tube

• Minimum length: 1081 mm

• Total length with dew shield extended: 1222 mm

• Retractable rear tube length: 95 mm

• Net optical tube weight: 14.9 kg

• Total weight with handle, tube rings and dovetail: 17.2 kg

• Retractable dew shield with locking screws

• Tube ring weight: 2.3 kg

• Extended 400 mm handle with slot usable as finder base

• Losmandy-type dovetail plate

• Helm-type locking ring on the retractable section

• Binoviewer compatibility when retracted

• Imaging compatibility with 0.8x reducer or 1.0x flattener when extended

• Visual observation compatibility with diagonal and eyepiece

• 3.5-inch rack-and-pinion focuser with fine reduction

• Compatibility with most electronic focus motors on the market

• Focuser travel: 100 mm with high-precision scale

• CNC-machined focuser with internal anti-reflection treatment and matte paint

• Two finder bases on each side of the focuser

• Rear precision 360-degree rotator with engraved scale

• Rotator locking screw suitable for heavy loads

• Rear visual adapters 1.25 inch and 2 inch included

• Optical tube manufactured using CNC machining

• Optional 1.0x flattener with 2-inch filter thread

• Optional 0.8x reducer with 2-inch filter thread

• Standard package contents: optical tube, pair of tube rings, handle, Askar 400 mm Losmandy dovetail plate, aluminum case, manual

The Askar 185APO is an optical tube featuring a 185 mm aperture, a 1295 mm focal length and a native focal ratio of f/7.

The large 185 mm aperture gives it a natural advantage in light-gathering ability, resolution, brightness and contrast, allowing the photographer to capture more light and reveal more detail as well as brighter objects. With more light entering the telescope, the limiting magnitude can reach 13.1.

The Askar 185APO adopts an air-spaced APO triplet design that includes one low-dispersion glass element.

The Askar APO series uses specific optical designs and multiple elements to correct chromatic aberration, naturally providing higher-quality detail and improved colour accuracy. In the optical structure of a refractor, increasing the number of lenses and designing specific combinations can effectively improve chromatic correction, but it also increases production cost and complexity.

Low-dispersion glass, also known as ED glass, is an optical material specifically designed to reduce chromatic aberration.

The Askar 185APO, as a large-aperture and long focal-ratio refractor, was designed with portability in mind. Thanks to its retractable optical tube, its minimum length is only 1081 mm, its net weight is 14.9 kg, and its total weight reaches 17.2 kg including the handle, tube rings and dovetail plate.

Each Askar 185APO unit is equipped with a unique identification ring.

The retractable dew shield combined with large locking screws allows convenient use.

The Askar 185APO adopts an integrated design for its tube rings, with a total weight of 2.3 kg. The thumb screws allow easy opening and locking, while the raised base provides additional space.

The Askar 185APO is equipped with an extended 400 mm handle featuring a special slot that can also serve as a base for installing a finder.

The dovetail plate of the Askar 185APO is of the Losmandy type, compatible with most equatorial mounts on the market.

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It is important to note that the rear tube of the Askar 185APO features an integrated retractable system. This design reinforces overall stability and ensures that the optical axis is not affected when the tube is extended, thus maintaining image quality. The retractable section also includes a rudder-type locking ring that makes tightening and loosening easy.

When the tube is retracted, the Askar 185APO can be used with a binoviewer for visual observation. When the tube is extended, the 185APO can be equipped with a 0.8x reducer or a 1.0x flattener for imaging, or with a diagonal and an eyepiece for observing.

Regarding focusing, the Askar 185APO is equipped with a rigid 3.5-inch rack-and-pinion dual-speed focuser, compatible with most motorized focusers on the market. A high-precision scale is printed along its 100 mm focusing travel. The entire focuser tube is CNC-machined with an internal anti-reflective treatment and matte coating, providing additional protection against stray light.

There are two finder bases on each side of the focuser, which eliminates the need for disassembly when changing the position of the finder and provides extra mounting points for other astronomical accessories.

The rear of the focuser features a large 360° precision rotator with graduations that allow easy adjustment and angle memorization, ensuring accurate rotation. It is also equipped with an enlarged locking screw that provides secure tightening even under heavy loads.

For visual observation, the rear interface of the focuser comes with a 1.25"/2" adapter, allowing the 185APO to reach focus easily when used with 1.25" or 2" diagonals and various eyepieces. Thanks to the retractable optical tube design, it can also be used with a binoviewer for visual observation.

The entire tube of the Askar 185APO is manufactured using high-quality CNC machining, with anodizing and surface paint treatment. The orange accents on the ivory-white tube add a vivid and distinctive touch, giving it an elegant and refined appearance.

The Askar 185APO offers two optional accessories: a 1x flattener and a 0.8x reducer. Both accessories include a 2" filter thread for direct installation and come with M68/M54/M48 adapters to facilitate connection.

The 1x flattener does not change the telescope’s focal ratio. Once installed on the Askar 185APO, the focal ratio remains f/7. It corrects field curvature and coma, providing flatter field edges and finer star points.

The 0.8x reducer lowers the Askar 185APO’s focal ratio to f/5.6. It is a standard reducer that also includes field-flattening capability. A shorter focal ratio offers a wider field of view and faster exposure times, making it suitable for imaging large nebulae, star clusters, and faint or fast-moving objects.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Aperture: 185 mm
• Focal length: 1295 mm
• Focal ratio: 7
• Objective: air-spaced APO triplet including one low-dispersion glass element
• Total length: 1081 mm with dew shield retracted
1222 mm with dew shield extended
• Rear retractable tube length: 95 mm
• Tube weight: 14.9 kg
• Total weight including tube rings and dovetail: 17.2 kg
• Rear thread type: 2" and 1.25" visual adapters
• Standard package contents: 185APO tube, pair of tube rings, handle, Askar 400 mm Losmandy dovetail plate, aluminum case and manual