Askar 65PHQ

The Askar 65PHQ APO is a professional-grade telescope that delivers clear and detailed views of the night sky. Equipped with an APO primary mirror, this telescope provides high-quality, multiple optical elements to minimize chromatic aberration and produce sharp, color-accurate images. With a compact and portable design, the Askar 65PHQ APO is easy to transport and set up for on-the-go stargazing. 

The Askar 65PHQ APO, an impressive addition to the acclaimed Askar lineup, brings unmatched quality and convenience to the world of astrophotography and visual observation. Flaunting a quintuplet structure with two ED glasses, this flatfield astrograph delivers superior control over chromatic and other aberrations, making it an astrophotographer's dream.

Compact yet capable, the 65PHQ boasts a focal ratio of f/6.4 and a focal length of 416mm. It's an ideal choice for astronomers who crave top-tier imaging performance in a smaller package. With its self-flattening design, the 65PHQ provides minimal distortions of peripheral stars, ensuring a full-frame image circle with a fine spot diagram.

At a weight of just 2kg for the OTA and 2.8kg for the full package with tube rings, the Askar 65PHQ offers portability without compromising on performance. The 2.5" rigid focuser, complete with a newly designed 360° rotator with scales and a finder base, enhances precision and flexibility. M68, M54, and M48 camera adapters are included, with the M48 adapter hosting a 2" female thread for installing filters.

Beyond astrophotography, the Askar 65PHQ also shines in visual observation. The telescope can achieve perfect focus with different diagonals and eyepieces, and even supports planetary observation with a super-high magnification eyepiece.

Built for practicality, the 65PHQ features a multifunctional handle, a 300mm dovetail plate, and sturdy double tube rings, offering functionality, stability, and ease of setup. Embrace the universe with the Askar 65PHQ APO, your compact companion for outstanding astronomical imaging and observation.

• Optical Design: Refractor
• Focal Ratio: f/6.4
• Aperture: 64mm (2.5")
• Number of Elements: Quintuplet (5 elements)
• Focal Length: 416mm
• Image Circle: 44 mm
• Focuser: 2.5" Dual Speed Rack & Pinion
• OTA Extended: 16.5”
• OTA Retracted: 12.9”
• OTA Weight: 6.2lb (2.8kg with tube rings)
• Camera Adapters: M68, M54, and M48
• Extras: 360° rotator with scales, finder base, multifunctional handle, 300mm dovetail plate, sturdy double tube rings​​.

Askar 65PHQ APO Review:

The Askar 65PHQ APO stands out as a compact yet mighty addition to the Askar lineup of astrographs, promising to deliver top-tier imaging and visual observation experiences. This astrograph, available in traditional green and white and a limited quantity 2023 pink version, is sure to appeal to a broad range of astronomers.

The 65PHQ is a flatfield astrograph with a focal ratio of f/6.4 and a focal length of 416mm. It stands apart from the other PHQ astrographs with its quintuplet structure, including two ED glasses, giving it a distinct edge in controlling chromatic and other aberrations. As a result, it offers strong advantages in astronomical imaging with its full-frame image circle and minimal distortions of peripheral stars​¹​.

This versatile scope weighs just 2kg (OTA), and the complete package with tube rings adds up to 2.8kg. The 2.5" rigid focuser comes with a newly designed 360° rotator with scales and a finder base, providing flexibility and precision. This model includes M68, M54, and M48 camera adapters, with the M48 adapter offering a 2" female thread for installing filters​.

One of the most attractive features of the Askar 65PHQ is its visual observation capabilities. With different diagonals and eyepieces, this telescope can achieve perfect focus, and even allows for planetary observations with a super-high magnification eyepiece​.

The 65PHQ is fitted with a multifunctional handle, a 300mm dovetail plate, and sturdy double tube rings, lending it both functionality and stability. For those in search of specs, the Askar 65PHQ has an aperture of 64mm (2.5"), five elements, and an image circle of 44mm. The extended OTA measures 16.5", while retracted, it stands at 12.9"​.

Users' reviews on the Cloudy Nights forum reflect a positive consensus regarding the Askar 65PHQ. One user, after using the scope for over two weeks and capturing images with an ASI533MC Pro and Nikon D5300, found the scope to be mechanically solid. They mentioned that the camera angle adjuster worked well, with graduation marks providing a useful guide​.

There is a .75 reducer available that takes the scope down to F4.8, which could be useful if you find the F6.4 focal ratio too slow on fainter objects. However, using the reducer might compromise the quality of the stars in your images​²​.

To sum up, the Askar 65PHQ APO is a compact, versatile, and user-friendly option for both astrophotography and visual observation. It offers a high level of control over chromatic and other aberrations, ensuring excellent imaging quality. As with any piece of equipment, understanding its capabilities and adjusting your equipment to match them will provide the best possible results.