This is my sum it all up review on the ASKAR 120mm APO. I have spent plenty of time with it and now feel confident to talk about what I really think.
Пікірлер: 54
@lukomatico4 ай бұрын
Great review mate, as always! Can't wait to see what you have planned for that bigger & faster scope! - SO glad to see you doing well too! Clear skies!
@pierspinelli83523 ай бұрын
Hey luke, i always watch your vids and comparisons, would u mind to review a smaller aperture RC if u can? I own one too but i find that most of those on paper are quite good while actually don't perform too well if u arent prepared enough.
@Fran-2busy4 ай бұрын
Now that you brought up the 140, I can’t wait for your review! I’m visual only right now but looking to get into EAA in the near future. Glad you’re doing well.
@40Sec4 ай бұрын
Between this and the SVBONY 122, I have absolutely no idea why anyone would purchase the Skywatcher 120 ED doublet at this point. The Askar 120 APO costs less even with a flattener or reducer included and is going to provide significantly improved image quality. The Askar 140 APO is actually about the same price as the SW 120 EVO. Skywatcher needs to drastically reduce their prices if they want to remain competitive, but either way, having solid, affordable triplets at this aperture is incredible for those of us with limited budgets.
@sjpp7115 күн бұрын
I own skywatcher telescopes, started in the hobby with an ED80, love it, and recently acquired an ED120 (used, no way I could get it new). Love them both, great scopes. And for widefield I use my Evoguide50 with a qhy183 (and an Askar 180+294 sensor, love it!). But what you're saying is very true: Askar scopes are beautifully made and more importantly the optics seem to be of very good quality as well. And better priced than skywatcher. To skywatcher's favor I think they are "tried and true" scopes, so If you get one there should be less variability from sample to sample. Good optics, although a bit austere outlook. "Blue collar" as Ed Ting once said. But the competition is coming in strong, so SW, you'd better do something!!
@40Sec15 күн бұрын
@@sjpp71 - Those are both solid scopes! I started visually with a Heritage 130p, and over 10 years later I still love it. My first imaging scope was a 72ed, which served me well, but the optical quality is a significant downgrade from the 80ed and 120ed. Skywatcher makes solid scopes optically (although their ED line leaves a lot to be desired mechanically). When it comes down to it though, I think we're on the same page. The issue isn't the quality, it's the price. These Askar APO's are likely to be better across the board while costing nearly 2/3 of the price. Hopefully Skywatcher adjusts, but I'm not counting on it. Edit: I just checked, and the prices of the 120ED have actually gone up! Now the Askar 120 APO is 60% of the 120's current asking price.
@sjpp7115 күн бұрын
@@40Sec Yeah, totally. I don't mean to "defend" skywatcher, they're good, but nowadays there are more, economical and just as good options, which is good for us all.
@JoeJaguar3 ай бұрын
thanks for this review im ordering the 140mm version
@ddiver79084 ай бұрын
This channel deserves more subs! Thank you TNC for the review! Glad you are doing alright.
@andesastro4 ай бұрын
Keep em coming Ben! Looking great, best wishes for you and your family!
@solutions2exist5563 ай бұрын
Great review and information. So very glad you are feeling better.
@TheTabugman4 ай бұрын
Looking good man! Appreciate the review. Got the Svbony Sv550 122mm after your review. 👍
@OVRCOME4 ай бұрын
Been waiting on a video from you man. This one is again excellent.
@mikehardy82474 ай бұрын
I've been waiting for this follow-up, after yours, and Lukimatica's unboxing reviews, I purchased this OTA with 1X flattener. I'm now used to it's considerable size. This positive test is no surprise. The nice case is useless in my opinion. I won't open the imaging train to transport, dust! I wish companis would offer alternatives with price options. Cardboard box, or a case for it's product "kitted out". I have the SV220 filter. Cuiv just tested a sample with his spectrophotometer. He expected it to not be so accurate at this price point compared to competitors. Thanks!
@TheNarrowbandChannel4 ай бұрын
I absolutely agree about the case.
@roberteigenberger50644 ай бұрын
Great channel, I watch alot of your stuff, very informative. Please review the 140 APO. Thinking about buying it, would like to know what your opinions are.
@BenGieCruz4 ай бұрын
A 140mm is on its way too! 🤓
@thomasheatherington3573 ай бұрын
Thanks for this review. Every detail is appreciated! I, too, am interested in contrasting this with the 140 APO. One consideration for me is overall weight, as I have the AM5 mount (on a Starfield Portable Pier) and am limited to an NB AP rig that can confidently ride on this mount. Interesting comparison of gross weights: the SVBONY SV550 122mm is 10kg, vs. the Askar 120 APO which is 6.5kg and the Askar 140 APO which is 10.9kg. So the APO 140 is less than 1kg heavier than the SvBONY 122 mm, but is 4.4kg (68%) heavier than the 120 APO. If you ever review the 140 APO, I would be interested in your experience with this additional weight as a consideration, if you have any takeaways worth mentioning.
@blackice56492 ай бұрын
Awesome review Ben. You look great - hope things continue to improve for you. Love to see a review of the Askar 107PHQ if you have the opportunity.
@roguelitedev4 ай бұрын
Nicely done sir! I always enjoy your videos.
@thomasphennigan4 ай бұрын
Hey Ben . Outstanding review . Would like to see a comparison of it with the Askar 103 apo and also maybe with higher end scopes such as Stellarvue six 102 and WO Flt 91 or 120 . Looks like you’re doing well my man !! I’m in the same fight so I can relate
@thomasphennigan4 ай бұрын
Stellarvue svx
@meibergstrmandersen91814 ай бұрын
Nice review and good to see you again Ben 👍👍
@KeithGephart3 ай бұрын
Hi, Great reviews. I realize everything seems to be about AP these days. I would like to know visually how this compares to the SVBoney 122. Thanks,
@dumpydalekobservatory4 ай бұрын
Great review Ben looks a great scope for the money take care & clear skies!!
@DenisBraeckevelt4 ай бұрын
Many thanks for your detailed review, great job as usual 👍🙏
@Astrophotography_love4 ай бұрын
After you , ı bought ❤
@Planetreefastro4 ай бұрын
Hi Ben Luis from NY here. Great review. I’ve been looking at this scope as well along with its smaller cousin the 102mm. I will be at NEAF this Saturday. Maybe we can do an interview for my channel? You look well and I’m glad to see that.
@alaaonwheels4 ай бұрын
Very insightful video as usual. Hope you are doing well. A bit off topic, but how are you turning the focusing knob with an EAF installed?
@TevisC4 ай бұрын
Sounds like you need an 8 inch f4 newt! ;) I have to admit.. I'm interested in the 140mm version too. I love my Skywatcher Quattro 150mm at f3.45, but I'm hungry for more focal length and smaller image scale with my 533mm.
@TheNarrowbandChannel4 ай бұрын
I do already have a 8in newt. ITs f5 though. If I can get a big enough mount I would like to try a 12in newt.
@deltacx10593 ай бұрын
I think I will stick to my homemade 127 doublet or build a RC telescope.
@BigBadLoneWolf3 ай бұрын
Just got an EAF today, but the OTA will not fit in it's case with the EAF fitted. Will have to fit and remove every time I use it as I cannot image from home, so I only image at dark sites. Setting up the EAF to measure the backlash, I faffed about till I got it spot on and the backlash was a step of 28
@TheNarrowbandChannel3 ай бұрын
Yes i really wish they made the cases with room for an eaf. You should try narrowband. You can image from home then. Lazy way to do astronomy.
@JeffFishman2 ай бұрын
Great video and hope you’re feeling better!! I am contemplating getting a larger refractor than my Tele Vue 85mm with DUO on back. Tossing the 120 APO scope around and some others, like the 140APO, astro tech 130, WO 132, stellarvue svx, even a Tak 100/106. Would like to keep price affordable.. I use AM5 mount and looking to shoot deep space, small objects. What would you recommend ? I live in dry Palm Springs bortle7. So, would like your opinion, and would like something fast too, that will work on am5 w/o counterweights. Thanks Jeff
@kidinlove14 ай бұрын
You can go all out to the 185 APO :D
@jimwaters3044 ай бұрын
Good video update. I am still concerned about the ED glass that's using in the scope in relation to color transmission and ability to produce pin point stars. What are the typical HFR reading you see while imaging? Thx
@zorgksp51134 ай бұрын
Thanks for the review! Did you find you needed 2s guide exposures with the Duo using the f/5.6 reducer? Or was that just with the flatenner? Cheers.
@Naztronomy3 ай бұрын
Very nice review! Very important question: How did you get 5 nights of clear skies AFTER you got a telescope? Who can I talk to about that arrangement? I'm reviewing a scope for SharpStar now and I only had a 90 minute window last night to do as much as I could and no more clear skies for at least the next 7 days.
@TheNarrowbandChannel3 ай бұрын
I threaten the sky with my mono camera and narrowband filters.
@nickolas46374 ай бұрын
hope you are doing well. What are your thoughts on the 103 version of this?
@alcosound4 ай бұрын
Nice scope, I have to say. If I understand correctly, you were using the ASI MC2600DUO for shooting the images? For me, I think that I'll stay with my SVBONY 102ED and use the price difference for getting a monochrome sensor and filters *ouch*, since I live in a very light polluted area... By the way, I think that SVBONY offers both a 1.0x flattener and a 0.8x reducer/flattener for the 122MM, but I may be mistaken?
@mikehardy82474 ай бұрын
SV doesn't have a 1.0X flattener of there own.
@3dfxvoodoocards64 ай бұрын
Interesting review, like!
@davidemancini78534 ай бұрын
Nice video but how come all the photo are so dark? No bright at all, no nebulosity?
@TheNarrowbandChannel4 ай бұрын
Must be the way the video was rendered. I admit I did not check that part before posting. Plus these are unfiltered OSC images so not my usual narrowband bliss.
@mleslie10803 ай бұрын
First and Foremost how are you doing. I am looking of switching to MONO since the QHY294M Pro is jat about $1000. I have now an ASI294MC Pro, Svbony SV503 80ED, ZWO EAF, ZWO EFW 2”x7, ASI220MM mini, Astromania 60mm guide scope, and an iOptron GEM28. So I have everthing I believe I need except the “FILTERS”. So here is my question, I own an Optolong L-eXtreme and an Antlia ALP-T Dual Narrowband SII (5nm) & H-b (5nm) Filter , can I use these filters with the mono camera then separate the channels and process a SHO? Problem is pocket book will be thin if I purchase then camera. Thank for any advice, Mke There two things that are infinite, human stupidity and the universe, I don't know about the universe. Einstein
@ch3rry19863 ай бұрын
Comparing it to the weak company SV Bony is not an advertisement for the telescope at all. The photos at the end don't convince me either.
@TheNarrowbandChannel3 ай бұрын
They are only OSC images. So will always pail in comparison to narrowband. They also had no post processing done to them at all. Unlike the doctored images you see elsewhere.