Askar SQA106 review by AstroBackyard

The Askar SQA106 is a 106mm aperture refractor telescope with a focal length of 509mm and a focal ratio of f/4.8. It uses a fixed quintuplet Petzval design that includes two SD (super low dispersion) glass elements. This configuration is designed to minimize field curvature and maintain sharp focus across the image circle without requiring a separate field flattener. The built-in optical correction makes the system straightforward to use with modern astronomy cameras.

The optical tube measures 516mm in length with the dew shield retracted and 586mm with the dew shield extended. The main optical tube assembly weighs 5.82 kilograms, and the total weight including the mounting accessories is 8.12 kilograms. This keeps the telescope relatively compact and within range of many popular astrophotography mounts.

Askar SQA106 reviewed by AstroBackyard: A closer look at this Quintuplet Refractor

The SQA106 supports full-frame sensors and provides an image circle of 44mm, with compatibility extended up to 55mm for medium format sensors. The rear of the telescope includes M48, M54, and M68 thread adapters, making it adaptable for a variety of imaging setups. The recommended backfocus distance is 55mm, with support for adjustments between 48mm and 78mm to accommodate different cameras and accessories.

Mechanically, the telescope includes a large dual-speed focuser, standard dovetail mounting plate, and various attachment points for guiding equipment or controllers. The OTA comes in a padded Oxford cloth case and includes tube rings and a dovetail bar. These components are packaged to support typical astrophotography use straight out of the box.

The SQA106 is part of Askar’s SQA series, which aims to offer telescopes with wider corrected fields for imaging. It is positioned as a full-frame capable refractor with integrated optics and a simplified user experience for imaging deep sky objects.

Askar SQA106 specifications

• Aperture size: 106 mm
• Focal length: 509 mm
• Focal ratio: f/4.8
• Objective lens: Quintuplet Petzval APO (includes two pieces of SD glass)
• Total length:
  • - 516 mm (with dew shield contracted)
  • - 586 mm (with dew shield extended)
• Format specifications:
  • - Full frame (44 mm)
  • - Upgradable to medium format (55 mm)
• OTA weight: 5.82 kg (12.83 lbs)
• Gross weight (with tube ring and dovetail plate): 8.12 kg (17.9 lbs)
• Rear-end thread type: M48 / M54 / M68 adapters
• Rear-end connection distance:
  • - Supports 48–78 mm range
  • - Recommended connection length: 55 mm
• Standard package includes:
  • - SQA106 OTA
  • - Oxford cloth case
     

The Askar SQA106 is the latest high-end refractor from Askar's SQA line, and Trevor Jones of AstroBackyard recently had the opportunity to take it out for its first light under ideal conditions, clear skies and no moonlight. This review offers a detailed and hands-on perspective on the telescope's performance, features, and image quality. Trevor’s experience serves as a valuable guide for amateur and professional astrophotographers considering a premium wide-field astrograph.

Trevor begins the night with excitement, knowing that a full night of imaging awaits. His target lies in the constellation Auriga, a part of the sky rich in deep sky objects. Although the Flaming Star and Tadpole Nebulae are commonly photographed, Trevor sets his sights on the less frequently imaged Spider and Fly Nebulae, which he can capture in a single frame using the SQA106. These targets also offer a colorful star field backdrop, which helps highlight the performance of the telescope's optics.

The Askar SQA106 is a quintuplet Petzval design refractor with a 509 mm focal length and a fast f/4.8 focal ratio. It features five optical elements in its construction and is designed specifically for astrophotography. Importantly, it does not require a separate field flattener and is not sensitive to precise backfocus spacing, which simplifies setup significantly. It is optimized for full-frame cameras and supports a massive 55 mm image circle. This is a notable feature, as it allows for clean and even illumination across large imaging sensors.

Trevor notes several aspects of the scope’s build quality that impressed him right away. The SQA106 has a sleek, anodized gray finish with high-quality machining across all components, from the focuser to the dovetail plate and dew shield. It weighs about 13 pounds, which puts it in the same category as the Sky-Watcher Esprit 100 in terms of handling. He mentions that on lightweight equatorial mounts like the ZWO AM5, it’s advisable to use a counterweight.

Imaging workflow, filter strategy, and focal length considerations with the SQA106

To test the true potential of the telescope, Trevor uses his ASI2600MC camera. While it’s a crop sensor, it’s one of the best color CMOS sensors available and is well-suited to a wide range of imaging situations. He emphasizes that broadband imaging with a full-frame camera is the ultimate test of a telescope’s optical quality because it exposes issues like vignetting, chromatic aberration, and poor edge performance. While his testing setup doesn’t use a full-frame sensor, it still allows for a meaningful evaluation of the scope's capabilities.

Trevor splits his night of imaging into two halves. The first part is dedicated to broadband RGB imaging without a filter. This provides a realistic look at the telescope’s performance in capturing natural star colors and gradients. In the second half of the night, he switches to the Optolong L-Ultimate dual narrowband filter. This filter isolates hydrogen-alpha and oxygen III emission lines, helping enhance nebulosity while cutting out light pollution, especially useful as his target moves closer to the light dome on the horizon.

He praises the ASI Air system, which allows him to run his imaging session wirelessly from inside his house. He also utilizes the ASI Air’s star detection feature to monitor star sizes across exposures. While the SQA106 has a fast f/4.8 focal ratio, which is great for gathering light quickly, it also means critical focus is a bit more sensitive. He recommends adding an autofocuser, although he didn’t install one for this test due to having many other scopes in rotation.

Even though galaxy season is underway, Trevor explains that the 509 mm focal length makes the SQA106 more suited for large nebulae rather than small galaxies. However, he does stay up later into the night to capture a few frames from the Sadr region in Cygnus, which rises after 3:30 a.m. and offers plenty of rich nebulosity.

Image analysis, star quality, and final impressions of the SQA106

When reviewing the actual data from the imaging session, Trevor begins with a two-minute subexposure using no filter. The star shapes are round and well-formed across the frame, and although there is some slight vignetting, it is manageable and expected, especially since he used a crop sensor. He notes that using flat frames would easily correct this, though he didn’t take any for this session. Still, the data looks clean and the stars maintain color integrity without any weird chromatic issues or halos.

Stacking 50 frames reveals even more detail, and Trevor points out the color range of stars in the field. He’s particularly intrigued by the Fly Nebula, a target he hadn’t explored before. It turns out to be a reflection and emission nebula, rich with subtle structure. He mentions that the Spider Nebula, located nearby, shows more hydrogen-alpha emissions and complements the field well. These targets combined deliver a composition filled with both star color and gas detail.

To dig deeper into optical performance, he uses a script-based aberration inspector in PixInsight to analyze star shapes across the frame. Trevor admits that his polar alignment was rushed that night, which resulted in slightly misshapen stars near the edges, but this wasn’t the fault of the scope. Overall, the stars hold up well, and he’s very happy with the corner performance, even with an aggressive stretch applied to the data.

Switching to the dual narrowband data, Trevor shows off 30 to 40 five-minute exposures taken with the L-Ultimate filter. The image immediately gains contrast and depth, with more visible nebulosity and clearer separation of gas structures. He eventually blends the broadband and narrowband data into a hybrid image that offers both the natural star colors of RGB imaging and the punchy detail of narrowband. The result is a balanced and compelling image that showcases the capabilities of the SQA106.

He also removes the stars entirely using image processing tools to produce a “starless” version of the frame, revealing intricate hydrogen structures that were less apparent with stars in the mix. This alternate view gives a unique perspective on the structure and density of the gas in this region of the sky.

Throughout the video, Trevor makes it clear that the SQA106 delivers on its promise of professional-grade optics. But he also acknowledges the high price point, which is over $3,000. He compares this to other refractors in the same price range that offer larger apertures, such as the Askar PHQ130, the ZWO FF130, or the William Optics FLT120. What sets the SQA106 apart, he argues, is the attention to optical precision and thoughtful design features.

For those looking for something more affordable but still interested in the optical quality Askar offers, Trevor points to smaller models in the SQA line, such as the 70 mm or even the 55 mm, which comes in under $800 in the US. These smaller scopes retain many of the same benefits but at a lower price and reduced weight.

Overall Trevor says he is “super impressed” with the SQA106. After previously testing and enjoying the 55 mm version, he had a feeling he’d like the 106, and it met his expectations. He plans to continue using it while he has it on loan and intends to prioritize it over many of the other refractors in his collection. For serious astrophotographers who want high optical performance and don’t mind paying a premium for it, the SQA106 represents a strong option.

The Askar SQA106 is more than just a telescope—it is a well-crafted tool for wide-field deep-sky imaging. Its combination of a fast focal ratio, high-quality optics, and practical design features makes it especially compelling for anyone seeking professional results in a manageable and portable setup. Trevor's detailed hands-on review under real-world conditions gives confidence that this telescope is not just hype but a real performer in the field.

Askar SQA106 Review! (Super Impressed)

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