Askar 140 APO review

The Askar 140 APO is a modern take on the long-respected refractor design, a concept that dates back to the early 17th century when pioneers like Galileo Galilei and Johannes Kepler first harnessed the power of curved glass to explore the cosmos. Over the centuries, refractors have evolved from simple single-lens instruments to complex apochromatic systems that correct for chromatic aberration, delivering razor-sharp images with true-to-life color.

Askar, a rising name in the astrophotography world, is a brand under Sharpstar Optics, a company known for its innovative approach to high-performance yet affordable astronomical equipment. Based in China, Sharpstar has gained a reputation for pushing the boundaries of optical engineering, offering a range of well-corrected refractors that compete with far more expensive models. The Askar 140 APO embodies this philosophy—delivering a generously sized 140mm aperture, impressive color correction, and excellent mechanical craftsmanship at a price point that makes stepping into large-aperture refractor astrophotography more accessible than ever. While it may not match the pristine performance of fluorite-based optics found in its pricier competitors, it represents a compelling option for astrophotographers seeking quality without the premium price tag.

Diving in, the Askar 140 APO review

At the heart of the Askar 140 APO is a triplet air-spaced apochromatic lens system, which includes one element of extra-low dispersion (ED) glass. This design effectively minimizes chromatic aberration, resulting in sharp, high-contrast images with excellent color correction. The telescope has a focal length of 980mm, yielding a focal ratio of f/7, which strikes a balance between light-gathering capability and image resolution.

The telescope boasts a robust mechanical construction. The optical tube assembly is crafted using high-quality CNC machining, featuring anodized and surface spray paint treatments for durability and aesthetics. The ivory-white tube is accented with orange highlights, giving it a stylish and elegant appearance. A notable feature is the integrated retractable lens tube, designed to maintain optical axis stability when extended, ensuring image quality is not compromised. The retractable part also includes a rudder-type locking ring for easy adjustment.

Equipped with a dual-speed rack-and-pinion focuser, it allows for precise focusing adjustments. The focuser includes a 360-degree rotator with precise scales, facilitating easy framing of astrophotography subjects. Additionally, the telescope comes with two finder bases on either side of the focuser, providing flexibility for mounting accessories such as finder scopes or guide scopes. The telescope's compact form factor makes it suitable for field use, allowing astronomers to transport it to dark-sky locations with relative ease. The included 300mm Losmandy-style dovetail plate ensures compatibility with a wide range of mounts, providing stability during observations or imaging sessions.

For astrophotographers, the scope offers impressive capabilities. Optional accessories include a 1x flattener and a 0.8x reducer. The 1x flattener maintains the telescope's native focal ratio of f/7 while correcting field curvature and coma, resulting in flatter field edges and more precise star points. The 0.8x reducer decreases the focal ratio to f/5.6, providing a wider field of view and shorter exposure times, which is beneficial for capturing expansive celestial objects such as nebulae and galaxies.

In practical use, the 140 APO has demonstrated strong performance in both visual observation and imaging. Observers have noted that stars appear as sharp pinpoints with minimal chromatic aberration, thanks to the high-quality ED glass and triplet lens design. The telescope's fast focal ratio allows for bright, detailed views of deep-sky objects, while its high-quality optics ensure that images are crisp and clear.

Askar 140 APO astrophotography review

If you're an astrophotographer looking for a high-performance refractor that won’t completely break the bank, Ali La Bley’s recent review of the Askar 140 APO is worth checking out. He dives deep into the telescope’s build, performance, and usability, ultimately concluding that it’s an excellent option for imaging, with a few caveats.

Ali starts off by asking an interesting question: how big can a telescope get while still being considered relatively affordable? That’s where the Askar 140 APO comes in. It’s a 140mm apochromatic refractor with a triplet lens design featuring two air-spaced elements and an extra-low dispersion (ED) glass element. Priced at $2,800 (including the 0.8x reducer), it offers a focal length of 918mm at its native f/7. With the reducer, the focal ratio drops to f/5.2, and the focal length is reduced to 728mm, which is ideal for many astrophotography targets.

Ali mentions that he doesn’t own the 1x field flattener that comes with the scope, so his review is based on the performance with the 0.8x reducer. He also points out that all of his test images were taken using an APS-C-sized sensor rather than a full-frame camera.

Askar 140 APO Specifications

• Aperture Size: 140mm
• Focal Length: 980mm
• Focal Ratio: f/7
• Objective Lens: Triplet air-spaced APO (including one ED glass)
• Total Length: 735mm (when the dew shield is contracted), 870mm (when the dew shield is stretched)
• Length of Rear Retractable Lens Tube: 125mm
• OTA Weight: 20.3 lbs
• Gross Weight (including tube ring and dovetail plate): 24 lbs
• Rear-End Thread Type: 2"/1.25" visual adapters
• Standard Package Items:
• - 140 APO OTA
• - Pair of tube rings
• - Handle
• - Askar 300mm Losmandy dovetail plate
• - Oxford cloth case
• - Manual
   

The telescope comes with a well-thought-out mounting system, including a double-ring design with a 300mm Losmandy-style dovetail. There’s also an extra-long saddle on top, which allows for easy mounting of accessories like a guide scope, an ASI Air, or a power hub.

Moving towards the focuser, the Askar 140 APO features a dual-speed 3.5-inch rack-and-pinion focuser. Ali notes that it’s compatible with most motorized focusers, and he has mounted a ZWO EAF on his unit. He also appreciates the inclusion of a 360-degree rotator, which is firm and smooth, making it easy to adjust framing while imaging.

Another useful feature is the retractable tube system, which allows for conversion between visual and imaging modes. The dew shield at the front is also adjustable. The scope ships in an Oxford cloth case, which is useful for transportation, though Ali had to modify the lining to fit the scope with his electronic focuser attached.

At the back, the telescope includes a 2-inch and a 1.25-inch visual back, which can be removed when attaching the reducer and an imaging train. The back focus is an industry-standard 55mm.

To evaluate performance, Ali shows two images taken with the telescope using a one-shot color camera, specifically the ToupTek 2600 (which he plans to review separately). One image is a fully stacked and processed final image, while the other is a single sub-exposure.

His overall impression is that the star shapes across the field are quite good, though there is some chromatic aberration if you zoom in closely. While not a deal-breaker, it’s something to be aware of if you’re particularly sensitive to color fringing.

Pros and Cons of the Askar 140 APO

Pros:

• Price - For a refractor of this size and quality, the Askar 140 APO is significantly more affordable than other similar telescopes on the market.
• Portability - As someone who does a lot of mobile imaging, Ali appreciates how easy the telescope is to transport compared to some other large refractors.
• Multiple Saddle Points - The additional saddles make mounting accessories much easier, which improves the overall user experience. Ali, who likes to keep his rig neat and tidy, finds this to be an underrated advantage.
• Build Quality - The telescope feels premium, sturdy, and well-constructed. Ali has taken it on multiple trips to the desert, where it has held up well against rough conditions.
   

Cons:

• Wind Sensitivity - When fully configured for imaging, the telescope has a large profile, making it susceptible to wind. This made guiding difficult for Ali, particularly in open desert conditions. However, he acknowledges that this might not be an issue for those with a sturdier mount or those imaging in more sheltered environments.
• Retractable Tube Issues - While the retractable design is useful, it has a major downside: it collects dust, especially in dry, dusty locations like the desert. Ali has even had the tube get stuck, to the point where he once accidentally rotated the entire back half of the telescope while trying to loosen it. Since then, he’s been careful not to overtighten it, but it remains a concern.
   

Ali wraps up his review by saying that the Askar 140 APO is a great choice for astrophotographers, particularly those looking for a big aperture refractor without spending a fortune. It delivers solid optical performance, comes with useful features, and is relatively portable. However, it does require careful handling, especially in windy or dusty environments.

He emphasizes that this telescope is best suited for imaging rather than visual observation, though he hasn’t tested it for visual use himself. Overall, for those who have “aperture fever” and want a powerful refractor for deep-sky imaging, the Askar 140 APO is a strong contender.

That said, if you image in windy areas or need a scope that stays pristine in dusty conditions, you might need to work around its quirks. Otherwise, it’s a fantastic telescope that delivers a lot of value for its price.

If you’re interested in seeing some of the final images Ali captured with the Askar 140 APO, be sure to check out his video review. And as always, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to his channel for more astrophotography content!

The Askar 140 APO is a BEAST! Astrophotography Review

Buy the Askar 140 APO