The world of amateur astronomy just got more exciting. Askar, a well-known name among astrophotographers, has released a new telescope, the Askar 80ED. It’s an 80mm achromatic refractor that’s compact, powerful, and designed for both imaging and visual use. Whether you’re a beginner looking for a quality start or an experienced imager upgrading your setup, the 80ED is worth a close look.
A balanced beginning
The Askar 80ED strikes a balance between portability and performance. It has an 80mm aperture and a 560mm focal length, giving it a focal ratio of f/7. That makes it versatile. You can use it for wide-field astrophotography or enjoy bright, crisp views of the Moon, planets, and deep-sky objects.
The tube is light enough to travel with and sturdy enough to last years. The entire setup feels solid. The design is clean and modern, with a matte finish and no unnecessary flair. It’s all about function here, and that’s a good thing.
The power of ED glass
At the heart of this telescope is its extra-low dispersion (ED) glass. Askar uses a doublet lens design that significantly reduces chromatic aberration. That means stars stay sharp and free of color fringing. In short, your images will look cleaner and your views will be more accurate.
ED glass is one of the biggest improvements in modern refractors. It brings apochromatic performance without apochromatic pricing. The Askar 80ED uses this tech well, putting it ahead of many other budget-friendly refractors.
Built for astrophotography
Where the Askar 80ED really shines is in astrophotography. Its 80mm aperture and 560mm focal length are perfect for imaging large targets like nebulae, galaxies, and star fields. It covers a generous area of the sky, especially when paired with APS-C sensors.
The telescope supports a range of accessories. Askar offers a dedicated field flattener and 0.7x and 0.85x reducers, which you can purchase separately. These help correct edge distortions and shorten the focal length to f/4.9 and f/5.9, respectively, ideal for faster exposures.
Attaching a DSLR or dedicated astro camera is easy. The focuser includes a standard M48 thread and adapter rings. The backfocus spacing is generous and works well with filter wheels and other imaging gear.
For the visual observer
If you’re more of a visual observer, the 80ED still delivers. With just a diagonal and a few eyepieces, you’re ready to explore the night sky. The Moon shows great detail – craters, ridges, and mountain shadows pop with clarity. Jupiter and Saturn appear crisp, and you’ll catch their moons too.
On clear nights, open clusters like the Pleiades sparkle in the wide field of view. Even faint fuzzies like the Andromeda Galaxy can come alive with some effort. This isn’t a light bucket, but it punches above its weight.
Travel-friendly
At just 2 kg (including rings and dovetail), the 80ED is lightweight enough for grab-and-go trips. It fits easily into padded cases or travel bags. Combine it with a portable mount, and you have a powerful mobile setup.
That’s a big win for people who like to shoot under dark skies. You can leave the heavy gear behind and still capture stunning images with this scope.
Specifications
- Optical Design: Achromatic Doublet Refractor
- Aperture: 80 mm
- Focal Length: 560 mm
- Focal Ratio: f/7
- Tube Length: 460 mm
- Weight: 1.7 Kg (Tube-only), 2 Kg (with accessories)
- Focuser: 2.5-inch Rack-and-Pinion dual-speed focuser, capable of supporting loads up to 4 kg
- Dew Shield: Retractable
- Dovetail Bar: Vixen-style
Price and availability
The Askar 80ED is yet to be open for order or pre-order, and Askar has not mentioned its pricing. Looking at the specifications, we would guess that it would be priced around $1,000.
Final thoughts
The Askar 80ED is a solid performer. It brings excellent optics, great mechanics, and a thoughtful design. Askar clearly knows what astronomers need: reliable, portable, and precise gear. This telescope delivers all that without breaking the bank. While it doesn’t come with every accessory out of the box, its core performance makes up for it. With the right mount and a few add-ons, this telescope becomes a serious imaging machine. For those looking to invest in a refractor that grows with their skills, the Askar 80ED is a smart choice. It’s not just a telescope. It’s a reliable partner in your journey through the stars.
Clear skies!
