ASKAR FMA180 PRO F/4.5 APO REFRACTOR
Askar
Apochromatic sextuplet
0.8 kg
ASKAR FMA180 PRO F/4.5 APO REFRACTOR is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
The new Askar FMA180 PRO F/4.5 is an updated version of the extremely versatile, lightweight sextuplet apochromatic refractor with two ED (extra-low dispersion) lenses. The Pro version features a newly-designed body with 360 degree rotator and 150mm Vixen dovetail base.
The FMA180 is a very capable super wide-field astrograph with minimal chromatic aberration and distortion. As well as its superb imaging capability, it can be configured as a visual telescope, finder or guide scope.
Features
- Can be used as either a visual telescope or a highly corrected 180mm f/4.5 astrograph.
- Compact and light, at 167.5mm long and 800 grams.
- Includes an M48 x 0.75 thread for connection to cameras, plus a built-in 2" filter thread for mounting light pollution filters.
- Comes with 150mm Vixen-style dovetail and finder base for a wide range of configuration possibilities.
- Extremely portable and versatile construction, ideal for grab and go astrophotography with a star tracker.
- Highly precise helical focuser
Specifications
| Optical design |
Air-spaced apochromatic sextuplet with two ED elements |
|
Objective diameter |
40 mm |
|
Focal length |
180 mm |
|
Focal ratio |
f/4.5 |
|
Mount attachment |
150mm Vixen-style dovetail base, finder scope bracket |
|
Focuser |
Helical focuser |
|
Camera connection |
M48 x 0.75 (with built in 2" filter thread) |
|
Backfocus |
55 mm |
|
Weight |
800 g |
|
Length |
167.5 mm |
|
SKU |
AS-180 |
Items included
- FMA180 Pro telescope
- 150mm Vixen dovetail
- Finderscope bracket
- Manual
Gallery
Downloads
 ASKAR FMA180 Pro manual
|
Customer Reviews
Very happy with the results I've achieved with the FMA180 PRO when coupled with the AIS2600MM Pro. Stars are sharp and I've only noticed some minor elongated stars in one corner, which are likely caused by tilt in my optical train. The scope is very well constructed and works flawlessly with the EAF kit and a ZWO EAF. The attached image of the Rho Ophiuchi Cloud Complex provides a good example of the FOV and result you can get expect to get with the ASI2600MM Pro or other APS-C sized sensor.
What a great little Astrograph. Camera lens style focusing. And a nice camera rotator at the camera end. Mounted solidly to a quality dovetail. The finder bracket works well. Only tested on APS-C sensors and the field seems flat with virtually no CA in the images. Highly recommended if you are needing wide fields without having to buy flatteners/reducers. Superfast Testar service and quick delivery as usual.
Quality and versatile bit of kit. Sharp and flat field with just a tiny bit of ca that can easily be controlled in post. Helical focusser has plenty of travel and enough resistance to hold focus without having to lock it. Big thumbs up for the M42 threads as my diagonal is a little long to focus with the provided tubes but I can easily swap in some different extension tubes to achieve focus. It's also handy to be able to thread a 2 inch filter straight onto the lens hood. Brass thumb screws on provided rings are easily snugged up to hold the ota firmly or loosened to easily rotate ota. Eta carina is 6 x 8minutes shots with the L enhance filter on the front and rho Ophiucus is 7 x 6minute subs.
Have only had the chance to use the FMA180 once so far due to clouds/moon phase, but pretty impressed - build quality is excellent, as for imaging, see pic attached. 1/2 hr integration on Carina from my bortle 8 front yard taken with my Canon M50 & L enhance filter.
