First Light Askar 71F Review: Best Budget Quadruplet for Astrophotography?

Great review, I haven't had a chance to use my 71F yet, clouds, wind and work. You mention the cradle locking ring knobs and dew shield lock, focus rotator knob, I thought they were plastic too when I first got the scope but they are all aluminum, I made a tiny scratch on the bottom its definitely machined aluminum, just the black paint makes it seem like plastic. Only plastic is the two little white bushings where the scope rings clamp together.

Askar is really setting the standard right now I have the 65 phq and I really love it it holds focus really well and the field is flat as. I like that this new one has a small dove tail on the top.

thank you for all these informations. Excellent review !!

Finally a review on this scope. I bought this scope on pre-order from Agina Astro. Got it as soon as it shipped earlier this month. I got a laugh out ot it looking like it was scratched (the logo) it was the first thing I noticed. Also the handlebar being not high enough to get my hand through. I've only had it out for one imagining session so far. M51. I am impressed how good the field is. Absolute no coma . It's a great scope as you mentioned to get started in the world of Astrophotography. I own a W.O Zenith star 61 ll. This scope will be getting a lot more use. Can't wait until I have clear skies to go after the Wizard Nebula using the player one anti halo narrowband filter. Thanks for reviewing this great scope. Clear skies....Hopefully soon.

I have been considering a small refractor as my 2nd scope, to pair with my C8-N, and this looks like it really fits the bill.

I got this scope from Agenna Astro with preorder. I uses it for several sessions and it's optic quality is really good. All the corner starts looks perfect. I did some star field and nebula. Both comes perfect. It is really just cheaper version of Redcat 71. It is slower than that but 1/4 of price. I really love this scope.

Excellent review .....I enjoy my at60ed as well .. But this focal length is a perfect step up to tighter imaging.....thanks for taking the time

Thanks for watching! Consider supporting this channel at no cost to you by using some of my referral links below: Get the Askar 71F at Agena Astro: agenaastro.com/askar-quadruplet-flat-field-astrogr… Get the Askar 71F at High Point Scientific: www.highpointscientific.com/askar-71f-flat-field-r… Shop for other stuff on Amazon: amzn.to/45bemmL

Great review! I was looking for it since this scope came out. Hope they add a 50~60mm scope to this new F series. Not sure if it would fight against the PHQ series but would be a gamechanger in the market at a lower price range. Greetings from Brazil

Hi, I'd love to here more about its ability in visual observing, yes its an astrograph but visual will tell you just how good the optics are.

Thanks for the review! I think 0,75 reducer is on the way so it will be even better choice

Need to see some sample images, CA with an OSC and corner to corner.

I'm very new to amateur astronomy doing just visual. I decided to get the Askar 120 apo triplet and like it so much I bought the 71F to try AP. Even though I've been warned to stay away from it. I recently picked up an asiair plus on another member on CN. Was gonna get a color planetary camera, but decided to the the ZWO ASI585MC Pro Cooled Color. I have the 120mm mini for a guide camera, but need to get a guide scope. My question is: Do you think I made an okay choice in regard to the 585 MC Pro and what guide scope would you suggest?

Great review. What really caught my attention was the fact that you used it to photograph the Sun. I had purchased the SolarQuest, for this past eclipse and I had used my 150-600mm lens with this setup. My tie-in with this review is this: I would like to continue using the SolarQuest, but would like a scope to use, to photograph Sunspots instead of a camera lens. My thoughts are, either this Askar 71F or the RedCat51. Would you suggest the Askar 71F over the RedCat or suggest another scope, to go with the SolarQuest? Can an eyepiece be introduce into this Askar 71F setup to increase the magnification so that one can zoom in closer on a Sunspot? Maybe, with the fact that many people had purchased the SolarQuest; a future video could be done on what scope to pair with this now that you have it?

Nice video! Eagerly waiting for the follow up before I buy it. Would love if you can image some Nebulae in the follow up, wanna compare it with my 120 APO and Hyperstar 9.25 edge hd. Will order depending on that follow up video results!

What would be the size of bahtinov mask for this scope?

I'm assuming I can use a filter drawer with my astrocamera?

no sample image?

Okay. I bite. Just ordered this refractor. Do I need it? Not really, but its a nice scope for a nice price and HEY, everyone likes new stuff. I do have a RedCat51 (first generation), Orion ED80, AT115, and SkyMax150. This scope should be superior to the ED80 optics and fits nicely within my range of focal lengths. I really like the EAF on my AT115 which drifts in focus through the night, but have never seen the need on the RedCat51. I'm hoping this scope holds focus, but we will see. Thanks for the review.

I live in canada. Here this astrograph costs over 800. Would you do a comparison between this one and the skywatcher evoguide 50?