Askar Fra600 Review

Manufacturer: Sharpstar Askar

Price: $2599

The Askar FRA600 is making waves in the world of astrophotography. Known for its high-end optics, affordable prices, and user-friendly design, this telescope fits snugly into the niche of enthusiasts who don’t just want to observe the stars—they want to capture them in breathtaking detail.

This telescope caters to advanced astrophotographers and serious amateur astronomers. If you’ve moved past beginner scopes and are searching for something that offers a more refined experience, the FRA600 might just be the right upgrade.

Askar, the brand behind the FRA600, has a reputation for producing quality optic instruments that blend innovation with reliability. The company’s attention to optical precision and build quality sets it apart, ensuring your investment in the FRA600 is grounded in craftsmanship and performance. This telescope is not just a tool; it’s a gateway to exploring the universe with clarity and precision.

Key Features: Unpacking the Essentials

The Askar FRA600 shines with its smart design and impressive capabilities, making it a standout choice in its category. Central to its appeal is the apochromatic refractor optical design, renowned for delivering sharp and aberration-free images. This feature makes it an ideal candidate for serious astrophotographers who prioritize detail and color fidelity.

Featuring a generous aperture, the FRA600 promises detailed views and captures of celestial objects. This size contributes significantly to its light-gathering ability, crucial for those breathtaking shots of faint galaxies and nebulae.

When it comes to mount compatibility, the FRA600 doesn’t lag behind. It’s designed to work effortlessly with various mounts, including popular equatorial and motorized tracking systems. This adaptability allows users to seamlessly integrate their existing setups or choose preferred options without hassle.

Portability is always a consideration for astrophotographers on the move. The FRA600’s balanced weight and compact dimensions make it reasonably easy to transport. You can take it to remote stargazing locations without bearing the weight of cumbersome equipment.

Price-wise, the FRA600 occupies a competitive space, offering a range that’s attractive for those moving up from entry-level models. While it’s an investment, the features and performance it offers justify the price, especially for users seeking reliability and quality enhancement.

Performance and Image Quality: Starry Night Visions

The Askar FRA600 doesn’t disappoint when it comes to delivering sharp and high-quality images. Its ability to capture celestial wonders with minimal chromatic aberration is a testament to its sophisticated optical design, ensuring your photos are as crisp as reality demands.

When evaluating sharpness, the FRA600 stands out, offering images that are not only detailed but also maintain consistency across various observing conditions. This is particularly impressive given the challenges of astrophotography, where image clarity can make or break a shot.

While no telescope is entirely free from minor distortions or field curvature, the FRA600 does a commendable job of minimizing these, which satisfies most expectations of serious astrophotographers. Overall, it delivers an imaging performance that rivals more expensive models, making it an excellent choice for those seeking premium quality without breaking the bank.

Ease of Use: A User-Friendly Exploration

Portability is a strong suit for the FRA600. Although not ultra-light, weighing in at 6.5 kg (14.3 lbs) it’s portable enough to be taken on trips to dark sky sites, providing a balance between sturdiness and ease of transportation. This aspect is particularly appreciated by those who frequently change locations to enhance their stargazing experiences.

Pros: The Bright Side of Askar FRA600

The FRA600 excels in optical performance, offering outstanding clarity and color accuracy that meets the high expectations of advanced astrophotographers. It’s perfect for capturing those intricate details that make celestial photography so captivating.

Compatibility with a variety of mounts is another strong point. Whether you prefer equatorial or motorized tracking systems, this telescope integrates effortlessly, making it versatile for different user setups and preferences.

The balance of weight and size means it’s portable enough for on-the-go stargazing sessions. You won’t have to sacrifice convenience for quality.

This scope has a massive 66 mm image circle, making it a good match for full-frame or larger camera sensors. This is partly due to the very large 4.2 inch focuser that is fully rotatable for getting that perfect framing.

As far as price, it offers great value given its feature set and performance. It’s an investment that pays off for those ready to make a step up in their astrophotography journey.

Cons: Areas for Improvement in the FRA600

While the Askar FRA600 offers many strengths, there are a few areas where it could improve.

Its weight, while manageable for many, still poses a bit of a challenge if you’re hiking to a remote location. It’s portable, sure, but not the lightest option available for those on the move.

For those on a tighter budget, its price may seem somewhat steep. Although the features justify cost in terms of quality and performance, it might necessitate a bit more consideration for budget-conscious buyers.

This scope does not come with a star diagonal, so if you want to do visual observing, you will need to buy one separately.

Ultimately, while these aren’t deal-breakers for many, they are factors to weigh depending on your individual needs and circumstances.

Comparison to Competitors: Where the FRA600 Stands

The Askar FRA600 competes fiercely in its category, boasting features that rival even the most well-known brands. Its optical performance positions it strongly against other high-end apochromatic refractors, offering clarity and image quality that makes it a formidable contender.

Comparing this model to others in a similar price bracket, the FRA600 edges out many with its user-friendly setup and mount compatibility. Many other scopes require additional components or adjustments, which adds complexity and cost to similar models.

While competitors like the Sky-Watcher Esprit or the William Optics Zenithstar offer varied features, the FRA600 stands out with its balance of portability and performance. It’s a great option for those seeking high-quality optics without compromising ease of use.

However, some competitors might offer lighter models, appealing if ultra-portability is your top priority. Those models often compromise on optic quality or require additional purchases, making the FRA600 an attractive all-in-one solution.

While the FRA600 offers a compelling combination of features at its price point, potential buyers should be aware of the mixed reviews concerning optical performance, especially regarding chromatic aberration and edge sharpness. Comparisons with other telescopes, such as the Takahashi FSQ106 suggest that while the FRA600 is a cost-effective alternative, it may not entirely match the optical excellence of these higher-end models. The Takahashi is of course much more expensive, but it is considered to be the gold standard for high-quality refractors by many astrophotographers.

Overall, if the sharpness of image and ease of use top your wish list, the FRA600 holds its ground firmly against what the others bring to the table.

Other similar telescopes:

Takahashi FSQ106

This is the cream of the crop as far as astrographs. It is quite expensive, but if you want the best, this is it. It has an amazing image circle of 88 mm and the highest-quality optics.

 

Sky-Watcher Esprit 100ED

A 100mm f/5 apochromatic triplet refractor offering excellent color correction and sharpness, popular among astrophotographers for its performance and value.

 

Stellarvue SVX102T

A premium 102mm f/7 apochromatic triplet refractor handcrafted with high precision optics, delivering exceptional image quality for discerning astrophotographers. Stellarvue manufactures its telescopes made-to-order.

William Optics FLT120

This is my main telescope and it is awesome. It does require an optional field flattener to get the best image circle

 

 

Ideal Use Cases and Conclusion: Where the Stars Align

The Askar FRA600 excels in capturing deep-sky objects like galaxies and nebulae with precision. Its optical clarity suits those interested in detailed lunar and planetary imaging, making it versatile for multiple astrophotography interests.

For those who enjoy exploring different celestial phenomena, the FRA600 stands out as a reliable tool that delivers consistent results, no matter what you aim it at. Its adaptability to various observational tasks makes it a great choice for enthusiasts wanting to push their creative boundaries.

In conclusion, the FRA600 offers strong performance at a competitive price, justifying the investment for those passionate about quality astrophotography. It’s a recommendable piece for any serious astrophotographer or amateur astronomer looking to advance their setup.

Ultimately, if you’re after a blend of high performance and usability, the FRA600 deserves a spot on your shortlist. It’s been carefully crafted not only to meet expectations but also to inspire you to capture the night sky in its full glory. My overall rating lands at 4 out of 5 stars, largely driven by its performance and value for price. It loses one star for reports of imperfect optics on the perimeter of the image circle.