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20mm more clearance under your SQA telescope
Why we like the SQA riser blocks:
- Fewer collisions: lifting the telescope 20mm gives the camera, filter wheel and focuser more room to clear the mount and tripod legs during slews and meridian flips.
- Room underneath: the extra height leaves space under the tube for accessories and cables.
- Built to match: all-metal blocks made by Askar for its SQA telescopes.
- Worth knowing: they fit the SQA70, SQA85, SQA106 and SQA130, not the SQA55 or SQA60 Pro. Raising the telescope moves its weight farther from the mount, so rebalance after fitting them.
The Askar SQA Series 20mm Riser Blocks (Askar calls them a heightening section) go between the tube rings of an Askar SQA telescope and its dovetail plate, raising the whole telescope by 20mm. On an equatorial mount, that extra height helps a camera, electronic focuser or filter wheel at the back of the telescope clear the mount head and tripod when the telescope points high or flips sides. They're all-metal and come as two blocks, as shown in Askar's photos.
Key specs: 20mm lift · all-metal · two blocks · fits Askar SQA70, SQA85, SQA106 and SQA130
Fits these telescopes
- Askar SQA70 70mm f/4.8 astrograph
- Askar SQA85 85mm f/4.8 astrograph
- Askar SQA106 106mm f/4.8 astrograph
- Askar SQA130 130mm f/4.8 astrograph
They don't fit the SQA55, which has a quick-release foot, or the SQA60 Pro, whose rings already have a raised base.
When they help
- Compact harmonic mounts: on mounts such as the ZWO AM5N or AM7, the telescope sits close to the mount head, and a cooled camera with a filter wheel can touch the mount or tripod when the telescope points near the zenith.
- An electronic focuser on the underside: a ZWO EAF Pro or EAFN fitted below the focuser gets more room above the mount.
- Cable routing: more space under the tube to run cables neatly to the camera and focuser.
Pair them with the SQA Series handle bar. See all Askar telescopes and accessories.
What's in the box
- Two 20mm all-metal riser blocks with mounting screws (as shown in Askar's photos)
The telescope, tube rings and dovetail plate are not included.
Askar SQA Riser Blocks FAQ
Do I need riser blocks?
Only if something at the back of the telescope comes close to the mount or tripod. Do a slow test slew in daylight, pointing near the zenith and through a meridian flip. If the camera or focuser gets close to anything, the blocks give you 20mm more room.
Do they fit the SQA55 or SQA60 Pro?
No. Askar makes them for the other SQA models. The SQA55 uses a quick-release foot, and the SQA60 Pro already has a raised ring base.
Will I need to rebalance?
Yes, a little. The telescope sits 20mm higher on the dovetail, so check the balance in declination after fitting them, especially on a mount you run with a counterweight.
Specifications
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Height (lift) | 20mm |
| Material | All metal |
| Quantity | Two blocks (as shown in Askar's photos) |
| Fits | Askar SQA70, SQA85, SQA106, SQA130 |
| Does not fit | Askar SQA55, SQA60 Pro |
| Manufacturer / SKU | Askar (Sharpstar Optics) / ASKSQALP20 |