Askar SQA106 106mm f/4.8 Quintuplet APO Astrograph

Full-frame coverage and fast f/4.8 optics on a mid-size mount

The Askar SQA106 106mm f/4.8 Quintuplet APO Astrograph is a deep-sky imaging refractor built around an air-spaced Petzval design with two SD (special dispersion) glass elements. The flattener is part of the optics, and the 55mm image circle covers full-frame sensors with room to spare. With an APS-C camera it frames 2.64° × 1.77°, and with a full-frame camera 4.05° × 2.70°. It comes with integrated tube rings and handle, a 300mm Losmandy-style dovetail plate, a 2.8" dual-speed focuser with a 360° rotator, and an Oxford cloth carry case.

Key specs: 106mm aperture · 509mm focal length, f/4.8 · 5-element air-spaced Petzval with 2 SD elements · 55mm image circle (covers 44mm full frame) · 48–78mm back focus range, 55mm recommended · 2.8" dual-speed focuser, 30mm travel · 5.82kg (12.8lb) tube; 8.12kg (17.9lb) with rings and plate

What you can image

• Large galaxies: the Andromeda Galaxy with M32 and M110, the Triangulum Galaxy, M81 and M82 together, and the Sculptor Galaxy.
• Nebulae: the Rosette Nebula, the Orion Nebula with the Running Man, the Heart and Soul Nebulae, the Crescent Nebula with its surrounding hydrogen, and the Cocoon Nebula with its dark lane.
• Faint targets for long projects: the Squid Nebula inside the Flying Bat (Sh2-129 and Ou4), the Cone Nebula region and the Iris Nebula's dust.
• Clusters: the Pleiades with their reflection nebulosity and the Double Cluster.

With an ASI2600 camera the SQA106 gives 1.52″ per pixel, a scale that suits typical Colorado seeing and is easy to guide.

How it works

No flattener to space: there's no separate flattener, so you don't need one exact spacing. Anything from 48mm to 78mm behind the camera adapter comes to focus, and Askar recommends 55mm. Askar's connection diagram shows a ZWO cooled camera (17.5mm back focus) with ZWO's included M48 extension tubes, or with an off-axis guider (19.5mm) and filter drawer (18mm) in their place.

Adapters: the focuser ends in an M76 thread with M68, M54 and M48 adapters. They're toothed and ribbed, so you can turn them by hand without slipping.

Focuser and rotator: the 2.8" dual-speed rack-and-pinion focuser has 30mm of travel and an engraved scale. A 360° rotator with a scale and an enlarged locking screw lets you frame and return to the same angle. Askar shows the ZWO EAF, Pegasus FocusCube 3, QHYCCD Q-Focuser, Astroasis Oasis and iOptron iEAF fitted to it.

Mounting: the tube rings have six M4 and M6 threaded holes on each side for accessories or a second telescope, the top handle has a finder slot, and two more finder bases sit beside the focuser.

What to add for the best results

• A mount (required): the ZWO AM5N with TC40 tripod carries 15kg (33lb) without a counterweight, enough for the SQA106 with a camera, guider and focuser. The ZWO AM7 gives more headroom for a heavy full-frame setup.
• A camera (required): the ZWO ASI2600MC Pro or ASI2600MM Pro (APS-C), or the ASI2600MC Air with ASIAIR and a guide sensor built in. A full-frame ASI6200MM Pro or ASI6200MC Pro uses the whole field.
• Guiding: the ZWO OAG-L with an ASI220MM Mini, or Askar's 52mm Super ED guide scope on the handle.
• Autofocus: a ZWO EAFN or EAF Pro.
• Control: the ZWO ASIAIR Plus, unless you choose the ASI2600MC Air.
• Filters: Askar's Colour Magic C 2" duo-band package or a 2" ZWO Duo-Band in a ZWO M54 2" filter drawer, or a ZWO 7-position 2" filter wheel for a mono camera.
• SQA accessories: SQA Series 20mm riser blocks for more clearance on an equatorial mount, and the SQA Series handle bar for carrying.

Which SQA astrograph is right for you?

See all Askar telescopes and accessories.

What's in the box

• Askar SQA106 optical tube with integrated tube rings, handle and dew shield
• 300mm Losmandy-style dovetail plate
• M68, M54 and M48 camera adapters on the focuser's M76 thread
• Front lens cap
• Oxford cloth carry case

The mount, camera, guider, electronic focuser and filters are sold separately.

Askar SQA106 FAQ

Is the SQA106 good for a beginner?

It's easy to set up because there's no flattener spacing to work out, but its 509mm focal length and weight need a solid mount and good guiding. If it's your first imaging telescope, the SQA70 or SQA85 is more forgiving. If you've imaged with a small refractor already, the SQA106 is a good step up.

What mount do I need?

With a camera, guider and focuser the SQA106 setup weighs roughly 9.5–10kg (21–22lb). The ZWO AM5N handles that without a counterweight. We don't recommend the smaller AM3N for this telescope.

Which camera works best?

An APS-C camera such as the ASI2600MM Pro gives 2.64° × 1.77° at 1.52″ per pixel. A full-frame ASI6200MM Pro widens that to 4.05° × 2.70° at the same scale, and the 55mm image circle covers it fully.

SQA106 or SQA85?

The SQA106 has about 55% more light-gathering area, a 509mm focal length for more galaxy detail, and a larger 55mm image circle. The SQA85 frames 3.30° × 2.20° on APS-C and weighs 4.62kg (10.2lb) with rings and plate, so it fits a smaller mount such as the AM3N.

SQA106 or SQA130?

The SQA130 collects 50% more light and reaches 624mm, but it weighs 11.76kg (25.9lb) and needs a ZWO AM7-class mount. The SQA106 is easier to carry and mount, with the same image circle and f/4.8.

Do I need a field flattener?

No. The flattener is built into the optics. Keep your camera between 48mm and 78mm behind the adapter (55mm recommended) and focus.

Can I use it for visual observing?

Askar designs the SQA series as astrographs, and all of Askar's connection diagrams for the SQA106 are for cameras. If visual use matters to you, ask us before you buy.

Specifications