Askar Apochromatic refractor AP 80/560 F7 80ED (86501)

The Askar 80ED is a compact refractor telescope with an 80 mm aperture, 560 mm focal length, and a f/7 focal ratio. Its optical system is a two-element lens design, consisting of one ED glass element paired with a standard achromatic glass element, providing good correction of chromatic aberration.

Compact and lightweight – ideal for travel
The screw-on dew shield can be reversed over the optical tube, reducing the transport length to just 40 cm. With a weight of only 2 kg, the telescope can be comfortably used on small mounts or even sturdy photographic tripods. The flexible Vixen GP-style dovetail bar includes a 1/4-inch internal thread, making it compatible with photo tripods. A built-in carrying handle simplifies transport and mounting.

High-quality 2-inch rack-and-pinion focuser
The robust and modern focuser is designed to handle heavy accessories. It offers a 70 mm focusing range and features dual-speed control (1:10 reduction) for precise focusing, especially important for astrophotography. The focuser includes an internal M58 thread, allowing direct attachment of motorized focus systems without additional adapters. Optional astrophotography correctors are screwed directly onto the focuser, eliminating the risk of tilt. A 360-degree rotation mechanism allows optimal camera orientation.

A standout feature of the focuser is the presence of two quick-release mounts for finder scopes and mini guide scopes. This makes it possible to attach a finder or red-dot sight alongside a guide scope or a compact camera mount for parallel imaging.

The rack-and-pinion design positions the rack at an angle and separates the bearing system from the focusing mechanism. This ensures smooth, precise focusing even with heavy eyepieces or cameras, without image shift or slippage.

Astrophotography with the 80 mm ED refractor
Thanks to its well-corrected color performance and generous back focus, the Askar 80ED is well suited for imaging the Moon and planets. For deep-sky photography, three specially designed correctors are available, all attaching directly via the M58×1 thread on the focuser.

Available correctors:

• 1.0× flattener: Focal length remains 560 mm, focal ratio f/7

• 0.85× reducer/flattener: Focal length 476 mm, focal ratio f/5.95

• 0.7× reducer/flattener: Focal length 392 mm, focal ratio f/4.9

Visual observation with the 80 mm ED refractor
The telescope is also well suited for visual observing. A generous 168 mm back focus from the 2-inch eyepiece holder, combined with the wide adjustment range of the focuser, allows the use of 2-inch star diagonals, common Herschel wedges for solar observation (only with an additional attenuation filter), and even binoviewers.

Optical specifications

• Type: Refractor

• Optical design: Apochromat

• Aperture: 80 mm

• Focal length: 560 mm

• Focal ratio: f/7

• Resolving power: 1.73 arcseconds

• Limiting magnitude: 12.3

• Light-gathering power: 130×

• Maximum useful magnification: 160×

• Lens design: Doublet

Mechanical specifications

• Tube weight: 2 kg

• Tube diameter: 89 mm

• Tube length: 505 mm

• Transport length: 404 mm

• Tube material: Aluminium

Focuser details

• Type: Rack and pinion

• Eyepiece connection: 2-inch

• Camera-side thread: M58

• Fine focus reduction: 1:10

• Rotation: Yes

• Back focus: 168 mm

• Focusing travel: 70 mm

Mounting and accessories

• Configuration: Optical tube assembly only

• Dovetail: Vixen-style

• Dew shield: Included

• Carrying handle: Included

• Transport case: Not included

Areas of application

• Astrophotography: Yes

• Moon and planets: Yes

• Nebulae and galaxies: Yes

• Nature observation: Yes

• Solar observation: No (only with appropriate solar filter)

Recommended user level

• Beginners: No

• Advanced users: Yes

• Observatories: No