The Askar 103APO is a 103mm aperture refractor that hits a sweet spot for performance and portability. With a 700mm focal length and f/6.8 native focal ratio, it provides a significant step up in light-gathering power from smaller ED glass refractors while remaining easy to mount and transport.
The telescope utilizes a triplet air-spaced apochromatic lens design that incorporates one element of ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass. This premium optical formula effectively corrects chromatic aberration, delivering sharp, high-contrast images with faithful color reproduction for both visual observing and astrophotography.
A key feature of the 103APO is its detachable main tube design. By removing the rear section, the tube can be shortened to accommodate optional 0.6x reducers (bringing the system to a super-fast f/4) or to allow for the use of binoviewers without extra optical path correctors. This versatility makes it an incredibly adaptable instrument.
Standard observation is supported via 2\" and 1.25\" rear adapters. For astrophotography, the telescope supports three optional correctors: a 1x flattener, a 0.8x reducer (f/5.4), and a 0.6x reducer (f/4), covering a wide range of focal lengths and speeds to suit different targets.
The 103APO weighs just 4.75kg (5.5kg fully equipped) and features a robust 3.3-inch dual-speed rack-and-pinion focuser with a 360° rotator. It comes standard with tube rings, a handle with a finder slot, and a 290mm Vixen-style dovetail plate for easy mounting.