Great review mate, as always! Can't wait to see what you have planned for that bigger & faster scope! - SO glad to see you doing well too! Clear skies!
Hey luke, i always watch your vids and comparisons, would u mind to review a smaller aperture RC if u can? I own one too but i find that most of those on paper are quite good while actually don't perform too well if u arent prepared enough.
Now that you brought up the 140, I can’t wait for your review! I’m visual only right now but looking to get into EAA in the near future. Glad you’re doing well.
Between this and the SVBONY 122, I have absolutely no idea why anyone would purchase the Skywatcher 120 ED doublet at this point. The Askar 120 APO costs less even with a flattener or reducer included and is going to provide significantly improved image quality. The Askar 140 APO is actually about the same price as the SW 120 EVO. Skywatcher needs to drastically reduce their prices if they want to remain competitive, but either way, having solid, affordable triplets at this aperture is incredible for those of us with limited budgets.
Thanks for this review. Every detail is appreciated! I, too, am interested in contrasting this with the 140 APO. One consideration for me is overall weight, as I have the AM5 mount (on a Starfield Portable Pier) and am limited to an NB AP rig that can confidently ride on this mount. Interesting comparison of gross weights: the SVBONY SV550 122mm is 10kg, vs. the Askar 120 APO which is 6.5kg and the Askar 140 APO which is 10.9kg. So the APO 140 is less than 1kg heavier than the SvBONY 122 mm, but is 4.4kg (68%) heavier than the 120 APO. If you ever review the 140 APO, I would be interested in your experience with this additional weight as a consideration, if you have any takeaways worth mentioning.
Great video and hope you’re feeling better!! I am contemplating getting a larger refractor than my Tele Vue 85mm with DUO on back. Tossing the 120 APO scope around and some others, like the 140APO, astro tech 130, WO 132, stellarvue svx, even a Tak 100/106. Would like to keep price affordable.. I use AM5 mount and looking to shoot deep space, small objects. What would you recommend ? I live in dry Palm Springs bortle7. So, would like your opinion, and would like something fast too, that will work on am5 w/o counterweights. Thanks Jeff
Great channel, I watch alot of your stuff, very informative. Please review the 140 APO. Thinking about buying it, would like to know what your opinions are.
Hi Ben Luis from NY here. Great review. I’ve been looking at this scope as well along with its smaller cousin the 102mm. I will be at NEAF this Saturday. Maybe we can do an interview for my channel? You look well and I’m glad to see that.
Good video update. I am still concerned about the ED glass that's using in the scope in relation to color transmission and ability to produce pin point stars. What are the typical HFR reading you see while imaging? Thx
Just got an EAF today, but the OTA will not fit in it's case with the EAF fitted. Will have to fit and remove every time I use it as I cannot image from home, so I only image at dark sites. Setting up the EAF to measure the backlash, I faffed about till I got it spot on and the backlash was a step of 28
Very nice review! Very important question: How did you get 5 nights of clear skies AFTER you got a telescope? Who can I talk to about that arrangement? I'm reviewing a scope for SharpStar now and I only had a 90 minute window last night to do as much as I could and no more clear skies for at least the next 7 days.
Hey Ben . Outstanding review . Would like to see a comparison of it with the Askar 103 apo and also maybe with higher end scopes such as Stellarvue six 102 and WO Flt 91 or 120 . Looks like you’re doing well my man !! I’m in the same fight so I can relate
I've been waiting for this follow-up, after yours, and Lukimatica's unboxing reviews, I purchased this OTA with 1X flattener. I'm now used to it's considerable size. This positive test is no surprise. The nice case is useless in my opinion. I won't open the imaging train to transport, dust! I wish companis would offer alternatives with price options. Cardboard box, or a case for it's product "kitted out". I have the SV220 filter. Cuiv just tested a sample with his spectrophotometer. He expected it to not be so accurate at this price point compared to competitors. Thanks!
First and Foremost how are you doing. I am looking of switching to MONO since the QHY294M Pro is jat about $1000. I have now an ASI294MC Pro, Svbony SV503 80ED, ZWO EAF, ZWO EFW 2”x7, ASI220MM mini, Astromania 60mm guide scope, and an iOptron GEM28. So I have everthing I believe I need except the “FILTERS”. So here is my question, I own an Optolong L-eXtreme and an Antlia ALP-T Dual Narrowband SII (5nm) & H-b (5nm) Filter , can I use these filters with the mono camera then separate the channels and process a SHO? Problem is pocket book will be thin if I purchase then camera. Thank for any advice, Mke There two things that are infinite, human stupidity and the universe, I don't know about the universe. Einstein
Nice scope, I have to say. If I understand correctly, you were using the ASI MC2600DUO for shooting the images? For me, I think that I'll stay with my SVBONY 102ED and use the price difference for getting a monochrome sensor and filters *ouch*, since I live in a very light polluted area... By the way, I think that SVBONY offers both a 1.0x flattener and a 0.8x reducer/flattener for the 122MM, but I may be mistaken?
Sounds like you need an 8 inch f4 newt! ;) I have to admit.. I'm interested in the 140mm version too. I love my Skywatcher Quattro 150mm at f3.45, but I'm hungry for more focal length and smaller image scale with my 533mm.
Must be the way the video was rendered. I admit I did not check that part before posting. Plus these are unfiltered OSC images so not my usual narrowband bliss.
They are only OSC images. So will always pail in comparison to narrowband. They also had no post processing done to them at all. Unlike the doctored images you see elsewhere.
