Askar (SharpStar) Vs ZWO - Request for opinions
- chris_g
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Askar (SharpStar) Vs ZWO - Request for opinions
Hello all,
I'm looking to add a scope in the 1000mm focal range to my kit and am looking at the https://agenaastro.com/askar-130mm-f-7- ... html?qty=1. Now ZWO is putting one out that appears to be exactly the same specifications. https://agenaastro.com/zwo-ff130-apo-re ... html?qty=1
Basic web search tells me that Askar brand is manufactured and designed by Sharpstar and ZWO claims to manufacture and design their own scopes. These scopes appear to be identical in every aspect including accessories so, I seriously don't believe ZWO's marketing claims but really don't know... The ZWO does include a hard case but no tube rings while the Aksar has tube rings but no case...at least according to the marketing...
If you were looking to add a one of these scopes, which company would you choose since these appear to be identical?
Hope for good feedback on this.
Clear Skies,
Chris
I'm looking to add a scope in the 1000mm focal range to my kit and am looking at the https://agenaastro.com/askar-130mm-f-7- ... html?qty=1. Now ZWO is putting one out that appears to be exactly the same specifications. https://agenaastro.com/zwo-ff130-apo-re ... html?qty=1
Basic web search tells me that Askar brand is manufactured and designed by Sharpstar and ZWO claims to manufacture and design their own scopes. These scopes appear to be identical in every aspect including accessories so, I seriously don't believe ZWO's marketing claims but really don't know... The ZWO does include a hard case but no tube rings while the Aksar has tube rings but no case...at least according to the marketing...
If you were looking to add a one of these scopes, which company would you choose since these appear to be identical?
Hope for good feedback on this.
Clear Skies,
Chris
Image Cam: Canon 6D (Ha mod), 600D (Stock), SVBony SV405CC
Image OTA: EvoStar ED80, WO Z73, C8-A XLT
Mount: EQ6-R Pro Pier, AZ-EQ5 Pro Pier
Guide OTA: Orion 60mm, WO 32mm, ZWO OAG, SV501P
Guide Cam: ZWO 120mm, 290mm mini
EAA OTA: Orion ST80
EAA Cam: SVBony SV705C
EP: Baader Hyperion Modular Set
Filters: L-Pro Canon EOS C, L-eNhance, L-Pro, Optolong Ha 7mm, Optolong Oiii 6.5mm, Optolong Sii 6.5mm, ES H-Beta
Session Control: Mini PC/Win11 Pro, APT 4.1, PHD2 2.6.10
Processing: PixInsight, DSS 4.2.6, Adobe PS CC, Astronomy Tools Action Set, Star Spikes Pro
Image OTA: EvoStar ED80, WO Z73, C8-A XLT
Mount: EQ6-R Pro Pier, AZ-EQ5 Pro Pier
Guide OTA: Orion 60mm, WO 32mm, ZWO OAG, SV501P
Guide Cam: ZWO 120mm, 290mm mini
EAA OTA: Orion ST80
EAA Cam: SVBony SV705C
EP: Baader Hyperion Modular Set
Filters: L-Pro Canon EOS C, L-eNhance, L-Pro, Optolong Ha 7mm, Optolong Oiii 6.5mm, Optolong Sii 6.5mm, ES H-Beta
Session Control: Mini PC/Win11 Pro, APT 4.1, PHD2 2.6.10
Processing: PixInsight, DSS 4.2.6, Adobe PS CC, Astronomy Tools Action Set, Star Spikes Pro
- yobbo89
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Re: Askar (SharpStar) Vs ZWO - Request for opinions
I would get the askar for the tube ring/losmandy assembly. what are you going to do, use it or store it in a box xd.
also i wounder if the zwo hard case box is from another model and can you actual store the scope in it with tube rings attached to it, you can always make your own and pack it with foam cut out
also i wounder if the zwo hard case box is from another model and can you actual store the scope in it with tube rings attached to it, you can always make your own and pack it with foam cut out
scopes :gso/bintel f4 12"truss tube, bresser messier ar127s /skywatcher 10'' dob,meade 12'' f10 lx200 sct
cameras : asi 1600mm-c/asi1600mm-c,asi120mc,prostar lp guidecam, nikkon d60, sony a7,asi 290 mm
mounts : eq6 pro/eq8/mesu 200 v2
filters : 2'' astronomik lp/badder lrgb h-a,sII,oIII,h-b,Baader Solar Continuum, chroma 3nm ha,sii,oiii,nii,rgb,lowglow,uv/ir,Thousand Oaks Solar Filter,1.25'' #47 violet,pro planet 742 ir,pro planet 807 ir,pro planet 642 bp ir.
extras : skywatcher f4 aplanatic cc, Baader MPCC MKIII Coma Corrector,Orion Field Flattener,zwo 1.25''adc.starlight maxi 2" 9x filter wheel,tele vue 2x barlow .
cameras : asi 1600mm-c/asi1600mm-c,asi120mc,prostar lp guidecam, nikkon d60, sony a7,asi 290 mm
mounts : eq6 pro/eq8/mesu 200 v2
filters : 2'' astronomik lp/badder lrgb h-a,sII,oIII,h-b,Baader Solar Continuum, chroma 3nm ha,sii,oiii,nii,rgb,lowglow,uv/ir,Thousand Oaks Solar Filter,1.25'' #47 violet,pro planet 742 ir,pro planet 807 ir,pro planet 642 bp ir.
extras : skywatcher f4 aplanatic cc, Baader MPCC MKIII Coma Corrector,Orion Field Flattener,zwo 1.25''adc.starlight maxi 2" 9x filter wheel,tele vue 2x barlow .
- AstroBee
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Re: Askar (SharpStar) Vs ZWO - Request for opinions
So very few companies are making their own optics so it is probably from the same source on both brands. Judging by the specs and price, that makes me believe this even more.
Maybe ZWO is making the rest of the parts and that's what they mean in their marketing.
If that is the case, I too would go with the ASKAR. As much as I love my ZWO products, they are spreading themselves very thin with ALL of the new products and I feel like their quality control is slipping compared to back when the 1600mm was their main camera. Currently, ASKAR seems to be more focused on optics.
Maybe ZWO is making the rest of the parts and that's what they mean in their marketing.
If that is the case, I too would go with the ASKAR. As much as I love my ZWO products, they are spreading themselves very thin with ALL of the new products and I feel like their quality control is slipping compared to back when the 1600mm was their main camera. Currently, ASKAR seems to be more focused on optics.
Greg M.~ "Ad Astra per Aspera"
Scopes: Celestron EdgeHD14", Explore Scientific ED152CF & ED127 APO's, StellarVue SV70T, Classic Orange-Tube C-8, Lunt 80mm Ha double-stack solar scope.
Mounts: Astro-Physics Mach One, iOptron CEM70EC Mount, iOptron ZEQ25 Mount.
Cameras: ZWO ASI2600mm Pro, ZWO 2600MC Pro, ZWO ASI1600mm
Filters: 36mm Chroma LRGB & 3nm Ha, OIII, SII, L-Pro, L-eXtreme
Eyepieces: 27mm TeleVue Panoptic, 4mm TeleVue Radian, Explore Scientific 82° 30mm, 6.7mm , Baader 13mm Hyperion, Explore Scientific 70° 10mm, 15mm, 20mm, Meade 8.8mm UWA
Software: N.I.N.A., SharpCapPro, PixInsight, PhotoShop CC, Phd2, Stellarium
https://www.nevadadesertskies.com
Scopes: Celestron EdgeHD14", Explore Scientific ED152CF & ED127 APO's, StellarVue SV70T, Classic Orange-Tube C-8, Lunt 80mm Ha double-stack solar scope.
Mounts: Astro-Physics Mach One, iOptron CEM70EC Mount, iOptron ZEQ25 Mount.
Cameras: ZWO ASI2600mm Pro, ZWO 2600MC Pro, ZWO ASI1600mm
Filters: 36mm Chroma LRGB & 3nm Ha, OIII, SII, L-Pro, L-eXtreme
Eyepieces: 27mm TeleVue Panoptic, 4mm TeleVue Radian, Explore Scientific 82° 30mm, 6.7mm , Baader 13mm Hyperion, Explore Scientific 70° 10mm, 15mm, 20mm, Meade 8.8mm UWA
Software: N.I.N.A., SharpCapPro, PixInsight, PhotoShop CC, Phd2, Stellarium
https://www.nevadadesertskies.com
- Juno16
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Re: Askar (SharpStar) Vs ZWO - Request for opinions
For what it's worth.
If Askar's customer service is Sharpstar, I have had good experience with Sharpstar. Quite a while after I bought my Sharpstar 61EDPHII, I finally shot some data with a uv/ir filter (as opposed to a dual narrowband filter) and noticed horribleCA on the brighter stars. I contacted Sharpstar (through Facebook) and they asked for photographic proof which I promptly provided. I received a new objective in 10 days (from China). Easy install and corrected the issue.
If Askar's customer service is Sharpstar, I have had good experience with Sharpstar. Quite a while after I bought my Sharpstar 61EDPHII, I finally shot some data with a uv/ir filter (as opposed to a dual narrowband filter) and noticed horrible
Jim
Scopes: Explore Scientific ED102 APO, Sharpstar 61 EDPH II APO, Samyang 135 F2 (still on the Nikon).
Mount: Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro with Rowan Belt Mod
Stuff: ASI EAF Focus Motor (x2), ZWO OAG, ZWO 30 mm Guide Scope, ASI 220mm min, ASI 120mm mini, Stellarview 0.8 FR/FF, Sharpstar 0.8 FR/FF, Mele Overloock 3C.
Camera/Filters/Software: ASI 533 mc pro, ASI 120mm mini, ASI 220mm mini , IDAS LPS D-1, Optolong L-Enhance, ZWO UV/IR Cut, N.I.N.A., Green Swamp Server, PHD2, Adobe Photoshop CC, Pixinsight.
Dog and best bud: Jack
Sky: Bortle 6-7
My Astrobin: https://www.astrobin.com/users/Juno16/
Scopes: Explore Scientific ED102 APO, Sharpstar 61 EDPH II APO, Samyang 135 F2 (still on the Nikon).
Mount: Skywatcher HEQ5 Pro with Rowan Belt Mod
Stuff: ASI EAF Focus Motor (x2), ZWO OAG, ZWO 30 mm Guide Scope, ASI 220mm min, ASI 120mm mini, Stellarview 0.8 FR/FF, Sharpstar 0.8 FR/FF, Mele Overloock 3C.
Camera/Filters/Software: ASI 533 mc pro, ASI 120mm mini, ASI 220mm mini , IDAS LPS D-1, Optolong L-Enhance, ZWO UV/IR Cut, N.I.N.A., Green Swamp Server, PHD2, Adobe Photoshop CC, Pixinsight.
Dog and best bud: Jack
Sky: Bortle 6-7
My Astrobin: https://www.astrobin.com/users/Juno16/
- chris_g
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Re: Askar (SharpStar) Vs ZWO - Request for opinions
I'm thinking Sharpstar (Askar) as well. I had an issue with a ZWOJuno16 wrote: ↑Wed Aug 02, 2023 9:21 pm For what it's worth.
If Askar's customer service is Sharpstar, I have had good experience with Sharpstar. Quite a while after I bought my Sharpstar 61EDPHII, I finally shot some data with a uv/ir filter (as opposed to a dual narrowband filter) and noticed horrible CA on the brighter stars. I contacted Sharpstar (through Facebook) and they asked for photographic proof which I promptly provided. I received a new objective in 10 days (from China). Easy install and corrected the issue.
Image Cam: Canon 6D (Ha mod), 600D (Stock), SVBony SV405CC
Image OTA: EvoStar ED80, WO Z73, C8-A XLT
Mount: EQ6-R Pro Pier, AZ-EQ5 Pro Pier
Guide OTA: Orion 60mm, WO 32mm, ZWO OAG, SV501P
Guide Cam: ZWO 120mm, 290mm mini
EAA OTA: Orion ST80
EAA Cam: SVBony SV705C
EP: Baader Hyperion Modular Set
Filters: L-Pro Canon EOS C, L-eNhance, L-Pro, Optolong Ha 7mm, Optolong Oiii 6.5mm, Optolong Sii 6.5mm, ES H-Beta
Session Control: Mini PC/Win11 Pro, APT 4.1, PHD2 2.6.10
Processing: PixInsight, DSS 4.2.6, Adobe PS CC, Astronomy Tools Action Set, Star Spikes Pro
Image OTA: EvoStar ED80, WO Z73, C8-A XLT
Mount: EQ6-R Pro Pier, AZ-EQ5 Pro Pier
Guide OTA: Orion 60mm, WO 32mm, ZWO OAG, SV501P
Guide Cam: ZWO 120mm, 290mm mini
EAA OTA: Orion ST80
EAA Cam: SVBony SV705C
EP: Baader Hyperion Modular Set
Filters: L-Pro Canon EOS C, L-eNhance, L-Pro, Optolong Ha 7mm, Optolong Oiii 6.5mm, Optolong Sii 6.5mm, ES H-Beta
Session Control: Mini PC/Win11 Pro, APT 4.1, PHD2 2.6.10
Processing: PixInsight, DSS 4.2.6, Adobe PS CC, Astronomy Tools Action Set, Star Spikes Pro
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