Askar SQA106 Telescope Review
If you’re in the market for a high-performance astrograph with full-frame capabilities and a premium build, the Askar SQA106 is definitely worth a closer look.
This impressive quintuplet refractor delivers a 509mm focal length at f/4.8 and is designed to produce flat, color-accurate images without the need for additional flatteners or backfocus tinkering.
In this Askar SQA106 review, I’ll share my first impressions after spending a moonless night capturing deep-sky objects from my backyard—putting this scope’s optical performance and usability to the test under real-world conditions.
I’ll share the images I have taken using this telescope so you can make an informed decision about the optical quality. I have also included some alternative options to the Askasr SQA106 if this one isn’t for you.
As always, I was not compensated in any way for this review, nor did Askar have any say in my content. For more choices, be sure to see my list of some of the best astrophotography telescopes available in 2025.
I am thrilled with the images I have captured with the Askar SQA106 from the backyard so far. (Examples below)
Askar SQA106 Review
The Askar SQA106 is a quintuplet Petzval astrograph with a focal length of 509mm at F/4.8. Yes, 509mm. This focal length means that the SQA106 isn’t exactly a ‘galaxy season‘ scope; it was made for wide-field nebula imaging.
This 5-element lens design doesn’t require an additional field flattener, nor does it demand a specific backfocus distance. According to the specifications, it supports full-frame sensors with a massive 55mm image circle.
They even provide an MTF chart (see specifications below) outlining relative illumination across the image field: 90% for a 44mm sensor and 75% for 55mm. This is vital information for those who plan to pair this scope with a full-frame camera.
The Askar SQA106 Super Quintuplet Astrograph is Available at Agena Astro.
The SQA106 product page provides an impressive collection of test optical test reports, including a ZYGO objective chart, and a spot diagram. It’s a great read if you want to learn more about how telescopes are scrutinized for optimal optical performance.
Specifications
This telescope is heavier than it looks! I originally stated in my video that the Askar SQA106 weighs 13 pounds, but this is the OTA only. With the large dovetail plate and rings, it weighs closer to 20 pounds.
For this reason, I used a counterweight when mounting it to the ZWO AM5 strain wave mount with a maximum payload capacity of 22 pounds (without a counterweight).
- Aperture size: 106mm
- Focal length: 509mm
- Focal ratio: f/4.8
- Objective lens: Quintuplet Petzval APO
- Total length: 586mm (dew shield extended)
- Format specifications: Full frame (44mm), upgrade to the medium format (55mm)
- OTA weight: 5.82 kg (12.8 lbs)
- Gross weight: 8.12 kg (17.9 lbs)
- Rear-end thread type: M48/M54/M68 adapters
- Rear-end connection distance: Support 48-78mm range (55mm recommended)
- Standard package items: SQA106 OTA, an Oxford cloth case
The optical design of the Askar SQA106 is a quintuple Petzval apochromatic refractor. The test reports provided by Askar indicate that it has a central star point with an RMS radius of less than 1.65 μm, and a star point at the corner of 2.2 μm.
The RMS (Root Mean Square) spot radius is a measure of the size of an optical spot, typically in a spot diagram, and is often used to quantify the performance of an optical system. It’s measured in micrometers (μm).
The SQA106 product page provides an optical path report showing the two pieces of SD glass.
The MTF report shows the relative illumination across the imaging range of the sensor.
First Impressions
This telescope is stunning in person. I love the anodized grey metal finish—and I just noticed the little bird in the Askar logo. A nice touch.
The dual-speed focuser, 300mm dovetail plate, retractable dew shield, and accessory mounts all feel high quality. The finder bases are already in place if you want to mount a guide scope, ASIAIR, or mini PC.
At about 18 pounds, it’s pretty heavy, so if you’re mounting it to something like the ZWO AM5, you might want to use a counterweight. For reference, it weighs about the same as the Sky-Watcher Esprit 100.
At 18 pounds, the Askar SQA106 doesn’t require a counterweight on the ZWO AM5, but it made me feel more comfortable.
The 360 high-precision rotator feels very smooth and is very handy when framing up your target. The package includes all of the adapters you will need to connect your DSLR/Mirrorless or astronomy camera, including the popular M54 and M48 threads.
At just over 500mm, this telescope is not suitable for photographing planets or small galaxies. The Askar SQA106 sits in a busy category of wide-field deep-sky astrographs in the 205-500mm range.
Astrophotography with the SQA106
I tested out the brand-new Askar SQA106, a much larger version of the Askar SQA55 I shot with last year.
I actually had a full, moonless night to put this scope through its paces. This meant I could provide an accurate example of the images you can expect to take with it.
To fully test the optical performance of the SQA106, I’ll need to test a full-frame camera and capture broadband images in the future.
This is the ultimate challenge for a telescope’s optics, revealing vignetting, color correction, and field illumination.
I took some filterless images with my color camera, but remember I’m in a Bortle 6 city backyard. Everything improves under dark skies.
I used the ZWO ASI2600MC Air (one-shot-color) with the Askar SQA106.
I paired the SQA106 with the ASI2600MC Air. While it’s a crop sensor camera, it’s an excellent one-shot-color astronomy camera and a great match for this telescope.
The duo-sensor design allowed me to skip the guide scope and camera, and I controlled everything from my tablet inside the house using the built-in ASIAIR controller.
I started imaging as soon as it was dark without a filter and then switched to the Optolong L-Ultimate as the target moved into the city’s light dome.
Adding an Autofocuser
I highly recommend installing an autofocuser on this telescope. At F/4.8, this refractor is considered ‘fast’, and maintaining critical focus is essential to maximize its performance.
The Askar website provides detailed instructions on how to install an autofocuser on the SQA106, including the popular ZWO EAF.
I have too many telescopes in rotation for testing, or else I would have installed an EAF on the SQA106. Instead, I was in and out all night, refocusing if I noticed the star sizes getting out of hand.
If you didn’t already know, the ASIAIR has a handy ‘detect stars’ feature that measures focus on a frame-by-frame basis. I compared the average star size from my first frame to my last one—if it was substantially worse, I headed outside to make adjustments.
The Spider and Fly Nebulae
The timing of this first light made choosing a target tricky—there’s a bit of a gap in nebula targets from March to May.
I went after an interesting region of nebulosity in the constellation Auriga. This part of the sky remained visible until 1 a.m. from my backyard, allowing me to capture about four hours on my target.
If you’re familiar with Auriga, you know it hosts some incredible deep-sky objects, like the Flaming Star and Tadpoles Nebula. While these are tempting targets, I’ve captured them so many times before—I wanted to go after something new.
Just north of the Tadpoles, you’ll find the Spider and Fly Nebulae. These two targets fit within the same field of view, and the area is filled with plenty of colorful stars, making it an exciting composition.
The location of my test image target in Auriga.
As usual, I used the handy Sky Atlas feature of the ASIAIR mobile app to help me locate and center the Spider Nebula. The ASIAIR also handled the autoguiding and dithering, utilizing the guide sensor on the ASI2600MC Air.
Astrophotography Results
For this target, my best approach was to shoot half of the images in RGB and the other half using a dual-narrowband filter for some extra ‘pop.’ If you’ve ever tried capturing a dim broadband target from the city, you know they can lack impact due to light pollution.
I even stayed up late enough to capture a bonus object in Cygnus. The Sadr region became visible by about 3:30 AM, and I managed to get some images of it.
The Spider and Fly Nebula in Auriga. 4.5 Hours Total Exposure.
The Sadr Region. 3 Hours Total Exposure Time.
For a closer look at the raw data captured using the SQA106, look at my stacked image with an autostretch applied. You can see the beautiful, unfiltered star colors in the area, and the star shape looks fantastic.
An autostretch image (STF) of my Spider and Fly Nebula image (no filter).
Considerations
You can really start to see what Askar is aiming for with their SQA line—it’s their high-end, premium refractor series tailored for serious astrophotographers.
The SQA scopes come with a bit of sticker shock—this particular model runs just over $3000 USD. That’s definitely on the high end for a refractor, especially when you compare it to other options out there.
For the same price, you could pick up a much larger scope, like Askar’s own PHQ130 or the ZWO FF130 refractor.
For roughly the same price as the Askar SQA106, you could get the much larger Askar 130PHQ Quadruplet Astrograph.
Even the William Optics FLT 120 falls into that same price bracket. So, when you’re looking at the SQA, you’re definitely paying a premium.
But what are you paying for? It’s not just the name—it’s the attention to detail and the optical quality. If you are a ‘pixel-peeper’ you will notice the subtle differences.
Askar includes extensive test reports with these scopes, and it’s clear they’ve gone to great lengths to prove the performance of their optics.
Final Thoughts
If the SQA is out of your price range, but you still want that level of quality and you’re a fan of the Askar line, there are smaller, more affordable options.
They offer a 70mm version, and even a 55mm model that comes in at just $795 USD. That’s a great way to tap into this series without spending over three grand on a telescope.
The 55mm version offers incredible star point performance in a smaller package, but this version features a helical focuser.
Overall, I’m really impressed with this scope, and the SQA line of astrographs. A lot of thought went into this design, and it shows.
I couldn’t help but wonder if this telescope’s diameter was chosen to specifically compete against the legendary Takahashi FSQ106. While I have never used a ‘Tak’ myself, these are certainly big shoes to fill.
I’ll continue sharing updates and results as I spend more time with the Askar SQA106. I am grateful to Askar (Sharpstar-Optics) for lending me another one of their astrophotography telescopes to share with the AstroBackyard audience.
Trevor Jones is an astrophotographer and a valued member of the RASC. His passion is inspiring others to start their astrophotography journey on YouTube so they can appreciate the night sky as much as he does. His images have been featured in astronomy books & online publications, including the NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD).
