We decided to take a break from sharing our deep space photography to speak about the SQA106. Okay, we’re still talking about deep space photography however on a slightly different level.
We began our journey back into deep space late 2024 when we
purchased the SeeStar 50 which many know is a small all-in-one “smart
telescope”. What we didn’t realize at
the time is that the SeeStar 50 is a “gateway telescope” for many. Yes, it works better than it should however
you’ll quickly left with wanting “more”.
That feeling of wanting more led us to buying a ZWO ASI2600MC Air camera
and an ASKAR SQA55mm telescope. The SQA55 was a great smaller telescope that
has a 264mm focal length at f/4.8 weighing in at slightly more than 6-pounds
(2.8kg). The SQA55 was replaced with the
newly released SQA70 with a 336mm focal length at f/4.8, weighing in at
slightly more than 7.5 pounds (3.5kg).
We still use the SQA70 and have added another telescope, the
SQA106. The SQA106 is a 509mm focal length and f/4.8, weighing in at just under
18-pounds (8.12kg). Yes, we now have two complete telescope setups, tripod,
pier, mount, and camera. The only thing
that separates the two systems is the telescope.
So, what attracted us the SQA106? Image quality is the same as both the 55 and
70. The SQA55 is a dual use telescope in
that it can perform equally well as a telescope and as a telephoto lens when
attached to a regular camera with a range of f/4.8 to f/22. The SQA70 is not a
dual use telescope.
The SQA106 has a longer reach into deep space than either
the SQA55 or SQA70. The SQA55 has a wider field of view while the 70 has
approximately 22% less and the 106 has approximately 50% less.
So far, we ‘ve owned 3- ASKAR SQA telescopes and have found
the image quality of all 3 of them to be superior.
The price range is not for the faint of heart with the SQA55
coming in at under $900 US, the SQA70 is just shy of double and the SQA106 is
just shy of 4-times. Are they worth it?
The short answer is yes. We now have
2-telescopes that will allow us the ability to reach into deep space the way we
wish.
One word of caution on the SQA106. This is a beast! The length with the shield
extended along with a filter drawer, spacer and the 2600 Air is close to 30”
(762mm). We’ve noted the weight above
but when you add the imaging train, you’re closer to 20-pounds (9.07kg). Sadly, this does not come with a handle, yet
one is available (if you can if one).
Buy the handle. Order as soon as you
even think you might be ordering the SQA106.
We had to go to Canada to find a handle as everywhere we looked in the
US it was on inter-galactic back order. (Side note here is that we had ordered
one for the SQA70 for added ease of use.)
Our first night went easier than expected. The polar alignment went smoothly. In the past, using either the SQA55 or 70 the
number of stars found during the polar alignment single digit stars were found;
our first night out with the SQA106 we were finding triple digits, and we were
beginning within 60-minutes of sunset.
There are many YouTube reviews on the SQA106, and we have yet
to find any that don’t sing high praises.
We’re just getting started with the SQA106 and look forward to sharing
much more about this and it slightly shorter cousin the SQA70.
Meridian Flip; the most nerve-wracking time of shooting deep space. The flip is done as the target you're tracking/shooting transits from the eastern sky into the west. The meridian is an invisible line between east and west. Twenty-some-odd pounds of equipment doing a delicate twist and turn as you stand by watching, making sure the cables don't snag all the while rethinking if you have all the knobs tight. Fun!
Our recommendation based on limited but highly successful use is if you can find one; if you can afford it, and the weight doesn't scare you; get it. But also order the handle...
