Astrophotoguru · Compare

telescopecomparison · 2-way

Askar FRA500 vs Takahashi FSQ-85EDX

Askar FRA500
Askar

FRA500

Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a backyard imaging setup.

Takahashi FSQ-85EDX
Takahashi

FSQ-85EDX

Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a portable travel rig.

Key differences

+11% focal length
+6% aperture

Specifications

SpecificationAskar FRA500Takahashi FSQ-85EDX
Optics
TypeRefractorRefractor
Optical designPetzval Quintuplet APOPetzval APO
Aperture90mm85mm
Focal length500mm450mm
Native f/ratiof/5.6f/5.3
Image circle60mm44mm
Full-frame supportYesYes
Physical
Weight5.4kg4.0kg
Advantages of Askar FRA500
  • Tighter framing — 500mm vs 450mm focal length
  • Larger image circle (60mm) — supports bigger sensors
Advantages of Takahashi FSQ-85EDX
  • Lighter (4kg vs 5.4kg) — easier to travel with
Best for — Askar FRA500
  • Large emission nebulae and star clusters
  • Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Best for — Takahashi FSQ-85EDX
  • Large emission nebulae and star clusters
  • Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Askar FRA500 — typical FOV & scale
  • With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 4.13° × 2.75°Scale: 1.55"/px
  • With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 2.69° × 1.80°Scale: 1.55"/px
  • With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 1.29° × 1.29°Scale: 1.55"/px
Takahashi FSQ-85EDX — typical FOV & scale
  • With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 4.58° × 3.06°Scale: 1.72"/px
  • With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 2.99° × 2.00°Scale: 1.72"/px
  • With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)
    FOV: 1.44° × 1.44°Scale: 1.72"/px
Askar FRA500 — recommended user

Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a backyard imaging setup.

Takahashi FSQ-85EDX — recommended user

Best suited for beginners and wide-field enthusiasts running a portable travel rig.

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