telescopecomparison · 2-way
Takahashi Epsilon-160ED vs Askar SQA106

Takahashi
Epsilon-160ED
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.

Askar
SQA106
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Key differences
-9% focal length
+51% aperture
Faster by 2.2 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Takahashi Epsilon-160ED | Askar SQA106 |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | Newtonian | refractor |
| Optical design | Hyperbolic astrograph | Quadruplet astrograph FPL-51 |
| Aperture | 160mm | 106mm |
| Focal length | 530mm | 580mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/3.3 | f/5.5 |
| Image circle | 44mm | 60mm |
| Full-frame support | Yes | Yes |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 10.0kg | 6.5kg |
Advantages of Takahashi Epsilon-160ED
- 51% more light-gathering aperture
- Faster optics at f/3.3 vs f/5.5
Advantages of Askar SQA106
- Larger image circle (60mm) — supports bigger sensors
- Lighter (6.5kg vs 10kg) — easier to travel with
Best for — Takahashi Epsilon-160ED
- Large emission nebulae and star clusters
- Fast imaging — short exposures per sub
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Best for — Askar SQA106
- Large emission nebulae and star clusters
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Takahashi Epsilon-160ED — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 3.89° × 2.59°Scale: 1.46"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.54° × 1.70°Scale: 1.46"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.22° × 1.22°Scale: 1.46"/px
Askar SQA106 — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 3.56° × 2.37°Scale: 1.34"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.32° × 1.55°Scale: 1.34"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.12° × 1.12°Scale: 1.34"/px
Takahashi Epsilon-160ED — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Askar SQA106 — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.