telescopecomparison · 2-way
Tele Vue TV-85 vs Askar FRA600

Tele Vue
TV-85
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a portable travel rig.

Askar
FRA600
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.
Key differences
-21% aperture
Slower by 1.4 f-stops
Specifications
| Specification | Tele Vue TV-85 | Askar FRA600 |
|---|---|---|
| Optics | ||
| Type | refractor | Refractor |
| Optical design | Apo doublet | Petzval Quintuplet APO |
| Aperture | 85mm | 108mm |
| Focal length | 600mm | 600mm |
| Native f/ratio | f/7.0 | f/5.6 |
| Image circle | — | 60mm |
| Full-frame support | No | Yes |
| Physical | ||
| Weight | 2.9kg | 7.8kg |
Advantages of Tele Vue TV-85
- Lighter (2.9kg vs 7.8kg) — easier to travel with
Advantages of Askar FRA600
- 27% more light-gathering aperture
- Faster optics at f/5.6 vs f/7
- Larger image circle (60mm) — supports bigger sensors
Best for — Tele Vue TV-85
- Large emission nebulae and star clusters
Best for — Askar FRA600
- Large emission nebulae and star clusters
- Full-frame astro cameras and DSLRs
Tele Vue TV-85 — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 3.44° × 2.29°Scale: 1.29"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.24° × 1.50°Scale: 1.29"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.08° × 1.08°Scale: 1.29"/px
Askar FRA600 — typical FOV & scale
- With Full-frame (36×24mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 3.44° × 2.29°Scale: 1.29"/px
- With APS-C (23.5×15.7mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 2.24° × 1.50°Scale: 1.29"/px
- With IMX533 square (11.3×11.3mm, 3.76µm)FOV: 1.08° × 1.08°Scale: 1.29"/px
Tele Vue TV-85 — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a portable travel rig.
Askar FRA600 — recommended user
Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a backyard imaging setup.