Astrophotoguru · Compare

telescopecomparison · 2-way

Tele Vue TV-85 vs Askar SQA85

Tele Vue TV-85
Tele Vue

TV-85

Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a portable travel rig.

Askar SQA85
Askar

SQA85

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

Key differences

+20% focal length
Slower by 1.2 f-stops

Specifications

SpecificationTele Vue TV-85Askar SQA85
Optics
Typerefractorrefractor
Optical designApo doubletQuadruplet astrograph FPL-51
Aperture85mm85mm
Focal length600mm500mm
Native f/ratiof/7.0f/5.8
Image circle52mm
Full-frame supportNoYes
Physical
Weight2.9kg4.4kg
Advantages of Tele Vue TV-85
  • Tighter framing — 600mm vs 500mm focal length
  • Lighter (2.9kg vs 4.4kg) — easier to travel with
Advantages of Askar SQA85
  • Wider field — 500mm vs 600mm focal length
  • Faster optics at f/5.8 vs f/7
  • Larger image circle (52mm) — supports bigger sensors
Best for — Tele Vue TV-85
  • Large emission nebulae and star clusters
Best for — Askar SQA85
  • 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 SQA85 — 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
Tele Vue TV-85 — recommended user

Best suited for intermediate imagers building a versatile kit running a portable travel rig.

Askar SQA85 — recommended user

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

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