Askar SQA55: Small Scope, Serious Results

The Askar SQA55: Small Scope, Serious Results

Some telescopes surprise you the first time you open the case. The Askar SQA55 is one of them. It is compact, beautifully finished and feels more like a precision instrument than a small travel scope. After working with it, the real surprise is not how portable it is but how much performance is packed into such a short tube.

This is a 55 mm apochromatic refractor with a 264 mm focal length built around a fast f/4.8 Petzval optical system. On paper those numbers already sound promising. In practice they translate into a scope that behaves like a much larger astrograph while remaining easy to transport and effortless to use.

Built for Imaging First

The SQA55 is clearly designed with astrophotography in mind. The five element optical design using SD and ED glass produces clean, high contrast images with excellent colour correction. Stars stay tight across the entire frame and the field is naturally flat thanks to the Petzval layout. There is no need to add field flatteners or spend time calculating backfocus. You mount the camera and you are ready to shoot.

That alone makes this scope a pleasure to work with, especially in the field where simplicity and reliability matter. Everything about it encourages you to spend less time adjusting and more time capturing data.

Fast When You Want It, Flexible When You Need It

At its native f/4.8 the SQA55 is genuinely fast. It is ideal for wide field nebula work and for building deep integrations in a reasonable amount of time. The adjustable focal ratio lets you stop the system down when needed, making the scope surprisingly versatile for daytime photography and specialised imaging tasks as well.

Focusing is handled by a dual speed rack and pinion focuser that feels solid and precise. Fine focus adjustments are smooth and predictable, which is essential when working at fast focal ratios. Once focus is set, it stays put.

Designed for Real World Use

Mechanically, the scope is as thoughtful as it is optically refined. The front of the lens features an M67 thread for filters and accessories, while the rear uses a standard M48 thread for camera attachment. Everything integrates cleanly with most modern imaging setups.

Despite the robust build, the tube weighs just 1.84 kg. Fully assembled the total weight is only 2.18 kg, making it perfect for lightweight mounts and portable rigs. Tube rings, a Vixen style dovetail and a 2 inch to 1.25 inch adapter are all included, so building a complete system is straightforward.

Who This Scope Is Really For

The SQA55 is not a beginner’s toy. It is a serious imaging instrument for astrophotographers who want high performance in a compact form. It shines as a travel scope, a wide field imaging platform or a permanent part of a lightweight remote setup.

What stands out most is how consistently it delivers. Images are sharp, colour correction is excellent and the system never feels like it is working at the edge of its limits. It simply does what it is supposed to do, night after night.

Final Thoughts

The Askar SQA55 manages something rare. It feels like a premium astrograph while remaining genuinely portable and easy to live with. For astrophotographers who value both image quality and mobility, it is an outstanding piece of equipment and one that earns its place in any serious imaging kit.