Ultra-compact, lightweight kit—great for beginners and experienced astrophotographers, too!

This package combines Askar's small, fast wide-angle refractor, the 50P, with a classic iOptron Skyguider Pro mount...  Because of this system's low magnification, the lightweight SkyGuider Pro provides all the support and tracking you need, so the combination is both easy to carry and simple to learn.

At the same time, the 50P's wide field—more than three degrees with the popular ASI585 camera, or a whopping seven degrees with an APS-C camera—offers the opportunity for advanced astrophotographers to shoot both deep and wide.

The SkyGuider Pro is valued for its ease of use with small telescopes and relatively light weight. Beginners benefit because this mount is quick to master (and easy to take outside for practice!), while for experienced shooters, the simplicity of the setup means more time on target building up your integration, instead of fiddling around with your astrophotography gear.  A proficient astrophotographer should be able to to shoot either camera above for at least 30 seconds per "sub," and likely more, without guiding.

This kit provides telescope, mount and tripod—you'll bring your own camera.  (For owners of traditional cameras—DSLRs and mirrorless—you'll also need a 48mm t-ring. Give us a call if you have questions about this, and we'll help you get the right thing.)

The Askar 50P: A portable, versatile 50mm quadruplet APO astrograph

Askar's petite new 50P Petzval optic provides sharp images with APS-C and smaller cameras, providing wide-angle views and fast, f/3.8 imaging. With its 190mm focal length, you'll get a roughly 7° field across the long side of APS-C cameras, and a still-wide 3.4° with the popular ASI585 cameras...  

This is a great choice for beginners: The 50P's light weight makes it ideal for use on small tracking mounts (like the SkyGuider Pro!) and its relatively low magnification is forgiving of minor errors in tracking and polar alignment. Because of its Petzval design, there's no need for precise backfocus, either—anywhere from 50-65mm will work well, easy-peasy. 

ρ Ophiuchi cloud complex  |  Askar 50P+ZWO ASI2600MC

Monoceros  |  Askar 50P+ZWO ASI2600MC

Specifications

SkyGuider Pro: Simple and Effective.

In our opinion, the best camera tracker to get started in astrophotography! Those of us who do astrophotography here at Mile High own these ourselves—even though we have bigger mounts. 

Features

• Payload 11 lbs (5kg) (balanced with DEC mounting bracket, exclude CW)
• Silent tracking for smooth camera motion, perfect for long-term exposures
• Detachable alt-az base with fine latitude and azimuth adjusters for easy polar alignment
• Includes iOptron AccuAlign dark-field illuminated polar scope 
• 4 tracking speed (1X, 1/2X, solar and lunar). 1X celestial tracking for imaging the sky and stars; 1/2X tracking speed for imaging both the starry night and the landscapes at the same time
• Operation in both northern and southern hemispheres
• Built-in rechargeable battery for up to 20 hours of operation (20°C)
  
• Built-in ST-4 autoguiding port
• Micro USB port for power, charging and firmware upgrade
  
• Vixen dovetail saddle for scope mounting
• Attaches to a camera tripod with 3/8” threads
  

Specifications

In The Box (SkyGuider Pro)