Askar 50P + iOptron SkyGuider Pro Bundle with Tripod

A wide-field astrograph and the tracker to carry it, ready to go out together

This bundle pairs the Askar 50P, a 50mm f/3.8 quadruplet Petzval astrograph, with the iOptron SkyGuider Pro camera mount and an iOptron tripod made for it. The 50P's Petzval design is forgiving about camera spacing, anywhere from 50 to 65mm behind its M48 thread, so getting sharp stars is straightforward. The SkyGuider Pro cancels the Earth's rotation for exposures of 30 seconds or more without guiding, runs up to 20 hours on its built-in battery, and packs into its own padded bag. Add your camera and you have a complete deep-sky imaging setup you can carry in one trip.

Key specs: Askar 50P: 50mm aperture, 190mm focal length, f/3.8, quadruplet Petzval APO with one SD element, APS-C format, 50–65mm back focus (55mm recommended), 1.4kg (3.1lb) · iOptron SkyGuider Pro: single-axis equatorial tracker, 5kg (11lb) balanced payload, illuminated polar scope, ST-4 guide port, built-in battery up to 20 hours, 1.45kg (3.2lb) with base

The Askar 50P and SkyGuider Pro are on display in our Denver store, so you can see them in person before you buy.

What you can image

• Big nebula regions: the colorful Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex, the Monoceros region around the Rosette and Cone Nebulae, and the Eagle and Omega Nebulae in one frame, all targets in Askar's own 50P sample images.
• Classic wide fields: Orion's Belt with the Horsehead and Flame Nebulae and the Orion Nebula together, the North America and Pelican Nebulae, the Heart and Soul Nebulae and the California Nebula.
• Galaxies and clusters: the whole Andromeda Galaxy with room to spare, the Pleiades with their dust, and the Double Cluster.
• Milky Way star clouds and comets: the field is wide enough for the Sagittarius star clouds and long comet tails.

With a smaller sensor such as the ZWO ASI585MC, the 50P still frames about 3.4° × 1.9°, and the ASI533MC Pro gives a square 3.4° × 3.4°.

How it works

Tripod and mount: set up the tripod, attach the SkyGuider Pro on its alt-azimuth base, and point the mount's axis at the celestial pole using the illuminated polar scope and the base's fine latitude and azimuth adjusters. From Denver, Polaris sits about 40° up, well inside the base's range.

Telescope: the 50P's dovetail clamps into the Vixen-style saddle on the declination bracket. Slide the counterweight along its shaft to balance, then loosen the bracket to aim at your target.

Camera: thread an astronomy camera onto the 50P's M48 adapter, or use an M48 T-ring for a DSLR or mirrorless camera. The 50P reaches focus with the sensor anywhere from 50 to 65mm behind the thread, so the spacers that come with most cameras are fine. Focus with the 50P's focusing ring.

Tracking: choose the celestial rate and the mount follows the stars for as long as the battery lasts, up to 20 hours at 20°C (68°F). Plan on less on cold Colorado nights, or run it from a USB power bank. When you're ready for longer exposures, the ST-4 port accepts a guide camera.

What to add for the best results

• A camera (required): a cooled APS-C camera such as the ZWO ASI2600MC Pro for the full 7° × 4.7° field, the ASI533MC Pro for a square field, or the small, light ASI585MC. A mirrorless camera works with an M48 T-ring such as the Sony E, Canon EOS R or Nikon Z version; for a DSLR, ask us for the right one.
• Camera control: the ZWO ASIAIR Plus runs an astronomy camera from your phone or tablet and can plate-solve to show exactly where you're pointed, which makes framing on a tracker much easier.
• Guiding (optional): the Askar 32mm f/4 guide scope on the 50P's finder base with a ZWO ASI120MM Mini, connected to the SkyGuider Pro's ST-4 port.
• Light-pollution filter: the 50P's M48 adapter has a filter thread for 2" filters such as the ZWO Duo-Band or Optolong L-eXtreme for nebulae from the city.
• Power: a Celestron PowerTank Lithium Pro runs a cooled camera and the ASIAIR in the field.

Which wide-field setup is right for you?

Read more on the Askar 50P and iOptron SkyGuider Pro pages, or see all star trackers and Askar telescopes.

What's in the box

• Askar 50P with tube ring, multifunctional handle with finder base, 160mm dovetail plate, quick-release dew shield, front cap, M48 camera adapter and manual
• iOptron SkyGuider Pro with AccuAlign illuminated polar scope, alt-azimuth base, declination bracket with camera mounting disk and Vixen-style saddle, 1.35kg counterweight and 20 × 200mm shaft, micro USB charging cable and padded carry bag
• iOptron 1.25" tripod for the SkyTracker Pro and SkyGuider Pro

The camera, T-ring, filters and guiding equipment are sold separately.

Askar 50P + SkyGuider Pro FAQ

Is this a good first astrophotography setup?

Yes. It's the kind of setup we often recommend for getting started: a light mount that's quick to learn, a short focal length that hides small errors, and a telescope with no flattener spacing to work out. Experienced imagers like it too, as a grab-and-go rig for dark-site trips.

Can I see one before I buy?

Yes. The Askar 50P and the SkyGuider Pro are on display in our Denver store, and we're happy to set them up and show you how they work together.

What camera should I use?

An APS-C astronomy camera such as the ASI2600MC Pro uses the full 7° field. A smaller sensor such as the ASI585MC or ASI533MC Pro frames about 3.4° and keeps the load light. A DSLR or mirrorless camera works with an M48 T-ring.

How long can I expose without guiding?

With careful polar alignment, 30 seconds or more per frame is realistic at 190mm. Stack many frames for a deep final image, or add a guide camera on the ST-4 port for longer exposures.

SkyGuider Pro or a GoTo mount?

The SkyGuider Pro is lighter, simpler and less expensive, and you aim it yourself. A GoTo mount such as the Star Adventurer GTi finds targets for you and guides on both axes, but there's more to set up.

Can I use the 50P for visual observing?

Askar designed the 50P as an astrograph and includes only a camera adapter, so we recommend it for imaging.

Specifications