{"id":21725,"date":"2026-11-09T10:39:32","date_gmt":"2026-11-09T09:39:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/deep-space-astronomy.ch\/?p=21725"},"modified":"2026-11-09T10:39:32","modified_gmt":"2026-11-09T09:39:32","slug":"askar-sqa70-pro-sextuplet-petzval-70mm-test-prix","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/deep-space-astronomy.ch\/en\/askar-sqa70-pro-sextuplet-petzval-70mm-test-prix\/","title":{"rendered":"The Askar SQA70 Pro: a flat-field sextuplet for CHF 1,765"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"product\"><div class=\"product\"><p>The Askar SQA70 Pro has just been announced. It\u2019s the Pro version of the SQA70: same compact 70 mm format, but the lens has been upgraded from a quintuplet to a sextuplet Petzval design with SD and ED glass. It\u2019s faster (f\/4.6 vs. f\/4.8), delivers more uniform performance, and features a flat field over 44 mm. Priced at CHF 1,765 (tax included) in our store, it\u2019s Askar\u2019s new high-end compact telescope for portable deep-sky astronomy.<\/p>\n<h2>All the info at a glance<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Optics: Petzval APO sextuplet, SD glass (2nd element) + ED glass (4th element)<\/li>\n<li>Opening: 70 mm<\/li>\n<li>Focal length: 322 mm, f\/4.6<\/li>\n<li>Field flattener: built-in (Petzval), 44 mm image circle (full frame)<\/li>\n<li>Focusing system: 2.5-inch dual-speed rack-and-pinion<\/li>\n<li>Weight: 3 kg (tube), 3.8 kg with clamps and tray<\/li>\n<li>Length: 331 mm<\/li>\n<li>Connectors: M42, M48 (2\u2033 filter thread), M54<\/li>\n<li>Optical throw: 55 mm recommended (36\u201368 mm possible)<\/li>\n<li>Price: CHF 1,765, including tax (Swiss VAT included)<\/li>\n<li>Availability: Made to order; lead time: 10 days to 3 weeks<\/li>\n<li>Warranty: 2 years<\/li>\n<li>Brand: Askar, in-store<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/deep-space-astronomy.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/askar-sqa70-pro-1-detoure.png\" alt=\"Askar SQA70 Pro astrographe sextuplet Petzval 70 mm d\u00e9tour\u00e9\" \/><figcaption>Askar SQA70 Pro: 70 mm f\/4.6 Petzval APO sextuplet. Credit: Askar. Photo by Photoroom, background removed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>From Quintuplets to Sextuplets: What Changes<\/h2>\n<p>The standard SQA70 is a Petzval quintuplet with 2 ED elements. The SQA70 Pro upgrades to a sextuplet: six lenses, with one SD (ultra-low dispersion) element in addition to the ED element. The result: enhanced chromatic correction, more uniform stars across the entire field, and a flat field over 44 mm without an external flattener.<\/p>\n<p>The focal length changes from 336 mm to 322 mm, and the aperture ratio from f\/4.8 to f\/4.6. It\u2019s faster: at f\/4.6, you capture about 8 % more light per second than at f\/4.8. For 60-second exposures, that\u2019s a gain of 5 seconds. Over a 2-hour session, that adds up.<\/p>\n<h2>70 mm at f\/4.6: the portable lens that thinks big<\/h2>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/deep-space-astronomy.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/askar-sqa70-pro-2-detoure.png\" alt=\"Askar SQA70 Pro vue de trois quarts\" \/><figcaption>Askar SQA70 Pro: Meticulously crafted, with Vixen clamps and mount included. Credit: Askar. Photo by Photoroom, background removed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>With a focal length of 322 mm and an aperture of f\/4.6, the SQA70 Pro is designed for observing large objects: the California Nebula, the North America Nebula, the Rosette Nebula, Heart and Soul, the entire Andromeda Galaxy, and the Pleiades. Exposure times of 60 to 120 seconds are sufficient with a modern camera. With a narrowband filter (H-alpha, OIII), f\/4.6 remains bright enough for reasonable exposure times.<\/p>\n<p>Weighing 3 kg and measuring 331 mm, the SQA70 Pro fits in a backpack. It\u2019s the astrograph you take with you under a truly dark sky, far from the city. On a lightweight mount (AM3N, Wave 100i), it doesn\u2019t add much weight. With the camera, filter wheel, and guider, expect a total weight of 5 kg: an HEQ5-R Pro offers plenty of headroom.<\/p>\n<h2>SQA70 Pro vs. SQA70: Is It Worth Paying the Extra?<\/h2>\n<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/deep-space-astronomy.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/askar-sqa70-pro-3-detoure.png\" alt=\"Askar SQA70 Pro d\u00e9tail construction\" \/><figcaption>Askar SQA70 Pro: Petzval sextuplet lens with SD + ED glass. Credit: Askar. Photo by Photoroom, background removed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The standard SQA70 costs CHF 1,399 (including tax). The SQA70 Pro costs CHF 1,765 (including tax). The difference is CHF 366. What do you get for that extra cost?<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>SD + ED Sextuplet<\/strong> Compared to the ED quintuplet: enhanced chromatic correction, more uniform stars.<\/li>\n<li><strong>f\/4.6<\/strong> Compared to f\/4.8: 8 % more light, shorter focal length (322 mm vs. 336 mm), slightly wider field of view.<\/li>\n<li><strong>3 kg<\/strong> compared to 2.68 kg: 320 g more, but that's the price you pay for sextuplets.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For those looking for the best 70 mm compact lens: the SQA70 Pro. For those looking for the best value: the standard SQA70 at CHF 1,399. Both cover the full frame, and both are Petzval lenses without an external flattener.<\/p>\n<h2>The Askar SQA Series: Where Does the SQA70 Pro Fit In?<\/h2>\n<p>The Askar SQA series includes: SQA55 (55 mm), SQA60 Pro (60 mm, SD sextuplet, f\/4.6), <strong>SQA70 Pro<\/strong> (70 mm, SD+ED sextuplet, f\/4.6, CHF 1,765), SQA85 (85 mm), SQA106 (106 mm), SQA130 (130 mm). All are Petzval lenses with an integrated flat field.<\/p>\n<p>The SQA70 Pro falls between the SQA60 Pro (60 mm, more compact) and the SQA85 (85 mm, wider aperture). It\u2019s the ideal compromise: enough aperture for deep-sky observing, light enough for travel, and Pro-grade optics for the most demanding applications.<\/p>\n<h2>Which camera should I use with the SQA70 Pro?<\/h2>\n<p>The 44 mm image circle covers the full-frame format (24\u00d736 mm). With an APS-C camera (Sony IMX571, ASI2600MC), the scale is approximately 2.41\u2033 per pixel. With a full-frame camera (IMX455, ASI6200MC), the entire field of view is utilized. M42, M48, and M54 adapters are included. The M48 adapter features a 2-inch filter thread.<\/p>\n<h2>Why shop at Deep Space Astronomy?<\/h2>\n<p>We're not just a retailer. We test, advise, and provide support.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Personalized Advice<\/strong> : We can advise you on choosing between the SQA70 and SQA70 Pro, or between the SQA60 Pro and SQA70 Pro, depending on your mount and your targets. By phone, WhatsApp, or by appointment in Nyon.<\/li>\n<li><strong>After-Sales Support<\/strong> : Do you have a question about optical reproduction, f\/4.6 imaging, or image processing? We're here to help.<\/li>\n<li><strong>14-Day Return Policy<\/strong> : Not satisfied? Return the product within 14 days.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Secure payment<\/strong> : Twint, credit card, invoice, Apple Pay, Bitcoin. Pay in 3 or 4 installments with no fees.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Free shipping in Switzerland<\/strong> Starting at CHF 200. Free pickup in Nyon.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>L\u2019<a href=\"https:\/\/deep-space-astronomy.ch\/en\/product\/astrographe-super-apo-askar-sqa70-pro\/\">The Askar SQA70 Pro is priced at CHF 1,765, including tax<\/a> in our store. Be sure to check out the <a href=\"https:\/\/deep-space-astronomy.ch\/en\/product\/astrographe-super-apo-askar-sqa70\/\">Standard SQA70 for CHF 1,399 (including tax)<\/a> and all of the <a href=\"https:\/\/deep-space-astronomy.ch\/en\/marque\/askar\/\">Askar line<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Sources<\/h2>\n<p>This article is based on the official specifications from Askar (Sharpstar Optics, sharpstar-optics.com), the product page in our store, and the specifications published by High Point Scientific, First Light Optics, and Mile High Astro (2026). Store price: CHF 1,765 (tax included). Standard SQA70: CHF 1,399 (tax included).<\/p>\n<p>CBurkhalter<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Askar SQA70 Pro: 70 mm f\/4.6 Petzval APO sextuplet, SD + ED glass, 44 mm flat field (full-frame), 3 kg. CHF 1,765 (tax included) in-store. The Pro version of the SQA70.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":187,"featured_media":21719,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[827],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21725","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-actualites"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/deep-space-astronomy.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21725","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/deep-space-astronomy.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/deep-space-astronomy.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deep-space-astronomy.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/187"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deep-space-astronomy.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21725"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/deep-space-astronomy.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21725\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21726,"href":"https:\/\/deep-space-astronomy.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21725\/revisions\/21726"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deep-space-astronomy.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21719"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/deep-space-astronomy.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21725"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deep-space-astronomy.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21725"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/deep-space-astronomy.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21725"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}