NOVAStar is 365Astronomy’s own in-house brand of telescopes and accessories.
Its latest addition, the Scarlet A62Q quadruplet refractor, is a budget-friendly instrument aimed at beginners starting out in astrophotography.
Unboxing and setting up
The 520mm f/8.4 telescope arrived in a sturdy, foam-lined carry case that secures it snugly and protects it well for storage.
The thoughtful packaging reinforced our first impressions that the telescope was carefully designed.
That impressive build quality should reassure first-time buyers, as well as more seasoned observers looking to add a new scope to their collection.
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Straight out of the case, the Scarlet’s glossy black-and-chrome finish was a pleasant surprise given its price point.
Despite coming in at under £200, it offers a premium look and feel, from the snug fit of the objective lens cap to the buttery-smooth operation of the focuser.
Measuring just 31cm with the dew shield retracted (or 37cm extended) and weighing around 1.5kg, the telescope is lightweight, making it ideal for astronomers seeking weekend escapes to darker skies.
Setting up was also straightforward. Because the Scarlet uses a photography-lens-style foot, we attached our own dovetail bar for a firm connection to our equatorial mount.
At the rear, observers are offered both a standard 1.25-inch eyepiece barrel and an M42 thread for direct camera attachment.
As a true quadruplet design, we didn’t need a separate field flattener – always a bonus for new astrophotographers who won’t want to spend more money on additional accessories. Within minutes,
it was ready for first light.
How the NOVAStar Scarlet A62Q 62mm performed
Before turning it skyward, we tested the NOVAStar Scarlet A62Q 62mm' capabilities as a daytime spotting scope, directing it towards some birds about 100 metres (330ft) away.
Equipped with a diagonal and 20mm eyepiece, it delivered crisp, detailed views. Colour fidelity was pleasingly natural and contrasts stayed high, even under bright sunlight.
Later, mounting the scope on our Sky-Watcher Adventurer GTi mount, we slewed to the Moon.
With the same diagonal inserted and paired with a colour planetary camera, it captured sharply defined lunar detail, revealing a wealth of craters.
The live view through the eyepiece was equally impressive and we enjoyed delightfully crisp, high-contrast vistas.
At the next clear opportunity, we set out to test the Scarlet’s deep-sky potential.
We paired it with a lightweight guide scope and a 585-colour camera – one of two compact CMOS sensors recommended by 365Astronomy, as smaller sensors match the Scarlet’s focal length well for image sampling.
Fully assembled, this rig balanced neatly on the mount, with the entire setup weighing around 3kg.
When a rare spell of clear autumnal skies arrived, we slewed to the Double Cluster in Perseus (NGC 869 and NGC 884) to gauge the Scarlet’s optical performance.
The view was wonderful: a rich sprinkling of pinpoint stars, with good contrast and a commendably flat field.
Our stacked image did show some chromatic aberration around the brightest stars, but given the scope’s price class, this was neither surprising nor excessive.
We then shifted to a seasonal favourite, the Pleiades.
With the Moon absent and autumn air unusually steady, we captured pleasing widefield frames of the blue-white stars, accompanied by faint nebulosity.
Achieving pinpoint focus required patience; without a fine-focusing knob, delicate adjustments were tricky – especially with cold fingers.
Rotating the camera for framing required loosening the extension tube collar, which was workable, but a little awkward.
Despite a few minor frustrations, the optics produced acceptable colour and a naturally flat field.
Star shapes stayed neat all the way to the corners, with only the brightest stars showing an element of false colour – something we were able to clean up easily in Photoshop.
At f/8.4, the Scarlet A62Q sits on the slower side of refractors, favouring precision over speed.
Longer exposures are needed for faint nebulae, but the reward is tight stars and superb contrast.
Deep but compact targets will challenge its limited aperture, but this is a thoughtfully executed, travel-friendly refractor that punches above its weight.
NOVAStar Scarlet A62Q 62mm – a travel-friendly scope?
The greatest feature of the NOVAStar Scarlet A62Q is its versatility.
Compact yet capable, this 520mm f/8.4 telescope feels equally at home as a high-quality visual aid, precise guide scope or a lightweight imaging instrument.
By day, it serves as an excellent spotting scope, delivering bright, natural views.
After dark, its optics reveal sharp, colourful views with pleasing contrast, pinpoint stars to the edge and crisp lunar detail, offering newcomers their first memorable glimpse of the Moon or the glow of Orion.
It’s an ideal travel companion for spontaneous moments under either sunlight or starlight.
Weighing just 1.5kg, it pairs effortlessly with compact mounts or photo tripods for ad hoc astronomy opportunities.
The build quality inspires confidence and the clean, practical design makes it a genuine grab-and-go option.
A blend of precision optics and thoughtful engineering, we found it performs well beyond its compact size and bargain price, providing a truly portable refractor with the flexibility to handle spotting, guiding and night-sky observing alike.
Best features
Crayford focuser
Smooth and controlled, the focuser adjusts well despite being single-speed, and supports accessories without any tube flex. Solid metal construction ensures stability during high-magnification focusing, while the large tension knob provides responsive adjustments. We found it adequate for both visual observing and astrophotography.
Optics
The air-spaced quadruplet design delivers crisp, flatfield views right to the edge without needing a separate field flattener. Its 62mm aperture and excellent colour correction reveal pinpoint stars even in widefield imaging. Coated glass surfaces enhance light transmission, producing sharp, contrast-rich results for both visual use and photography.
Universal tripod mount
A thoughtfully integrated tripod thread adds flexibility to this portable scope, allowing attachment to any standard photography tripod. It’s ideal for capturing quick lunar views or for travel imaging setups without the need for a full equatorial rig. The balanced mounting point ensures steady operation and easy framing for grab-and-go astronomy.
Finder shoe
A machined metal finder shoe comes pre-installed, accepting a wide range of standard accessories, from red-dot finders to mini guidescopes. It’s solidly aligned with the optical axis to simplify targeting and set-up. Observers can quickly swap or remove accessories as required, ensuring the Scarlet A62Q is as adaptable as possible.
Hard case
Supplied in a sturdy hard case, the telescope and its accessories are snugly protected in foam-cut compartments, with room for additional gear. This thoughtful inclusion keeps it safe on the road or in storage. It’s compact, lightweight and ready to go – ideal for observers who require precision and portability.
Key specs
- Price: £195
- Optics: Quadruplet
- Aperture: 62mm
- Focal length: 520mm, f/8.4
- Focuser: Single-speed Crayford
- Mount: Universal photo tripod connection plate
- Extras: Hard case, finder scope bracket
- Weight: 1.5kg
- Supplier: 365Astronomy
- Tel: 020 33 845 187
- www.365astronomy.com
This review appeared in the February 2026 issue of BBC Sky at Night Magazine
