For those seeking a telescope to observe the Moon and our closest celestial neighbors, a budget model will suffice. However, seasoned enthusiasts will likely desire the more sophisticated, cutting-edge devices. Here are our five favorite telescopes for any budget and proficiency level.
5 . Best for beginners — Celestron 21061 AstroMaster 70AZ ($84)
The AstroMaster 70AZ is hard to top if you’re looking to spend less than $100 on a telescope. The 3-inch aperture allows for exceptional glimpses of the moon and nearby planets, thus allowing you to whet your Newtonian whistle, and the bundled tripod is easy to assemble. Better yet, when fully assembled, the telescope and tripod weigh just under 18 pounds. The AstroMaster also comes with multiple eyepieces and three coated lens, eliminating focusing issues.
The biggest drawback to the AstroMaster is the lack of an automatic or more sophisticated manual tracking system, meaning you’ll often have a short window of time in which to view objects before they escape your viewing area. The tripod is a tad on the short side, too, so taller astronomers may want to opt for a different tripod.
Other models on our list come with greater base performance than this refractor model. However, with 165× magnification, the AstroMaster is a solid option for kids or other budding astronomers.
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AMAZON4. Best budget option — Celestron 127EQ PowerSeeker Telescope ($111)
The 127EQ PowerSeeker is one of the most popular telescopes on the market, namely because of the price. This Newtonian-style reflector telescope comes with a 5-inch aperture and 1,000-millimeter focal length, both of which are a steal for under $150. Every device in the PowerSeekers lineup also comes with coated optics and 300× magnification capacity, which lets you easily view all the highlights of our solar system. The device also includes “The Sky,” software that lets you locate an array of objects using your computer.
The telescope’s smooth, slow-motion manual tracking allows you to easily keep objects in the viewing area. Yes, automatic tracking is more convenient, but at $140, you can’t really complain. There aren’t many other drawbacks, though, you may want to eventually upgrade from the lackluster eyepiece to something more capable.
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Here is a fun and compact telescope that's sure to inspire the whole family's natural inclination to explore. The Orion StarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector Telescope is no toy - it's a real reflecting telescope that is wonderfully simple to set up and use!
A perfect telescope for beginning amateur astronomers, the StarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector is manufactured with the kind of quality you'd expect only to find in much more expensive models. Everyone in the family will enjoy using the StarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector telescope thanks to its uncomplicated, simple design and high level of performance. The StarBlast 4.5 will give beginning amateur astronomers hour after hour of fun under the stars and also nurture their interest in the night sky, thanks to its exceptional, high-quality optics. In fact, the optics of the StarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector are so good that it's also a very popular choice for more experienced amateur astronomers looking for a compact and portable telescope to use as a grab-and-go alternative to larger, bulkier mounted models that require more setup time and maintenance.
With its 4.5 inch aperture parabolic primary mirror, the StarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector Telescope will wow the whole family with gorgeous wide-field views of the night sky. Fascinating craters and mountains on the Moon pop out in crisp detail through the pint-sized StarBlast 4.5 Astro Telescope, but the fun doesn't end there. You'll see more than just the Moon with this capable reflector. On clear evenings, the StarBlast 4.5 can provide pleasing views of giant Jupiter with its orbiting moons and Saturn with its stunning rings. Thanks to its precisely crafted, wide-field f/4 reflective optics and significant 4.5 inch (114mm) aperture, the StarBlast 4.5 Astro Telescope can reveal intriguing views of bright galaxies, distant cloudy nebulas, and sparkling star clusters for the whole family to enjoy.
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2. Best affordable auto-tracking — Celestron NexStar 130 SLT ($350)
The Celestron NexStar 130SLT is a solid option for those who’ve already exhausted the benefits of their first telescope. The 307-times magnification and 5-inch aperture allow the device to match the performance of any model in the same pricing bracket, though Celestron’s offering also incorporates the company’s SkyAlign technology whereas others do not. This takes the meticulous scanning and alignment out of your cosmic hunting. Simply align the telescope with any three objects in the sky and the device will position itself on its own, taking into account more than 4,000 celestial objects as it does.
An internal battery powers the unit, allowing for untethered functionality. On top of that, the device utilizes NexRemote, which lets you control your telescope directly from your computer; anything done using the on-board hand control can be accomplished remotely once you connect to your PC. You can also quickly assemble the unit without any tools, rendering it more portable than some alternatives on our list.
The bundled eyepieces certainly do the trick, but to get the most bang for your buck, you may want to upgrade to something more powerful. As for drawbacks, the only thing really working against this model is its limited battery capacity, something you’ll notice even more when using the “auto-tracking.” Nonetheless, the NexStar 130 SLT is about as cheap as it gets when it comes to models with automatic tracking and a 5-inch aperture. It represents the apex for those considering performance and affordability.
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The Celestron NexStar 4 SE Telescope is a combination of vintage and futuristic elements. This telescope features the classical orange tube associated with Celestron telescopes.
It's built with state of the art functionalities such as high-magnification eyepieces, premium lens coatings, and a fully computerized operating system. The fact that you don't need to use star charts and a GPS receiver while using the telescope, makes it a great option for its price.
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