The Best Amateur Telescope For 2024
By, Sara RyanUpdated
Our Top Picks
1. Best Overall: Celestron - PowerSeeker 127EQ Telescope
The Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ Telescope is a versatile and high-quality telescope designed for both beginner and intermediate astronomers. Its multiple accessories and portable design make it the perfect telescope for sky-gazing adventures. Read Review
2. Best For The Price: Celestron - 70mm Travel Scope DX
The Celestron 70mm Travel Scope DX is a telescope that is very portable and adaptable, ideal for astronomers of all skill levels. This telescope, which features robust optics, is an excellent acquisition for anybody who has a passion for investigating the nocturnal sky. Read Review
3. Best Quality: HEXEUM Telescope 70mm Aperture 500mm
You will like this product because of its large magnification, portable design, and superb optical quality. It is a fantastic tool for exploring the unknown and getting started on a voyage into astronomy. Read Review
4. Best Clarity: ECOOPRO Telescope 70mm
Discover the wonders of the night sky with the ECOOPRO Telescope 70mm. This powerful telescope offers a large aperture of 70 millimeters and a long focal length of 360 millimeters. With its simple assembly that requires no tools, you'll be up and running in no time. Read Review
5. Best Performance: SOLOMARK Telescopes for Adults
We recommend this product cause the equatorial mount, phone adapter, and full-size stainless steel tripod included with the SOLOMARK Telescopes for Adults combine to provide a viewing experience of exceptional quality. Read Review
Are you looking to explore the night sky and view stars, planets, and galaxies? If so, then you need an amateur telescope. An amateur telescope can open up a new world of discovery for amateur astronomers, allowing them to observe and study objects in space from their backyard. But with so many different amateur telescopes available, it can be challenging to know which one is the best.
Luckily, some tried accurate telescopes have been tested by amateur astronomers and proven to be the best. This article will introduce you to the best amateur telescope, discuss its features, and help you decide which is correct. Get ready to explore the night sky like never before!
Our team had to focus on researching and sifting through 16 hours to get such results for readers. These studies are based on customer star reviews and interviews about their feelings when using the product. As a result, We believe the best amateur telescope is the Celestron - PowerSeeker 127EQ Telescope. It comes with a manual German equatorial mount, perfect for anyone who wants to navigate the sky quickly. If you're looking for additional options and more in-depth advice, you may check out the following buying guide & FAQs.
RELATED: Looking for the best value telescopes of 2024? Check out our expert-reviewed guide to find the perfect telescope for your budget.
Our Top Picks
Multiple accessories included Easy-to-use and powerful telescope Manual German equatorial mount Compact and portable
The quality of the finder scope is not very good
The Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ Telescope is a fantastic choice for those new to the world of telescopes. It comes with a manual German equatorial mount, perfect for anyone who wants to navigate the sky quickly. The mount has a slow-motion altitude rod for smooth and accurate pointing, and it's easy to secure by tightening the cross knob. The telescope is also compact and lightweight, making it ideal for trips to your favorite dark sky observing site or backyard.
In addition to its manual mount, the Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ has various accessories to enhance your viewing experience. The telescope comes with two eyepieces (20mm and 4mm) and a 3x Barlow lens that triples the power of each eyepiece. Plus, you can download the bonus Starry Night Astronomy Software Package to help you get the most out of your telescope.
The only downside to this telescope is the finder scope can be difficult to align, mainly because it seems to want to slip around under the screws that hold it in place. However, this is a minor inconvenience and can be easily overcome by purchasing a higher-quality finder scope.
Highly portable and ready-to-use Large 70mm objective lens High-quality, fully-coated glass optics Lightweight and easy to use
Thumb screws can be loosen
Compared to the model with a 50mm objective lens, this one has a larger 70mm objective lens that offers more precise and vivid views while only adding negligible extra weight. Because of how fast and straightforward it is to set up and use, this telescope is perfect for anyone just starting in the world of telescopes.
The Celestron 70mm Travel Scope comes with a range of accessories, all of which are designed to improve your viewing experience and complement its excellent optics. Because it comes with a 2x Barlow, Bluetooth shutter release, smartphone adapter, and software, the telescope is the ideal instrument for your digiscoping expeditions. Unfortunately, the thumb screws can be easily loosened and prevent you from using slow-motion cables. However, with a little bit of patience and determination, this tiny inconvenience won't be a problem at all.
High magnification Portable and convenient Excellent quality optics Comes with a phone adapter and tripod
Instructions could be clearer
The HEXEUM Telescope 70mm Aperture 500mm is an attractive choice for kids or beginners looking to get started in astronomy. The telescope comes with two excellent quality eyepieces, a 3x Barlow lens, a phone adapter, and an adjustable aluminum tripod, making it both portable and convenient. Additionally, the telescope comes with a wireless remote control and a carrying bag, making it easy to take with you wherever you go.
The two high-quality eyepieces and the 3x Barlow lens allow you to treble the magnifying power of each eyepiece, giving you a much better view of the stars and other celestial objects. Plus, the 5x24 finderscope makes it easy to locate objects in the sky, making it easier to get started in astronomy. With a 500mm (f/7.1) focal length and 70mm aperture, this telescope provides stunning views and protects your eyes, allowing you to explore the sky safely and enjoyably.
Nonetheless, it would be best if the instructions with the telescope could be a bit clearer. But you'll soon get the hang of using this telescope and be able to enjoy all the amazing sights it has to offer.
No-tools setup Adjustable tripod 360mm focal length 70mm aperture and 5X24 Finder Scope
The zoom effect is not as good
People who are just getting their feet wet in the field of astronomy will find that this particular telescope is an excellent choice. Finding things in the night sky has never been more straightforward with this setup, which requires no equipment and features an adjustable tripod. The telescope has a 70mm aperture, a 360mm focal length, and completely coated optical glass; the combination of these three features produces images that are clear and brilliant and are guaranteed to.
You can also experience magnification ranging from 51X to 128X thanks to the inclusion of two 1.25" eyepieces (K25mm and K10mm) and a 5X24 Finder Scope. This makes it simple to locate and investigate objects in the night sky. In addition, the ECOOPRO Telescope 70mm is fantastic for daytime activities such as viewing wildlife and the Moon and birdwatching. However, it is essential to note that the zoom effect is not quite as good as in other models.
Equatorial mount Stainless steel tripod 70mm aperture 700mm focal length Plossl eyepieces
A bit expensive
With this telescope, you can make fine-pointing adjustments with its equatorial mount, ensuring you always have the sharpest view possible. These adjustments can be made in both right ascension and declination. In addition, the full-size tripod constructed of stainless steel offers a strong platform that is not only secure but also long-lasting. The only drawback to this particular model of the telescope is the possibility that it will be somewhat more expensive than other options.
You will have the opportunity to easily record photographs and movies of the night sky thanks to the smartphone adapter that is included in the package. It comes equipped with a 1.5X Barlow Lens. When paired with the 10mm and 20mm Plossl eyepieces, the 70mm aperture and 700mm focal length of the microscope produce a magnification of 70X and 35X, respectively, which results in images that are crisp and well-lit.
Wireless remote and phone adapter Large 70mm objective lens High magnification Easy to assemble
Short legs
With a large 70mm objective lens, the telescope provides a clear and bright image of celestial objects. The wireless remote and phone adapter allows you to take high-quality photos of the sky, which is a fantastic feature for stargazing enthusiasts. The high-transmission optics lens minimizes the amount of light reflected, resulting in visuals that are even simpler to understand. In addition, the two eyepieces and the 3X Barlow lens provide several magnification options, allowing you to choose the magnification level that is most suitable for your needs.
The telescope is so simple to put together that even young children and inexperienced users won't have trouble doing it. The beginning is simple, thanks to the comprehensive installation handbook and video instructions. Because the focus is so precise, you won't have any trouble locating your objective, and the pictures you view will be crystal clear. The only downside is that the legs are a bit short, which may make it challenging to find a stable base. But, with some creativity, you can still get the telescope set up and start observing the stars.
80mm objective lens High magnification Erect Image Refractor Adjustable tripod and carrying bag
The front lens cap can fall off
This telescope has a large 80mm objective lens and 400mm focal length, providing clear and bright images of celestial objects. The multi-fully high transmission coated all-optical lens enhances image brightness and clarity, making it an excellent choice for moon viewing. The 1.25" high power interchangeable eyepieces and the 3X Barlow lens each provide a distinct magnification choice, giving you the freedom to select the magnification level that is most suitable for your needs.
The 128° erect-image diagonal prism and the 5X20 erect-image finder scope allow for a comprehensive viewing angle, and the telescopic phone adapter with the 10X eyepiece is simple to install and use to photograph and film via it. The only downside of the ESSLNB Telescopes 80mm is that the front lens cap can fall off, which may cause damage to the lens. However, with proper care, you can ensure that the lens stays protected. It will be an excellent addition to your collection, regardless of whether you are just starting or have years of experience under your belts.
More To Consider
What to Look For in a best amateur telescope?
The best amateur telescope is a product type that many customers feel hesitant to select because of the challenges in evaluating its features. It comes to trust! When studying a significant purchase, many factors must be considered. Our best amateur telescope knowledge will help you make an ideal decision.
Our article here will highlight some outstanding items and provide solutions to FAQs and guides to buying. You should keep in mind some main criteria of best amateur telescope below:
Objective
Aperture
Eyepieces
Portability And Weight
You'll find it difficult to take a heavy, bulky telescope outside when the temperatures drop. Advanced amateur astronomers build observatories at home to keep their large telescopes up at all times.
Extra-large mounts and telescopes are not recommended for those with health problems or who cannot lift heavy objects. It is better to choose something smaller and lighter. It will be more useful.
Optical Design
Three types of optics are available for consumer telescopes. They will assist you in achieving three different goals. Refractor telescopes make it easy to focus celestial bodies such as the moon and nearby planets using a variety of glass lenses. Refractor telescopes, also known as Newtonian scopes after their inventor Sir Isaac Newton, swap lenses for mirrors. This allows stargazers to see further into space. The versatile compound telescope combines both of these methods with a compact, portable design that puts it right in the middle.
Mount
An equatorial tracking mounting mount is necessary for astrophotography. The telescope will track objects in night sky when it is properly polar aligned. This will "freeze" an object in space, allowing for long exposure photographs.
FAQs
What type of telescope should I buy?
The type of telescope you should buy depends on what type of observing you plan to do. Generally, a simple refractor telescope with an aperture of at least 4” is best for most amateur astronomers who are just starting out. A refractor is a good choice as it is relatively light and easy to use.
What accessories do I need for my telescope?
At a minimum, a good quality telescope will need an eyepiece, a finder scope, and a mount. Many telescopes also come with a star chart, which can be helpful for finding your way around the night sky.
What are the best times of year to observe the night sky?
The best times to observe the night sky are the months when the sky is the darkest, which generally means winter and early spring. During these months, the night sky can be especially clear and dark, making it easier to spot faint objects.
How do I set up my telescope?
Setting up a telescope is relatively simple. First, find a dark location that is away from sources of light pollution. Then, mount the telescope on a tripod or other stable platform. Finally, align the telescope with the North Star and you’re ready to observe.
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About Sara Ryan
