Best Travel Telescope for Beginners
If you’re interested in learning about amateur astronomy, you’ll need one of the best beginner telescopes.
All of these products are recommended because they offer good value for money and a good feature set. Furthermore, first-time stargazers will not be bored or perplexed by the setup.
Best Travel Telescope for Beginners
Sky-Watcher EvoStar 80 APO Doublet Refractor
Sky-EvoStar Watcher’s 80mm f/7.5 Doublet APO Refractor features a doublet apochromatic lens system with Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass on all air-to-glass optical surfaces and Sky-proprietary Watcher’s photon anti-rejection Metallic High-Transmission Coatings (MHC).
Chromatic aberrations are virtually eliminated with this combination of glass, lenses, and coatings, resulting in clear, bright high-contrast images with true color rendition.
This optical tube assembly (OTA) can be used as an astrograph, a terrestrial spotting scope, or a telephoto lens for wide-field astronomical observation of prominent nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies.
A mounting cradle-ring clamps over the OTA and allows the user to adjust the scope’s orientation and position relative to the mount to improve viewing comfort and balance while avoiding interference with other equipment.
The scope comes without a mount or tripod, but thanks to a Vixen-style dovetail plate, it can be mounted on any alt-az or equatorial mount with a Vixen-style saddle.
Its two-speed Crayford-style focuser aids in fast and precise fine-focusing without backlash. The EvoStar comes with a variety of accessories to help you get started observing more quickly and easily.
The first is a large 8×50 erect-image finderscope with two long eye relief eyepieces that produce 30 and 120x magnification, a 90° star diagonal for more comfortable viewing, and two long eye relief eyepieces that produce 30 and 120x magnification.
Finally, Sky-Watcher includes an aluminum carrying case with foam lining for storing and transporting the OTA safely.
Features
- 80mm Apochromatic Refractor
- 600mm Focal Length, f/7.5 Focal Ratio
- Proprietary MHC Multi-Coated Optics
- Schott BK7 and FPL-53 ED Glass
- 2″ Crayford Focuser with 1.25″ Adapter
- 20mm and 5mm Eyepieces, 90° Diagonal
- 8×50 RA Erect-Image Finderscope
- Vixen-Style Dovetail Plate & Cradle-Ring
- Foam-Lined Aluminum Carrying Case
MaxUSee 70mm Refractor Telescope with Tripod & Finder Scope for Kids & Astronomy Beginners
MaxUSee 70mm Refractor Telescope portable telescope with magnification ranging from 16X to 200X, the ideal First Telescope for children and astronomy beginners.
It has a 70mm large aperture objective lens, which makes images brighter and clearer, and a 5X24 finder scope, which allows you to locate objects faster and earlier.
This telescope comes with 4 interchangeable eyepieces, a 3X Barlow lens, and a 1.5X Erecting eyepiece, allowing you to enjoy a wide range of magnifications from 16X to 200X. The 5×24 finder scope allows you to aim objects faster and more easily.
It’s a fun and portable telescope that’s sure to spark the natural curiosity of the entire family.
Features
- Aperture: 70mm
- Focal length: 400mm
- Eyepieces: 1.25” H6mm / 1.25” H12.5mm / 1.25” H20mm
- Additional Kellner eyepiece: 1.25” K25mm
- Accessories: 1.5X Erecting eyepiece / 3X Barlow lens / Moon mirror
- Finder Scope: 5X24
- Smartphone Adapter
- Aluminum Tripod
Celestron – 114LCM Computerized Newtonian Telescope
The Celestron 114LCM 114mm f/9 Computerized GoTo Reflector Telescope has the largest aperture of the LCM-series of beginner scopes, with a 114mm diameter parabolic primary mirror coated with highly reflective aluminum to allow detailed observation of the Moon and planets, as well as the ability to reach beyond our solar system and view binary stars, clusters, galaxies, and nebulae.
A motorized fork mount, computer controller, two eyepieces, and a red-dot finderscope are all included in this complete observation platform.
The venerable NexStar+ controller is at the heart of the 114LCM. The controller is a feature-rich GoTo system with multiple alignment aids, including the Sky Align system, and a database of over 4000 objects with the ability for users to program up to 99 of their own objects.
Simply put, the Sky Align algorithms will go to where three prominent objects should be in the sky based on the day, time, and coordinates where the scope is set up.
Simply check that each one is centered in the eyepiece and that the scope is aligned with the GoTo system. Do you have no idea what to watch? To see the best objects overhead or in your favorite constellation, take the Sky or Constellation Tours.
Features
- 114mm Newtonian Reflector OTA
- 1000mm Focal Length, f/9 Focal Ratio
- Aluminum-Coated Parabolic Primary Mirror
- 25″ 25mm and 9mm Eyepieces
- Motorized Single-Arm Alt-Az Fork Mount
- AutoStar Computer Hand Controller
- 4000+ Object Database with Sky Tours
- Multiple Alignment Procedures
- Three Tracking, Nine Slew Speeds
- Adjustable-Height Tripod with Tray
Orion 10034 GoScope II 70mm Refractor Travel Telescope Moon Kit
For young astronomers and families on the go, the Orion 10034 GoScope II 70mm Refractor Travel Telescope is a grab-and-go day and night refractor telescope with a lightweight aluminum tripod.
The 70mm telescope, tripod, and all accessories are held in a rugged, specially designed backpack.
The telescope’s 400mm focal length (f/5.7) excels at daytime birding, wildlife viewing, scenery, and casual nighttime observing of the Moon and bright planets.
There are two 1.25″ telescope eyepieces (25mm and 10mm) included for 16- and 40-power views, as well as a 5×24 finder scope for easy aiming. The Orion MoonMap 260 is included to help you learn more about the interesting lunar features you see.
When the tripod legs are fully extended, the GoScope II refractor optical tube can be held at a height ranging from 17.75″ to 43.5″.
Features
- 70mm-aperture achromatic lens system for high-resolution images
- 400mm focal length
- 5×24 finder scope for easy aiming
- Telescope sets up in seconds
- Retractable aluminum tripod
- Three-way pan head and allows smooth, easy pointing of the telescope
- Weighs just 3.5 lbs
- Rugged
Celestron – 70mm Travel Scope DX – Portable Refractor Telescope
The Celestron Travel Scope DX 70mm f/6 AZ Refractor Telescope is designed for portability and ease of use for both astronomical and terrestrial use, and it comes with a variety of accessories, including a smartphone adapter, so you can document, share, and post everything you see.
Its refractor-style optical tube assembly (OTA) has a respectable aperture, allowing for clear views of the moon, large planets like Jupiter and Mars, as well as stars and constellations.
A photo-style alt-az pan/tilt head mounts the OTA with a single screw and has a single control handle that allows for smooth movement while also locking the altitude in place for hands-free use to reduce vibration.
All of this is supported by a photo tripod that collapses to a tabletop-friendly height and extends to full height.
In addition to the smartphone photo adapter, Celestron includes a Bluetooth remote shutter release that works with most Android and iOS phones. This allows you to take photos and videos without having to touch your devices, which can cause unwanted vibrations.
For visual observation, the Travel Scope comes with a moon filter, an erecting prism, two eyepieces, and a 2x Barlow lens, as well as an erecting prism that corrects views horizontally and laterally so the Travel Scope can be used as a conventional spotting scope.
To make the kit as portable as possible, everything in it—OTA, tripod, head, and accessories—fits into a dedicated canvas backpack.
Features
- 70mm Achromatic Refractor
- Anti-Reflection Fully Coated Optics
- 25″ Rack-and-Pinion Focuser
- Smartphone Digiscoping Adapter
- Bluetooth Remote Phone Shutter Release
- Manual Alt-Azimuth Mount with Lock
- 40x & 20x Eyepieces, Moon Filter
- 2x Barlow Lens and Erecting Prism
- Aluminum Photo-Style Tripod
- Backpack Holds OTA, Tripod, Accessories
Vaonis STELLINA Observation Station and Hybrid Telescope
If you’re a beginner, you probably don’t want to waste time putting your telescope together when you could be watching the stars.
Stellina is a portable, self-contained telescope that makes it simple to photograph astronomical objects. All that is required is the Stellina and a smartphone.
Everything you need appears to be contained within a small, elegant white and black rectangular enclosure mounted on a tripod on a tabletop.
It has a built-in camera that takes pictures that you can view later on your phone (or tablet)
Because it’s quick and easy to build and calibrate, the Vaonis Stellina is an excellent beginner’s telescope.
Features
- Resolution: 6.4M pixels (3096 x 2080 px)
- Focal length: 400 mm (15.75 in)
- Aperture: 80 mm (3.15 in)
- Autonomy: 5 hours with a 10,000 mAh portable battery
- Size: 19 x 15 x 4.7 in (49 x 39 x 13 cm)
- Weight: 24, 7 lbs. (11, 2 kg)
- Water resistance: IP53
- Control: Smartphone/Tablet
- Lens: Doublet ED doublet with lanthanum glass
- Focal ratio: F/5
- Image sensor: 1/1.8″ CMOS Sony
- Field of view:1° x 0.7°
- Magnification: Equivalent to 50x and up to 100x with digital zoom
- Mount: Alt-azimuth
- Alignment: Automatic initialization with star field recognition
- Focus: Automated Pointing:
- Automated Image Processing– Adapted to each object -Real time image stacking
- Filter: Light pollution (CLS)
- Field derotator: Mechanical and automated
- Dew control: Integrated heater
See Also:
- Best Telescope For Viewing Planets And Galaxies For Beginners
- Best Binoculars For Teenager
- Best Binoculars For Astronomy Beginners
Choosing the Best Travel Telescope For Beginners
Purpose
When looking for the best telescopes for beginners, consider what you want to use it for first. For example, are you content to simply observe the Moon or do you wish to travel to the farthest reaches of the universe?
The reason you’re interested in a telescope.
Budget
Create a budget to help you narrow down your options and focus on the best value for money. However, many of the most affordable telescopes will struggle to produce results even close to that.
However, it is possible that beginners will be flush with cash and willing to pay a lot, lot more for a telescope that does all of the hard work for them.
While you relax on the sofa, this device automatically aligns with the stars, tracks and stacks images, and sends them to your smartphone.
Aperture
Regardless of the type of telescope you choose, the aperture is the most important feature. Simply put, the diameter of the mirror or lens is the aperture of your telescope.
As the aperture is increased, the image quality improves. The aperture determines the brightness and sharpness of a photograph.
However, keep in mind that a larger aperture means a larger telescope. If you want to travel with your telescope, keep an eye on its size.
Magnification
As a rule of thumb, a telescope’s maximum practical magnification is 50 times its aperture in inches, or twice its aperture in millimeters. That’s assuming the scope’s optics are in perfect working order and the night air is unusually stable. Alternatively, a good 4-inch (100-mm) scope should not be used beyond 200 yards.
What size telescope do I need to see planets?
Solar system objects such as planets, our Moon, and Jupiter’s moons are best seen through telescopes with a 5 inch diameter. It can be difficult, but not impossible, to see Neptune and Uranus with such a small scope. A telescope of this size would be an excellent place to begin for a complete beginner.
Can you see galaxies with a telescope?
Galaxies are some of the most distant objects that humans can observe. While the majority of planets, stars, and nebulae are within a few light-years of us, humans can observe galaxies that are millions of light-years away. A 4-inch telescope will often reveal only the nucleus of a galaxy, even if it is bright.
Conclusion
Is there an ideal telescope out there waiting for you? Yes.
No matter who you are or where you live, there’s a telescope for you.
If you follow our advice, you’ll end up with exactly that kind of instrument, one that you’ll want to play every clear night and that you can easily transport.