Telescopes

The Celestron 8" RASA (Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph) is a portable astrograph that allows for capturing wide field views of deep sky objects quickly. With its fast f/2.0 optical system, it is compatible with modern color astronomical CMOS, smaller CCD, and mirrorless cameras. The combination of a fast focal ratio and patented optical design enables sharp images with superb detail, often eliminating the need for an autoguider.

A perfect rig for the intermediate range. With the combination of a 7 “ Maksutov-Cassegrain optical tube, AVX equatorial mount, and tripod with 2" diameter stainless steel legs, this system provides spectacular views of planets as well as detailed looks at craters, maria, and other features of the Moon's surface. I’ve had this rig for about three years now and its still running great.

The SV503 Telescope OTA features Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass for crystal clear and color-true images with high contrast. Its dual-speed rack and pinion focuser with a 1:10 gear ratio ensures accurate focus. Crafted with top-quality materials, including CNC machining and fine-grained paint, the telescope has a refined appearance and delicate feel. With fully multi-coated ED optics and an 80mm aperture, it is ideal for discerning observers and astronomy amateurs, particularly those interested in astrophotography.

This apochromatic doublet refractor offers a combination of superior extra-low dispersion glass and affordability. The lens assembly, utilizing matched lenses with proprietary Metallic High-Transmission Coatings™ (MHTC™), delivers sharp stars and high-contrast skies while virtually eliminating false color. The fluorite-based ED glass elements and internal baffle contribute to preventing stray light in photography. Crafted with aluminum and a black diamond metal-flake finish, the telescope is both aesthetically pleasing and lightweight. This was one of my first refractor telescopes!

The Orion SkyQuest XT10i IntelliScope Dobsonian Reflector telescope is a favorite among amateur astronomers worldwide for its impressive optics, modern design, and unique capability to effortlessly locate over 14,000 celestial objects with the push of a button. Boasting a large 10" diameter and a well-crafted 10" (254mm) parabolic mirror with a focal length of 1200mm (f/4.7), the telescope gathers 56% more light than an 8" mirror. This allows observers to view stars as faint as magnitude 15, providing a captivating celestial viewing experience. This is one of my favorite telescopes!

The Dwarf 3 Smart Telescope takes portable imaging to the next level with a dual-camera system that combines a 737 mm equivalent telephoto lens and a 45 mm equivalent wide-angle lens. With greater reach, an upgraded sensor, and a more powerful Neural Processing Unit, it delivers sharper, cleaner images faster than ever. Whether you're tracking birds, creating panoramic landscapes, or capturing deep-sky objects, the Dwarf 3 is designed to excel across a wide range of subjects. A 10,000 mAh internal battery and 128GB of built-in eMMC storage provide plenty of power and space for extended imaging sessions, making it an ideal companion for backyard astronomy, star parties, and outdoor adventures.

The Celestron Cometron 7x50 Binoculars are an excellent choice for beginner astronomers and anyone looking for a versatile pair of binoculars for both night sky and daytime viewing. Featuring large 50mm objective lenses, 7x magnification, and a wide 6.6° field of view, they deliver bright, steady views that are perfect for scanning star fields, spotting comets, or observing wildlife and landscapes. Multi-coated optics and BK7 Porro prisms provide sharp, high-contrast images, while the lightweight design, rubberized grip, and fold-down eyecups ensure comfortable viewing. Tripod compatible for extended observing sessions, the Cometron 7x50 also includes a carrying case, neck strap, lens caps, and cleaning cloth, making it a complete, grab-and-go binocular package for astronomy and outdoor adventures.

Celestron's upgraded SkyMaster binoculars feature ED objective lenses for superior, chromatic aberration-free images in astronomy. With large 80mm lenses, threaded eyepieces, and BaK-4 prisms, they offer enhanced light-gathering, detailed views, and reduced light pollution effects. The Porro prism design provides a 3-D view, while user-friendly features like eyeglass compatibility and padded eyecups ensure comfort. The binoculars are durable, ergonomically designed, and tripod-adaptable for extended use in the field.

The StarSense Explorer Dobsonian with an 8” parabolic primary mirror and XLT coatings combines smartphone technology with powerful optics, providing a detailed, user-friendly stargazing experience. Using award-winning StarSense sky recognition technology, the StarSense Explorer app identifies star patterns and generates a list of visible celestial objects, allowing you to locate targets in seconds. The sturdy Dobsonian-style base with smooth tracking lets you follow on-screen arrows until the bullseye turns green, signaling a perfect view. This package includes a 25mm Plössl eyepiece, a 2” Crayford focuser, StarSense smartphone dock, red dot finderscope, eyepiece rack, and collimation tool, ideal for both city and dark-sky observations.

The Sky-Watcher 8" Traditional Dobsonian Telescope is an ideal pick for beginners or those looking to upgrade. Known for its simplicity and user-friendly design, it’s easy to set up and use, even without extensive experience. With basic care, this telescope can last a lifetime. While occasional collimation (fine-tuning) is required, it’s a straightforward process that can be learned. Don’t worry, its easy once you get the hang of it, and you’ll need some collimating tools.

Same telescope as the 8” telescope to the left of this one, just 2 inches smaller! This would be my runner up choice if the 8” dob is not feasible. This 150mm aperture telescope offers an affordable yet impressive stargazing experience, delivering 232% more brightness than a 100mm refractor. It features a parabolic primary mirror with Radiant™ Aluminum Quartz (RAQ™) coatings for sharp, high-quality images, and a patented tension control handle for precise, stable slewing. The heavy-duty rocker box with Teflon™ bearings ensures smooth movement, while the 2-inch rack-and-pinion focuser with a 1.25-inch adapter accommodates a wide range of eyepieces, making it versatile for any stargazer’s collection.

Unlock the power of your smartphone with this innovative 114mm Newtonian reflector telescope. Using patented StarSense technology, it pairs with an iPhone or Android to guide you to stars, planets, and deep-sky objects—no prior telescope experience needed. The app provides a curated list of the best celestial objects visible based on your location and time. Easy to set up, this telescope features a sturdy Dobsonian base for smooth movement and a large aperture mirror for clear, detailed views. For more tabletop dobs, go here.

Celestron’s updated “orange tube” telescope blends classic design with modern tech, ideal for both beginners and seasoned stargazers. With a 4-inch aperture, it provides stunning views of the Moon, planets, and deep-sky objects like the Orion Nebula, all in a compact size. Its fully automated GoTo mount includes a database of over 40,000 celestial objects, locating and tracking them for you. SkyAlign technology makes alignment simple—just point at any three bright objects. The telescope’s single fork arm and sturdy steel tripod disassemble easily for quick setup and portability. Want to go bigger? Here is the 6Se, and if you want to go even bigger here is the 8Se.

The SVBONY 60mm refracting telescope is an entry-level scope with a 60mm focal length, offering bright and detailed views of both land and celestial objects. It includes a 1.25-inch 45° erect image diagonal for comfortable viewing, a brass compression hole for improved optical alignment, and a K20mm eyepiece for medium power observation. A 5x24mm viewfinder assists in locating objects, and multi-coated glass optics ensure clear, sharp images. The telescope’s tool-free setup makes it convenient and easy to use, ideal for young children.

The StarSense Explorer brings the universe closer by turning your smartphone into a guide for exploring the night sky—no prior telescope experience needed. With StarSense’s sky recognition technology, the app uses your phone to identify star patterns and generate a list of visible celestial objects, including planets, bright nebulae, and galaxies. Ideal for both city and dark-sky viewing, this 114mm (4.5”) Newtonian reflector telescope has high light-gathering capacity, allowing you to see stunning details. Its manual altazimuth mount with dual-axis slow-motion controls enables easy alignment. The set includes 25mm and 10mm eyepieces, a 2x Barlow lens, a red dot finderscope, StarSense smartphone dock, and a full-height tripod.