Whether you are looking to buy a telescope as a gift or something to feed your passion for astronomy, these best telescopes in 2020 reviews should provide you with some ideas on the top items to purchase for your needs. We have selected for you 10 of the finest telescope models in the market today, which could give you a good way to start your search.
A telescope can be your gateway to the universe, for you to learn more about the stars and the planets above you. It may also be a tool that you can use to experience enjoyment as you head outdoors and discover the ethereal beauty of celestial bodies. But choosing a quality telescope is not very simple since there are so many things to look into depending on the object you are planning to observe, the size of the telescope, and your budget. While excellent entry-level telescopes can cost you over $400, there are also reasonably priced items at less than $200 that may suffice for your needs. As long as the optics are of high quality, and the mount is stable and durable, then you should be on the right track. Convenience and portability are key aspects of observing when buying a telescope, but at the same time, you need to consider the solid performance of the tool before you make a purchase.
Best Telescopes in 2020 Reviews
In these best telescope in 2020 reviews, we feature our top picks that are truly a good value for your money because of their outstanding build, functionality, and portability.
Last update on 2020-07-02 / Affiliate links / Price / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
10.Celestron 70mm Travel Telescope 21035
This travel scope by Celestron is made for those who are avid travelers and people who are always on the go. Made with superior quality materials, this tool allows you to see clear and brilliant views using high-performance optics. As for the design, it is portable, fairly lightweight, and compact, so you can take it with you wherever you may go. The optical elements are made of glass to provide you with crisper and clearer views, while the altazimuth mouth is smooth functioning and stable. Plus, there is a custom backpack included where you can fit the scope and the tripod, which gives you the ease of traveling and moving the tool around.
If there is something we do not appreciate much about this telescope, it would be its performance when used for star gazing. It can be a bit fiddly to deal with and a little challenging to focus on the subject. However, if used as a viewing scope just like what we can do with binoculars, this telescope is outstanding.
Get it now on Amazon.com9. Celestron 114mm Equatorial PowerSeeker Scope 21045
First-timers who have never used a telescope before will find this tool a good item to start with because of the quick setup, basic features, and reliable power that it offers. There are erect image optics that allow you to use this telescope for astronomical purposes or to simply look at distant terrestrial objects easily. Since there are fully coated optical components made of glass with high-power coatings, the images appear bright and clear. There is also a 3x Barlow lens included in the package for three times the magnification of every eyepiece.
There are some things that can be improved on this product including the finder scope and focuser, which are made of plastic instead of a more durable material. The mount is also a tad wobbly even when set low, so it is quite concerning to us.
Get it now on Amazon.com8. Celestron PowerSeeker Scope 127EQ
Whenever you are in the mood to see the beauty of celestial bodies around you, all you need is this powerful telescope for this purpose. Without the need for an intricate setup, this scope is ready to use with just a few assembly steps required. The images you see are clear, magnified, and bright, thanks to the high transmission coatings on the optical glass. Every lens also offers greater accuracy using the 3x Barlow lens. You can also download the free app for Android and iOS called SkyPortal to learn more about the universe as you discover this with your scope.
Based on experience, the optics must be aligned well, otherwise the image turns out blurry. Also, we noticed that the mount and the tripod are not very steady. So, they tend to shake whenever this is a breeze.
Get it now on Amazon.com7. Celestron AstroMaster 21063 90 AZ Refractor Scope
If you are in search for a dual-function telescope, then this product is for you. Aside from using this tool to get acquainted with astronomy, you will love its capability as a long-range spotting telescope. With almost 5 feet total height and 20 pounds of weight, it is not as heavy or tedious to use as it may seem. In fact, setup and assembly are a breeze, and everything you need to get started may be found in the package such as the high- and low-power eyepieces, erect image prism, and the software you can use for your computer. The alt-azimuth mount is stable, as well as the tripod, with the latter already fully assembled right out of the box.
Unfortunately, there is a bit of learning curve to deal with when using the star pointer as it can get tricky. The alt-azimuth is also not very powerful when it comes to tracking planets and stars.
Get it now on Amazon.com6. Celestron 80AZS PowerSeeker Scope 21087
For every budding astronomer who is curious about the universe and its intricacy, this telescope is a good option. Not only is it an affordable scope, but it also offers the ease in getting started. There are no tools necessary to set it up, and once fully assembled, you can begin viewing the stars, moon, and planet with this scope. It also features a collapsible and sturdy mount that remains stable as you use this telescope for viewing. And with the fully-coated glass optics, you can be sure to get sharp and clear views at all times.
Our only gripe about this scope would be the wobble issue. There were moments that it would vibrate, which made it a little challenging for us to focus more on the image we were looking at.
Get it now on Amazon.com5. Celestron Computerized Scope NexStar 130 SLT
If you want a high-performance scope that offers bright views and a wider angle for a better quality of images, then this product should fit the bill. There is a 9mm eyepiece with 72x magnification included, which makes it easy to discover interesting views in the heavens. What we like about this scope is the computerized go-to tracking, which made it easy for us to spot our target images. It is also a portable and lightweight telescope that is great for travel purposes.
On the other hand, this tool is very sensitive to vibration. This is why it is important to keep it stable and secure at all times. The battery life is also not that long, which means it is best to bring a spare with you whenever you are out to use this tool for hours.
Get it now on Amazon.com4. Celestron Travel Telescope 50 21038
For those in search of a lightweight and compact scope, this is an excellent tool to consider. The materials used for this scope are all highly durable and stable, so you can experience greater ease whenever you engage in astronomical or terrestrial observation. Once you mount this tool on a simple EQ tracking mount, you can capture clear images that will never disappoint you. These are just some of the things to love about this tool, aside from the fact that it is reasonably priced.
However, this tool is not without any issue. For instance, the tripod is a bit shaky, which makes it a little challenging to have a clearer viewing quality from it. It may also be somewhat tough to get the viewing scope centered to the main scope, as some fiddling is required. Once it is set in place, though, this component remains on target the whole time.
Get it now on Amazon.com3. Gskyer Travel Refractor Telescope AZ70400
Whether you are a beginner or an avid fan of the cosmos and nature, this refractor travel scope by Gskyer should be perfect for your needs. There is a focuser and a low and high magnification eyepieces included in the package, along with the 3x barlow lens that provides you with a clearer view of your subject. With a 70 mm aperture and a focal length of 400 mm, the images appear larger than life as you view them from this scope. Installation is also quick and easy, and you can simply follow the images included in the instruction manual to get started. Also, this is a lightweight, yet very sturdy telescope with good tripods for easy transport.
We just feel that the manufacturer should have included more information on how to operate the telescope at different conditions. This way, users will be more guided to achieve an optimized experience in operating this scope.
Get it now on Amazon.com2. 60 mm Meade Instruments Infinity AZ Refractor Telescope
You can find everything you would ever need from this telescope as all the items essential to start viewing celestial images could be done using this tool. This is a 60 mm refracting scope that comes with a red dot viewfinder, which makes all the images appear bright. Whether you are using it for your astronomical or terrestrial observations, this tool can handle both functions. What’s more, you can use the altazimuth mount with a special slow-motion control rod. This is great for tracking astronomical objects as they breeze across the sky for greater clarity.
One thing that can be improved on this tool, though, is the functionality when tracking celestial objects. We think that it is a bit difficult to track them using this scope, as compared to what an EQ mount can offer since the latter turns with the Earth’s rotation to make things simpler for us.
Get it now on Amazon.com1. Orion StarBlast Metallic Green 4.5 Equatorial Refractor Scope 09798
In terms of portability, this telescope is indeed a grab-and-go kind of a tool that is not a hassle to take with you wherever you go. It also comes with an EQ mount that makes it easy for us to track the moon, stars, and the planets at a high magnification rate. The tripod is made from good quality materials, and overall, this is a decent scope that is a true value for the money.
But it is best to take note of the fact that it is not very quick to set up the tripod and scope, as well as when it comes to calibrating and balancing it. While these steps may take some time, the entire process is rather straightforward.
Get it now on Amazon.comHave you found your preferred telescope yet? We hope that after checking out our best telescopes in 2020 reviews, you were able to find the item you want, which you can use for your astronomical observations to meet your needs and interest.
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