Reddit reviews Celestron - 70mm Travel Scope - Portable Refractor Telescope - Fully-Coated Glass Optics - Ideal Telescope for Beginners - BONUS Astronomy Software Package

Celestron 21035 70mm Travel Scope:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001TI9Y2M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I probably could have spent more time researching one, but it had good reviews, travels easily, isn't too complicated to set up and it's a great price. I decided I'd rather start here and work my way up to something more advanced later on than buy one now that's too advanced for me and more expensive.

Plus it has 70mm in the name, and I saw Interstellar on IMAX 70mm so the Murphy in me told me it was fate. :)

I got my wife the Celestron Travel Scope 70 for her birthday and gave it to her a bit early on Sunday since she was talking to me about the "moon dancing with Jupiter" thing that was going on over the weekend. She's been wanting a telescope for ages so I finally got one for her. It's not the greatest, but it's certainly inexpensive (~$70). We were able to score a picture of the moon and Jupiter, however, the Jupiter pictures weren't all that great. I will say the tripod that comes with it is absolute shit, and I'm lucky I had this thing in the closet that I could attach it to.

This is the photo my wife shared on facebook. Both the moon and Jupiter images were taken with a 10mm eyepiece, but I have zero experience with telescope and have no idea what I'm doing. From what I could tell in the manual that came with it, that eyepiece should give roughly 40x magnification. A pinpoint enlarged 40 times is still a pinpoint, yet I was able to see Jupiter and the Galilean moons.

Now she's on a quest for filters and eyepieces and anything she can find online for it.

As someone who lives in a city as well, it depends. If you can see at least a few stars at night, you might want to consider buying a telescope. I use a $70 Celestron travel scope 70. While it is pretty cheap as far as telescopes go, it does great where I live. And because the telescope will have more light collecting ability than your eye, wherever you point it you should see at least one faint star. Besides stars you should be able to see Mars, Jupiter, or Saturn. planets are relatively bright compared to other things in the sky. Really the one thing you definitely will not be able to see clearly are deep sky objects (nebula, galaxies, etc.) these unfortunately are too faint, and while you may be able to see a few stars where the nebula should be, it will be very difficult.

So really it depends on what you plan on looking at: planets/moon are great, stars are okay, DSO are very faint and difficult to see. I hope this helps!

EDIT: link to the telescope I own- http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001TI9Y2M?pc_redir=1411188054&robot_redir=1 it's fairly good for the price, however the tripod is a bit flimsy.

I'd get a telescope. Just a 2 min Amazon search shows that you can get decent stuff in that price range, for example: https://www.amazon.com/Celestron-21035-70mm-Travel-Scope/dp/B001TI9Y2M

Note that this is just the first shopping result I have found, I am sure that on reddit (e.g. /r/telescopes/ ) will be people who can recommend you the best one.

I know they're poor telescopes, astronomically-speaking, but a Celestron travel scope, or one like it, might be a good option.

The eyepiece provides an upright image (so aiming it is intuitive) and is set at a 45 degree angle, which might be easier to use on a table or tray.

It's light, has a tripod mount (which can be secured or stabilized in several ways) and can be operated with one hand - both aiming and focusing.

Again, not a premium scope, optically, but it might be what you're looking for. I've used one and enjoyed the experience.

The simplest telescope you can get that doesn't suck: http://www.amazon.com/10033-FunScope-TableTop-Reflector-Telescope/dp/B00FM4A108/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1450129488&sr=8-4&keywords=celestron+firstscope

and actually I have one of these: http://www.amazon.com/Celestron-21035-70mm-Travel-Scope/dp/B001TI9Y2M/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1450129526&sr=8-9&keywords=firstscope

and it's ...... alright.

You can also put most binoculars on a camera tripod with an adapter like this: http://www.amazon.com/Vortex-Optics-Universal-Binocular-Adapter/dp/B000FZQWMA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1450129744&sr=8-2&keywords=binocular+tripod+adapter


But also, I don't trust anyone who can't wipe their own ass around my telescopes.

Hello :-)

What is your budget?

Most cheap and small telescopes are utter garbage, sorry. "Small" and "Pocket" suggest a small aperture and flimsy mount. For astronomy, that's a deadly combo :-)

• Binoculars. As /u/sflamel wrote :-) Even cheaper $30 binoculars such as the Cometron 7x50 are OK, but you get what you pay for. Still, a better choice than anything in the sub-$100 range.
  
  
• Verdict: Yes!
  
  
• $20: Astromedia Cardboard newtonian, plumber's telescope kit or Galilean kit (US). These work, are educational and fun to build. Overall they make more sense than a small telescope. IF the person likes to build stuff.
  
  
• Verdict: Yes?
  
  
  
• 50mm refractor. These cost under $50, but mount and accessories simply suck. Sorry. They might look like your normal telescope, and beginners will think: "This is great!" but they are not. Some start at 27 dollars. Even the ones from Brands like Celestron or Meade (e.g. 50az, 60az, 60eq) share some of the issues (stability, accessories).
  
  
• Verdict: Please No.
  
  
• $40-$60: Firstscope 76/300, Meade Lightbridge Mini 82 and similar.
  
  
• Travelscope.
  
  
• Those are cute small telescopes, but they do not show a lot. I used mine a couple of nights, but moved on. They have flawed optics making them less ideal for planets, and for wide-field, binoculars are much easier to use.
  
  
  
• Verdict: Firstscope/Mini: Maybe yes. Travelscope: Maybe No.
  
  
• 70eq, 70az and similar telescopes: Mount often not ideal. They work, but 70mm aperture is pretty limited by today's "standard".
  
  
• Verdict: Inspire or LT 70az maybe, but you can usually get a better telescope for a similar price-tag.
  
  
• $70-$100: Orion Skyscanner 100; Often $75 as "2nd" (used/refurbished) via Telescope.com. For that, it's a nice table-top telescope that already is more useful than the 3" table-tops. Still, it's not ideal.
  
  
• Verdict: Maybe. Beats most, far from perfect.
  
  
• $130 Dazzle 4.5. This is where it starts to get a bit better. 4.5" aperture already shows quite a bit compared to the other entry-level telescopes. It's not ideal for planets, but still outperforms all the cheap 3" telescopes.
  
  
• Verdict: Yes. Better choice in this price-range!
  
  
• Ignore all the 127eq and 114eq in this price-range. They either have flawed optics (bird-jones 114/1000, 127/1000; Spherical mirror: Astromaster 130) or a weak mount (All of them).
  
  
• Verdict: Burn. ... Especially these and the smaller refractors can often be found for $10-$20 on the classifieds, because no one wants them anymore.
  
  
• $180-200: Lightbridge Mini 130, Zhumell z130, AWB Oneksy (Europe: Heritage 130p). These are among the best entry-level telescopes despite some quirks. Other telescopes in a similar price-range are the Meade Inifnity 102mm (short, not ideal for planets, but decent otherwise), 90eq (decent but small aperture shows less), Orion xt4.5 (a bit more expensive, focal-ratio has some benefits compared to the 130mm table-tops, but it's price is close to a great 6" dobsonian). These might look like toys to some, but they are much less than an overpriced, bad, weak little refractor with 5 star rating on Amazon.
  
  
• Verdict: Wow!
  
  
• $300, $400: Skywatcher 6" or 8" dobsonian, Zhumell z8. Big. More expensive. Show so much more. z8 has so many accessories it's one of the best deals out there.
  
  
• Celestron Nexstar 130 or 127 SLT: Computerized, but GoTo will NOT make everything easier for beginners. Relatively compact. 8" will show a lot more though.
  
  
• Verdict: DO NOT get these. You will have tired employees all the time. They will stay up all night looking through their great telescope and come to work sleepy every other day!
  
  Difference a large aperture makes
  
  Size, Portability
  
   
  
  If you where thinking of something like a small $10-$20 handheld monocular or a $20-$50 spotting-scope: These work well for day-time and the moon. They are pretty bad for astronomy though. Anything with zoom in this price-range is. And over 10x magnification is difficult to hold free-handed, during the night, when you try to focus on a small detail. It's tolerable during the day, but not for nebulae and such.
  
  &nbp;
  
  TL;DR: "Turn left at Orion" or "Nightwatch" plus binoculars -> Best entry level set for beginners. Or at least the telescope in the $120-$200 range.
  
  
  Clear skies!

I've got the Celestron 70mm Travel Scope. The tripod it came with sucks (I replaced it with this), the eyepieces aren't great (but I've got plenty of others to choose from), but the 'scope itself is entirely decent for a lightweight travel scope with enough aperture and focal length to observe the night sky.

man i am and i think its just convoluting my decision! everything looks great lol

here are the two i'm really liking right now, any opinion between them?

http://www.amazon.com/Celestron-21035-70mm-Travel-Scope/dp/B001TI9Y2M/ref=sr_1_4?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1373176171&sr=1-4&keywords=telescope

^carrying case, kind of thick (i have a complex ok)

http://www.amazon.com/Celestron-21049-127EQ-PowerSeeker-Telescope/dp/B0007UQNKY/ref=sr_1_3?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1373176171&sr=1-3&keywords=telescope

badass looking as well.. but maybe not compact enough to move around?

http://www.amazon.com/Celestron-21037-PowerSeeker-70EQ-Telescope/dp/B001592LFC/ref=sr_1_5?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1373176171&sr=1-5&keywords=telescope

idk pics show it zooming into the moon a lot

My sister is 7 and pretty into learning so I got her things to try and keep that spirit alive. I bought her this telescope and a childrens book about celestial bodies. I also bought this for a girl about Isla's age for Christmas. I got to play with it in the store and it feels pretty awesome and never dries up.

Edit: Adela might be interested in the other things I got for my sister which were a Crayola crayon/marker maker, Bill Nye science books and this DohVinci thing

Maybe this is the time for a short travel refractor like this one?

Celestron 21035 70mm Travel Scope https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001TI9Y2M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ke03BbBWZF532

Am I blind or did Amazon just adjusted their pricing AND reduced it with a promo? Link

I swear I was looking at it just before I made this thread and it was 165$...

Hello,

I'm a complete noob to amateur astronomy. I once had a cheap refractor telescope as a kid, but it's long broken. I'm currently looking to get a new one, primarily for the purposes of stargazing, but perhaps further down the line take some photographs (issue is I don't have a camera, nor am I sure I will get one). I'm more interested in viewing deep field objects, but as I understand it, the only way to do so is through long exposure with a camera (?).

I'm currently looking at a few different models:

Celestron NexStar 4 SE Telescope -this one being the absolute limit of my budget

Celestron 21035 70mm Travel Scope

Celestron 127EQ PowerSeeker Telescope

From what I've gotten from the 'What Telescope?' post, I need to choose between deep field and planetary viewing. What will I be able to see with my eyes, versus a camera?

You should get yourself a telescope!

https://smile.amazon.com/Celestron-21035-70mm-Travel-Scope/dp/B001TI9Y2M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495505189&sr=8-1&keywords=astronomy+telescope

This pen

https://smile.amazon.com/Nikola-Tesla-Engraved-Quote-Pen/dp/B01N6BO458/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1495505256&sr=8-2&keywords=engineering+gifts

or the fountain pen on your wishlist since it's something you've been wanting, affordable and has many good reviews

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0002T401Y/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I1R5BQE0JNYFYY&colid=226JO509390Q8

I have a common 700x76 so its fine if I cant really see much detail (of course I would like to upgrade but right now my only option for sky viewing is hiking). As long as I dont downgrade from there Im fine. I got a plossl 25mm lens which improved the quality a lot but it's still hard to distinguish much detail.

My current budget would be around a 100 dollars. Where I live (Argentina) things are pretty rough with inflation and basically anything like this costs almost twice as much when you make the conversions. I have a relative travelling to the US and they could pick up a scope like this for me. Of course I could simply hold on and save for the next occassion.

Nebulae is something I would love to see but I could never do it, probably due to the light pollution. I basically gave up on them thinking its impossible. Would I be able to see them with a refractor? Clusters and panning scross the sky also sounds good and kind of what I want to do.

Maybe I should get some binoculars instead but I would really like a telescope I can take on hikes and take some beginner pics with my phone, sorry for the link but something like this is what I had in mind: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001TI9Y2M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_9dnDDbVM2WANA