If you’re asking yourself ‘what is a good telescope to buy’, you’re in the right place. Choosing your first telescope is exciting, but the options can be overwhelming. This guide will cut through the confusion. We’ll help you understand what makes a telescope good for you, not just on paper. Your budget, where you live, and what you want to see are all key factors.
Let’s start with a crucial piece of advice: the best telescope is the one you’ll use often. A simple, easy-to-use model you can set up quickly will show you more than a complex, expensive one that stays in the closet. We’ll focus on practical choices that deliver great views without frustration.
What Is A Good Telescope To Buy
This isn’t a simple question with one answer. A good telescope balances three things: aperture, mount stability, and ease of use. Aperture is the diameter of the main lens or mirror. It’s the most important spec because it determines how much light the telescope gathers. More light means brighter, clearer, and more detailed views of planets, galaxies, and nebulae.
A sturdy mount is just as critical as the optics. A wobbly mount makes even the moon frustrating to observe. Finally, the telescope should match your experience level. We’ll break down these elements to make your decision clear.
Understanding Telescope Types: Refractor, Reflector, and Compound
All telescopes fall into three main designs. Each has strengths and weaknesses.
- Refractor Telescopes: Use lenses. They have a sealed tube, require little maintenance, and provide sharp, high-contrast views. They are excellent for lunar, planetary, and double-star observing. On the downside, they can be expensive per inch of aperture compared to other types.
- Reflector Telescopes (Newtonians): Use mirrors. They offer the most aperture for your money. This makes them fantastic for viewing faint deep-sky objects like galaxies and nebulae. They require occasional optical alignment (collimation), which is a simple skill to learn.
- Compound Telescopes (Catadioptrics): Use a combination of mirrors and lenses. Models like Schmidt-Cassegrains are compact and portable. They are versatile, good for both planets and deep-sky, and are popular for astrophotography. They tend to be more expensive.
The Critical Role of the Mount: Alt-Azimuth vs. Equatorial
The mount holds your telescope steady and allows you to point it. There are two primary types.
Alt-Azimuth mounts move up-down (altitude) and left-right (azimuth). They are intuitive, like a camera tripod, and are often lighter and less expensive. Many beginner scopes come on these. Computerized “GoTo” versions can automatically find celestial objects for you.
Equatorial mounts are designed to follow the rotation of the stars. They have one axis aligned with Earth’s pole. Once set up, you can track objects smoothly with a single slow-motion control. They are essential for long-exposure astrophotography but are heavier and have a steeper learning curve.
Why Aperture is King
Always prioritize aperture within your budget and portability needs. A 6-inch reflector will show you significantly more than a 3-inch refractor, especially on faint objects. Here’s a quick guide:
- 70mm to 90mm (2.8″ to 3.5″) Refractor: Good for the Moon, planets, and bright star clusters.
- 114mm to 130mm (4.5″ to 5″) Reflector: A solid starter size for some deep-sky objects and good planetary views.
- 150mm to 200mm (6″ to 8″) Reflector: The sweet spot for serious beginners. Excellent views of planets and hundreds of deep-sky objects.
- 8″ and above: Fantastic detail, but larger, heavier, and more expensive.
Top Telescope Recommendations for Beginners
Based on performance, value, and user-friendliness, here are some consistently recommended models.
Best Overall Beginner Telescope: Dobsonian Reflector
A Dobsonian is a Newtonian reflector on a simple, robust wooden alt-azimuth mount. It offers massive aperture for the price, is incredibly easy to use (point-and-shoot), and requires minimal setup. A 6-inch or 8-inch Dobsonian is often the top answer to ‘what is a good telescope to buy’ for a new astronomer.
- Example: Orion SkyQuest XT6 or XT8.
- Pros: Huge light-gathering power, simple operation, great value.
- Cons: Large and bulky, manual tracking (you push it to follow objects).
Best for Planets and Portability: Tabletop Reflectors
These are smaller Dobsonian-style scopes. They sit on a table or sturdy surface. They pack a surprising punch in a small package and are very affordable.
- Example: Sky-Watcher Heritage 130P or Orion StarBlast 4.5.
- Pros: Portable, easy to store, great optics for their size.
- Cons: Need a steady surface, smaller aperture limits deep-sky views.
Best Computerized “GoTo” Scope: Schmidt-Cassegrain
If you want technology to help you find thousands of objects automatically, a computerized compound telescope is a great choice. They are compact and versatile.
- Example: Celestron NexStar 6SE or 8SE.
- Pros: Automatically finds objects, compact tube, good all-around performer.
- Cons: Higher cost, requires power/batteries, smaller aperture for the price compared to a Dob.
Best for Lunar & Planetary Clarity: Refractor on a Solid Mount
A quality refractor on a sturdy mount delivers stunning, crisp views of the Moon and planets. Look for one with at least a 70mm aperture and a good mount—avoid wobbly tripods.
- Example: Explore Scientific AR102 or a used vintage model.
- Pros: Sharp, high-contrast views, low maintenance, ready to use.
- Cons: Higher cost per inch of aperture, can be long and bulky.
Essential Accessories You’ll Actually Need
Most telescopes come with one or two basic eyepieces. To get the most from your scope, a few upgrades are key.
- Better Eyepieces: A good quality 6mm or 8mm “gold-line” eyepiece for planetary viewing is a game-changer. A wider-field eyepiece (e.g., 32mm Plössl) is great for finding objects and viewing large star clusters.
- Barlow Lens: This doubles or triples the magnification of your existing eyepieces. It’s a cost-effective way to expand your range.
- Planetary Filter: A moon filter cuts glare, making lunar observing more comfortable. A colored filter (like a #80A blue) can enhance details on Jupiter or Mars.
- Star Charts or App: A planisphere or a free app like Stellarium Mobile is essential for learning the night sky.
- Red Flashlight: Preserves your night vision while you read maps or adjust your telescope.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Buying
Many first-time buyers get drawn in by the wrong features. Steer clear of these pitfalls.
- Magnification Hype: Ignore boxes claiming “500x power!” Useful magnification is limited by aperture and atmospheric conditions. 300x is often the practical maximum for most nights.
- Wobbly Tripods: A cheap, shaky mount ruins the experience. If buying a refractor, invest in a solid mount. The tripod is just as important as the optics.
- Impulse Buys at Department Stores: Telescopes sold in toy sections or big-box stores are usually “hobby killers” with poor optics and terrible mounts. Buy from a dedicated astronomy retailer.
- Starting Too Big or Complex: A huge, heavy telescope that’s difficult to move and set up will lead to fewer observing sessions. Start with something manageable.
Setting Realistic Expectations: What Will You Actually See?
Photos from the Hubble Space Telescope have shaped our expectations. Through an eyepiece, you see with your own eyes in real-time. Here’s a more realistic view:
- The Moon: Absolutely breathtaking. You’ll see craters, mountains, and shadows in incredible detail.
- Planets: Jupiter will show its cloud bands and four largest moons. Saturn’s rings are clearly visible. Mars will appear as a small red disk, with polar caps visible during opposition.
- Galaxies & Nebulae: These will appear as faint gray smudges of light. Their beauty is in knowing what you’re looking at—the light from another galaxy traveling for millions of years. Color is rarely visible to the human eye in these faint objects.
Your Step-by-Step Buying Guide
- Set Your Budget: Include about $100 for essential accessories like a better eyepiece or a star atlas.
- Assess Your Location: Do you have a dark backyard, or will you need to travel to a dark site? Portability becomes key if you need to travel.
- Pick Your Type: For easiest start and most aperture: choose a Dobsonian. For automatic finding and portability: choose a GoTo compound. For lunar/planetary sharpness: choose a refractor.
- Check the Mount: Read reviews specifically about mount stability. If possible, see the telescope in person at a club or store.
- Buy from a Specialty Retailer: Companies like Orion Telescopes, High Point Scientific, or Astronomics offer quality products and excellent customer support.
- Join a Local Astronomy Club: This is the best advice. You can look through different telescopes, get advice, and often buy quality used gear.
Considering Used Telescopes
The used market is fantastic for astronomy. Many telescopes are gently used and well-cared for. You can get a much better scope for your money. Check online classifieds, Cloudy Nights classifieds, or your local club. Inspect the mirrors or lenses for major scratches or mold, and check that the mechanics work smoothly. A used 8-inch Dobsonian is often the best value in all of astronomy.
FAQ: Your Quick Questions Answered
What is a good beginner telescope for viewing planets?
A 6-inch Dobsonian reflector or a 4-inch refractor on a solid mount are both excellent choices for crisp views of Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars.
What is a good telescope to buy for a child?
Start with a pair of binoculars (7×50 or 10×50) or a simple, sturdy tabletop reflector like the Sky-Watcher Heritage 130P. Avoid cheap, wobbly toy telescopes.
How much should I spend on a good first telescope?
A realistic budget for a quality starter telescope that won’t frustrate you is between $300 and $600. This gets you a solid instrument with enough aperture to show you a lifetime of objects.
Can I use a telescope for astrophotography?
Astrophotography is a separate, expensive hobby. The best visual telescopes are not always the best for photography. For basic smartphone shots of the Moon, almost any scope works. For deep-sky images, you need a sturdy equatorial mount and a dedicated camera. Start with visual observing first.
Is a computerized telescope better for a beginner?
It can be, if you’re technically inclined and have the budget. It helps you find objects quickly, but it can also prevent you from learning the night sky. A manual telescope forces you to learn constellations and star-hopping, which many find rewarding.
Final Thoughts Before You Purchase
Remember, the goal is to enjoy the night sky. The perfect telescope is the one that gets used. Don’t get paralyzed by research. Any of the recommended models in this guide will provide wonderful views. Start observing, be patient with the learning curve, and let your eyes adapt to the dark. The universe is waiting, and even a small telescope can reveal its wonders. Clear skies!