Known for durable, user-friendly outdoor and astronomy optics. That reputation is what draws so many folks to a bushnell telescope for their first real look at the stars. You want something reliable that won’t leave you fumbling in the dark, right? We get it.
This review is here to cut through the specs and tell you how these scopes actually perform in your backyard. We’ll look at what makes them a solid choice and where they might leave you wanting more, so you can make the best choice for your stargazing nights.
Product Comparison Table: 9 Best Bushnell Telescope
| Image | Why We Like This Product | Editor’s Rating | |
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Bushnell Refractor 600x50mm Telescope, Deep Space Viewing Telescope 181561
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9.6 |
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Celticbird Telescope for Adults High Powered, 80mm Aperture 600mm…
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9.3 |
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Telescope,Telescope for Adults High Powered, 90mm Aperture 900mm Professional…
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9.1 |
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Dianfan Telescope,90mm Aperture 800mm Telescopes for Adults Astronomy,Portable Professional…
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8.8 |
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Gskyer Telescope, 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Mount Astronomical Refracting…
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8.6 |
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Celestron Travel Scope 80 Portable Refractor Telescope – 80mm…
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8.3 |
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Telescopes for Adults Astronomy, 80mm Aperture 600mm Refractor Telescope…
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8.1 |
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MEEZAA Telescope, Telescope for Adults High Powered Professional, 90mm…
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7.8 |
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Celestron Travel Scope 70 Portable Refractor Telescope – 70mm…
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7.6 |
Read Review |
Quick Review For Top 9 Bushnell Telescope
Bushnell Refractor 600x50mm Telescope, Deep Space Viewing Telescope 181561
The Bushnell Refractor 600x50mm Telescope, model 181561, is designed for anyone curious about whats beyond our planet. This is a classic refractor telescope, which means it uses lenses to gather light. That design is known for being durable and relatively low-maintenance, since it doesn’t require the optical alignment that some other telescope types do.
Its a solid choice for beginners and casual stargazers looking for a straightforward tool to start with.
The key numbers in its name tell you a lot. The 50mm refers to the aperture, or the diameter of the main lens. This size is good for getting clear, bright views of the Moon’s craters, the rings of Saturn, and the moons of Jupiter. The 600mm is the focal length, which contributes to the telescope’s magnifying power.
While the packaging may advertise high magnifications, the most usefull and steady views often come from using lower to medium power eyepieces, especially when you’re dealing with Earth’s atmosphere. The deep space viewing capability means that under dark skies, you can also find brighter star clusters, nebulas, and galaxies, bringing those faint, fuzzy patches into better focus.
Physically, this telescope comes as a complete package.
Celticbird Telescope for Adults High Powered, 80mm Aperture 600mm AZ Mount Refractor Telescope for Kids Beginners – Portable Telescopes for Adults Astronomy with Backpack, Phone Adapter, Moon Filter
The Celticbird Telescope for Adults High Powered is a versatile refractor telescope designed to make astronomy accessible and enjoyable for everyone, from curious beginners to more serious hobbyists. With its 80mm aperture and 600mm focal length, this instrument gathers a significant amount of light, which is the key to seeing brighter, more detailed images of celestial objects.
The fully coated optics work to reduce glare and improve contrast, so you can expect clear views of the moon’s craters, the rings of Saturn, and the bands of Jupiter.
Setting up and using this telescope is straightforward, even if you’ve never owned one before. It assembles quickly without any tools, and the detailed manual guides you through the process.
The package includes two eyepieces (20mm and 9mm) that provide 30X and 66X magnification, offering a great balance between power and a manageable field of view. A 5×24 finderscope helps you locate objects in the sky, and the included moon filter is a valuable addition that cuts down on brightness to reveal more lunar surface detail, making your observations more comfortable and revealing.
Portability and stability are key features here.
Telescope,Telescope for Adults High Powered, 90mm Aperture 900mm Professional Refractor Telescopes for Kids & Beginners, Magnification 450X,for Planet Observation with Stainless Tripod & Phone Adapter
The HETEKAN High-Powered 90mm Refractor Telescope is designed to bring the wonders of the night sky into clear view. With its substantial 90mm aperture, this instrument pulls in significantly more light than smaller models. This means the images you see of the Moon, planets, and brighter deep-sky objects appear brighter and more detailed.
The fully multi-coated optical glass lenses are a key feature here, working to reduce glare and enhance contrast for a truly stunning veiwing experience that’s easy on your eyes.
This telescope offers a versatile range of magnification, from 36X up to 450X. It comes with three eyepieces (25mm, 10mm, and 6mm) and a 3x Barlow lens to multiply their power. The 900mm focal length provides a strong foundation for detailed observation.
Whether you’re looking at the craters of the Moon, the rings of Saturn, or the bands on Jupiter, you have the tools to frame them perfectly. A 5×24 finder scope makes locating objects much simpler, and the included phone adapter lets you capture those views to share with friends and family.
Setup and stability are crucial for any telescope, and this model adresses both. The adjustable stainless steel tripod is both sturdy and flexible.
Dianfan Telescope,90mm Aperture 800mm Telescopes for Adults Astronomy,Portable Professional Refractor Telescope for Beginners,with Stainless Tripod & Phone Adapter,Carry Bag
The Dianfan 90mm Aperture 800mm Telescope is designed to bring the night sky into clear view for beginners and enthusiasts alike. Its core advantage lies in the 90mm objective lens, which is fully coated to enhance light gathering. This large aperture is key; it pulls in more light than smaller models, resulting in brighter and clearer images of celestial objects.
Combined with the 800mm focal length, these optics provide sharp, vivid views with good contrast, forming the foundation for a genuine astronomical experience. For magnification, this telescope offers a versatile range. It comes with two eyepieces and a 3x Barlow lens, allowing you to switch between 32x and 240x power. This means you can comfortably observe the Moon’s craters and seas in impressive detail.
A 45-degree zenith mirror ensures images are correctly oriented, which is especially handy for terrestrial use like birdwatching or viewing landscapes. The setup process is straightforward, with clear instructions that get you from the box to observing in roughly 15 minutes. The focusing mechanism is smooth, helping you quickly sharpen your view on a target without fuss. Portability is a major plus.
Gskyer Telescope, 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Mount Astronomical Refracting Telescope for Kids Beginners – Travel Telescope with Carry Bag, Phone Adapter and Wireless Remote.
The Gskyer Telescope AZ 70400 is a refractor telescope designed to make astronomy straightforward and enjoyable for newcomers, especially kids and families. Its core design balances capable optics with practical features that help you start observing without a steep learning curve.
At its heart, the telescope features a 70mm aperture objective lens. This size gathers a good amount of light, which is essential for viewing celestial objects with clarity.
The 400mm focal length provides a wide field of view, making it easier to locate objects like the moon or bright planets. The lenses are fully coated with high-transmission coatings; this means they reduce internal reflections and glare, resulting in brighter, sharper images and protecting your eyes during extended viewing. It’s a solid optical system for introductory astronomy.
For magnification, you get versatility.
The telescope includes two eyepieces (likely a lower and a higher power) that you can swap out to change the view. A 3x Barlow lens is also included, which effectively triples the power of each eyepiece, giving you several magnification options from a single set. To help you point the telescope, a 5×24 finderscope is attached.
Celestron Travel Scope 80 Portable Refractor Telescope – 80mm Aperture, Fully-Coated Glass Optics – Includes Tripod, Smartphone Adapter, Backpack & Software – Ideal for Beginners & Travel
The Celestron Travel Scope 80 Portable Refractor Telescope is designed for anyone curious about whats up in the night sky or wanting a closer look at the world around them. Its a complete kit that balances performance with remarkable portability, making it a straightforward choice for beginners and travelers.
At its core, this telescope features an 80mm aperture objective lens.
The fully-coated glass optics are key for gathering more light and providing brighter, sharper images compared to smaller, cheaper models. You’ll get clear, detailed views of lunar craters, the rings of Saturn, Jupiter’s moons, and even distant star clusters. The telescope is also fully functional during the day for terrestrial viewing, like observing wildlife or landscapes.
Setup is intentionally simple, with no tools required.
You can have the full-height tripod and optical tube assembled and ready in just a few minutes. This ease-of-use means you spend less time fiddling and more time observing, which is especially helpful when introducing kids to astronomy. The two included eyepieces (20mm and 10mm) offer different levels of magnification. Start with the wider view to locate your target, then swap to the higher-power eyepiece for a closer look.
True to its name, the Travel Scope 80 is built for adventure.
Telescopes for Adults Astronomy, 80mm Aperture 600mm Refractor Telescope for Kids & Beginners, Compact and Portable Travel Telescopio with Backpack
The EACONN 80mm Refractor Telescope is designed to make astronomy accessible and enjoyable for beginners, families, and anyone with a curiosity about the night sky. Its core strength lies in its 80mm large aperture, which is the key to gathering light. This larger opening captures significantly more light than smaller models, working with its fully coated optics to produce brighter, clearer images of celestial objects.
You’ll get more detail on the Moon’s craters and better views of brighter planets, which is a great starting point for any stargazing journey.
Setting up and using the telescope is straightforward, even if you’ve never handled one before. The package includes a detailed manual and video instructions to guide you. A notable feature is the rough adjustment and positioning gimbal on the tripod.
This gimbal, marked with helpful scales, allows you to smoothly adjust the telescope’s altitude and azimuth, making it much easier to point precisely where you want without the frustration of stiff, jerky movements. It’s a thoughtful addition that improves the overall user experience.
You’re well-equipped right out of the box. The telescope comes with two Kellner eyepieces (K20mm and K9mm) providing a range of useful magnifications from 30x to 66x.
MEEZAA Telescope, Telescope for Adults High Powered Professional, 90mm Aperture 800mm Refractor Telescopes for Astronomy Beginners Fully Multi-Coated with AZ Mount Tripod & Phone Adapter & Carry Bag
The MEEZAA Telescope for Adults High Powered Professional is a refractor telescope designed to make astronomy accessible. If your interested in the night sky, this model offers a straightforward path to clearer views of the moon, planets, and brighter deep-sky objects. Its a complete kit that balances capability with ease of use, aiming to get you from the box to observing in minimal time.
At the core of this telescope is its 90mm aperture.
This larger opening is key because it gathers significantly more light than smaller models. This extra light, combined with fully multi-coated optical glass lenses, results in brighter and sharper images. You’ll notice better contrast and detail, especially when viewing celestial objects like the craters of the moon or the rings of Saturn. The focal length is 800mm, providing a good balance for both planetary and wider field observation.
For magnification, the telescope is versatile.
It comes with two eyepieces: a 25mm and a 10mm. The 25mm offers wider views for star clusters, while the 10mm provides closer inspection of planetary surfaces. Included is a 3X Barlow lens, which triples the power of each eyepiece. This means you effectively have a range from a lower 32X magnification up to a detailed 240X, letting you zoom in on unprecedented lunar landscapes.
Celestron Travel Scope 70 Portable Refractor Telescope – 70mm Aperture, Fully-Coated Glass Optics – Includes Tripod, Backpack & Software – Ideal for Beginners & Travel
The Celestron Travel Scope 70 Portable Refractor Telescope is designed for anyone who wants a simple, capable, and truly portable optical instrument. Its core purpose is to remove the barriers that often stop people from getting into astronomy, making it an excellent choice for beginners, families, and travelers.
At the heart of this telescope is its 70mm aperture objective lens.
This lens gathers significantly more light than smaller, toy-store telescopes, which is crucial for clear viewing. The fully-coated glass optics are another key feature, enhancing image brightness and contrast. This combination delivers crisp, sharp views of celestial targets like the Moon’s craters and Saturn’s rings, as well as stunning daytime landscapes and wildlife. You get a quality viewing experience without a bulky, complicated setup.
Ease of use is a major focus here.
The telescope requires no tools for assembly. You can have it fully set up on its included full-height tripod in just a few minutes. This quick setup means you spend less time fiddling and more time observing. When you’re done, everything packs down securely into the included padded backpack.
Bushnell Telescope Buying Guide
A Bushnell telescope often blends accessibility for both day and night use. This makes them a popular choice for families and beginners who want a single tool for birding, stargazing, or catching a distant landscape. But with different models available, picking teh right one means looking at a few key specs. Let’s break down what really matters.
Aperture: Your Light Collector
Think of aperture as the telescope’s light-gathering pupil. It’s the diameter of the main lens or mirror, measured in millimeters. A larger aperture (like 100mm vs. 70mm) pulls in more light. This means you’ll see brighter, clearer images of the moon’s craters or faint star clusters. For stargazing, a bigger aperture is your best friend.
Mount Stability
What good is a great view if it wobbles? A shaky mount can ruin the experience. Bushnell scopes often come with alt-azimuth (up-down, left-right) mounts, which are intuitive for beginners. Check the tripod’s build quality—sturdy, metal legs are far more stable than flimsy plastic ones, especially outdoors on uneven ground. A solid mount is just as important as the optics.
Magnification & Eyepieces
More power isn’t always better. Super high magnification can make images dim and fuzzy, especially if the aperture is small. Most useful viewing happens at lower to medium powers. Look for a telescope that comes with a couple of different eyepieces (e.g., a 20mm and a 10mm). This gives you flexibility. Also, a finderscope—that small side scope—is crucial for pointing your main telescope accurately at a tiny planet or star.
Portability & Use Case
Where will you use it? If you plan to hike to a dark sky site or carry it to a park, a compact, lightweight model is key. If it will mostly stay in your backyard, you can opt for a slightly larger, more feature-rich scope. Also, consider if you want a refractor (good for terrestrial and lunar views) or a reflector (typically offers more aperture for the money, great for deep space). Knowing your main goal helps narrow the choice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bushnell Telescope
What can I see with a Bushnell telescope?
You can see quite a lot! With a beginner model, you can get great views of teh Moon’s craters, Jupiter’s moons, and Saturn’s rings. Many models are also excellent for daytime terrestrial viewing, like watching birds or landscapes from a distance.
Are Bushnell telescopes good for beginners?
Yes, they are a very popular choice for starters. They offer a good balance of affordability and quality. The setup is usually straightforward, which helps you get started without feeling overwhelmed by complicated equipment.
What do the numbers on the telescope mean, like 78-6000?
Those numbers tell you the key specs. The first number (78) is the aperture in millimeters, which is the lens diameter. Bigger apertures gather more light for brighter images. The second number (6000) is the focal length, which affects magnification potential.
Do I need a tripod?
Most Bushnell telescopes come with a tripod or mount. It’s essential for keeping the telescope steady. A shaky view makes it very hard to see anything clearly, especially at high magnifications.
What’s the difference between a refractor and a reflector?
Refractor telescopes use lenses and are generally low-maintenance and good for planets. Reflectors use mirrors, often offering more aperture for your money, which is great for faint deep-sky objects. Bushnell makes both types, so you can choose based on what you most want to see.
Can I attach my camera to take pictures?
Some models have this capability, often called afocal photography. It typically involves holding a smartphone or small camera to the eyepiece. For serious astrophotography, you’d want to look into specific models designed with better tracking mounts.
How important is magnification?
It’s less important than you might think. Aperture and optical quality matter more for a clear image. Very high magnification often just makes the image dim and blurry. Most useful viewing is done at lower to medium power.
Where is the best place to use my telescope?
Start in your own backyard! The key is to get away from bright lights. For the best views of stars and galaxies, you’ll want to find a dark sky site away from city lights whenever you can.
What to Remember
A reputable brand for general outdoor and sky viewing. When choosing any telescope, think about what you want to see most. A good, stable tripod is just as important as teh optics. Start with easier targets like the Moon or bright planets. Your patience will be rewarded with clearer, more detailed views over time.
For a straightforward tool that gets you outside and looking up, a bushnell telescope is a solid choice. It offers a great balance of simplicity and performance. Remember, the best gear is the gear you actually use. So find a model that feels right for you, step outside on a clear night, and enjoy the view.