Best telescopes according to customer reviews

If you like to observe stars and planets, want to study the galaxy, but you have no time to visit observatories for this, it's time to buy one of the best telescopes on the market and equip a small research center right at home. To do this, you just need to study the advantages and disadvantages of the models proposed in this rating, as well as carefully read their reviews. This TOP, compiled on the basis of feedback from professional astronomers and amateurs, will help you avoid mistakes when buying the best instrument.

Top Telescope Companies

The telescope market is expanding very quickly and more and more new brands are appearing on it. They often become leaders and quite often leave in the shadows old trade marks that have already become familiar to customers. The same rating includes products from both young and time-tested companies. Here are the companies we are talking about:

• Celestron Is a company specializing in the production of telescopes. It was founded in 1960 and since then has held high positions in the industry. Its devices are completely automated, which makes them easy to use by non-professionals. A number of models have the ability to connect a GPS receiver, which allows you to get more detailed coordinates for accurate detection of the desired object.
• Sturman - the company creates binoculars, microscopes, telescopes, telescopes. Among the latter, she has both reflectors and refractors in her assortment. They have completely different focal length indicators - on average, from 500 to 1000 mm. With their help, when using standard eyepieces, you can achieve magnifications of 50x and 100x. The mount here can be equatorial or azimuthal. The company's telescopes are the best, in part because they are compact, sharp images and easy to use, which is highly appreciated by amateurs and novice astronomers.
• Veber Is a great choice for amateur and novice astronomers who want to observe the planets and the star system. The brand's products allow you to monitor both objects close to the ground and more distant ones. The assortment of the company includes both tabletop and floor-standing models. On average, their lens diameter is 70 mm and the focal length is 1000 mm. The mount type can be either equatorial or azimuth. The company manufactures several types of telescopes - mirror-lens telescopes, reflectors and refractors.
• Levenhuk - this brand offers a wide range of telescopes for people of all skill levels and completely different ages. The company manufactures refractors, reflectors and catadioptrics on equatorial and azimuth mounts. All brand products have high-quality optics, excellent technical characteristics and affordable prices, depending on the specific model. Buyers indicate in the reviews a good picture obtained by these devices.
• Sky—Watcher - these instruments are highly regarded by both professional astronomers and amateurs. Many good astrophotography work has been done with their products, and some are available on the Internet. The company's devices are created in China, but no one cancels their worthy quality. They are easy to use and maintain, and even an inexperienced observer can easily handle them.

When choosing the best telescopes, we also took into account the reputation of the manufacturer, as well as its pricing policy and responsibility for fulfilling the warranty obligations.

Best engravers

Telescope rating

Various customer reviews, both positive and negative, were taken as a basis for compiling this TOP. Analyzing them, we tried to pay attention to the attitude of buyers to a variety of parameters. We also took into account the following characteristics of the devices:

• Type - mirror lens, reflector and refractor;
• Weight and dimensions;
• Body and tripod materials;
• Tripod length and stability;
• Installation method - floor or tabletop;
• Lens diameter;
• Image enlargement options;
• The presence of the option "automatic guidance";
• Easy to control and switch between operating modes;
• Image quality;
• Luminosity degree;
• The frequency of atmospheric distortion and the ability to eliminate them.

Also, when selecting products, we took into account who they are intended for - amateurs or professionals, children or adults. A special point was the ratio of price and quality, since such devices are not cheap.

The best graphics tablets

Best mirror lens telescopes

These types of powerful instruments are often called catadioptric instruments, and are instruments that have both a mirror and a lens in their design. The latter is needed to correct the image so that it is clear, not distorted during transmission. At the same time, such a picture can be achieved even with small pipe sizes. Check out our review of two of the best mirror-lens telescopes on the market.

Levenhuk SkyMatic 105 GT MAK

This telescope is one of the best on the market due to its automation, it does not require user control as such. Thanks to a special remote control, it is enough to select certain settings - and you can already enjoy the opening view of the starry sky.

A feature of this model is the possibility of detailed magnification using two eyepieces in the set, which also provide good focusing, due to which the image of objects available for viewing is not distorted. If necessary, the eyepieces can be bought separately and installed on your own, it's easy to do.

Advantages

• Low weight;
• He finds the stars himself;
• Large base with preservation of coordinates of found objects;
• Automatic guidance;
• Ease of management;
• Easy switching between objects.

disadvantages

• Long-term shooting requires equatorial wedge mounting.

One of the best mirror-lens telescopes Levenhuk SkyMatic 105 GT MAK has a rather tall tripod with the ability to adjust between 630 and 1150 mm. That is why both adults and children will be comfortable looking into the lens.

Sky-Watcher BK MAK127 EQ3

This telescope is one of the best for both amateur and professional sky observers. He copes well with his tasks even in bad, not clear weather. This result provides, in particular, the absence of noticeable heat flows of air inside.

This is a versatile device that does not limit human capabilities. With its help, you will even be able to try your hand at astrophotography. The optical focusing system is well thought out here, which eliminates distortion. For this, it is possible to change the direction of rotation of the handle.

Advantages

• High image quality;
• Shows even details of other planets and the moon;
• Suitable for observing foggy objects;
• Small size, convenient for transportation and storage;
• High aperture ratio;
• Does not mirror objects;
• Wide range of settings.

disadvantages

• It can be difficult for girls to tighten all the mounting and adjusting screws of the mount;
• High price;
• Lack of keys for adjusting screws of the main mirror.

The best reflector telescopes

Unlike lens-mirror telescopes, such models use a special mirror as a light-collecting element. They are cheaper than the first type and have one important drawback - significant chromatic aberration. To compensate for atmospheric distortions, adaptive optics are used. In this category, the two best reflector telescopes on the market will be reviewed.

Levenhuk Skyline 120 × 1000 EQ

This is a striking representative of the amateur class of telescopes-reflectors, working on the basis of the optical scheme "Newton". This, along with the ability to enlarge the object under consideration and a large focal length, contributes to obtaining a clear, blurry picture. Distortion eliminates the high quality of the lenses used here, which can be replaced if necessary. The device has a fairly high and stable aluminum footboard with dimensions of 710-1230 mm. The product weighs 10 kg, and this is its main disadvantage.

Advantages

• There is no color distortion;
• Long focal length;
• The mirror collects a lot of light;
• Suitable for astrophotography;
• Equatorial mount;
• Universal pipe;
• Protective coating for mirrors.

disadvantages

• More suitable for hobbyists than professionals;
• Not a very large tripod tray.

The best telescope for observing Levenhuk Skyline 120 × 1000 EQ, according to customer reviews, is chosen mainly for stargazing. It has not the highest resolution and not a very wide choice of finder settings, but the picture quality is practically not affected by this.

Veber Umka 76/300

This is an inexpensive telescope that is suitable for a detailed view of the lunar landscape, Venus, Mars, Saturn's ring. Such a device provides interesting information about black holes, stellar systems and galaxies. It can be used by both young astronomers and adults. In the reviews they write that it renders the image in natural colors, without distorting anything. If you wish, you can change the magnification from 15x to 37.5x by reinstalling the eyepieces, since there are two types of such accessories in the kit. If a lens is added, this parameter can be further improved.

Advantages

• Stainless aluminum body;
• The accuracy of the optical finder;
• Weight 1.95 kg, making the product easy to carry in the hands;
• Not very long pipe;
• Doesn't take up much space in the house;
• Stable construction;
• The sun can be observed through the filter;
• The optimum ratio of price and quality.

disadvantages

• It is not always possible to distinguish the stripes on Jupiter.

The Veber Umka 76/300 telescope can be used as an ordinary telescope for studying terrestrial objects.

The best refractor telescopes

The work of such devices is based on the refraction of light, which is collected here using a special lens system. It has two nodes - an eyepiece and a lens, which is responsible for creating an image in the focal plane. The following will describe the advantages and disadvantages of the two best refractor telescopes.

Sturman F30030 TX

This is the cheapest telescope in our TOP, which is why many perceive it as a toy that can only be used by children. However, it is also suitable for adults, including beginners, just not all objects will be able to consider with it. The optical design of this refractor is simple and highly reliable, despite possible chromatic aberrations, which can be eliminated with the help of special glasses. The device is unpretentious to operating conditions, resistant to temperature extremes and does not need complex settings.

Advantages

• Weight 0.7 kg;
• Objective diameter 30 mm;
• Robust body;
• High quality tripod;
• Azimuth mount.

disadvantages

• Desktop installation;
• No automatic guidance;
• The finder is missing.

Celestron Travel Scope 70

This is another inexpensive telescope among the best of such instruments.As a lens, it uses a lens that does not distort the image either in color or in shape. The model is designed for floor installation, but people with tall stature may not be very comfortable using it due to the short tripod. There are two eyepieces included, one of which allows you to achieve 20x magnification and the other 40x. Thus, with its help it will be possible to consider both general features and small details of the planets under study. The position of the tube can be adjusted to suit the astronomer's liking.

Advantages

• Smooth turns;
• Convenient handle for aiming;
• Nylon backpack included;
• Two types of eyepieces;
• Large lens diameter;
• Stable and reliable tripod.

disadvantages

• Not the biggest increase;
• Not a very tall tripod.

In the reviews, buyers note quite noticeable chromatism when a colored glow appears around the object, interfering with normal observation. But it should be borne in mind that this problem is inherent in almost all refractors, and even more so for inexpensive ones.

Which telescope is better to buy

If finances permit, then it is best to purchase a mirror-lens telescope, which is universal and gives the highest quality picture. For observation of terrestrial objects, you can choose a refractor, and a reflector will perfectly help in the study of deep space. Remember, the longer the focal length, the more noticeable the magnification will be.

The most convenient option is a floor-standing device with a long tripod that must stand firmly on the surface. Tabletop models are well suited for frequent transport.

The choice of this or that telescope model from the TOP of the best depends on the specific situation:

• If you intend to view objects that are far from the ground, you should pay attention to the Levenhuk SkyMatic 105 GT MAK model.
• Sky-Watcher BK MAK127 EQ3 is enough to observe the Moon, Jupiter, Mars, as well as small stellar objects.
• If you need to use a telescope in foggy weather, Levenhuk Skyline 120 × 1000 EQ is very helpful.
• For those who are looking for an inexpensive option, but are not ready to be content with a poor image, Veber Umka 76/300 is best suited.
• Novice astronomers should take a closer look at the Sturman F30030 TX instrument.
• For young astronomers, the simple Celestron Travel Scope 70 is just right.

Of course, choosing the best telescope from the many offers on the market is not easy. But it is to facilitate this task that we have created this rating. We hope it helps you find the model that best suits you.