The 7 Best Entry Level Telescopes Of 2024, Researched By Us
By, Scott NelsonUpdated
Our Top Picks
1. Best Overall: Gskyer Telescope
Exploring the universe's wonders has never been more accessible than with the Gskyer Telescope. It is designed to provide an exceptional stargazing experience for those embarking on their celestial journey. Read Review
2. Best For The Price: Celestron Telescope
The Celestron Telescope is a portable and powerful instrument that seamlessly combines superior optics with unparalleled convenience. It offers an unmatched stargazing experience, capturing celestial objects with remarkable clarity and detail. Read Review
3. Best Versatile: ToyerBee Telescope
This telescope is a remarkable instrument designed to ignite the stargazing passion in both young and seasoned explorers. With its user-friendly features and impressive optical capabilities, it is poised to become your trusty companion on an exciting celestial adventure. Read Review
4. Best Compact: Celestron 127EQ Telescope
Take a fascinating trip through space with the Celestron 127EQ Telescope, a robust and easy-to-use tool that blends convenience and performance in one seamless package. This telescope is the ideal starting point for both beginning astronomers and stargazers. Read Review
5. Best Quality: ECOOPRO Telescope
The ECOOPRO Telescope is a versatile and high-quality telescope perfect for daytime birding, wildlife viewing, scenery observation, and casual nighttime moon gazing. With a 70mm aperture, this telescope provides excellent clarity and detail in your observations. Read Review
Exploring the cosmos doesn’t have to be daunting or expensive. Entry-level telescopes offer a gateway to the wonders of astronomy, perfect for budding stargazers and seasoned enthusiasts alike. While they may not boast the advanced features of high-end observatory instruments, these telescopes excel in simplicity and accessibility.
There's a diverse range from compact designs ideal for urban viewing to more robust models suited for rural stargazing. Whether you’re drawn to the rings of Saturn or the craters of the Moon, today’s entry-level telescopes are equipped to bring celestial marvels closer to home. At Kris Van Assche, we delve into the realm of astronomy gear, reviewing a multitude of entry-level telescopes each year. Our curated list of top picks for 2024 aims to guide you toward the telescope that best suits your astronomical journey.
After spending 18 hours researching and assessing, we have identified the best entry level telescopes is Gskyer Telescope. Its fully coated optical all-glass lens enhances image brightness and clarity, allowing you to observe celestial objects with vivid detail. We've put up a buying guide and additional good alternatives to help you find the perfect one.
RELATED: Find the good telescope for beginners—including a guide to features and tips on how to get the most out of your purchase. Discover the perfect telescope to explore the night sky.
Our Top Picks
Impressive optical capabilities Beginner-friendly assembly process Compact and portable design 3X Barlow lens included
May require additional accessories
The Gskyer Telescope boasts a 70mm aperture and a 400mm focal length, delivering precise and high-resolution images that will awaken you. Its fully coated optical all-glass lens enhances image brightness and clarity, allowing you to observe celestial objects with vivid detail. The telescope's compact and portable design makes it easy to transport, enabling you to explore the night sky from various locations.
One of the standout features of this telescope is its beginner-friendly assembly process. Even those new to stargazing can set it up without hassle. Additionally, the included 3X Barlow lens increases the magnification threefold, reaching up to 120X, unveiling even more celestial wonders. While the telescope is highly capable, it may require additional accessories to enhance its optical abilities further.
The Gskyer Telescope is an ideal companion for anyone eager to embark on a celestial adventure. Whether you're a budding astronomer or simply seeking a captivating hobby, this telescope offers an affordable and accessible gateway to the mesmerizing realm of stargazing.
Portable and lightweight design High-quality optics and lenses Versatile eyepieces included Bonus accessories and software
The tripod may require additional stability
The Celestron Telescope is equipped with high-quality, fully-coated glass optics and a potent 70mm objective lens that delivers exceptional brightness and contrast. Its lightweight frame and custom backpack allow for effortless transportation, making it an ideal companion for outdoor adventures or urban stargazing expeditions.
Its two high-quality eyepieces (20mm and 10mm) provide both low- and high-power views of celestial and terrestrial objects. Whether you're observing the craters on the moon or exploring distant galaxies, the Celestron Telescope ensures a captivating and immersive experience. However, it would be best if the tripod could be more stable.
For those seeking an accessible and versatile telescope, the Celestron Telescope is an excellent choice. Its user-friendly design and included accessories, such as the full-height tripod and free astronomy software download, make it perfect for aspiring astronomers and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Versatile magnification range Smartphone adapter for imaging Wireless camera remote included Easy assembly and use
May have a slight learning curve for precise adjustments
The ToyerBee Telescope has a 70mm aperture and a 300mm focal length, providing ample light-gathering abilities to deliver crisp and detailed images of celestial objects. Equipped with a 3X Barlow lens and two eyepieces (H20mm and H6 mm), you can enjoy magnifications ranging from 15X to 150X, unveiling the intricate details of the night sky.
This telescope has a smartphone adapter and wireless camera remote, allowing you to capture and share your astronomical discoveries effortlessly. Simply connect your mobile device to the telescope's eyepiece and explore the universe through your screen. Nevertheless, it may have a slight learning curve for precise adjustments.
Designed for adults and children, the ToyerBee Telescope is an excellent introduction to astronomy. Whether a curious beginner or an experienced stargazer, this telescope offers a delightful blend of simplicity and capability, making it the perfect companion for your celestial explorations.
Powerful light-gathering ability German Equatorial mount tracking Compact and portable design Includes quality eyepieces and accessories
Additional eyepieces may be needed
The Celestron 127EQ Telescope is a 127mm Newtonian Reflector, offering an impressive light-gathering ability that unveils stunning details of celestial objects. From planets and craters on the Moon to distant stars and nebulae, this telescope delivers breathtaking views that will leave you in awe. Equipped with a manual German Equatorial mount and a slow-motion altitude rod, navigating the night sky becomes a seamless and intuitive experience, allowing you to easily locate and track celestial wonders as they drift across the heavens.
Its compact and portable design makes it an ideal companion for adventures, whether at your favourite campsite or in the comfort of your backyard. The included accessories, such as two quality eyepieces (20mm and 4mm) and a 3x Barlow lens, further enhance your viewing experience. However, some users may find the need for additional eyepieces to explore specific celestial objects, but this is a common desire among dedicated stargazers.
The Celestron 127EQ Telescope, made for adults and children, provides an unmatched introduction to astronomy. This telescope offers an amazing celestial experience, whether you're an experienced stargazer looking for a portable and capable partner or a curious novice.
Versatile magnification range No-tool quick setup Comfortable viewing with a diagonal mirror Suitable for astronomical and terrestrial observations
The tripod is a bit flimsy
With a 360mm focal length and a 70mm aperture, the ECOOPRO Telescope has the light-gathering power to provide clear, detailed photographs of astronomical objects. Whether you're observing the Moon, planets, star clusters, or nebulae, this telescope ensures a captivating viewing experience. Equipped with two interchangeable eyepieces, you can enjoy magnifications ranging from 51X to 128X, unveiling the intricate details of the night sky.
This product has a no-tool quick setup process, making it incredibly accessible for beginners and kids alike. The included 5x24 finderscope aids in locating objects with ease, while the 45-degree diagonal mirror provides a comfortable viewing angle. The only downside is that the tripod is a bit flimsy, so you need to use it carefully.
The ECOOPRO Telescope is an excellent choice for those seeking an accessible and versatile introduction to astronomy and nature observation. Kids and families will find it an engaging way to spark an interest in science and exploration, while adults can reignite their sense of wonder by unlocking the secrets of the night sky and observing the beauty of the natural world up close.
Large 80mm aperture Versatile magnification range Portable design with phone adapter Wireless remote control included
Wireless connectivity may occasionally be finicky
The FEIANG Telescope features an 80mm aperture and a 600mm focal length, allowing it to capture more light and deliver stunning images with enhanced brightness and clarity. Its multi-fully coated all-optical lens ensures superior light transmission, reducing reflections and maximizing image quality. Equipped with two replaceable eyepieces (25mm and 10mm) and a 3x Barlow lens, you can enjoy magnifications ranging from 24X to an impressive 180X, unveiling the intricate details of the Moon and other celestial wonders.
Furthermore, it comes with a phone adapter, allowing you to capture and share your astronomical discoveries effortlessly. The adjustable aluminium tripod and wireless remote control further enhance the user experience, making it easy to set up and operate the telescope. Nevertheless, some users may find the wireless connectivity occasionally finicky, but a simple reset or repositioning can often resolve any issues.
For those seeking an immersive and convenient stargazing experience, the FEIANG Telescope is an excellent choice. Whether you're an amateur astronomer, a budding astrophotographer, or simply looking to explore the wonders of the night sky, this telescope offers a perfect blend of performance and portability.
Large 70mm aperture objective Multi-layer high-transmittance coating Versatile magnification range with Barlow lens Sturdy and adjustable aluminium alloy tripod
Eyepiece quality could be improved
The Honslis Telescope features an updated 70mm large-aperture objective with a focal length of 500mm, allowing it to take stunning photographs of astronomical objects up to 2 million light-years away. With its multi-layer high-transmittance coating, the lens group delivers exceptional light transmission and minimizes image loss, ensuring clear and detailed observations day and night.
Equipped with two interchangeable eyepieces and a 3x Barlow lens, this telescope offers a versatile magnification range, reaching up to an impressive 150x. Its hardened aluminium alloy tripod can extend from 20 inches to 48 inches, providing exceptional stability and adjustability for different heights. Besides, the wireless camera remote and smartphone adapter allow you to capture and share your astronomical discoveries effortlessly. Nonetheless, it would be best if eyepiece quality could be improved a bit.
The Honslis Telescope is an excellent choice for many stargazing enthusiasts and nature observers. Nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts can also utilize the Honslis Telescope to observe terrestrial subjects with remarkable clarity, making it a versatile tool for exploring both the celestial and terrestrial realms.
What to Look For in a best entry level telescopes?
Mount
An equatorial tracking mounting mount is necessary for astrophotography. The telescope will track objects in night sky when it is properly polar aligned. This will "freeze" an object in space, allowing for long exposure photographs.
Aperture
Objective
Portability And Weight
You'll find it difficult to take a heavy, bulky telescope outside when the temperatures drop. Advanced amateur astronomers build observatories at home to keep their large telescopes up at all times.
Extra-large mounts and telescopes are not recommended for those with health problems or who cannot lift heavy objects. It is better to choose something smaller and lighter. It will be more useful.
Eyepieces
Optical Design
Three types of optics are available for consumer telescopes. They will assist you in achieving three different goals. Refractor telescopes make it easy to focus celestial bodies such as the moon and nearby planets using a variety of glass lenses. Refractor telescopes, also known as Newtonian scopes after their inventor Sir Isaac Newton, swap lenses for mirrors. This allows stargazers to see further into space. The versatile compound telescope combines both of these methods with a compact, portable design that puts it right in the middle.
FAQs
What is an entry level telescope?
An entry level telescope is a basic telescope designed for beginners or those new to astronomy. These telescopes are typically affordable and easy to use, making them a great option for beginners looking to explore the night sky.
What can I see with an entry level telescope?
With an entry level telescope, you can see many objects in the night sky, including the Moon, planets like Jupiter and Saturn, and some brighter deep-sky objects like star clusters and nebulae. While entry level telescopes may not have the same level of magnification as more advanced models, they still offer a great way to explore the cosmos.
How do I set up and use an entry level telescope?
Setting up an entry level telescope is typically straightforward and involves assembling the telescope, aligning the optics, and calibrating the finder scope. Most entry level telescopes come with instructions that can help guide you through the setup process. Once your telescope is set up, you can start exploring the night sky by pointing it at different objects and adjusting the focus to get a clear view.
Can I take photos with an entry level telescope?
While some entry level telescopes may have the capability to attach a camera for basic astrophotography, they are not typically designed for this purpose. If you are interested in astrophotography, you may want to consider investing in a more advanced telescope with specialized equipment for capturing high-quality images of celestial objects.
Conclusion
It's challenging to determine the greatest product while deciding what to buy. We wanted to help you narrow things down by offering a list of best entry level telescopes above so you can make a better-educated decision before purchasing anything that might never work for you.
Would any of these ideas strike a chord with you? If that's the case, keep these in mind before making any purchases! You may also look into Honslis Telescope to find another option that is a good fit for you.
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About Scott Nelson
