Best Portable Telescopes Review
1. Celestron- NexStar 8SE
Our top Telescope is the Celestron- NexStar 8SE. Some telescopes have not just stood the test of time but have actually become truly iconic as time goes on. With another entry from Celestron, the C8 Schmidt-Cassegrain definitely falls into this almost legendary category. First introduced in the 1970s, this newest version offers a choice of optical tube assemblies and mounts, including the NexStar range, providing an excellent cross between the old and new designs. This NexStar 8SE is an 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain with an unbeatable focal length of 2,032 millimeters, giving a focal ratio of F/10, almost double that of any other on our list today. All of this somehow fits into a compact orange tube that weighs just 24 pounds and is just over 17 inches long. This makes it surprisingly portable despite its high-powered optics. Additionally, the sturdy tripod effortlessly holds the weight of the mount and the entire optical tube assembly without any wobbling. It can also be extended to give extra height for a better viewing position and, once it's properly leveled, it will provide the perfect platform for the rest of the Telescope. The focuser is located conveniently at the back, below the optical axis, which with this altaz system means it's always easy to find and use. Generally, we found that the mechanism is smooth in operation, with plenty of focus range that can accommodate diagonals, eyepieces and DSLR cameras, so you can document your favorite observations. Furthermore, like the previous entry on our list, this unit is computerized with a colossal database. It makes use of Celestron's SkyAlign procedure and so will have you ready to observe in minutes. You simply have to center any three bright objects in the eyepiece, and NexStar SE will automatically align it to the night sky, ready to locate thousands of stars, galaxies, and more. We found that operation was very easy thanks to the NexStar hand controller and the fact the whole device feels stable and sturdy at all times. This Telescope is an exceptionally good product for all levels of stargazers and is sure to provide many hours of enjoyment.
Pros :
- It has a huge focal ratio.
- Its surprisingly portable.
- It has a high-quality mounting rig.
- Its computerized system is effective and easy to use.
Cons :
- It's very power-hungry, so you'll want to bring an AC adapter or power pack with you on any stargazing excursions.
The Celestron - NexStar 8SE is most certainly the best overall Telescope you can buy today; it has a range of well-executed features that really make it a joy to use. It's highly recommended for anyone serious about getting into astronomy.
2. Celestron- NexStar 127SLT
The second product on our list is the Celestron- NexStar 127SLT. Should it happen that you are an observer that is mostly interested in planetary or lunar views with just an occasional dabble in deep-sky observations, then this is probably your best bet for a telescope that's affordable and has stunning optics. The Celestron NexStar 127 SLT comes with essentially everything an amateur astronomer needs for a seamless night of observing. In the box, you'll find two 1.25 inch Plössl eyepieces, one 9 millimeters, and one 25 millimeters, as well as an accessory tray, red dot finder,software, and instruction manuals along with the telescope tube itself, a well-made tripod,and the mounting apparatus. Most importantly, The Celestron NexStar 127SLTis a computerized telescope that offers a database of more than 40,000 stars, galaxies,nebulae, and more. This unit can locate your desired object with pinpoint accuracy and track it automatically, making observation effortless. Furthermore, the tube body is made of a high-quality aluminum build with no sign of flimsy plastic features. We quickly discovered that setting it up feels extremely intuitive. Even better, The NexStar 127 SLT's mount also includes a spirit level that is essential for ensuring the Telescope is stable during observations. It ensures the GoTo system is able to achieve optimum performance. Additionally, the Celestron provides you a step-by-step guide along with some software to assist with alignment. We absolutely recommend you get to grips withthe Sky Align technology before heading outside for an evening, as attempting to read the instructions in the dark, even if you have a good red-light torch, will still prove tobe quite the challenge. That aside, if you're an observer, who is keen to make planetary or lunar views as well as scan the galaxy for some deep-sky observations,then this Telescope is an easy-to-use instrument with remarkable optics that will undoubtedly suit your needs.
Pros :
- It's a computerized telescope with thousands of celestial bodies in its database.
- It is very straightforward to set up.
- It's highly effective for tracking and observing moons and planets.
Cons :
- Its mount will drain the batteries quite quickly, so you'll need plenty of spare double.
The Celestron - NexStar 127SLT is an effective device that enables even newbies to view space with a stunning range of high-quality optics.
3. Orion StarBlast 6i
The third product on our list is the Orion StarBlast 6i. If you're searching for something with a little more capability that still retains portability, then this Orion Star Blast may be for you. When assembled, the entire unit stands at about 36-inches, give or take an inch or two, when aimed at the zenith. The tube on this scope is only about 28-inches long. And since it weighs in at under 25 pounds,this scope provides a lot of capacity for stargazing in a reasonably portable package. With a 6 inch aperture, the StarBlast is the most powerful scope so far on our list, especially for such a compact unit. Under fairly good skies, it should be capable of showing you any objects in the Messier catalog, as well as many others. We found that this scope is ideal for planetary observation and very proficient at the task of viewing constellations in detail. This unit comes with a 10-millimeter eyepiece that offers 75 times magnification, which can easily be doubled to 150 times zoom witha 2 times Barlow. Beneath steady skies, you'll be able to see Jupiter and its prominent cloud bands, as well as the Great Red Spot. Even better, when it's visible, this scope is powerful enough that you can see shadows of the Galilean moons on occasion, as well as Saturn's rings and Mars' polar ice caps. With this unit, you'll have the whole solar system to explore and learn about. One of the best things about this scope is just how stable the mounting options are; the StarBlaster beats other devices in this range easily when it comes to having a reliably stable viewing platform. This is ideal for exceptionally high magnification views such as those needed for planetary observation; it means you won't suffer as much vibration or jitter, making for a much more enjoyable viewing experience.
Pros :
- It's powerful yet portable.
- It can easily give you crisp images of planetary bodies.
- Its viewing platform is the best in class.
Cons :
- It is not suited to astrophotography as it would require some serious modification to allow a DSLR camera to take photos through it.
The Orion StarBlast 6i is a great device for intermediate astronomers who want a high-performance rig that can take anywhere.
4. Orion SpaceProbe130ST
Up next in fourth place is the Orion SpaceProbe130ST This striking unit is an excellent telescope that is well-suited for beginners or intermediate stargazers. It has an aperture of 130 millimeters or 5.1inches, one of the largest aperture sizes available for a telescope within this price range. The Telescope itself lets a pretty decent amount of light in, allowing you to gaze at many deep space objects. Thanks to its high-quality primary mirror,you'll get great views of the planets and moons, while its wide field of view is more than good enough for bright nebulas, galaxies, and star clusters. Much like the previous product, this Telescope has a 'fast' F/5 focal ratio, which gives you a solid wide-field performance. So if you are a backyard astronomer into hunting constellations and galaxies, this will be an excellent choice of Telescope for you. Furthermore, the ST in this product's name stands for "short tube," essentially, that just means this type of Telescope is ideally suited for wide-field viewing of large objects. The shorter tube length gives a broader field of view, making it better for viewing the more interesting deep space objects like galaxies and nimbuses. Moreover, with the Space Probe 130ST, you will be able to use potential magnifications of up to 260 times zoom. However, it is worth noting that the scope will probably struggle to let enough light in for such a high level of magnification. The image definition will eventually be lost and become blurry. Even so, at about 75 percent power, you'll still be able to get crisp and clear images of celestial objects without an issue. We also found that the amount provided is very sturdy, reliable, and simple to use. Meanwhile, adjustments are easy to make, and the optics are intuitive to use once you've played around with it for a little while. Overall, the SpaceProbe 130ST is a great beginner's Telescope. It will give you clear, quality images while being portable and quick to set up.
Pros :
- It has a decently sized aperture capability.
- Its field of view is very wide.
- It has a robust mounting rig.
Cons :
- The included setup instructions aren't as clear as they could have been.
The Orion SpaceProbe 130ST is an excellent device for those wanting to get a clear view of all deep sky observation has to offer.
5. Celestron - AstroMaster 130EQ
The fifth product on our list is the Celestron - AstroMaster 130EQ. If you're new to stargazing and astronomy in general, you need a device that is straightforward to use and allows crisp images without a lot of faffing about. Enter the AstroMaster 130EQ. This is a Newtonian reflector that is capable of offering sharp, detailed views of Saturn's rings, Jupiter's moons, and much more. It's possibly the easiest way for you to discover the night sky and a new hobby. This device has an aperture of 130 millimeter sand a focal length of 650 millimeters giving you a focal ratio of F/5. You may be wondering at this point, what does that even mean? Well, the focal ratio is what we use to determine how "fast" the Telescope is. There's quite a complex process and calculation involved, yet all you really need to know is that a "faster" scope has a brighter image than the "slow" scope and so will give you a better image. We found a great feature with this Telescope is its red dot star finder; this is especially useful for beginners as it's very sim[pleto use. It is called a red dot finder because an inbuilt red laser projects a small dot on the little front glass. It makes it a breeze to find and train inon certain stars with very little calibrating needed; this means you can be ready to goin no time at all. What's more, as a bonus, in the box is an included CD with the Starry Night Astronomy software. This is a brilliant bit of software that helps you learn more about astronomy and will assist you in finding the space objects in the night sky. It even has a real-time projection of the sky, so you can see precisely what objects are currently in your view and where they are. It's a great way to get kids involved without them staying up late. Lastly, this unit comes with a lightweight frame and a manual Equatorial mount for smooth and accurate pointing. We found the setup to be quick and easy, with no tools required for assembly.
Pros :
- Its very simple to use.
- It has a red dot star finder.
- It comes with a handy astronomy CD.
Cons :
- Its two included Eyepieces are pretty low in quality, although they work well enough for the most part.
The Celestron - AstroMaster 130EQ is an affordable telescope that's ideal for beginners, thanks to its simple design.