12 best telescopes

The first to realize the use of a telescope that already existed by that time to observe celestial bodies was Galileo. The increase, which gave his optical device, was only threefold, but it was enough to start rapid technological progress: after six months, the scientist achieved an eightfold increase, and a little later - and 32-fold.

In the process of development of optics and technology, it became clear that the size of the lens is crucial for the multiplicity of magnification and image quality. Now the telescopes used by professional space explorers are real giants. For example, in the Atacama Desert in Chile, a 39.3 m diameter structure is being built, which is called the European Extremely Large Telescope.

But ordinary lovers of the starry sky can not be satisfied with an increase of only 32 times, as it was with Galileo. Even children's telescopes of compact sizes can have a multiplicity of useful increase up to 100! And the usual production models for advanced lovers increase 200 times, while demonstrating a high-quality picture with almost no distortion.

The main thing to consider when buying: a good telescope is one that is often used. Much depends on the observer himself, and skill, as you know, comes with experience. Therefore, it is not worth buying at once an expensive model with a huge lens and a complex mount. It is advisable to consider a few simple selection criteria:

1. Appointment of the device: to observe the celestial bodies of the solar system, deep space or astrophotography. Based on this selected optics and its parameters.
2. Stationary or portable.
3. Type of mount: azimuth or equatorial. The first option is simpler and more reliable, the second is suitable for advanced astronomy fans.
4. Type of guidance - manual or automated.

Of course, high-quality optics and reliable instrument mechanics are crucial. Therefore, our review contains only well-proven telescopes of time-tested manufacturers. When placing a place in the ranking, several important points were taken into account:

• value for money;
• reputation of the manufacturer;
• feedback from amateurs and professionals in specialized forums;
• recommendations of authoritative astronomical publications, the results of specialized contests.

How to choose the right telescope

The best universal telescopes for beginners: a budget of up to 20,000 rubles.

First, choose a telescope for novice astronomers. Devices from this category have relatively universal characteristics, which makes it possible to use them both for observing the planets of the solar system and for studying objects in far space (deep-sky). The lens diameter in telescopes selected by us does not exceed 130 mm, which is why it will not work out too dull objects, but there will be less illumination, which means it will be possible to use the device even within the city. It is also worth noting that beginners are unlikely to want to spend large sums on their first device, so we will limit the budget to twenty thousand rubles.

3 Veber 400/80 AZ

400/80 AZ from Veber - a typical representative of the amateur-class telescopes. This refractor-achromat with 80 mm lens.Because of the small aperture, watching the distant space does not work, but even in the city there will be almost no highlights. Also worth noting is the excellent luminosity, which allows you to get a juicy, bright picture. Finally, the advantages should be attributed to the low mass and small dimensions, so that transporting the telescope is not difficult. Unfortunately, the azimuthal installation spoils such a good picture; Only one way out - to change the tripod and mount.

Advantages:

• Balanced Parameters
• Lowest weight - only 4 kg
• Best value

Disadvantages:

• Poor quality mount and tripod

2 Levenhuk Strike 80 NG

Strike 80 NG is to some extent similar to the previous member of our rating. It is also a refractor with a lens diameter of 80 mm. However, due to a significantly higher focal length, a greater magnification was achieved. Unfortunately, the luminosity suffers because of this, which means that dull celestial bodies cannot be observed. For the rest, nothing unusual: the standard azimuth mount for the entry-level telescopes and the red dot finder are used. To reliability, of course, no complaints.

Advantages:

• The best maximum useful increase is 360x
• Red dot finder
• Durable steel tripod
• Included in the delivery package is the Stellarium 3D Planetarium program and the Barlow lens.

Disadvantages:

• Relatively low luminosity, which makes it impossible to observe dull celestial bodies

1 Celestron AstroMaster 130 EQ

The telescope from the well-known company Celestron can be safely recommended not only to novice astronomers, but also to more advanced amateurs of stars. This is the only reflector in this category with a lens diameter of 130 mm, thanks to which it is quite comfortable to observe both the nearest planets and the outer space with such a device. Also, the advantages should be attributed to the high resolution and penetrating ability, which, coupled with not the largest increase allows you to achieve very high-quality images. But it should be borne in mind that Newton's reflector is used, which means that from time to time it will be necessary to adjust and clean the lens of accumulated dust. The telescope’s controversial point is the mount: it’s good that it’s equatorial, but some users complain about its unsteadiness and frost instability.

Advantages:

• Most versatile lens
• High resolving (0.89 arc sec.) And penetrating (13.1) ability
• Equatorial mount
• The design easily understands and develops
• Included in the delivery is special software: TheSkyX - First Light Edition

Disadvantages:

• Relatively high weight (12.7 kg)
• Not very high quality mount

The best telescopes for observing far space

Over time, novice astronomers become “crowded” within the solar system. All visible planets have already been studied far and wide, but still something new is desirable. In this situation, the purchase of a special telescope designed to observe distant galaxies, nebulae, star clusters and other objects of deep space (sky-sky) will help. For this purpose, reflectors with a diameter of over 200 mm are used. A large aperture collects more light, which means that it is better to get out of the city for observations, where there will be no artificial sources creating highlights. Also it should be taken into account that the increased diagonal of the lens requires an increase in the dimensions of the device, and this directly affects mass, transportability and cost.

3 Meade LightBridge 12 "f / 5 Truss-Tube Dobsonian

It looks strange, but the telescope with the best performance is in last place in our rating.It’s easy to explain - the accuracy of such devices is growing much slower than their price. Yes, having given 130 thousand of blood you will get a really good device, but for beginners it is better to stop at something simpler.

But let's go back to the specifications. In front of us is a reflector with a 305 mm lens, which provides just a chic aperture ratio, and therefore image detailing. The increase is also not a great level - up to 600x. It is worth noting the opportunity to disassemble the design for transportation. The disadvantages include only the high cost and the use of two-inch eyepieces, because of which it will be difficult to find new ones.

Advantages:

• The best maximum useful increase is 600x
• Best aperture - f / 5
• Highest resolution - 0.45 arcsec
• Red dot finder
• Very rich equipment

Disadvantages:

• Sophisticated design requiring experience
• High price
• Large weight - 36.29 kg

2 Sky-Watcher Dob 8 "(200/1200)

Sky-Watcher telescopes are among the most popular among lovers of deep space. And it is not surprising, because their devices are of very good build quality and balanced parameters. However, it is difficult to call them the best. Yes, it is a reflector with a 203 mm lens and a long focal length, which in theory gives the best magnification, but in fact the characteristics are only slightly better than that of the leader, but the price is higher by an order of magnitude. So it turns out that only one significant advantage is high popularity, thanks to which it will not be difficult to buy a telescope and find other owners.

Advantages:

• Relatively high resolving (0.56 coal seconds) and penetrating (14.2) abilities
• Rich equipment
• High popularity
• Excellent build quality and materials.

Disadvantages:

• High price.

1 Veber 800/203 EQ

This device is in some ways similar to the silver medalist of our rating. The same 203 mm lens is used here, however, due to the shorter focal length, the resolving and penetrating powers are slightly worse, although the maximum useful increase remains the same - 403x. Why, then, a telescope with not the best performance was the best? It's simple - it is cheaper by almost 10 thousand rubles. In addition, it uses a full tripod, which allows you to use the device even in the open field. And the equatorial mount simplifies observation.

Advantages:

• Best maximum magnification with a complete eyepiece - 246x
• Equatorial mount
• Floor installation
• Lowest weight - 26 kg

The best auto-guided telescopes

Finally, we left for you the most technically sophisticated group of telescopes. The essence of these devices is simple: there is an ordinary telescope on which a special mount is installed, which is automatically guided to the selected object with the help of motors. This solution is suitable for both beginners and professionals who want to save their time. When choosing telescopes with automatic guidance, it should be borne in mind that they require initial setup, batteries, and they cost significantly more than analogs with manual control.

2 Sky-Watcher Dob 8 "(200/1200) Retractable SynScan GOTO

This telescope is the closest relative of the silver medalist of the previous category. Here is absolutely the same lens, the same optical scheme, focal length and all other parameters related to optics. Only three differences, but they are very significant. The first is a folding design, thanks to which it is very easy to transport the telescope. The second is the presence of an automated mount. Finally, the more “stuffed” version has a significantly higher cost.

Advantages:

• 203 mm lens
• Availability of 2 eyepieces included
• Best magnification with a complete eyepiece - 120x
• Collapsible design

1 Celestron NexStar 8 SE

The only thing that this telescope is similar to the previous one is the diagonal of the lens. Everything else is much better. Here the Schmidt-Cassegrain optical scheme is used, thanks to which the “tube” turned out to be very compact, but it did not lose in image quality. The maximum useful increase (480x), as well as the resolution (0.57 arcsec), although not much, is better than that of a competitor. Also worth noting is the possibility of a floor installation, which allows us to observe even in the open field. Finally, the advantages of NexStar 8 SE include an advanced control system - you can use the built-in 19-key remote control and the proprietary NexRemote system for PC, which provides incredible possibilities. The only drawback is a significantly higher cost.

Advantages:

• The best maximum useful increase is 480x
• Floor installation
• Relatively low weight - only 20.2 kg
• Compact size due to the use of the Schmidt-Cassegrain optical scheme
• Advanced software

The best telescopes for children and teenagers

Optical instruments for young astronomers are chosen by parents especially carefully. After all, it is important not only to satisfy the child’s interest in stars and planets, but also to support his craving for knowledge, and not to scare him away with the complexity of setting and controlling. Therefore, the popular children's series of telescopes have an attractive design, simple guidance systems and are complemented by star maps and digital planetariums.

2 Telescope Veber UMKA 76/300

The compact and stylish Dobson mount reflector is an excellent telescope for observing the planets of the solar system. In order to examine the moon in all details, there are not only several interchangeable lenses in the kit, but also a lunar filter. The turret mount is especially suitable for children - it is stable, does not take up much space on the table and will allow the young astronomer to master the telescope's guidance without any problems. Elegant white color and the image of the Umka bear cub from the cartoon of the same name will help the device to harmoniously integrate into the interior of the nursery.

Buyers are satisfied, above all, with an excellent price, as well as an unusual design and usability. A large set of lenses and filters included in the kit is another plus of the telescope.

Advantages:

• Low price
• Attractive design
• Low weight

Disadvantages:

• Suitable only for the study of the moon and the planets of the solar system.

1 BRESSER Junior Space Explorer 45/600 AZ

BRESSER Junior telescopes are specially designed for children and teenagers. These classic azimuth refractors are equipped with a light aluminum tripod, the height of which is adjustable in a wide range, which allows the device to be used by a child of any height. The color of the case is offered to choose from - there is red, blue, green and even pink. There are several eyepieces included, including a wrapper, so the telescope can also be used for ground-based observations.

According to customer reviews, this is a great option for a gift to a child who is fond of astronomy. Attractive design, traditionally high-quality optics Bresser and ease of management - exactly what you need to observe the starry sky and the development of interest in science.

Advantages:

• Robust design
• Good equipment
• The optimum ratio of price and quality

Disadvantages:

• Small lens

Top portable telescopes for travelers

The optical tube of the telescope, especially with a larger lens, is a rather complicated system of lenses and mirrors, therefore it cannot be miniature. The mount and the tripod contribute to the size and weight of the device. But it is especially good to watch the heavenly bodies where there are no lights of a big city and dust in the air - in a clean field, in the mountains or at sea.For those who like to travel, special, lightweight models of telescopes are produced, in the design of which a lot of know-how is used, which makes it convenient and safe to transport the device to the place of observation.

2 Sky-Watcher BK Mak90EQ1

This telescope with an aperture of 90 mm is a representative of the family of mirror-lens optical devices assembled according to the Maksutov-Cassegrain scheme. Therefore, the length of the optical tube is only 240 mm. Compactness and reliability - the distinctive features of this telescope - make it possible to use it both at home and outside the city. It copes with flare, but the best image quality can be obtained where they are absent - in nature.

The owners of the telescope praise the excellent optics and advanced equatorial mount. According to experienced users, the clarity and contrast of the image, which gives the device - at the highest level. The price of the device, of course, is not small, but this model can be safely called universal.

Advantages:

• The biggest opportunities in this price range
• Compact folding
• Large aperture allows you to observe near and far space

Disadvantages:

• High enough price.

1 Celestron Travel Scope 70

This azimuth refractor is specially designed for people who travel a lot. It is lightweight - only 2,888 kg, it is disassembled and easily fits into a practical backpack included in the kit. Reliable tripod allows you to prepare the device for use at home or in nature in minutes. In addition, the included wrapping lens allows the telescope to be used as a telescope for ground-based observations.

Despite the fact that it is a budget device, Celestron does not allow any breaks in terms of optics - the high-quality optical system of this telescope allows you to get the maximum useful magnification of 165x.

Advantages:

• Light
• Excellent completeness - two eyepieces, wrapping a prism and a digital planetarium, which allows you to print star maps.
• Reasonable price

Disadvantages:

• A somewhat unstable tripod, but this is not surprising with its low weight.

Popular vote - who is the best manufacturer of telescopes
We vote!

Sky-watcher

Celestron

Meade

Veber

Levenhuk

BRESSER

National geographic

Sturman

Synta

Total votes: 98

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