Telescopes/Binoculars

Below is a list of telescopes that I have picked up over the years along with some popular recommendations based on various skill levels. I have provided affiliate links below, and that just means that if you choose to order something using the link it wont cost you any extra but I will get a little kickback on the sale which helps supports me and my work!


Celestron 7” Maksutov Cassegrain with AVX Mount

A perfect rig for the intermediate range. With the combination of a 7 “ Maksutov-Cassegrain optical tube, AVX equatorial mount, and tripod with 2" diameter stainless steel legs, this system provides spectacular views of planets as well as detailed looks at craters, maria, and other features of the Moon's surface. I’ve had this rig for about three years now and its still running great.

The Celestron 8" RASA (Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph) is a portable astrograph that allows for capturing wide field views of deep sky objects quickly. With its fast f/2.0 optical system, it is compatible with modern color astronomical CMOS, smaller CCD, and mirrorless cameras. The combination of a fast focal ratio and patented optical design enables sharp images with superb detail, often eliminating the need for an autoguider.

Celestron 8” RASA

The SV503 Telescope OTA features Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass for crystal clear and color-true images with high contrast. Its dual-speed rack and pinion focuser with a 1:10 gear ratio ensures accurate focus. Crafted with top-quality materials, including CNC machining and fine-grained paint, the telescope has a refined appearance and delicate feel. With fully multi-coated ED optics and an 80mm aperture, it is ideal for discerning observers and astronomy amateurs, particularly those interested in astrophotography.

SVBONY SV503, 80ED F7 Telescope

Skywatcher EVOSTAR 72 ED

This apochromatic doublet refractor offers a combination of superior extra-low dispersion glass and affordability. The lens assembly, utilizing matched lenses with proprietary Metallic High-Transmission Coatings™ (MHTC™), delivers sharp stars and high-contrast skies while virtually eliminating false color. The fluorite-based ED glass elements and internal baffle contribute to preventing stray light in photography. Crafted with aluminum and a black diamond metal-flake finish, the telescope is both aesthetically pleasing and lightweight. This was one of my first refractor telescopes!

The Orion SkyQuest XT10i IntelliScope Dobsonian Reflector telescope is a favorite among amateur astronomers worldwide for its impressive optics, modern design, and unique capability to effortlessly locate over 14,000 celestial objects with the push of a button. Boasting a large 10" diameter and a well-crafted 10" (254mm) parabolic mirror with a focal length of 1200mm (f/4.7), the telescope gathers 56% more light than an 8" mirror. This allows observers to view stars as faint as magnitude 15, providing a captivating celestial viewing experience. This is one of my favorite telescopes!

Orion xt10i Dobsonian

The Meade LS 8" ACF LightSwitch telescope is a feature-packed, award-winning instrument with an 8" f/10 design and a focal length of 2000mm. Its standout feature is Meade's patented automatic self-alignment system, allowing for easy alignment with just one touch of the power switch. The telescope boasts Meade's best Advanced-Coma Free optics with Ultra High Transmission Coatings (UHTC), providing exceptional performance comparable to systems costing much more. The AutoStar III GOTO keypad computer offers a vast object library and guided tour functions, while the included Meade ECLIPS color CCD camera enables real-time image capture and storage on an SD card. The "Astronomer Inside" feature provides over four hours of audio presentations, 30 minutes of video presentations, and numerous still images for an informative and entertaining astronomical experience.

Meade LS 8" ACF LightSwitch

A portable smart telescope controlled with your phone or tablet! It features object tracking, one-click GOTO, auto star tracking and stacking, gigapixel panorama, and even has a solar filter for imaging the sun. This is the perfect tool for the astronomer who wants to take photos of the cosmos but isnt interested in the larger and more advanced telescope and mount setups. This bridges the gap between the newbie and the experienced imager.

Dwarflabs Smart Telescope

My first purchase of binoculars of three or four years ago and still works great today. These are about $30 USD and a great option for the aspiring astronomer on a budget. It has 10x maginifcation and a wide-angle 42mm lens, and comes with a smartphone adapter so you can take photos with your mobile phone!

10X42 Professional Binoculars

Celestron's upgraded SkyMaster binoculars feature ED objective lenses for superior, chromatic aberration-free images in astronomy. With large 80mm lenses, threaded eyepieces, and BaK-4 prisms, they offer enhanced light-gathering, detailed views, and reduced light pollution effects. The Porro prism design provides a 3-D view, while user-friendly features like eyeglass compatibility and padded eyecups ensure comfort. The binoculars are durable, ergonomically designed, and tripod-adaptable for extended use in the field.

SKYMASTER PRO ED 20X80MM PORRO BINOCULARS

Telescope recommendations

My Top Picks

For Beginners

Picking your first telescope might seem a bit tricky with all the choices out there. But it's a fun step into checking out cool stuff in the night sky. Here are some tips to make it easier.

Start by just enjoying looking at things (visual astronomy) before diving into taking fancy pictures of deep space or the moon. That picture stuff can be pretty complicated. I've seen lots of beginners buy expensive gear, only to give up or sell it because they didn't really know what they were doing.

So, my advice is to enjoy looking at things first. Learn how to use your telescope well. Later on, if you want, you can get into taking pictures. Personally, I really like dobsonian telescopes. They're easy to use, and you won't need to do a lot to keep them working well. Whether it's a small tabletop one or a 6-inch dobsonian, you'll learn fast and have fun with them.

Orion StarBlast 4.5 Astro Reflector Telescope for Beginners

SVBONY Kids Telescope

Celestron Nexstar 4SE Computerized Telescope

Orion SkyQuest XT6 Classic Dobsonian Telescope Kit


The transition from a beginner to an intermediate telescope isn't as daunting as one might think. In fact, some argue that the difference isn't too significant.

It's crucial to grasp the fundamentals of telescope usage, and this can be challenging if our instrument is overly complex. Nevertheless, once you've mastered the basics, transitioning to an intermediate scope becomes straightforward, as you only need to learn a few new tricks. Here are some popular choices in the intermediate category.

Intermediate

Sky Watcher EQ6-R Mount

ZWO AM5 Strain Wave Drive Equatorial Mount and Tripod

Meade 8" LX90-ACF f/10 Advanced Telescope

Celestron NexStar 6se

Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ

Celestron 9 1/4" CPC Deluxe 925 EdgeHD Telescope

Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ

Celestron – StarSense Explorer 8-inch Dobsonian

Sky-Watcher 10" Flextube SynScan 250P GoTo Collapsible Dobsonian Telescope

Celestron 8" EdgeHD 800 Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescope

Coronado SolarMaxx III 70mm Solar Telescope with 15mm Blocking Filter

Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer GTi GoTo Mount

Celestron Advanced VX 6" Newtonian Telescope

Celestron 11" CGX 1100 EdgeHD Computerized Telescope

Smart Telescopes

Smart telescopes cater to those interested in astrophotography but prefer avoiding the complexities of intricate imaging techniques or mastering advanced telescopes. They aim to bridge the gap between beginners and advanced imagers, offering user-friendly designs. These telescopes are crafted for the average person, making it easy to capture photos of celestial objects without hassle.

ZWO Seestar S50 All-In-One Smart Telescope

DwarfLab Smart Telescope

Vaonis Vespera II Smart Telescope

UniStellar eVscope eQuinox 2 Smart Telescope

Unistellar Odyssey Pro Fully Automated Smart Telescope with Video Eyepiece

Celestron Origin Intelligent Home Observatory / Smart Telescope

Cant find what you’re looking for? Here are a few of my favorite vendors that I have used over the past 4 years!