If you’re on a budget and looking for the best telescope for under 500 dollars, there are several options you can choose from.
If you want to skip the reviews, we say get the Celestron AstroMaster 130 EQ.
Best Telescope For Under $500 Reviews
Sky-Watcher Classic 200P
- LARGE APERTURE: Get a bright, bold viewing experience at a fraction of other optical designs.
- PROPRIETARY TENSION CONTROL HANDLES: These patented handles allow for accurate movement without the need...
- 94% REFLECTIVE MIRRORS: Fully multi-coated borosilicate primary and secondary mirrors deliver exceptional...
- TEFLON BEARINGS: Proprietary Teflon bearings ensure smooth azimuth movement.
- COMES COMPLETE: All accessories such as, 2-inch Crayford-style focuser with 1 1/4-inch adapter, two super...
If you’re looking for a great telescope that won’t break the bank, the Sky-Watcher Classic 200P is an excellent choice. This lightweight, portable telescope comes with a 9×50 finderscope and computerized hand control.
This makes it easy to find celestial objects and points you in the right direction to get as close to them as possible. The telescope also comes with “The Sky” astronomy software that gives you information about the sky and maps of constellations.
The Sky-Watcher Classic 200P is a high-end 8-inch Dobsonian telescope that’s priced under 500 euros. It comes with a dual-speed focuser, high-quality eyepieces, and a moon filter. This model also comes with a patented Tensioner/Carrying handle.
Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced astronomer, the Sky-Watcher Classic is an excellent option. This scope features a wide-angle field of view and a large aperture, making it an ideal choice for beginners.
Dobsonians are also cheaper than Schmidt-Cassegrains, making them an ideal choice for those who want to see bright objects, but don’t want to spend a fortune on a telescope.
One of the advantages of the Sky-Watcher Classic 200P is its ability to provide high-magnification images. The 200mm focal length allows you to observe stars, planets, and other celestial objects with 71x magnification.
Other features include glass lenses, Kellner eyepieces, and a red-dot finder. It also comes with a case for easy transport. It’s great for astrophotography and is a great value for the price.
Another great option for beginners is the Sky-Watcher Heritage 150P, with its six-inch aperture. Compared to other tabletop telescopes, it’s easy to use and collapses into a compact size. This telescope is smartphone-compatible and has excellent pointing capabilities.
The Sky-Watcher Classic 200P telescope for less than 500 dollars is a good value option for a beginner. It offers good optical performance and is easy to set up. However, it’s important to choose a high-quality eyepiece, which will give you a clear image without requiring collimation.
The Sky-Watcher Classic 200P telescope for less than 500 dollars comes with a ‘Finder Scope’, a smaller telescope attached to the side of the main scope. The ‘Finder Scope”s cross-hairs can be adjusted to line up with the center of the main scope’s field of view.
This can be tricky, so it’s important to practice on an earthbound object to perfect your alignment. However, the more accurate your ‘finder scope is, the easier your observations will be in the dark.
Celestron AstroMaster 130 EQ
- Model Number: 31045
- Objective Lens: 130 Millimeters
- Weight: 24 Pounds
The AstroMaster 130EQ is a high-quality entry-level reflector telescope. It comes with everything an amateur astronomer needs to get started. It is well-designed for taking a variety of images of bright planets and deep-sky targets.
While it is not ideal for taking long-exposure photographs, it is a good choice for those who want an introduction to the hobby. The imaging quality is crisp and clear, and the build quality is excellent.
Celestron offers a variety of telescopes at a variety of price ranges. The AstroMaster 130EQ is one of their most popular telescopes. It is available for under $500. It comes with two eyepieces and an equatorial mount with a CG-3 equatorial design.
It also comes with a sturdy stainless steel tripod. It is easy to assemble and comes with a manual. It should take about 20 minutes to complete the assembly process.
The AstroMaster 130 EQ is a good choice for those who want a telescope that will show them the deepest areas of the sky. It has a 130mm aperture and a 650mm focal length. The telescope will show deep-sky objects such as bright open star clusters and nebulae, as well as spiral arms and dust lanes.
The Celestron AstroMaster 130 EQ is an excellent entry-level telescope that is easy to use and set up. While there are a few cons with this telescope, it is a great choice for beginners.
The only downfall is that the base could use a few upgrades, and the optical quality is inconsistent with its price tag. Users have complained about internal reflections and blurry pictures. Also, the eyepiece is a little flimsy and not as durable as other telescopes.
The Celestron AstroMaster 130 EQ is a powerful telescope that’s ideal for observing and basic imaging. Its lightweight frame and adjustable tripod make it easy to use.
Although it does not come with a Barlow lens, the AstroMaster 130 EQ is still an excellent choice for beginners. This model is also available with a motor drive, but you should know that the telescope isn’t suitable for long-exposure imaging.
Besides its features, the Celestron AstroMaster 130 EQ comes with two eyepieces, a deluxe accessory tray, and a DVD database with more than 10k celestial objects. This telescope is easy to set up and uses two axes for tracking. Additionally, the AstroMaster 130 EQ also comes with Celestron SkyPortal planetarium software with over 100,000 celestial objects.
- Apeture 90mm/ Focal length of 1250mm, f/13.8 focal ratio
- Two 1.25" 9mm and 26mm eyepieces / Red-dot viewfinder
- 90 degree erect-prism, 1.25" / Internal flip mirror for camera mounting / Dual-axis DC servo motors...
- Single Arm Mount /Vixen style dovetail receiver with single locking knob / Full Size Aluminum Tripod with...
- AudioStar Computer Hand Contriller with 30,000 object data base and 4 hours of presentation
Meade’s StarNavigator 90 Refractor Telescope is a 90mm aperture, fully motorized, and GOTO-equipped telescope. It’s an excellent choice for the beginner looking for a basic computerized telescope. For those who prefer to manually operate their telescope, Meade also offers a more advanced range of telescopes.
The Meade StarNavigator 90 telescope comes with an illustrated instruction manual, a quick-start card, and a planisphere. It also comes with an electronic finder scope. The Meade StarNavigator 90 is also capable of being used as a high-powered spotting telescope with the optional erect-image diagonal.
If you want to get the most out of your telescope, a good pair of eyepieces is essential. Meade’s eyepieces come in a range of magnifications, from low-power wide-angle eyepieces for big targets to high-power lenses for planets. The Meade eyepieces also come with a diagonal, which helps you get a comfortable viewing angle.
This high-quality 90mm refractor comes with superb 4000 series eyepieces. A great pair of eyepieces will allow you to focus on your target object with ease. The Meade StarNavigator 90 has an optical system made of two mirrors, a secondary mirror holder, and a secondary mirror vane. These components bring the image into focus.
As with any telescope, you must check the alignment of the telescope before using it. A good alignment of the telescope is essential to ensure it performs at its highest potential. To check whether your telescope is correctly aligned, look down the focuser drawtube.
The edge of the focuser drawtube should frame reflections of the primary mirror, secondary mirror, three spider vanes, and observer’s eye. If there is any deviation from this, make adjustments to the secondary mirror holder or the primary mirror cell.
The Meade StarNavigator 90 telescope has excellent performance for beginners and advanced observers alike. Its compact design makes it easy to carry and use. Its powerful features make it an excellent choice for observing the night sky. With the StarNavigator 90, you can view thousands of stars, including the moon and planets.
In order to use the StarNavigator 90, you must align the telescope correctly. After you have done this, press ENTER to choose your landmark.
Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ
- Quick and easy no-tool setup
- Permanently mounted StarPointer
- Erect image optics - Ideal for terrestrial and astronomical use
- Quick release dovetail attachment - no tool setup
- Pan handle Alt-Az control with clutch - for smooth and accurate pointing. Optical Lens Diameter 2.6
If you’re looking for a good telescope for under $500, you may want to consider the Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ. This affordable telescope comes with a sturdy mount and good accessories. Its downside is that it lacks a fluid head and is not as stable as some of its competitors.
The AstroMaster 70AZ has a 70mm aperture and is built for both terrestrial and astronomical use. It also includes a steel tube legs tripod and an erect image prism. It also comes with two eyepieces, a correct image prism, and SkyX software.
This telescope is also a good choice for beginners. It comes with a sturdy mount and two eyepieces: a 10mm and a 25mm Plossl. These eyepieces give 18x and 45x magnification, which is perfect for beginning an eyepiece collection. The mount is sturdy and the OTA provides 2.7x more light for a better view.
A Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ telescope for less than 500 dollars is an excellent buy if you are new to astronomy. This Newtonian-style telescope will require collimation, which is relatively simple. You can read more about collimation on the Celestron website.
The AstroMaster 70AZ is easy to assemble and comes with two eyepieces. Its compact design makes it easy to travel with. The telescope comes with SkyX First Light Edition Astronomy Software. It’s also easy to use and comes with instructions.
Gskyer 600x90mm AZ Refractor
- 【High Quality Optics】600mm(f/6.7) focal length and 90mm aperture, fully coated optics glass lens with...
- 【High Magnification】Come with three replaceable eyepieces(24X, 60X,120X) and one 3x Barlow lens. 3x...
- 【Adjustable Tripod】This telescope allows for many different viewing positions with a adjustable...
- 【Easy to Operate】No tools are required for reflecting telescope even for the novice, quick and easy...
- 【What You Get】AZ90600 telescope with 3 eyepieces, our 12-month worry-free support and friendly...
The Gskyer 600x90mm AZ refractor is a great beginner telescope that comes with a lot of good features. For one, it’s cheap, weighing only 8kg and measuring 38 x 12 x 8 inches. It also comes with a great user experience and can be set up in as little as 10 minutes. Its high aperture and portability make it an ideal choice for beginners and seasoned astronomers alike.
The Gskyer 600x90mm AZ Astronomical Refractor Telescope is a moderately powerful telescope that is great for looking at the moon and other planetary objects. It comes with high-transmission coatings for enhanced viewing. Its aperture is 5.1 inches, allowing you to see more detail than most refractor telescopes.
The Gskyer telescope comes with a tripod and a bag for easy transportation. The tripod is sturdy and easily adjusts from twenty-two inches to forty-eight inches. It also has a tray for storing the eyepieces.
Another affordable refractor telescope is the Celestron AstroView 90mm. Its 4.5-inch aperture and low-maintenance design make it a great choice for beginners. It comes with an adjustable tripod and three interchangeable eyepieces. This refractor telescope is the perfect size for a family camping trip or a star party at a state park.
While you’re looking for an inexpensive refractor telescope, be sure to look for a high-quality model with an apochromatic lens. This type of telescope will help reduce chromatic aberration. Also, it’s very durable and requires little maintenance.
Celestron FirstScope Telescope 76mm
- High quality Dobsonian style stand with a 76 mm reflector optical tube make FirstScope an ideal entry...
- Portable and lighweight table-top design makes it easy to store, transport and setup your FirstScope...
- FirstScope is very easy to observe with, the user simply navigates the night sky by moving the tube in...
- Stylish and decorative design makes FirstScope a wonderful keepsake for anyone interested in astronomy
Celestron’s FirstScope Telescope 76mm is an excellent choice for entry-level astronomical observation. It features a 76mm aperture reflector optical tube and is a Dobsonian-style telescope. Its compact size and affordable price make it a great choice for beginner astronomers.
It comes with a basic tabletop Dobsonian mount. This mount features adjustable altitude and azimuth, and a smooth motion. You can also upgrade the optical system by adding solar system filters, 180x eyepieces, and a red dot finder.
This telescope is a good choice for a beginner astronomer. It has a 76mm aperture, a 300mm focal length, and a fast F/4 focal ratio. The 76mm telescope is also good for observing planetary nebulae, though its optics aren’t quite as good as a parabolic telescope. It can also look at bright stars, but not the finest details.
Unlike the Orion FunScope, the Celestron FirstScope Telescope is designed for beginners. Its design and optics are similar to those of the Orion FunScope. It also comes with a set of eyepieces, including Kellner eyepieces and a red dot finder. Both telescopes offer a decent field of view and include decent eyepieces.
The FirstScope Telescope is also lightweight and easy to carry around. This telescope’s eyepiece is angled, which makes it easier to move around. Its focuser is a 1.25″ rack and pinion system.
The focuser of the FirstScope is placed at the top so that you can use it in a standing position. The best viewing position is an angled position of approximately 45 degrees, but some people prefer the top position.
Orion Observer II 60mm AZ Refractor
- This affordable beginner's kit includes a complete 60mm Refractor telescope and useful accessories for...
- Explore the Moon's rugged surface, Saturn's rings, Jupiter's moons and much more at two different...
- The included MoonMap 260 identifies over 260 interesting features on the Moon
- Use the included Star Target planisphere to see what's in the night sky any day of the year
- The included Exploring the Cosmos book provides a wonderful introduction to space and the stars for any...
If you are looking for a good refractor telescope for under 500 dollars, you might consider the Orion Observer II. This telescope comes with beginner-friendly materials, including a standard Orion Moon Map 260 and the Exploring the Cosmos book.
It also comes with a planisphere star chart to help you find stars at any time of the year. This telescope also includes basic eyepieces for observing planets and stars.
The Orion Observer II 60mm az refractor is a great option for beginners or kids who want to get started with astronomy. It features a fully anti-reflection-coated 60mm achromatic objective lens for bright, clear images of the night sky. It is also equipped with a sturdy aluminum tripod and an accessory tray.
Another good option is the Celestron SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian telescope. This telescope is powered by batteries but is much more convenient if you add an A/C adapter or power tank. This telescope features an eight-inch diameter reflector and ultra-stabilized Dobsonian base.
Buying a telescope for less than 500 dollars can be a great investment. For less than 500 dollars, you can purchase the Orion Observer II 60mm AZ Refractor Starter Kit with two excellent eyepieces, a red-dot viewfinder, and a tripod.
Besides the Orion Observer II 60mm az refractor, you can also choose other models with higher quality. A few of these are packaged with a Takahashi TSA 120mm alt-azimuth mount and a Tele Vue NP-101 ED doublet optical tube.
Beginner telescopes are easy to use, have great optics, and are suited for young people and families. These telescopes can show planets, the moon, star clusters, and nebulae. They also come with a tripod and an adjustable tripod. The only downside is that they do not come with a case.
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