Best telescopes for buyers' reviews

The telescope is quite an expensive tool and its correct choice can determine for many years how far your astronomical research will be successful, and the process itself will bring moral satisfaction. Our rating will help you decide what exactly you need and what resources will be required for this.

Which telescope to buy

Sky-Watcher

The Canadian company offers a wide range of amateur and semi-professional telescopes with lens diameters from 60 to 406 mm. A high standard of quality is supported by the use of optical glass by the German company Schott AG.The brand is represented by all the main types - reflectors, refractors and mixed( catadioptric).Telescopes are installed on the mountings of their own production - a large selection of AZ( alt-azimuthal) and EQ( equatorial) models, differing in the accuracy of mechanics, load capacity, the possibility of installing drives and compatibility with computer programs. In some cases, Dobson mounting is used. The company accompanies its products with a large assortment of accessories.

Celestron

This company is one of the first in the world to establish commercial production of amateur and semi-professional telescopes. Reputation of the brand is confirmed by more than half a century of successful development and sale of telescopes with various mounts, accessories. A significant part of the products is compatible with computer tracking programs. Using GPS allows you to refine the geographical coordinates, which allows you to better synchronize the instrument with the observed objects. Other optics are also produced - binoculars, telescopes and microscopes. The products of this brand are well known on all continents. Technologies Celestron are actively used in the creation of clones, including Chinese manufacturers.

Bresser

One of the oldest European companies specializing in the production and sale of optical instruments. After joining forces with the American company, Meade Instruments is one of the world leaders in this field. The main priorities are the introduction of new technologies and the expansion of the range. A line of instruments( mostly telescopes) for children and teenagers was developed - "Bresser Junior".

Veber

Relatively young Russian-Chinese company that sells optics under its own brand, as well as from the world's leading manufacturers. It has its own service centers in Moscow and St. Petersburg, where not only Veber products are served, but also other companies.

The best refractors

Telescopes-refractors are well suited for research on nearby cosmic bodies - the Moon, planets, bright comets or for general surveys of the star sky. The brightness of the objects under study makes it possible to make observations even in the city line - in the courtyard or on the balcony. Refractors are also used as a telescope - for observations of remote terrestrial objects and atmospheric phenomena. Based on the purpose, azimuth mount is more often used.

Bresser Junior Space Explorer 45/600

Inexpensive children's telescope with an attractive appearance, equipped with a convenient packaging for transportation and storage. The maximum magnification is x100.Mounting table, azimuth.

Pluses:

• bright, attractive design for children;
• low price;
• light weight( 2.21 kg) and packaging format;
• convenient installation and configuration, quickly mastered by children;
• large range of tripod height adjustment;
• high build quality.

Disadvantages:

• is a fairly weak maximum useful increase - x90.

Most reviews and reviews are referred to as Bresser Junior Space Explorer 45/600 as the most suitable gift for a young astronomer.

Sky-Watcher - BK 707AZ2

The high-quality budget model, with its simplicity, provides a steady 140-fold increase, and the small size allows it to be used both from the balcony and outside the city.

Advantages:

• lightness and compactness - no problems are transferred even when assembled;
• high quality optics;
• a large number of accessories as standard;
• mounting fully withstands the necessary loads, there is no jitter of the tool.

Disadvantages:

• it is difficult to balance the tool on the mount when using the camera or other third-party accessories, manual modification of the design is required;The
• finder is quite strongly chromatic;
• at maximum magnification azimuth mount makes setting a bit inconvenient;
• transport bag is not included.

According to the reviews of the amateur astronomers, not only all the announced capabilities of the Sky-Watcher BK 707AZ2 are implemented, but even more, which makes it possible to use it not only for observing the Moon and planets, but also for the study of some objects of deep space. Despite the fairly moderate price and modest parameters, this is a very versatile tool that will be useful not only for amateurs, but also professionals for field work.

Celestron PowerSeeker 50 AZ

One of the cheapest models on the azimuth mount with a minimum of functionality. According to the stated parameters, the maximum possibility of increase is x118.

Advantages:

• low price;
• fast installation - 5-7 minutes;
• the possibility of adjusting the height of the mount from 69 to 140 cm
• the presence of astronomical software;
• convenient observation of ground objects, the possibility of a direct, rather than inverted image.

Disadvantages:

• no russified instructions for use, which can be downloaded from the Internet if necessary;
• the construction of the mount is unstable, which creates distortions during observation;
• lack of mechanics of fine tuning and reliable fixation of the telescope on the object of observation;
• lacks the quality of optical elements, which can lead to cloudy images.

Celestron PowerSeeker 50 AZ is good for those who are engaged in observing space objects from time to time and are not prepared for significant expenses for this. It will also be appropriate for specialization in observations of surface objects and atmospheric phenomena. More serious astronomers perceive this model as a first stage, giving the initial skills of observation and allowing you to decide on the purchase of a more serious instrument. A significant number of reviews and reviews, including those with a negative connotation, nevertheless confirms that this model is in demand due to its very low price. In some specialized forums, you can find a discussion of the possibility of correcting the detected technical defects and replacing the functions not provided by the manufacturer.

Veber 400/80 AZ

Represents a fairly compact and inexpensive telescope with a focal length of 40 cm with a relatively large diameter of the lens - 80 mm with an increase from x13 to x160.

Advantages:

• gives a sufficiently high-quality and bright image;
• virtually no chromatic effects;
• low price;
• light weight( 2.6 kg) and compactness - packing size 51h14h16 cm;
• availability of a travel bag;
• instruction in Russian;
• is a direct and non-mirror image, which makes it possible to use the telescope as a telescope for observing terrestrial and atmospheric objects;
• with a minimum magnification, the near-limit of focusing is only 4.5 meters, which makes it possible to observe even very close objects.

Disadvantages:

• mounting, included in the package, causes criticism in view of poor quality, so shop assistants recommend immediately acquiring a more suitable tripod - better than "native" will serve even an ordinary photo stand.

According to user feedback, with the mount included in the factory equipment, the Veber 400/80 AZ can only be used for ground-based observations. When it is replaced, the telescope is suitable for beginning astronomers in observing the objects of the solar system - the Moon, Venus, Jupiter, as well as - some bright, far more distant targets - galaxies, star clusters, nebulae, etc.

The best reflectors

Telescopes reflectors on average have a largemultiplicity and are more often used for the study of outer space - nebulae, star clusters, galaxies, etc. These are usually more expensive models, calculated by experienced users. Reflectors are more often used equatorial mount, sometimes - the Dobson system.

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

A massive tool( up to 24 kg fully assembled) using Dobson mounts The maximum magnification x406 at 203 mm aperture

Advantages:

• The large diameter of the main mirror gives a bright image, Therefore, for the observation of the moon, it is recommended to purchase a lunar filter,
• for such power and quality is reasonably low price,
• availability of detailed assembly instructions, as well as all the necessary hardware and tools,
• as far as possible with respect to the parameterm tool that can be transported periodically
• pipe folding, which also increases mobility
• is possible to install the camera

Disadvantages / operating characteristics:

• open part of the pipe must be protected from dust and side light by a cover of black thick fabric during operation, and whenstorage of the entire pipe should be packed in a film or a dense cover;
• to install a pipe( about 10 kg) for mounting due to the design features you need the two in order to avoid damage to the main mirror or other optics;
• because of the dimensions this model is not suitable for observation from the balcony;
• features of the material require when you put some effort, while the movements can be uneven, which is corrected home improvement.

Sky-Watcher Dob 8 "(200/1200) Retractable is a good choice for professionals and experienced lovers, allowing to explore the solar system, as well as objects of distant space - the nebulae, galaxies, etc., with a star magnitude of up to 14.2.and reviews note the high quality of the optics and the reliability of the mount

Messier NT-150L / 1200 EXOS-2 / EQ5

The Newton reflector with an aperture of 150 mm, mounted on the equatorial mount, has the maximum possible magnification of x300. The approximate magnitude of the observation is 13m.

Pluses:

• youThe quality of the optics gives the "picture" without color distortion
• the professional level of assembly of all parts simplifies the guidance
• massive mounting eliminates image shake that allows to successfully investigate even weak enough objects of the far space
• handy manual drive for axes correction
• possibility of mechanizationguidance systems;
• possibility of taking photos;
• availability in the sales package of various astronomical maps in the usual and digital form.

Disadvantages:

• high price;
• significant dimensions and weight( 17.7 kg).

Bresser Messier NT-150L / 1200 EXOS-2 / EQ5 - an excellent device for experienced fans and professionals, allowing you to explore both objects of the solar system, and distant nebulae and galaxies. Despite the large enough dimensions, this telescope is suitable for mobile observations, if necessary. Reviews, reviews and discussions at specialized forums make it clear that for many experienced users this model is a cherished goal, hard to reach because of a fairly high price. What telescope to buy

The choice of a suitable telescope depends on the purpose:

1. Children will be delighted with the Bresser Junior Space Explorer 45/600 telescope.

2. If you need to observe terrestrial objects or if you just sometimes need to surprise your friends on a picnic, the model Celestron PowerSeeker 50 AZ is quite suitable.

3. Sky-Watcher - BK 707AZ2 is quite suitable as a base tool for fans, and it can be useful for professionals as an auxiliary device or for going on an expedition. With it is available observation of planets, comets, the Moon and other fairly bright objects.

4. Fans of the budget variant who are not afraid of works on self-development of the instrument can like Veber 400/80 AZ.

5. Professionals and amateurs with extensive experience for research will be approached quite expensive and multifunctional devices Sky-Watcher Dob 8 "(200/1200) Retractable and Bresser Messier NT-150L / 1200 EXOS-2 / EQ5.