Portable telescopes are a great option for those interested in astronomy but don’t have the best conditions for viewing at home. Here we discuss the best portable telescopes on the market.The perfect portable telescope that fits all your needs can be very difficult to find!
The internet is a very scary place, and hundreds of different portable telescopes are available.
If you are looking for the perfect telescope, it can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.
Also refer to the buyer guide later in this article.
Online information on telescopes often contains complicated reviews that focus on jargon that is difficult to understand. This is great if you are an experienced telescope user. However, if you are a new user how will you ever be able to find yourself a portable telescope that fits your needs?! This article has you covered! Read on for a list of the top portable telescopes out there, with pros and cons for each one. Let’s dive in!
Best Portable Telescope Reviews
Today we will be looking at some of the best portable telescopes on the market (Also check out Best Telescope On Amazon). By the end of this article, you will know exactly which telescope is for you.
This telescope has lots of very important features. It has a 203 mm (8″) aperture and an 1.25 inch eyepiece. It also has integrated WiFi, an all-metal tripod and carry handles.This is a fantastic telescope. It collects a huge amount of light, and it is capable of up to 480x at its highest usable magnification. This is a computerized telescope. It features an orange tube design which is great for beginners and experienced users.
The 8-inch aperture mirror means that provides good light-gathering ability. As a result, images are sharp and detailed. With more aperture, dimmer objects can be viewed. This telescope is easy to assemble and break down. It comes with a single fork arm design and a very sturdy tripod. Because the telescope can be broken down very easily, it is very easy to transport. SkyAlign technology also allows your telescope to become aligned in just a few minutes, so it is very quick and easy to set up. This telescope comes with a fantastic warranty and excellent customer support. If you find that the telescope is not for you, you won’t have to worry.
This is a telescope brand that has been around since 1960 and has been providing excellent customer service since then.
Pros
Large aperture
This telescope comes with lots of fantastic features
It comes with a rechargeable lithium battery
Great customer support
Cons
This product is expensive compared to similar products
The Barkska Starwatcher telescope is a fantastic, affordable portable telescope. It is an entry-level scope with an aperture of 70mm and a 400mm focal length.It has a lot of great features, including great optics for a bright image. It also comes with 3 interchangeable eyepieces for versatility.Along with this telescope, you will also have access to the beginners version of Deepsky Astronomy software. This is a virtual planetarium that will allow you to find objects and plan your observing sessions.This Power Telescope is a great way to start exploring the planets and stars. It is super easy to set up and use, and it comes with a finderscope.
Along with the telescope, you will also get a tabletop tripod and a carrying case. This is a great telescope for those who are just starting out.
This telescope is great for those who are looking to get into astronomy. This telescope is affordable and easy to set up.
You will get a 70mm large aperture lens, which is plenty for you to view the planets and the moon. With this telescope and supplied eyepieces, the magnification ranges from 15x to 150x, depending on the distance that your target object is away from you (Check out How To Find Total Magnification).This telescope is compatible with your smartphone, meaning you can attach your android or iPhone to the scope to get some great pictures of the night sky.
You can also take pictures using the wireless camera remote. This means that you don’t have to take the pictures manually. The adjustable tripod is great on this product, as it provides you with 360 views of the night sky. You can raise and lower the height of the telescope, making it great for children.
Pros
Comes with a wireless remote and smartphone adapter
This Celestron telescope is great because it is so easy to assemble. You can take this with you anywhere and set it up in no time.This telescope has some fantastic features, including a 20mm and 4mm eyepieces. It also comes with 3x Barlow Lens and a finderscope. The easy assembly of this telescope is what sets it apart from the others on this list. It is a no-tool setup, so you won’t need to carry any unnecessary items.
You will just need to attach the tube to the tripod and mount, and generally align the mount. You will be able to start stargazing within a few minutes. This telescope also has slow-motion controls that allow for smooth tracking. It is ideal for many different uses, including astronomical and terrestrial.
It also comes with fully coated glass optical components allowing perfect image clarity and brightness.The tube of this telescope is much smaller than others, making it much easier to carry around with you. You might even have some room for midnight snacks! The included software is great and has a database with over 10,000 celestial objects. Note that the software needs to be run on a computer.
You will have the chance to view some planets, star clusters and nebulae. The Moon will be able to be studied in detail.
If you think that you will continue with the hobby this is a great telescope on which to learn. Unlike the other telescope on this page, it is an equatorial mount. With it, the stars can be tracked more accurately. You will learn how things move in the night sky.
With this product, you will have the chance to use your smartphone to its maximum ability.
You can go on a tour of the night sky without any experience of using a telescope. This telescope has fantastic StarSense sky recognition technology. The software uses your smartphone to recognize star patterns and determine your location in which direction it is pointing. The app can provide a list of objects that you can observe.
The app will also show you what you are looking at, and allow you to view galaxies, planets and star clusters.
This is a great telescope that provides excellent color correction. This is for both visual and photographic purposes.
This product uses the finest quality glass to produce sharp images with very accurate color. This product is fantastic because it is very portable. This is due to its compact design. It is very easy to transport, and it is lightweight.
This ensures that no matter where you are, this will be very easy to set up and use.This product evolves. There is no need to replace this telescope because it can evolve as your skills improve.
The optics on this telescope are versatile enough to use as your skillset improves. The dual-speed focuser is great at finding focus.
Be aware that this product does not provide a mount or tripod. You will need to purchase that separately.
This refractor telescope is great. It has excellent quality optics, and it is 600mm in focal length with an 80mm aperture. It has high quality lens coatings to enhance the image brightness and clarity. This telescope also has optimum magnification and it comes with 3x Barlow lens. The Barlow lens triples the magnifying strength of the eyepiece.This telescope is portable and convenient. With it, you will get a phone adapter and an aluminum tripod which is adjustable.
It also comes with a carrying bag which makes it much easier to transport. It comes with a phone adapter and a remote control for image capture.It is also very easy to set up, meaning that you will save lots of time with this telescope. There are no tools required in the set up of this product.
Pros
No tools required in the set up
Great customer service
Cons
Heavier than some of the other telescopes on this list
Buyers Guide
Before you head out and buy your handheld telescope though, you will need to make many different considerations. Let’s take a look at what you need to think about below. We’ve spoken about the areas to look at for portable and handheld telescopes to try to clear up any confusion when looking for your best option.
As you may have noticed from our picks above, handheld telescopes aren’t especially powerful.
Personal Knowledge
One of the first things you should consider before purchasing any telescope is your own knowledge of them.
Consider what you plan to do with your handheld telescope and if your plans can be met. For example, you won’t be able to see dim distant galaxies or anything like that with a handheld telescope. That’s not to say that you will see no galaxies. The Andromeda galaxy is visible in any telescope.
If you were hoping for this, you’d be much better off purchasing a telescope that is less portable. However, keep in mind that a large telescope may result in you using it less. A smaller easier to use telescope is better than a large one left in a dusty cupboard. As a recommendation, it’s wise to read the seller’s notes and check to see if they are suitable for beginners.
Capabilities Of The Telescope
You will want to play close attention to what the telescope can actually do, especially if you’re looking for something specific.
Of course, the last thing you will want to do is get a portable telescope that is too low-powered and can’t provide you the viewing experience that you are expecting.The first aspect you will be looking at is the aperture. This is the diameter of the objective lens or mirror. This is the first lens or mirror that light reaches in the telescope.
Remember, the lens size determines the overall light-gaining ability of any telescope.It is best to maximize aperture as possible. A doubling in aperture results in allowing four times more light into the eyepiece.You will then look at the focal length. The focal length plays an important role in the power of the telescope’s magnification.
Longer focal lengths allow for a higher degree of magnification. However telescopes with a longer focal length will provide a dimmer image than a telescope with the same aperture but shorter focal lengthThe relationship between the focal length and aperture is called the focal ratio. This, at its most simple, is how clear the image will be. It is called the F-ratio.
The F-ratio is determined by dividing the focal length by the aperture. A low ratio (i.e. a small F-ratio number will provide a bright image. A high F-ratio provides a dimmer image at a higher magnification.
Keep in mind that a portable telescope will come with compromises. Their specifications will not be as attractive as larger telescopes. However, they are convenient if you wish to travel with them or transport them to remote sites.
Eyepieces
Luckily, many portable telescopes offer a variety of different eyepieces. They allow you more options and a variety of magnification degrees to choose from.If possible, you will want to look for models that offer several eyepieces to get the best view available. However, another option to look for is models that include a Barlow lens.A Barlow lens can be used with a standard eyepiece and offer much more magnification – which you can then adjust to get the best view. Popular Barlow lenses double or triple the magnification provided by an eyepiece.Once you have been using a telescope for a while, you may purchase other eyepieces. There are a good range available. What you observe will dictate which eyepieces you will need.
Findercope
A finderscope is a smaller lower powered telescope. As such it sees a larger part of the sky.
The purpose of a finderscope is to aid in lining the main telescope with the objects you wish to observe.
Always check that a telescope that you are considering includes a finderscope in the package.
Portable Vs Handheld
As we mentioned before, portable and handheld telescopes are different but share many of the same characteristics.
If you hope to get some serious celestial research done, you will want to opt for a portable telescope rather than a handheld one.This does not mean you cannot observe interesting areas in space though.
Remember, we can see a lot with the naked eye – including Andromeda. Luckily, a handheld telescope can provide a clearer view.The largest advantage of a handheld telescope is that you can carry them so easily – often even in your pocket. However, what you can see with them is much less.
Some portable telescopes are easy to transport but normally require a carry case. It’s worth noting at this point that this is when having a clear understanding of what you know about telescopes before you purchase them comes in handy.
As we just said, significant observations won’t be possible with a handheld telescope.This is important because it’s possible you can find a particularly expensive handheld telescope that claims to do everything a portable telescope can do – but in reality, this will not be the case. This is because of the physical limits of optical devices.The fact of the matter is the two types of telescopes are quite different and handheld telescopes have their own advantages and disadvantages, as do portable telescopes.
Things as basic as image quality and how easy they are to move around come into play.Of course, you are sacrificing image quality for portability when you choose a handheld telescope over a portable telescope.
So, the choice is down to you for which one suits your requirements and expectations the best. You just need to bear these points in mind before you spend your hard-earned dollars!
Longevity
One of the considerations people often overlook is the longevity of their portable telescope.
When it comes to this consideration, you will need to consider several factors. The first is the materials used. Some materials can be strong, especially metals, but this will inflate the price – whereas cheaper materials will be better on your bank balance, they will likely not last as long.This is where you go back to your “knowledge” consideration and who you are purchasing the handheld telescope for.
If you’re going to purchase this handheld telescope for a child just to play around with, then it may be better to opt for the cheaper materials.Of course, you would have to be prepared to purchase another one in a relatively short period of time. Ultimately, the choice will depend on you – but you have to be prepared for the outcome. In some ways, it’s a case of weighing up the risk of losing a better quality telescope vs. damaging a less quality telescope when it comes to buying a handheld telescope for kids.
So, with that said – you should think about your personal financial situation.
Personal Budget
Of course, with any purchase, you should also bear in mind your own personal budget.
When it comes to portable telescopes, you will likely not want to spend a significant. However, it’s important to know the capabilities of a portable telescope and your budget.As we spoke of earlier in the capabilities section, you will find various capabilities with telescopes.
Portable telescopes of course, generally offer more than handheld telescopes. So, if you are okay with spending a little more to get a clearer view and better overall experience – then you should opt for a portable telescope.
A Warning
Many really cheap telescopes are promoted by how much they can magnify. Avoid these telescopes at all costs. They are cheap toys. They are flimsy and will quickly destroy your interest in observational astronomy.
Our recommendation is to spend a reasonable amount of money if you believe that it will be a continuing hobby. Your viewing experience will be greatly enhanced as a result.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some of the most asked questions when it comes to handheld telescopes.
Should I Buy A Handheld Telescope Or A Portable Telescope?
It depends on what result you are looking for. Handheld telescopes are favorites among birdwatchers, hikers and general observers.
While you can examine some astronomy targets, the image will not be as clear as a portable telescope. As we mentioned before, you need to look at the pros and cons of both.
Generally, handheld telescopes are better for your budget and portability, whereas portable telescopes are better for image clarity and power.
That said, we recommend a portable telescope over a handheld one.
Can I Buy Replacement Lenses?
Some models can easily have their lenses replaced, whereas others will not. Once again, this will depend on how much you are willing to spend, along with the manufacturer. As a general rule, we’ve found that the better models actually do not require replacement lenses – but at the same time, this takes a lot of freedom away from you as the consumer.
Can Kids Use Handheld Telescopes?
Children can use portable telescopes. However, you will need to consider their maturity.
If your child has yet to develop respect for belonging it is a good idea to supervise them. An added benefit is that you can learn with them.
One aspect of viewing through a telescope is that it can be a little disorienting. This may result in a fall causing an injury or damage to the telescope.
An older child with a good level of maturity should be able to operate a telescope independently. We would suggest that at first, you learn how to setup the telescope with them. There may be some concepts that they may not understand.
Can I Use Handheld Telescopes In The Day?
Yes, you can. However, keep in mind that most portable telescopes will produce an inverted image.
Of course, it probably goes without saying that if you are hoping to observe something in space, you’re better off waiting for darkness.
Are Handheld Telescopes Complicated?
Not especially, but it depends on the brand and the make. Some handheld telescopes have many different uses and some offer more than others.
The feature that can get more complicated is the mount. Some mounts use a simple mount so the telescope moves parallel and perpendicular to the horizon. More complex mounts align with the Earth’s axis. They are a bit more involved when setting them up, but they better track objects in the sky.
If you want a simple mount purchase a telescope with an alt-azimuth mount. You want an equatorial mount to track objects as they move across the sky. Equatorial mounts are better if you want to get into photographing the sky.
Final Thoughts
Portable telescopes have a lot to offer you. While they might not be as versatile or powerful as larger telescopes, they still can give you so much joy and plenty of assistance with general observations. We hope our guide has cleared up some confusion and helped you make a great decision!
Hi, my name is Jason Anderson, and I am a Physics Professor. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been fascinated with space, the universe, the moon, you name it. I spent hours and hours at the planetarium close to my hometown, wondering what else could be out in the universe.
Since then, I’ve been an avid stargazer and astronomer, and love nothing more than spending my time charting stars, observing planets, and finding constellations.
This is why I decided to start Telescope Guru. I only wish to share this fun pastime with the world. With this site, I hope to answer all of your questions relating to astronomy, telescopes, and stargazing.
