Telescope Buying Advice

Buying a Telescope

What kind of telescope should I buy?

Advice and a simple guide for those buying their first telescope.

🔭 So You Want to Buy a Telescope…

Over the years, my advice has evolved, but the core remains the same:
Buy a telescope you’ll actually use — not one that looks good in the living room but gathers dust.

If you read through this guide carefully, you’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of what to buy, what to avoid, and how to get the most joy out of your stargazing experience.

🧠 First Questions to Ask Yourself

Before you even look at a telescope, ask:

What do I really want to do with a telescope?
How much money am I willing to spend?

These two questions go hand-in-hand. If your budget is under $250 and your goal is “something cool for the window,” you’re probably not buying a telescope for astronomy — and that’s okay! But if you want to actually explore the night sky, you’ll need to think differently.

🛑 Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Buying Based on “Power”

If the box says “650x magnification,” run — don’t walk — away.
Even the best telescopes are limited to about 50x–75x per inch of aperture. For a 60mm scope, that’s around 120x max. Anything more is marketing fluff.

❌ Prioritizing Looks Over Function

That sleek refractor on a flimsy tripod might look great in your den, but it’ll be frustrating to use. A telescope should be a tool, not a decoration.

✅ Rules of Thumb for Buying a Telescope

🔍 Start with Binoculars

If your budget is under $250, binoculars are your best bet.
Even a modest pair of 10x50s can reveal star clusters, the Moon’s craters, and even Jupiter’s moons. I’ve used my $98 binoculars far more than my 10" scope.

📏 Aperture Is King

The diameter of the lens or mirror (aperture) determines how much light your telescope gathers. More light = better views.
For most people, mirror-based reflectors offer the best value.

🧱 A Solid Mount Matters

Great optics are useless on a shaky mount.
A Dobsonian offers a stable, intuitive alt-az mount and maximizes aperture per dollar. Avoid department store scopes — their mounts are usually flimsy and frustrating.

🔄 Consider Buying Used

Used telescopes can be a fantastic value.
Serious amateur astronomers take excellent care of their gear, and you can often find older models in near-perfect condition for half the price of new. Check out reputable classifieds like Astromart or Cloudy Nights.

👁️ Manage Your Expectations

Your telescope won’t show you magazine-quality images.

Nebulae will appear gray, not colorful.
Planets will be smaller and less vibrant than you expect.
Deep-sky objects may look like faint smudges.

But the first time you see Saturn’s rings or the Moon’s surface in detail? That moment will stay with you forever.

What you see through a Telescope - M42

🧾 Final Thoughts

A telescope can open up the universe — or it can become a source of frustration. The difference lies in making an informed, honest choice.

Please, don’t buy a cheap telescope.
If the box screams “650x power,” it’s not a serious instrument. You’ll waste your money and miss out on the joy of real stargazing.

Telescope FAQ
A	So, should I buy that cheap scope?	No! The best advice I can give is that you get what you pay for. “Cheap” is a relative term, $149 may seem expensive to you, but worthwhile telescopes cost more.
B	Should I get a refractor or a reflector?	It depends. If you follow the advice to get as much aperture as possible for the money you have to spend, a reflector (mirror based) is the right choice for 75% of people looking to buy their first telescope. The reasons to get a refractor (lens based) are a bit more complicated. Inexpensive refractors have problems with false color, but they are often more compact and therefore better for traveling. Also, refractors tend to give more pleasing views when used in the daylight. Most reflectors tend to be very large by comparison, but will have better light gathering capability.
C	Should I get a computerized “GOTO” telescope?	There are arguments for and against computerized “GOTO” scopes. First, those computers cost money that could be used toward sturdier mounts or better optics. Second, some feel that if you use a “goto” scope you will never learn the sky because you will never have to hunt down any objects. The other side goes like this, First, The cost of the scopes is coming down all of the time, and “GOTO” scopes cost no more than the earlier “non-goto” version did (the ETX90-EC vs. the ETX90-RA is a good example of this). Second, many people would give up trying to find a deep sky object before they ever found it without “goto”. For some it’s the hunt, for others, it’s the observing, the choice is yours…
D	Why is aperture so important?	Two reasons, light gathering and resolution. A 10 inch (25cm) telescope can gather 4 times the light of a 5 inch (12.5cm) telescope. Seeing conditions permitting, a 10 inch telescope has twice the resolution of a 5 inch telescope. Example, Under perfect skies, the galaxy M51 looks like two smudges in a 3.5 inch telescope. In a 6 inch telescope, the spiral structure of M51 is just visible. In a 10 inch telescope the spiral structure is clearly evident. In a 25 inch telescope, fine detail of the spiral arms is clearly visible, as is the molecular cloud that surrounds the galaxy!

🔭 What Telescope Is Best for Me?

Short answer: The best telescope is one you’ll actually use and enjoy — not one that frustrates you into giving up. Your goals and budget matter more than brand names or flashy specs.

Before diving into gear, ask yourself:

What do I really want to do with my telescope?

🧭 I’m Not Sure What I Want

Start simple. A good pair of binoculars and a star chart can reveal more of the night sky than you’d expect. Recommended specs:

7x50 or 10x50 for beginners
8x56 or 9x63 for deeper sky views

💡 Tip: Divide the lens size by magnification to get the “exit pupil.” A 7mm exit pupil is ideal for dark-adapted eyes. If you're older, 5mm may be better.

Avoid binoculars over 10x unless you use a tripod or image stabilizer — hand shake becomes a real issue.

🪞 I Want a Cool-Looking Scope for the Window

If aesthetics are your priority, go for a 70mm refractor with a sleek German Equatorial Mount (GEM). It’ll look impressive and stereotypically “telescopic.”

Just know: these scopes are often poor performers for actual astronomy. If you’re buying for looks, save your money — even a brass tabletop refractor will do the trick.

🌌 I Have a Mild Interest in Stargazing

Still not ready to commit? Binoculars are your best bet. But if you’re leaning toward a telescope, a Dobsonian is the way to go.

Simple to use
Great value for aperture
Recommended size: 6" to 8"

Dobsonians are Newtonian reflectors mounted in an easy-to-use alt-az cradle. They’re perfect for beginners who want real performance without complexity.

💰 I Want a Good Telescope and Have $XXX to Spend

Under $300

Skip the telescope. Invest in quality binoculars.

$300–$800

You might find a usable scope here. Look for:

Entry-level Dobsonians
Long Discontinued Meade ETX-70 (if you can find one)
Sky-Watcher StarTravel 80 AZ-GTe
Sky-Watcher StarTravel 102 AZ-GTe (a solid upgrade)

These scopes offer modest power and decent optics — ideal for casual observers.

$800-$1200

This is where things get interesting:

Stellarvue and Lunt Engineering refractors
8"–12" Dobsonians (watch the size!)
Meade LX70 series and advanced ETX models

You’ll find serious gear here — just make sure it fits your lifestyle and storage space.

Over $1200

Welcome to the deep end. See the next section...

🔭 I Want to Do Serious Stargazing

Now you’re choosing between performance and practicality. Options include:

Large Dobsonians (10"–20") from makers like Obsession and Astro Sky
Schmidt-Cassegrain Telescopes (SCTs)
APO refractors for high-contrast views
Go-To mounts for automated tracking

⚠️ Big scopes are heavy and take time to set up and might not fit in your vehicle. If you’re short on time or energy after work, consider something simpler — even a smaller Dobsonian can deliver stunning views.

📸 I Want to Get Into Astrophotography

For long-exposure astrophotography, the mount matters more than the scope.

Look for German Equatorial Mounts (GEMs) from Losmandy, Astro-Physics, or Mathis Instruments
Buy a quality Optical Tube.

A good mount ensures smooth tracking and stable imaging — don’t skimp here.

⚠️ Astrophotography involve countless hours of learning and thousands of dollars or equipment.

🪐 I Want a Scope for Viewing Planets

Planetary scopes need:

High contrast
Long focal length

Best options:

APO refractors (expensive but stunning)
Maksutov-Cassegrains
Long achromatic refractors
SCTs (good balance of size and performance)

Larger apertures help with resolution, but only if the air is steady. For planets, quality optics and stable seeing matter more than brute size.

🧠 Final Thoughts

A telescope can open up the universe — or gather dust in a closet. Choose wisely:

Avoid cheap scopes that advertise “650x power” — they’re marketing junk.
Spend where it counts: optics, mount, and usability.
Start with binoculars if you’re unsure.
Don’t be afraid to buy used — serious astronomers take great care of their gear.