We will examine some of the best telescopes for beginners so you can decide for yourself what will suit you or the person receiving it and some things to consider when making the final purchase.
Getting a family member excited about what is in the night sky is something that can not only greatly benefit their general knowledge but is also an excellent way to spend your family time.
Buying a good telescope is important but it should be able to be easily operated by the young person, however with so many telescopes on offer, it can become somewhat overwhelming when trying to pick out the best telescopes for them.
In this article, we have shortlisted some of the telescopes that are not only reasonably priced but are also excellent for young people or for those just getting started in the hobby.
Basic Telescope Information
If you are new to the world of telescopes, there can be a lot of jargon involved that may seem as though it has literally come from outer space. Knowing the basic terms when shopping for a telescope can make life a lot more simple. Let’s take a look at some of the things you are likely to come across.
The aperture refers to the size of the lens in the telescope, the more large it is, the more light it lets through meaning that objects further away can be more easily seen.
You will come across the term, focal length which refers to the distance between the focal point of the optical tube and the lens of the telescope. A telescope with a larger focal length will cause objects to appear larger and a smaller one, the objects will appear smaller.
You will come across different types of telescope, including the refractor telescope, the reflector telescope and the compound telescope. In general a compound is much more sophisticated. A refractor is preferred for viewing objects on earth, although it can very easily be used for space objects, whereas a reflector gives a much clearer image of further off celestial objects.
The Oumoda Travel Telescope 90x Refractor
This is a very reasonably priced telescope but that is not to say that it doesn’t pack a punch. With its 90x zoom capabilities, you will be able to get up close and personal with a huge variety of celestial objects.
The tripod on this one has been designed to be super durable which makes it an excellent option for those who can sometimes knock into things. That being said, the tripod is adjustable and the telescope comes with two different eye pieces.
If your looking for minimal cost then the Oumoda Travel Telescope is pretty affordable for just about anyone just getting started in the hobby. It also comes with a lifetime replacement warranty from the manufacturer.
So what are some of the best telescopes for beginners?
Celestron PowerSeeker 80EQ Telescope
This is an easy to use and powerful telescope for beginners. It is designed to give the first time telescope user the perfect combination of quality, value, features and power.
This telescope is widely thought to be a brilliant choice for young people who are just developing a love for looking out into the night sky.
It has a manual German equatorial mount perfect for navigating the sky. It is a refractor telescopw with a slow motion altitude rod making it smooth for accurate pointing. The rod can be adjusted to a desired position, then easily secured by tightening the cross knob.
The Celestron PowerSeeker comes with multiple accessories such as 2 eye pieces, finder-scope plus a 3x Barlow lens to triple the power. It also comes with a Free downloadable top rated astronomy software programs to get you going.
TwinStar 90mm Cassegrain Telescope
This is a great looking telescope that is definitely one of the best top entry level telescopes in the entire market which is why it makes it one of the best choices when determining the best telescopes for beginners to choose from.
Featuring a 1200mm focal length, the TwinStar Cassegrain telescope is ideal for beginners and comes complete with mount and full size aluminum tripod.
You will find a step by step online photo assembly guide for easy assembly. TwinStar is a trusted known manufacturer in the telescope field so you know that they stand behind the products that they offer.
National Geographic 114mm Reflecting Telescope
This is a very futuristic looking, reflector telescope which is favored by experts and beginners alike due to its impressive optics and ease of use.
This is a compact telescope that gives an exceptionally clear picture of any objects viewed through it and is easy to transport and adjust, making it ideal for beginners.
The National Geographic Telescope comes 2 interchangeable Plossel eyepieces that provide magnifications of 23x and 62x. This telescope also has a fast focal rate meaning that it shortens exposure times for deep sky photography.
Orion Starblast II
This is a very futuristic looking, reflector telescope which is favored by experts and beginners alike due to its impressive optics and ease of use. It make the list of best telescopes for beginners due to it’s functionality and power.
This is a compact telescope that gives an exceptionally clear picture of any objects viewed through it and is easy to transport and adjust, making it ideal for the novice or beginner.
The Orion Starblast telescope comes with a handy moon map giving those as much information as possible as well as giving you a choice of two different eye pieces, one of which is designed for beginners.
EastPole 70mm Telescope
This beautiful looking refractor telescope is perfect to get those young minds super interested in what is out there in space.
Featuring a 70mm aperture and a 400mm focal length, the EastPole Telescope will provide excellent views of whatever objects are being looked at and with it’s fully coated optical lens with high transmission coatings it creates clear, crisp images with increased brightness and clarity.
Built from strong and durable aluminum, you can be sure that any little accidents will not cause significant damage to the product, making it a great choice for younger folks. With it’s affordable price tag the EastPole 70mm telescope is considered as one of the best telescopes for beginners who are first getting started in the hobby.
Conclusion
Whilst it may be massively confusing to find the best telescopes for beginners, there are plenty out there that are ideal for family time or for beginners to use alone. This list of some of the best telescopes for beginners is a great place to start your search if you are looking for something simple, functional and that has excellent viewing capabilities. You can also check out some other beginner telescopes here.