MOST EXPENSIVE TELESCOPE FOR SALE PORTABLE

For example, for visual observation and casual smartphone astrophotography, I like to use the Celestron NexStar 8SE. It is not uncommon for astronomy and/or astrophotography enthusiasts to own multiple telescopes for various uses. The Celestron StarSense Explorer Dob is an excellent beginner telescope. Newer models such as the Celestron StarSense lineup, even include dedicated mobile apps to help you locate objects in the night sky. The reflector design also allows more light to pass through to the eyepiece, delivering brighter views.Īs you increase your budget to the $500-600 range, you can now take advantage of some of the telescopes with more aperture, and improved accessories like Plossl eyepieces and finder scopes. The aperture is quite small in these models compared to their larger siblings, but the base and mounting system make it easier to locate your target and stay focused on it. Without this positive first experience, who knows if I would still be enjoying astronomy to this day?Ī tabletop Dobsonian is my preferred choice in the budget-telescope category of about $250.

MOST EXPENSIVE TELESCOPE FOR SALE PORTABLE

It allowed me to find and observe objects in the night sky like the Orion Nebula and the planet Saturn for the first time. It was a portable tabletop Dobsonian telescope with a large aperture (compared to other telescope designs) and a functional mount designed for manually pointing the telescope. My very first telescope cost about $400, and it was an amazing entry point into astronomy. My early astrophotography equipment was purchased used. I purchased most of my astrophotography equipment used when I was starting out, but as you can see in the graphic below, it was still not ‘cheap’ by any means. You may find a great deal on used telescopes from an astronomy classified website or the ‘used’ section of a telescope retailer, but finding a quality telescope for under $100 is not realistic. These are the telescopes that can ruin astronomy for someone just getting started. You may have seen these types of cheap telescopes for sale at a big box store, made of plastic parts with a wobbly tripod. In my opinion, it is not possible to purchase a quality telescope for under $100, and doing so may result in a poor user experience and a night of frustration. If you have a limited budget of about $250, it is still possible to buy a telescope that can show you the moon in detail, and the larger planets like Saturn and Jupiter.

In this article, I will provide some fantastic options ranging in price from about $200 to $1000.Ī tabletop Dob is an excellent telescope choice for those on a budget.Īs a benchmark, expect to spend about $300 for a telescope with enough aperture (which affects the overall size and weight of the telescope) to truly enjoy viewing objects in the night sky like the planets in our solar system, or even a galaxy. The truth is, your first telescope does not have to be expensive to fully enjoy the hobby of astronomy and astrophotography. The advice I see given in social media groups is often misguided, and biased. Expect a quality telescope for visual observing to start at a cost of about $300, and a telescope capable of deep-sky astrophotography to start at around $800 in 2022. When you are ready to take on the challenge of taking photos through your telescope, you can find a list of recommended options here.Ī telescope can cost as little as $100, to well over $10,000. Since this article is aimed at beginners looking to buy their first telescope, the options I recommend are all visual observing telescopes, not meant for astrophotography. Then, you can focus on some practical choices for your interests (visual observing, astrophotography, etc.) and make an informed decision.

Refractor telescopes using exotic glass are fantastic visual instruments but are the most expensive option in terms of price per inch of aperture.Īfter seeing some of the options available and what they do best, you can decide on your overall budget for a telescope. As you can imagine, depending on the type, size, and capabilities of the telescope you choose, the cost can vary significantly.Ī quality optical instrument of any kind is not cheap, but in general, a mirrored system like a Newtonian Reflector offers the best value. In this article, I will provide you with a basic understanding of how much a telescope costs.

Most expensive telescope for sale