Stargazing is a great activity that you can do by yourself or with friends and family. Aside from taking along the best travel telescope on the market to look at the stars, you just need a clear night sky and some free time. You can learn about the constellations and celestial navigation, or simply appreciate the beauty of space.
Our list will provide you with several of the best traveling telescopes you can buy. We will give you a list of specifications for each item and talk about its main features, pros, cons, user reviews, affordability, and effectiveness.
5. Meade Instruments Infinity 50mm AZ Refractor Telescope
Specifications
The overall affordability of this item makes it one of the best travel telescopes you can get. It serves a dual role as both a great travel companion and a nice budget option. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of more expensive, advanced models, this telescope is an excellent starting point for beginners. During our testing, we were struck by how well the tripod keeps the relatively long body of the telescope stable.
You’ll get to choose from between three lenses to meet your stargazing needs. The sky and various planetary bodies are visible through the eyefinder if you use the proper focus. While this is a great model for beginners, the controls on the telescope require a bit of practice and precision to bring things into sharp relief.
4. Orion 09798 StarBlast 4.5 Equatorial Reflector Telescope
Specifications
This model from Orion is the best travel telescope in terms size. It is not just a lightweight model. It’s also compact and takes up almost no space. Online pictures might deceive you into thinking this model is bigger than it really is once you take it out of the box. Despite its size, it is robust and durable thanks to its aluminum construction. We like that the tripod is sturdy enough to withstand some accidental hits or impacts without tipping this travel telescope on its side.
The item does take a little getting used to, and you will need to put it together before you can use it. However, the process is simple, and the company will provide you with links to videos that can show you exactly how to do it. Many users appreciate that on a clear night, they had at least a 66-degree field of view from which to gaze at the stars. You can get up to 75x magnification using this product.
3. Celestron NexStar 130SLT Computerized Telescope
Specifications
This is one of the few computerized models that can serve as a traveling telescope, in our opinion. The computer modules on some of these products can be quite large, cumbersome, or heavy if you are trying to use the telescope as a traveler. However, the computer on this unit is compact, lightweight, and doesn’t seem to hinder its portability at all. It’s a high-tech system that has a bit of learning curve to it, so we recommend this telescope to at least intermediate stargazers. Many users appreciated the SkyAlign system once they got the hang of it. This system should allow you to pinpoint objects in the sky with relative ease.
Although this one does not double as a budget telescope, it will be worth the higher price tag to many intermediate or advanced users. It includes a motor that will zero in on precisely what you would like to see in the sky. You can just program the machine and look through the eyepiece when it is ready. We found that even rings on Saturn and other far away objects turn out to be quite clear with this model. It does require several AA batteries that do not last as long as we’d like. You may need a few spares for a longer stargazing session.
2. Orion 10034 GoScope II 70mm Refractor Travel Telescope Moon Kit
Specifications
This model from Orion caught our eye as it is red rather than the standard black we see in many of the best travel telescope options. It has a refracting optical design and is well-made on its budget price. We think this is the best travel telescope for young people or new stargazers in general. Many users appreciate the fact that it doesn’t really require any setup time at all. You simply take it out of its bag and you’re ready for a night of stargazing.
One of the other high points for this model is the sturdy tripod. Kids or new stargazers can have a tendency to rock the tripod, but the one that is attached to this unit remains sturdy. The finder or eyepieces can often suffer on budget-priced travel models, but that is not the case on this traveling telescope. These parts are consistent with the overall quality of the item. During our testing, we found that we could see craters on the moon without any trouble. This is a beginner’s telescope, but it is one of the easiest ones to use that we’ve found on the market.
1. Celestron 21035 70mm Travel Scope
Specifications
This model from Celestron gets our pick for the best travel telescope on the market today. It’s easy to use for most people, it comes at an affordable price, and it includes a handy carrying backpack to make it even easier for you to transport. We like that you don’t need a box of tools to set this one up and get it ready for stargazing. You can start using this telescope almost as soon as you unbox it. Many users appreciate the quality look and feel of the item, and its high-grade aluminum parts.
This is not just a travel telescope, however. Like some others on our list, this telescope serves a dual role as both one of the best travel telescopes out there and a great budget telescope. And for its affordable price point, the quality you get with it is decent. You can choose from two lenses for a maximum of 40x magnification. Some users report that if the night sky is clear enough, you should be able to see some planets without any trouble.
The viewfinder doesn’t exhibit the same level of quality as the rest of the telescope, but it is serviceable at this price. The glass is clear and lets you see sharp images.
Conclusion
The best travel telescope out there should be easy to use or set up, light enough to carry with you, and able to provide you with enough magnification to enjoy the night sky. Our list presents you with some of the best models from a variety of brands that specialize in telescopes. Please share your thoughts on the best travel telescope with us in the next section.