Refractor telescopes are easy to operate, offer a convenient design that makes them more manageable and requires less maintenance when compared to reflector and compound telescopes. Having objective lens aperture from big to small, these telescopes are suitable for professional astronomers as well as your kids who are aspiring to become Astro-physicist. Who knows, they may be the next Issac Newton, Galileo or Einstein. These telescopes come in various shapes and sizes that you can easily install in the backyard of your home or on your terrace to explore the night sky. All of them are available at an affordable price, select the one which suits you best. It doesn’t matter whether you are a professional astronomer or an amateur science enthusiast who is just crazy to explore the night sky. These easy to operate Refractor telescopes will help you achieve every desire of yours relating to celestial bodies. Here in this article, we bring you the TOP 7 REFRACTOR TELESCOPES which you can buy for your celestial, astronomical discoveries. But before we move further, you should focus on following three points that are of prime importance and needed to be kept in mind before buying your refractor telescope
Objective Lens Aperture: : Objective lens is the lens through which the light enters your telescope. It is mounted at the top end of telescope away from the eyes. With this lens, you focus on the objects in the night sky. The aperture of any lens tells about its size or simply saying the diameter of the lens.So, the objective lens having a larger aperture captures more light and wider object size than small aperture lens. This makes the object appear brighter and bigger to you. Hence its aperture should be maximum. But, with increasing objective lens aperture cost and size of your telescope increases.Objective lens is permanently fixed in the telescopes and cannot be changed like eyepiece lenses. Eyepiece Lens:Just like the objective lens eyepiece lens are also an integral part of any telescope. But they can be removed to fit different eyepiece lens. These are mounted on the back end of telescopes opposite to the objective lens. Through the eyepiece, you can see the object images captured by the objective lens.Hence, you should always focus on how many eyepiece lenses you are getting with your telescope. As each eyepiece has different magnification power. It ensures you get different views of the same object and select the one which is most clear and bigger for you.If you will go for single eyepiece telescope you will feel handicapped with your telescope. It will be better if you buy binoculars instead of a single eyepiece telescope. Magnification: Magnification tells you how much big you will see the image from your telescope. But not every magnification is useful for you. Since with increasing magnification, the image quality starts depleting as it gets blurry and dim. It is just like any image getting blur in your smartphone when you zoom it excessively.So, what is the maximum useful magnification a telescope should have? We have described it in detail, click here to know more.
So, these were some most important factors to keep in mind before purchasing a telescope. But there is more to it, read our “Buying Guide” to know other important factors that decide the performance of your telescope. The wait is over! We had spent over a week on reading thousands of user reviews and ended up selecting following TOP7 REFRACTOR TELESCOPES for you to buy
7 Best Refractor Telescopes
7 Best Refractor Telescopes Reviews
1. Gskyer Telescope 600x90mm AZ Astronomical Refractor Telescope
German technology has always ruled the world when it comes to machinery and devices useful for mankind. Gskyer is one such German brand that specializes in making telescopes. Anybody from intermediate to advance can explore celestial bodies through the night sky with this easy to operate telescope. What you get
Its 90mm aperture objective lens makes the objects appear clearly and brightly to you. As a result, you will be able to see every crater on moon clearly with this telescope. You can combine its 600mm focal length with three eyepiece lens of aperture 22mm,11mm and 10mm to get magnifications of x27, x54, x60. Not enough? Don’t worry its X3 Barlow lens triples the magnification produced by each lens. Now no crater of moon will go unobserved from your eyes. Its lenses are made of anti-reflection blue film coating that keeps your image still and makes it appear crisp and clear. Thus, you can now enjoy every detail of your planet clearly in the night sky. Further, all the lenses of your telescope are fully optically coated and protect your eyes from harmful lights that may harm them. To help you easily navigate through the night sky, its stainless-steel tripod stand gives you multiple positions to fix your telescope. You can also increase or decrease the length of your tripod from 31.5” to 49”. Your telescope’s tube is made of aluminium that along with making it lightweight also makes it durable, resistant to corrosion and other environmental constraints. What you will love most is the GSKEYR’s friendly customer support and the warranty of 12 months that help you in case your telescope develops any glitch, although the probability of it is very low.
What we liked
Multi-coated anti-reflection blue-film decreases image distortion. Solid stainless-steel tripod for stable views. Easy to assemble and to use. 90mm aperture objective lens provides brightness to the image. Aluminium body makes it lightweight and portable. It has a long life.
What we didn’t like
Expensive in cost. You will feel difficulty using it in polluted night sky. Less Warranty period only of 12months.
2. Celestron-400x70mm Travel Scope-Portable Refractor Telescope
Founded in 1960(California USA), CELESTRON is another telescopic brand in our list. They have given hundreds of telescopic models to this world, some of them are installed in the White House of USA also. They are another perfect in fact most liked brand sought by children, beginners, and intermediate astronomers who want to explore the night sky full of questions with undiscovered stars and planets. What you get
It has got the objective lens of 70mm aperture that captures the object clearly for you and you can see the image brightly. It is the improved version of their previous 50mm objective lens. You get two eyepieces lens of 20mm and 10mm that combine with its 400mm focal length to give you the magnification of x20 and x40. This is considered to be good for people who are just beginners in astronomy. You can utilize this telescope for viewing celestial objects in the night and terrestrial objects in the day time. All the lenses are equipped with high quality fully coated optical glass so that you observe crisp and still images without distortions. It also protects your eyes from harmful rays. This model has little add-on in its weight when compared to their previous model, but still very portable and carries the unmatched quality when compared to its other competitors. Easy to assemble and disassemble, you can mount your telescope on a full height tripod stand to enjoy the night sky. You also get a bag pack with this purchase to carry your telescope anywhere with you. What is the bonus you get? The answer is a top-rated astronomy software program which is free to download. So, learn as much as you can with this telescope. Unbeatable warranty of 2years and unlimited access to technical support from their US-based experts is what makes CELESTRON TELESCOPES superior from other brands.
What we liked
Sturdy Made Design and Build Easy to store or transport High-Quality Optical View Affordable Price High-Quality Photo Resolution Easy to Use Dual Powered Eyepieces
What we didn’t like
Flimsy Tripod Few Plastic Part You get only two magnifications because of only two eyepiece lenses.
3. Solomark Professional Astronomy Refractor Telescope
Solomark is a well-known company in the telescope market. The telescopes manufactured by them can be used by both adults and kids, as it is easy to set up. If you are a beginner and are enthusiastic about exploring the distant landscapes and the vast sky, this ideal telescope should be in your list What you get:
The telescope has an optical quality of 70mm Aperture and comes with 10mm and 20mm Plossl eyepieces. It has a magnification capacity of 70X and 35X. It has a focal length of 700mm and can be easily mounted on the tripod at an adjustable height and angle. It weighs 7.7kg (17.1 lbs) and the package consists of a telescope, one stainless steel, adjustable tripod, one finder scope, an EQ Mount, a 10mm and 20mm eyepiece, and a smartphone eyepiece adaptor with 1.5X Barlow Lens. It is suitable for beginners as it is easy to assemble without the help of any additional tools. It is a quick to assemble, no-tool-set-category telescope. The mount is equipped with two slow motion control cables which allows the user to make adjustments in both declination and RA.
What we liked
Easy to assemble Adjustable stainless steel tripod Perfect for beginners Smart-phone attachment feature that helps capture pictures with ease Plossl eyepiece offers better optical performance and reduces halo formations and chromatic aberration
What we didn’t like
Expensive unit Bulky and not portable as it weighs 7.7kg Barlow lens has a low magnification of x1.5 Calibration can be improved further
4. Zhumell 60mm AZ Refractor Telescope
Zhumell provides you field-tested, precision-crafted telescopes at the best possible value. Even if you are just an amateur starting as a beginner in astronomy, you don’t have to settle for an entry-level telescope. Being a Zhumell customer you will enjoy astronomy in rich and colourful detail. What you get
Objective lens of 60mm aperture captures enough light to make your image appear clear to you. It has a focal length of 700mm and with a sturdy design, it can be easily mounted on a tripod stand to help you easy navigation in the night sky. With eyepieces of 25mm and 10mm aperture, you get a magnification of x24 and x70 respectively. Not enough? Don’t worry you also get an X2 Barlow lens that doubles the magnification produced by these lenses. Only of its kind, its RED DOT finder scope helps you easily focus through the objects in the eyepiece. This is not present in any other brand we have mentioned in this list. It has a simple and quick no tool assembly. You can assemble this telescope within minutes of unboxing it. Hence most of your time goes observing in the night sky. Weighing only 4.5 pounds this telescope is portable and can be carried with you anywhere you go.
What we liked
Low price. Easy to set up. Light weight hence portable. Red dot finder makes it easier to locate objects. Perfect for amateur users.
What we didn’t like
Barlow lens has a low magnification of x2. User manual is difficult to understand.
5. OYS 70mm Aperture Telescope
If your enthusiasm lies in stargazing and if astronomy gives you excitement then the OYS brand should be your go-to place. The brand’s telescope for all ages has several features that make it the most desirable product to own. What you get
This model comes with a 70mm aperture that lets you observe bright celestial objects such as planets, lunar details, star clusters, etc, with great quality. Its 400 mm focal length brings the image of distant objects in space closer for a great viewing experience. This refractor telescope comes with two high-power telescopic eyepieces (K20mm & K9mm) of 1.25 inches that provide sophisticated magnification 20× and 44× respectively. It also features a diagonal prism in its construction that provides high-quality erect images ideal for both terrestrial and celestial viewing. You can capture the best images and send them to your friends and family using the phone adapter that comes with the 10mm eyepiece. You won’t face any difficulties in finding any object through this telescope as it also comes with a 5×24 finder scope that can easily locate objects. This portable telescope weighs just 2.2 pounds and is very easy to set up. You can pack it along with its adjustable tripod in the backpack effortlessly.
What we liked
Great magnification Easy to set up Portable Best quality images Lifetime warranty Reliable customer service
What we didn’t like
Tripod build quality can be better
6. MaxUSee Portable Refractor Telescope
MaxUsee is a high-rated astronomical unit manufacturing company that is known for making portable refractor telescopes of wide ranges with different magnification. This telescope is recommended for beginners and kids as it is a user-friendly telescope with good magnification. Plus, it offers brighter and clearer views and delivers crisp results. What you get:
The Telescope has a Focal length of 400mm. It includes four-piece eyepieces that provides a low magnification with sharper image quality. It has a large aperture objective lens of 70mm which makes the end result brighter and clearer. It offers a wide range of different magnification from 16X to 200X The telescope boasts of high-quality multi-coated glass optic which includes a high- permeability refractor lens, that is perfect for stargazing. It can be used as a terrestrial telescope as well for bird watching and nature studies. The 5X24 finder scope of the apparatus can locate objects quickly. The package includes a telescope, an aluminium tripod, a 1.5X erecting eyepiece, moon mirror, and a smartphone adaptor. The telescope can be connected to your smartphone to capture photos and videos. It has a 3X Barlow Lens that can triple the magnification factor that is provided by the Telescope.
What we liked:
Perfect for amateurs Wide range of magnification Precise finder-scope that detects the desired object quickly Multi-coated glass optic with high-permeability refractor lens Easy to assemble and manage 70mm aperture objective lens provides brightness and clarity to the image. Lightweight and portable It can also be used as a terrestrial telescope Barlow lens that triples magnification. Affordable
What we didn’t like:
Tripod build quality can be more stable Resolving power of the telescope can be improved
7. Orion Observer 80ST Refractor Telescope Kit
Orion is a well-known popular telescopic brand that designs various telescopes and binoculars to have a wide view of the night sky. It is an excellent option for those entry-level users to enjoy and start exploring astronomy in the sky. What you get
It has an objective lens of 80mm aperture that clearly observes the bright celestial object with high quality. Its focal length of 400 mm (with a focal ratio of f/5) will provide the best viewing experience of the space and images of distant objects. This refractor telescope comes with a 25mm and 10mm Kellner eyepiece lens of 1.25 inches that offers a sophisticated magnification of 32X and 40X upon using Shorty 2X Barlow. It is compact, easy to set up, portable, and an ideal option for beginners or enthusiasts in astronomy. You can assemble or disassemble the telescope, as the pack includes EQ-1B equatorial mount and an adjustable height tripod to have a slow-motion for easy tracking objects in the sky. The telescope boasts of high-quality multi-coated glass optic with a refractor lens that is perfect for stargazing. Its RED DOT aiming sight finder scope helps to focus through the objects easily. whereas, its smooth rack and pinion focuser, and 90-degree mirror diagonal will aid in comfortable viewing. This telescope can be connected to your smartphone to capture videos and photos. This portable telescope weighs just 2 pounds and is very easy to set up. Also, you can pack it along with its adjustable tripod in the backpack effortlessly. The telescopic kit includes a telescope, an aluminum tripod, a 1.5X erecting eyepiece, a moon mirror, 2X shorty Barlow, MoonMap 260, telescope observer’s guide book, redbeam mini LED keychain flashlight, and star target planisphere.
What we liked
Ideal option for amateurs Easy to assemble and manage 80mm aperture objective lens offers brightness and image clarity Compact, lightweight, and portable Precise red-dot finder scope to quickly find the desired object Affordable price
What we didn’t like
No warranty information Tripod build quality can be better.
How To Select The Best Refracting Telescopes For You?
We know that buying a telescope is not an easy cake for you to walk. You need to be aware of every aspect and feature that your telescope can give you. Keeping your such demands in mind we have created the following buying guide for you that will help you understand the role and importance of every feature your telescopes carries. This buying guide will help you in selecting the best telescope for you having the right features to serve your purpose.
1. Types of Telescopes
There are three types of Telescopes available in the market namely Refractor Telescopes, Reflector Telescopes and Compound Telescopes. We have explained them briefly in the following points –
Refractor Telescopes: Intended for lunar and planetary explorations, all the brands we have mentioned here are refractor telescopes.They are more convenient to use and have greater durability that’s why they are preferred over the other two types. They are compact in size hence most useful for astronomical research from home.They are much easy to operate among all the 3types of telescopes, hence require less attention when it comes to care and maintenance. However, they are heavy in weight and due to delicate lenses are expensive to buy. Reflector Telescopes :These telescopes use a large size concave mirror for magnifying the object you are looking at. They are useful for deep sky investigations.Since lenses are not involved in this thus, they are less costly but require hefty effort in maintenance.They are difficult to adjust and require daily cleaning which is not possible if you are short of time. Invented by Newton, they are also called as Newtonian Reflector. Compound Telescopes: Most advanced of other two telescopes, they use the properties of both Refractors as well as Reflector Telescopes. They make use of mirror and lens for magnification and are compact in size when compared to the other two types.You can integrate these telescopes with your smartphones, but they are very expensive to buy.
2. Objective lens Aperture of Telescope
Objective lens is the primary lens that catches the image of the object you are focusing on. It is the first lens of telescope mounted at the top end of your telescopic tube. Talking about Aperture, it is the size or diameter of the objective lens of your Refractor Telescope. As this size increases the light-capturing capacity of your telescope also increases. It is measured in mm or inches. As the aperture of your objective lens increases, let’s say from 4” to 8” then the 8” lens will brighten up your target 4times better than the 4” lens, hence you will be able to see the target more clearly than a smaller objective lens. So, if you wish to see through the solar systems more deeply, buying the larger aperture objective lens telescope is a must for you. But going for larger objective lens makes your telescope expensive, not only this the size of your telescope also increases. So, before you buy large objective lens telescope make sure you have enough space in your home to accommodate them, more than that you should have enough money in your pocket to be able to buy them.
3. Number of Eyepiece Lens
As the name suggests, the eyepiece lens is the lens through which you see the object you are focusing on. It is just at the opposite end of the objective lens. It becomes important for you to know that how many eyepiece lenses you are getting with your telescope. Because each eyepiece lens gives you different magnification. Hence if you want a wide range of magnifications goes for the telescope which has 2 or more eyepiece lenses. If your telescope is having only eyepiece lens please don’t buy that to regret later. Brands we have mentioned here carry 2 to 3 eyepiece lenses with them. You should note that lesser the aperture of your eyepiece greater will be the magnification produced by your telescope. Curious to know what is magnification? Read next factor in this buying guide.
4. Magnification
“How much it magnifies?” is the first question that arises in your mind looking at a telescope, isn’t it. The answer you want to listen to is super high magnification. But trust me, super high magnification is not fruitful at all. You must have noticed that image in your phone gets blurred when you excessively zoom it, same is the case with telescopes. Excessive magnification makes the celestial objects appear dim and blurry. And it gets even worse when the night is too dark. So, what is the line between too much high magnification and optimum useful magnification? Read the next line. Optimum useful magnification should be less than or equal to 2times the aperture of objective lens in mm. This means a 100mm aperture objective lens telescope should not have magnification more than x200. So, from now onwards don’t fall into the traps of people telling you this telescope has greater magnification, just use the above logic and find the truth. But how to find the magnification that you will actually get from your telescope? Just divide the focal length of your telescope with the focal length of the eyepiece of your telescope. This will give you the magnification of your telescope. For example, a 300mm focal length telescope having eyepiece of 5mm focal length gives you x60 magnification. Ok so now you must be wondering what is focal length, don’t worry next factor in our buying guide is about focal length only, read further for knowing it.
5. Focal Length
The focal length is also referred to as the size of your telescope. This tells you the distance between the objective lens and the eyepiece of your telescope. It is again a measurement in mm or inches. So as this distance or focal length of your telescope increases the size or length of your telescope also increases. Also as told in the above point, it directly affects the magnification of your telescope. Hence select the telescope after thorough research of what purpose you are buying it for. If you want to go for deep space explorations like galaxies, stars etc. then buying a large focal length telescope is a must. But then you should also have a large space area enough to accommodate your large size telescope. However, if your discovery is limited to the moon or nearby planets then a small focal length telescope will work for you. Generally, most people seek small focal length telescopes unless they are a professional astronomer.
6. Does it carry Barlow Lens?
Barlow lens is a special type of lens which when combined with the eyepiece of the telescope increases the magnification of your telescope from actual magnification. It can be x2 Barlow Lens which doubles the magnification produced by each eyepiece or it can be x3 Barlow lens which triples the magnification produced by each eyepiece. If you feel that the actual magnification produced is not enough for you, then always included Barlow lens in your telescope. Some brands give Barlow lens along with your purchase while for some brands you need to buy it separately.
7. How much you can spend?
If you are seeking to buy a refractor telescope then keep in mind that you will have to pay at least 50$ to get a good quality telescope. If you are thinking to buy Telescopes below this price range then we will suggest you to buy binoculars instead of a telescope. Such telescopes are poor in quality and not durable, kindly refrain from buying low-cost telescopes. However, even if you can pay any kind of amount then also don’t buy the most expensive and largest telescope available. Start your astronomical journey with low size, more manageable and affordable telescopes. You will cherish the point that all the brands we have mentioned here are selected keeping in mind this point only. They give you the best performance at the minimum cost possible.
Conclusion:
Telescopes are great way to develop interest in astronomy. They easily fill up your spare time and give you breathtaking views of celestial bodies.
So, whether you are a professional astronomer or just a noob who is seeking a telescope to fulfil his free time. All the brands we have listed in this article can do the job for you.
However, our first choice for you is Gskyer Telescope 600x90mm AZ Astronomical Refractor Telescope.This German technology telescope is durable and long-lasting. It gives you three eyepieces to achieve 3magnifications. You can choose the one which is perfect for you.
This magnification can be further increased by x3 times with the help of a Barlow lens. It is not provided by any other brand. It is a costly affair but the best telescope to buy.
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