Best Telescope Under $1000 for 2023

Are you searching for the best telescope under $1000? By the end of this post, you will find a top-recommended telescope to improve your vision.

Many individuals take pleasure in watching the planets and the stars. The finest view requires a telescope, and many models are available. But they are pricey. How can someone on a tight budget purchase one?

We looked at many telescopes under $1,000 and compiled a selection of seven that we believe would provide you with the best value. To help you reduce the options available, we will outline some of the advantages and disadvantages of each one.

What is a Telescope?

An optical device with curved mirrors and lenses that collects light rays and focuses them on creating a magnified image of a distant object. It is used to make things look closer to the viewer.

The Top 7 Telescopes Under $1,000

Here are some of the telescopes we tested:

1) Sky-Watcher ProED Refractor Telescope – Best Overall

 

The Sky-Watcher ProED is a 100mm APO refractor telescope with a 90mm focal length. It has two different-sized eyepieces, a dual-speed two-inch focuser with an adapter, an 850 viewfinder, a two-inch dielectric diagonal, and a carrying box.

This little Telescope lets you get good images and take them anywhere. The focuser can occasionally slip when using a heavier eyepiece, making it harder to gain clear vision. The casing feels somewhat fragile.

Although the inside is well-padded to protect the Telescope, the exterior material doesn’t seem like it will last very long. This is why it is the best telescope under $1000

Pros

• 100mm APO refractor
• 90mm focal length
• Dual-speed two-inch focuser with adapter
• Two eyepieces
• 8×50 RA viewfinder
• Two-inch dielectric diagonal
• Aluminum carrying case

Cons

• Weak case

 

2) Celestron NexStar Telescope

The Celestron NexStar 6 SE Telescope has a 59-inch focal length and a six-inch aperture. It has SkyAlign technology to assist you in aligning your scope correctly so you can quickly discover the more than 40,000 celestial objects preprogrammed into the content.

Since there are no crosshairs to help you locate the center of the object you are watching, it is lovely that this scope finds things for you automatically. All this equipment quickly depletes the battery of the Telescope.

If you want to use it close to an outlet, you might want to think about purchasing a 110-volt adaptor for it.

The Telescope’s steel tripod collapses for easy transport of the little instrument. The tripod only has one arm, so it will wobble on you if you breathe rapidly, if there is even the slightest breeze. Before using smaller lenses, it is not a big deal.

Pros

• Six-inch aperture
• 1500mm (59-inch) focal length
• SkyAlign technology
• Automatically tracks 40,000+ preprogrammed celestial objects.
• Compact
• Steel tripod

Cons

• Scope with no crosshairs
• A tripod with a single arm is unsteady
• Batteries are short-lived

 

3) Sky-Watcher Dobsonian Telescope

The Sky-Watcher S11620 Traditional Dobsonian Telescope has a ten-inch aperture and a 1200mm focal length for a good view. Using a tension clutch and a mount with Teflon bearings, the Telescope is secured to the tripod.

This attachment will keep the scope steady, but because the Telescope is so hefty, you’ll notice that the tripod is progressively dragged down by it. You’ll have to adjust it or get a sturdy tripod either continuously.

This Telescope contains a 1.25-inch adaptor and a two-inch single-speed focuser. It cannot be fine-tuned, though. Moreover, it includes two eyepieces in two distinct sizes: 25mm and 10mm.

Pros

• Ten-inch aperture
• 1200mm focal length
• Two-inch single-speed focuser with 1.25-inch adapter
• Two eyepieces
• Rocker mount with Teflon bearings and tension clutch

Cons

• Under the weight of the Telescope, a heavy tripod falls.

 

4) Orion SpaceProbe 130ST Telescope – Best Value

Its main specs are the 5.1-inch aperture and 24-inch focal length of the Orion 09007 SpaceProbe 130ST Equatorial Reflector Telescope. There are no high-quality photographs because both are relatively small.

It includes a finderscope and two 25mm and 10mm eyepieces of various sizes.

The printed instructions were the first issue we had with this Telescope. They are adamant about understanding and following. We suggest using YouTube videos to put it together. They are far more distinct.

Also, we discovered that the mount is not sturdy enough to support this Telescope. It is challenging to get clean photos because the grips don’t remain in place, and the scope sways.

Pros

• 1-inch aperture
• 24-inch focal length
• Two eyepieces
• Finderscope

Cons

• Assembly instructions that are poorly written
• Bad picture quality
• The amount is too light for the scope, and the grips that hold the content don’t hold up well.

 

5) Celestron NexStar Computerized Telescope

A five-inch (127mm) aperture, 1500mm focal length, and finderscope are all features of the Celestron NexStar 127SLT Mak computerized telescope. It also includes the SkyX planetarium program, which may be used to find particular celestial objects.

It is challenging to adjust photos with this Telescope.

This Telescope appears to be somewhat flimsy because it wasn’t constructed using the best materials. The focuser causes the scope to tremble a little, occasionally obstructing your vision of the object you are looking at.

Another factor contributing to the Telescope’s shakiness is the included mount. It is pretty light and not sturdy enough to hold the Telescope stable. This Telescope’s included tripod is not very good. With a light breeze, it sways.

Pros

• 5-inch (127mm) aperture
• 1500mm focal length
• Finderscope
• SkyX planetarium software

Cons

• getting refined concentration is challenging
• flimsy mount
• Tripod trembles under a gentle breeze
• Focuser induces trembling

 

6) Orion AstroView Refractor Telescope

The 4.7-inch (120mm) aperture, 600mm focal length, polar alignment scope, and two different-sized eyepieces, 25mm and 10mm, are all features of the Orion 9005 AstroView 120ST Equatorial Refractor Telescope.

Taking this Telescope someplace can be challenging because it is heavy and oversized.

There is no computer guidance to assist you in finding things once you have it set up where you want to view them, so finding the objects you’re looking for requires a solid understanding of how the sky is laid out.

The axis finder is another item that makes it challenging to see objects. That isn’t easy to use because of where it is on the Telescope. Moreover, there is no auto guide to assist in positioning the Telescope.

Pros

• 7-inch (120mm) aperture
• 600mm focal length
• Polar alignment scope
• Two eyepieces

Cons

• It isn’t easy to use Axis Finder.
• No automatic alignment guide
• Heavy and unwieldy
• No computer assistance

 

7) Orion 8297 Newtonian Astrograph Reflector Telescope

The focal length and eight-inch aperture of the Orion 8297 8-Inch f/3.9 Newtonian Astrograph Reflector Telescope are 800mm. A protective coating is also included on both interior mirrors to prevent further damage.

This Telescope is an excellent option for a beginner with limited funds, but remember that price is not everything. The focuser is silver, while the spider vanes are a shiny black color, and most of the components on this Telescope are flat black.

Silver is a poor choice because it reflects objects, but the bright finish of the spider vanes also creates glare. The focuser requires extra caution since plastic thumbscrews hold it in place. No focal lock has your object in place once it finally comes into focus.

Pros

• Eight-inch aperture
• 800mm focal length
• Both mirrors have protective coatings

Cons

• Focuser is secured with plastic thumbscrews.
• Paint makes things glow
• Zero focal lock

How to Choose the Best Telescope Under $1000:

Aperture

The aperture determines how much light enters your Telescope. It is determined by the mirror or lens’s diameter inside the scope. How much you can see depends on how much light there is. Generally speaking, you can see better the more incredible the aperture.

Focal length

The focal length affects how large your items seem. It is determined by the separation between the object you focus on and the Telescope’s lens or mirror. Your thing will appear more significant the longer the focal point is.

Magnification

The focal length and eyepiece you use affect how magnified an object appears. Likewise, the thing will seem more significant the more magnification there is. There are several levels of magnification in eyepieces. You can use the Telescope’s default magnification and upgrade to a greater one.

Price

Price is significant for many people, particularly when first getting into astronomy. You don’t want to skimp on any features and don’t want to spend too much on a telescope you won’t use.

Diameter

The distance you can look into outer space will depend on the Telescope’s diameter. Once more, evaluate how this can impact your ability to see particular objects you wish to study.

Stability

Watch out for remarks concerning the base, mount, and tripod when you read evaluations of various telescopes. They significantly impact your observation; therefore, upgrading for more stability is almost always worthwhile.

Type

Examine the effects of different telescope types on your ability to see the things in the night sky that interest you, such as reflector vs. refractor and Dobsonian vs. Schmidt-Cassegrain.

Other features

There are possibilities on this list if you’re looking for computer-assisted night sky navigation. For those on a tight budget, searching the sky on your own may help save some money.

 

FAQs on the Best Telescope Under $1000

1) What size telescope is ideal for observing planets?

The planets, the Moon, and Jupiter’s moons may all be seen clearly via telescopes with a four or 5-inch aperture.

2) Is it worth it to get a budget telescope?

Most telescopes under $150 will have poor optical quality and aren’t worth the money. Instead, we advise investing in some excellent binoculars. Avoid any telescopes that feature a magnifying glass in their advertising.

The size of a telescope, or the diameter of its primary mirror or lens, is its most crucial characteristic.

3) What is the telescope lens size ideal?

There are two standard sizes: 1.25″ and 2″. A smaller standard with a third size of 0.965″ is usually better to avoid. 1.25″ diameter eyepieces are intended for use with almost all telescopes. The majority of telescopes come with at least one 1.25″ eyepiece.

 

Conclusion

Hopefully, you now have enough knowledge to guide your shopping binge appropriately. The only thing left to do is select the best telescope under $100 that suits your requirements and financial constraints.

After considering several factors such as price, aperture, focal length, and portability, the best telescope under $1000 is the Celestron NexStar 6SE.

The Celestron NexStar 6SE has a 6-inch aperture, 1500mm focal length, and a motorized go-to mount, making it a great option for beginners and intermediate users. It also has a compact design, making it portable and easy to store.

Other great options include the Orion SkyQuest XT8 Classic Dobsonian Telescope and the Meade Instruments LightBridge Mini 130 Telescope, which offer larger apertures but may require more effort to set up and use.

You can also check 6 Best Budget Night Vision Scopes {Buying Guide}