Best Mid Price Telescope Top 10 Models Compared of 2023

Louis Hampton
  Mar 31, 2023 12:30 AM

With so many telescope options on the market, it can be hard for the lay person to know what to look for in a telescope. If you're looking to buy a telescope, but don't know which model to choose, you've come to the right place. In this blog post, we'll take a look at 10 of the Best mid price telescopes on the market. Keep reading to learn more!

Celestron - AstroMaster 114EQ Newtonian Telescope - Reflector Telescope for Beginners - Fully-Coated Glass Optics - Adjustable-Height Tripod - Bonus Astronomy Software Package

HOW WE PICKED & TESTED

  1. Size matters: We look for scopes that weigh 10 pounds or less and fit easily and conveniently in the trunk of a car. 
  2. Viewing quality: We test scopes against a range of night sky objects, including planets, stars, and galaxies. 
  3. Durability: We test our scopes by tracking their vibration, and we put them through daily abuse. 
  4. Usability: We use our scopes for everything from stargazing to birdwatching.

And the winners:

Best Overall Telescope: Celestron – StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ Smartphone App-Enabled Telescope –

The Celestron StarSense app is one of the best in our roundup. It's incredibly easy to use and it learns your habits and preferences over time. Compared with most competing apps, the StarSense app is quicker, more accurate, and more informative. The app also provides more filters, indicators, and options, including constellation artwork, star charts, and constellation-related trivia. The StarSense app also lets you record and save star-gazing observations and you can access the archives whenever you like, and share them with friends. The results can be exported as images or video files.
The telescope itself is easy to set up and use. It comes with a dual-speed tripod so you can get the telescope exactly where you want it, and the mount has a slow-motion control rod so you can follow a star's movement precisely. This 102mm lens has a 3-degree field of view, which is a decent size, and provides a sharp, clear image. It has a respectable level of brightness, and you can focus the lens manually.
The tripod is sturdy, and the dual-speed elevation-azimuth mount makes it quick and easy to point the telescope at a desired target. Because it's more compact than most smartphone telescopes, it's a good choice for travel and it's effective for stargazing in darker areas.

Pros

  • Only app-enabled telescope on the market 
  • Includes app, tripod, and mount 
  • Easy to set up 
  • Includes two eyepieces 
  • The app is easy to use 
  • Neat features, like identifying constellations 

Cons 

  • Not ideal for experienced amateur astronomers 
  • Not as powerful a scope as some other Celestron models, so not the best choice for serious deep sky observers 

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Best Value Telescope: Orion SpaceProbe 130ST EQ Reflector Telescope Kit

The Orion SpaceProbe 130ST EQ Reflector Telescope Kit is a great entry-level telescope. Because of its f/5 focal ratio, it's well-suited for observing the moon and planets and for wide-field views of deep-sky objects, but it's not great for detailed viewing. It's also ideal for beginning astronomers, thanks to a user-friendly design, a user-friendly instruction manual, and a decent Star Target planisphere (which doubles as a handy flashlight).
Pros
  • Well-designed, solid, easy to use, and surprisingly compact 
  • Great eyepieces 
  • Good (though small) finderscope 
  • Good value 

Cons 

  • I am not a huge fan of the EQ mount, but it's made for beginners, so it doesn't bother me too much 
  • The tripod is a little wobbly 

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Best Saving Product: Celestron - AstroMaster 114EQ Newtonian Telescope - Reflector Telescope for

The Celestron AstroMaster 114EQ is powerful enough to illuminate the night sky for a group, yet simple enough for first-time users to enjoy. The telescope has an enclosed tube structure, so there s no need to worry about rain or snow damaging internal optics. The wide field of view makes it easy to locate objects in the sky. The included accessories make this the Best Beginner Telescope.
The 10mm eyepiece is great for discovering constellations, while the 20 mm eyepiece is ideal for capturing close-up images of the moon and planets. This included 2-inch StarPointer red dot finderscope is designed to help keep objects centered in the eyepiece. A tripod is also included so you can easily view the night sky at night. The StarPointer red dot finderscope will make locating and centering objects even easier.

Pros

  • The tripod is pretty solid and works well 
  • The mount is stable and tracks well, but takes some getting used to 
  • The finder scope works well 
  • The tripod is adjustable, which is nice 

Cons 

  • The mount is not very intuitive 
  • You will need to spend some time learning what each control does 

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TOP Choice
1
  • AI Score

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    9.8
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    Celestron
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    9.7
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    Orion
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    9.6
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    Celestron
4
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    Gskyer
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    8.8
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    Gskyer
6
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    8.8
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    Gskyer
7
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    SOLOMARK
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    8.4
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    Celestron
9
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    FREE SOLDIER
10
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    8.2
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    Celestron

Last update on 2023-03-31 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

THINGS CONSIDER WHEN CHOSING BEST MID PRICE TELESCOPE

Orion SpaceProbe 130ST EQ Reflector Telescope Kit

It can be quite a challenge to purchase the best telescope for you. This is because there are quite a variety of telescopes to choose from. However, below are some of the things you should consider before you buy a telescope: 

  • Type of telescope: There are different types of telescopes that you can choose from. These include refracting telescopes, reflecting telescopes, and catadioptric telescopes. The type that you choose to buy depend on your needs. 
  • Magnification power: Magnification power affects the quality of images that the telescope produces. The bigger the magnification power, the better the quality of the image. 
  • Focal length: Focal length also affects the quality of images produced by telescopes. The shorter the focal length, the better quality images a telescope will produce. 
  • Aperture: Aperture is a measurement of the diameter of the aperture of a telescope. The bigger the aperture of a telescope, the better the quality of the images it produces. 
  • Cost of maintenance: You need to consider the cost of maintenance of a telescope before you make your purchase. This is because different telescopes require different maintenance requirements. The more expensive the maintenance requirements are, the more expensive a telescope is in the long run.

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FAQs

FAQ 1: What is the best mid price telescope?
Answer: The best mid price telescope depends on your budget, experience level, and what you plan to observe. For beginning astronomers, the Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ is an excellent value telescope and a great option for viewing both solar system and deep sky objects. It has a 127mm aperture (which allows for more light gathering than smaller models) and comes with two eyepieces—a 20mm Kellner for low power wide fields of view and a 4mm Plossl for higher magnifications. With its sturdy mount, smooth slow motion controls, and easy setup, it's an ideal starter telescope for those wanting to explore the night sky.

FAQ 2: What accessories do I need for a mid price telescope?
Answer: While the exact accessories needed will depend on the specific model of telescope that you purchase, there are some items that all telescopes should have in order to get the most out of your observing sessions. A zoom or Barlow lens will allow you to increase the magnification power of your optics, while an eyepiece filter can subtly enhance details in bright objects like stars and planets. A red flashlight (or headlamp) will help you see in the dark without ruining your night vision, while protective cases or bags can help keep dust off your optics when not in use. Finally, a quality star chart or smartphone app can help you find interesting targets in the night sky.

FAQ 3: What type of maintenance does a mid price telescope require?
Answer: Regular maintenance of your telescope is important to ensure optimal performance during observation sessions. This includes regularly checking all screws and bolts to make sure everything is tight; cleaning lenses with lens tissue specifically designed for optical glass; using compressed air or an air blower bulb to remove dirt from any mechanical parts; lubricating any moving parts with special lubricant every few months; storing optics indoors when not in use; using covers or dew shields when outside in humid conditions; and periodically replacing worn parts like eyepiece holders or focus knobs if necessary.

FINAL THOUGHT

Celestron - AstroMaster 114EQ Newtonian Telescope - Reflector Telescope for Beginners - Fully-Coated Glass Optics - Adjustable-Height Tripod - Bonus Astronomy Software Package

Are you looking to get into astronomy? Or maybe you’re just curious to learn what all the fuss is about? Either way, a telescope can be a really great tool to add to your home. But with so many options for buying one, it can be hard to know what’s right for you. In this post, I’ll be reviewing and choosing the best mid price telescope for your astronomy needs. Read on to find out how!

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