Best Telescope For Backyard Viewing Top 12 Models Compared of 2023

1. How it measures up: We look for compact, lightweight scopes with high-quality optics that can deliver a clear view of the Moon, planets, and night sky. 
2. Backyard calibration: We test our telescopes in our backyards, so we know how they will perform in real-world conditions. 
3. Expert review: We listen to and test views from professional astronomers.

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And the winners:

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

The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102-inches telescope is a powerful, budget-friendly scope, and at $799 it's not only the cheapest telescope in this price range, but it's the only one that comes with a smartphone holder. While the StarSense app is impressive, the included Altazimuth mount is slow and cumbersome, and the tripod is too short to really stable the scope. Still, if you're inclined to pair your smartphone with a telescope to take advantage of StarSense's capabilities, the Celestron StarSense Explorer may be your top pick.

Pros

• App works great 
• Great build quality 
• Decent specs 
• The 102mm refractor eyepiece is pretty nice (just a little shorter than 60mm) 
• It works well with my smartphone 

Cons 

• No built-in GPS 
• No visual back focus adjustment

 

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Best Value Telescope:Meade Instruments – Polaris 127mm Aperture, Portable Backyard Reflecting Astronomy

The Meade Polaris 127mm Aperture Telescope is best suited for beginners. The telescope’s aperture and focal length match up perfectly with Meade’s 26mm, 9mm, and 6. 3mm eyepieces, covering the range of magnifications needed for novice astronomers. The highlight of this telescope is Meade’s German Equatorial mount, which allows for more accurate tracking of objects across the sky. It’s stable, easy to set up, and works with all three eyepieces.

This telescope’s star diagonal helps bring the corners of celestial objects into view, while its 2x Barlow doubles the magnifying power of each eyepiece. Meade also threw in a bonus astronomy software DVD for beginners.

Pros

• Great optics 
• Good magnification range 
• Good size 
• Comes with some accessories 
• Affordable price 
• The mount is pretty decent 
• OTA tube not too heavy 

Cons 

• The mount is manual, not motorized 
• No finderscope

 

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Best Saving Product:Telescope 80mm Aperture 600mm - Astronomical Portable Refracting Telescope Fully

This telescope is astonishing. It has incredible quality. I have owned many different kinds of telescopes and this one is by far the best. With this telescope I was able to see the moon and stars/planets with the naked eye. I was able to see all the craters on the moon. I could even see Jupiter and its moons. I would recommend this telescope.

Pros

• Excellent image quality 
• Impressive build and optics 
• High-quality carrying bag 
• Great value for the price 

Cons 

• The tripod and eyepieces are a bit fiddly to set up, but that's to be expected at this price 
• The plastic tripod legs feel cheap

The truth is that not everyone can afford to buy expensive telescopes. However, the good news is that you do not need to spend a fortune to get a good telescope. 
If you are looking to buy a good telescope for your backyard, here are a few things to consider: 

• Buy a telescope with a zoom feature: A telescope that comes with a zoom feature will allow you to easily spot objects in the sky that are not visible. The zoom feature will increase your telescope’s magnification. 
• Choose a telescope with a parabolic mirror: A telescope with a parabolic mirror will help you spot objects in the sky easily. This is because the mirror will magnify objects that are close to the mirror. 
• Choose a telescope with a tripod: A tripod is an important part of a telescope. This is because your telescope will be stable when you use a tripod. The only downside of using a telescope with a tripod is that it will be a bit heavy. However, this is a small price to pay for the stability that a tripod will give you. 
• Choose a good telescope mount: Telescope mounts are a very important part of any telescope. This is because the mounts help the telescope to remain stable. 
• Choose a telescope with a red dot finder: A red dot finder will make it easier to spot objects in the sky. This is possible because it will have a red dot that will help you focus on an object in the sky. 
• Choose a good telescope with an adjustable focus ring: An adjustable.

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FAQ 1: What should I consider when choosing the best telescope for backyard viewing?
When choosing a telescope for backyard viewing, consider the following factors: aperture size, magnification power, portability, and ease of use. The aperture size determines the amount of light the telescope can gather and thus affects the clarity and brightness of the objects you observe. Magnification power is important for seeing small details, but too much magnification can result in a blurry image. Portability is important if you plan on moving the telescope from one location to another. Ease of use, including setting up and aligning the telescope, is also an important consideration for beginners.

FAQ 2: What are some of the best brands for a backyard telescope?
Some of the top brands for backyard telescopes include Celestron, Meade, Orion, Sky Watcher, and Zhumell. Each of these brands offer a range of telescopes to suit various needs and budgets, so it's important to do research and compare the features of each one to find the best fit for you.

FAQ 3: What are some important notes to keep in mind when using a backyard telescope?
When using a backyard telescope, it's important to remember to use a tripod or other stable surface to support the telescope to prevent image shake. You should also ensure that the telescope is positioned in a location with minimal light pollution for the best viewing experience. Additionally, it's important to be mindful of your surroundings and to follow safe telescope usage guidelines, such as not pointing the telescope directly at the sun.

When it comes to purchasing the best telescope for backyard viewing, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. First, you’ll want to consider where you’ll be viewing from. Will you be sitting in your backyard or inside? Will you be viewing at night or during the day? And finally, you’ll want to think about the magnification. A higher magnification will give you a clearer image, but a higher magnification can also make spotting distant objects more difficult. If you’ve found a telescope you love, let me know in the comments below!

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