Best Telescope Refractors in 2022

Last update: December 20, 2022

Can you see planets with a refractor telescope?

Yes, you can see planets with a refractor telescope. The refractor telescope is a type of telescope that uses a lens to focus light. This makes it ideal for viewing planets, as they are often very bright in the night sky.

How does an achromatic lens work?

An achromatic lens is a type of lens that is designed to reduce or eliminate the amount of chromatic and spherical aberration. Chromatic aberration is caused by the different refractive indices of the lens elements for the different colors of light. Spherical aberration is caused by the fact that the lens elements are not perfectly spherical. Achromatic lenses are usually made of two or more lens elements made of different materials with different refractive indices.

Is a refractor telescope better?

No definitive answer exists to this question as it depends on the specific needs and preferences of the individual. Some people may find that a refractor telescope provides a better image quality than a reflector telescope, while others may prefer the wider field of view offered by a reflector telescope. Ultimately, it is important to choose the type of telescope that best suits your individual needs and preferences.

Should a beginner get a refractor or reflector telescope?

There are a few things to consider when choosing between a refractor or reflector telescope as a beginner. Reflector telescopes are typically cheaper than refractor telescopes. However, refractor telescopes do not require as much maintenance as reflector telescopes. If you are interested in astrophotography, a refractor telescope is a better option. If you want a telescope for visual use only, either type of telescope will work.


Gskyer Telescope, 80mm AZ Space Astronomical Refractor Telescope, German Technology Scope Review:


For a beginner, this telescope is excellent. Since receiving it, my family and I have utilized it at least seven times and have been having a great fun with it. On the summer solstice, we had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view the strawberry moon; it was breathtaking! The Gskyer Refractor 40080mm has a 3x Barlow lens and three eyepieces: a 5mm, a 10mm, and a 25mm. This allows you to essentially magnify those eyepieces three times. Along with an adjustable tripod, this Gskyer telescope also includes a little plastic tray that slides in between the tripod. This shelf, which locks the tripod into place and is very easy to spot in the dark, was ideal for storing our other lenses while not in use. It stores well and folds easily. We had no trouble putting this telescope together right out of the box because the assembly instructions were so simple to follow. However, there are no usage instructions. This telescope locks perfectly so it won't move left, right, up, or down once you find the celestial body you're looking for. With its handle, you can easily move in any direction, and once you discover what you're looking for, it locks down with a simple wrist turn. I would advise calibrating the moon into the eyepiece using the crosshairs in order to make finding planets easier for you. Once the moon is positioned properly, you ought to be able to see it through both the finder and the actual telescope. Finding mars was rather simple after we made this change. For my 4-year-old son, who aspires to become an astronaut and visit Mars, this was incredibly thrilling. In the telescope, Mars seems quite small and has an orange, dazzling appearance. He was delighted to see it, which is quite cool. We found the moon to be the most fascinating object, especially for the kids, because it appears so close and astonishingly clear through the telescope that you could almost reach out and touch it. I was unaware that the moon's lower right hand contained a region that resembled a starburst. It is incredible. My 10-year-old daughter refused to give the telescope up to anyone, and my 4-year-old son thought it was quite cool. Both of my kids could utilize the concentrate because it was so simple to use. Each lens is packaged in a separate plastic case with a lid to keep it closed and prevent breakage. Each lens also has a separate dust cover. With the Gysker telescope, observing star clusters and simply observing space in general is simple. We haven't yet used this in nature, but I'm incredibly excited to. We can't wait to take this to Joshua Tree National Park, where we live, and explore from the top of the giant rocks or from Keys View. We'll have to look up and view a comet when it next passes the earth, but I think this would be a great telescope to use for that. This telescope is beautifully constructed, looks lovely and solid, and in my opinion will last for many years. My husband's one wish is that the legs could have expanded and grown taller. He claimed that because he had to stoop so low to watch, despite being 6'2", it was uncomfortable for him. In order to make it taller for him to see, we got three milk crates and placed one under each leg. Apart than that, we think this telescope is fantastic and have had a great time using it as a family. I was provided with this telescope at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review. I am not paid for my opinions, and all thoughts are my own.



Celestron - PowerSeeker Telescope Accessory Kit - Includes 2x 1.25" Kellner Eyepieces, 3 Colored Telescope Filters, and Cleaning Cloth - Telescope Eyepiece Kit for Beginners Review:


A Celestron Powerseeker 127EQ is what I own. The telescope has a 20mm, 4mm, and a 3x Barlow Lens as standard equipment. While the 20mm works perfectly, some people find it challenging to use the 4 mm because of the tiny entry hole. The 4mm, however, brings the 127mm aperture to its utmost limit when used in conjunction with the 3x Barlow.Since they are of superior quality and do not approach the scope's maximum magnification, the accessory package may offer a better variety of lenses for usage with my telescope than those that came with it.The red filter makes the view very faint and works best with a larger lens like the included 15mm, but the blue filter and moon are also quite helpful.Since I reside in a tiny rural community, I believe that light pollution may possibly be at play.Personally, I wish I had bought this equipment along with the telescope.For a beginner using a Celestron telescope with a modest aperture, the equipment is essential.Even a really lovely lens cloth with a logo is included in the kit.The only issue I have is that the Powerseeker 127EQ should have come equipped with these two lenses rather than the 20, and 4mm.If you own a 127EQ, you will be shocked at the difference in quality when you use the kit's lenses for the first time as well as at the absurdly low price that is being charged.



TELMU Telescope 70mm Aperture Refracting Telescope Adjustable(17.7In-35.4In) Portable Travel Telescopes for Astronomy with Backpack, Phone Adapter for Any Model Review:


This telescope is excellent for beginners because it's very simple to assemble and the provided adapters are simple to use.Instead, I would use this to look at the moon and take some amazing pictures with your phone. I wouldn't use this to search distant galaxies or star clusters, or try to find a binary star (or two). You can see the moon's craters and other details better than you could with binoculars, but I wouldn't try to locate the flag on the moon (see my photos).It includes a backpack storage compartment where the stand and the scope are kept apart and cushioned with foam. The height is ideal for children, and it can be adjusted well for height using a fairly stable leaver. My nieces and nephews liked looking at the moon after I performed this activity with them.Since there are only a few joins before it is operational, getting this up and running should only need a short period of time. The whole arrangement is a little wobbly, as to be expected, so you have to be careful not to move the telescope too much, especially when trying to take pictures with your phone camera.



Gskyer Telescope, Travel Scope, 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Mount Astronomical Refractor Telescope for Kids Beginners - Portable Travel Telescope with Carry Bag, Smartphone Adapter and Wireless Remote Review:


This is incredible! This was a gift for my son, who has a strong interest in planets. We had no idea how to use the telescope because it was the first one we had ever purchased. The directions are fairly simple to understand. My 10-year-old kid put everything together by himself. And after a few failed attempts, we finally saw the moon with it. Cool phone attachment makes it very simple to see. However, aligning the camera properly requires some care and might be challenging. Overall, I'm quite pleased with my new telescope. Later, I'll attempt to observe additional stars.



Emarth Telescope, Travel Scope, 70mm Astronomical Refracter Telescope with Tripod & Finder Scope, Portable Telescope for Kids Beginners (Blue) Review:


I purchased my niece and nephew an Emarth Telescope as a gift. Because of its light weight and small size, it is suitable for toddlers, preschoolers, and older children. Before it can be used, this telescope does need to be assembled, and it's preferable if adults handle it because children might touch and dirty the lens components. The design, in my opinion, is rather brilliant because it comes with a foldable carrying bag that can hold everything while not in use.Along with the primary objective lens, the telescope also comes with a viewfinder scope. There are two eyepieces supplied, one measuring 25mm and the other 6mm (25mm offers 14.4x and 6mm offers 60x). When necessary, a 3x Barlow lens can boost the magnification even more. In order to align the viewfinder scope, tighten the adjustment screws on the mount after calibrating it with a nearby object. We can move on to study other objects, like the moon, when the viewfinder scope has been calibrated and the same thing has been seen through the main lens and viewfinder scope. The package comes with a small tripod to increase stability on most surfaces, and the pan handle aids in locking the telescope at a specific angle.** Keep a watch on children as they use the telescope to prevent them from staring directly into the sun, which could harm their eyes.



Celestron - AstroMaster 70AZ Telescope - Refractor Telescope - Fully Coated Glass Optics - Adjustable Height Tripod – BONUS Astronomy Software Package Review:


The majority of people enjoy reflectors, but all that collimating simply irritates me. Because I live in southern Louisiana, my AstroMaster is always prepared to leave at a moment's notice, which is vital. When the sky finally does clear, we have a lot of cloud cover here, so I don't have time to mess about with mirror alignment.This telescope has adequate power to examine the moon in great detail, Jupiter (where the cloud bands can be seen), and Saturn (rings are visible). The bigger and brighter Messier objects like M31 (Andromeda Galaxy) and M42 are also fine with it (Orion Nebula). However, I do advise getting the Celestron lens add-on kit for it eventually because it gives you so many more options and the lenses are just of higher quality.Finally, I'll make a note about the tripod. Despite the tripod, I am giving this scope a five-star rating. It's not that it's flimsy—actually it's very sturdy—but because of the clutch system, it's very challenging to attach it onto a moving item and then reposition it after it moves. Actually, it works much better when I simply install this scope on top of one of my reliable video tripods. The scope's dovetail mount has threads on the bottom that allow you to attach it to a common tripod, and I give that feature a lot of props.



Gskyer Telescope, 600x90mm AZ Astronomical Refractor Telescope, German Technology Scope Review:


I delivered it this afternoon. In approximately ten minutes, my daughter set it up. She had never done this before. She took a glance at the images and then read the captions for each one. I'm currently waiting for darkness to fall in my den. Spotter scope was aligned outside, and after that, waiting. It has a great appearance and is the ideal size to move about or leave out for debate by my astronomy buddies. I had a chance to test it out, and it was a terrific way to capture Saturn and Jupiter. The clouds then appeared. The Barlow 3x's all-plastic construction was the only item that concerned me. Why include a ten-cent piece that may shatter or deform when the rest are nearly flawless?Cons: simple setupSpotter scoop O ring in heavy-duty styleThree eyepieces are included.Excellent optics provided some stunning views.Good weightCons: Cheap 3x Barlow adapterOverall, a fantastic telescope for the money.



Celestron - 70mm Travel Scope - Portable Refractor Telescope - Fully-Coated Glass Optics - Ideal Telescope for Beginners - BONUS Astronomy Software Package Review:


With my daughter, I have been using this scope and having a great time. The tripod is essentially useless, as has been said by others. I usually use a full-sized one that I purchased for a camcorder years ago for a reasonable price—probably about $40 at the time. If you have one, consider using it instead. You could also try buying anything on Amazon or eBay for a reasonable price.The lenses work well for seeing the moon, as many other reviews have noted. When I first used it, I was astounded to look at Jupiter and see the specks of light that represented its moons orbiting the planet. In my experience, none of the planets you observe will appear the way you expect them to; via the provided lenses, they are essentially colored specks of light.However, I did purchase a Barlow 2x lens, which has added some intrigue to the planet-watching process. If you really want to try and view details of planets, etc., go for a different scope because it is only somewhat better. The ring around Saturn has been visible to me with the Barlow lens and the 10mm lens, and the other night I was able to just barely make out the half-circle of the sun illuminating Venus in the night sky (have good eyesight or be able to work with glasses when viewing it in the scope for that one; it was kind of like making out Saturn). Without a sturdy tripod or properly dialing in the spotting scope (one of the most unpleasant aspects of setting up this telescope, by the way), the Barlow makes things difficult, but once you do, it's kind of cool.Using it to watch wildlife was another feature that I really appreciated and was a little shocked by. This is something I originally bought for a camping trip so I could see the stars, moon, planets, etc. But boy, it was so much joy to see nesting birds, a muskrat swimming across the lake (far away), and other things during the day. It is highly recommended for that because it is quite portable and packs up nicely, as you would expect a travel scope to.



MESIXI Astronomical Telescope + Monocular Travel Scope 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Mount Astronomical Refractor Telescopes for Kids Adults Beginners - Portable Bag, Smartphone Adapter, Camera Remote Review:


Recently, I joined an astronomy club. I can gain more knowledge about the universe, planets, stars, and constellations. There isn't a "Perfect" telescope, I was told; it depends on my spending limit and my objectives for my observations. This Mesixi set costs less than many other standard starter kits. The best part is that it includes numerous useful goods and optical equipment worth hundreds of dollars. It's the right decision for me. With the step-by-step photo directions, installation was pretty easy. The tripod is quite robust. Additionally, it includes a second little tripod for the included photo telescope. Lenses have coatings. Coated lenses offer some degree of defense against glare and scratch-related damage. A Finderscope, a 10mm eyepiece, a 25mm eyepiece, a Planetary Multiplier Mirror, a 3x Burlow Lens, a Zenith mirror for measuring star positions precisely, a 25mm eyepiece, and a 10mm eyepiece were also included in the kit (increases the effectiveness of the focal length to magnify higher quality images). I discovered an entirely new world when I combined all of these tools with the 400mm focal length Lens Tube. It was possible for me to choose between a small, clear, and bright image at a lesser magnification and a large, fuzzy, dark image at a high power, which would either reduce or improve the clarity and general image quality. I was able to observe things such as the Andromeda galaxy core, the Orion Nebula, other huge emission or reflecting nebulae, such as the Pleiades, large star clusters, lunar observations, etc. with this 400mm focal length lens. To take pictures of the astronomical images, a Bluetooth self-timer, phone clip, and photo set are offered. To keep the eyes safe while observing the solar system, there is an AstroSolar. There is a free, top-notch monocular available. I can transport all the parts easily by placing them in the supplied carrying case. There are many wonderful surprises in this Mesixi astronomical telescope kit. My eyes have been awakened to a world of cosmic wonders and excursions. high-quality goods that are also enjoyable and educative. strongly advised!



Celestron - PowerSeeker 50AZ Telescope - Manual Alt-Azimuth Telescope for Beginners - Compact and Portable - BONUS Astronomy Software Package - 50mm Aperture Review:


This review is my sincere attempt to inform others about a fantastic tiny scope. Before buying this scope, I had to study reviews to see whether it was any good, bad, or whether they were produced by people who were ignorant of the issue. I always start with the one stars to weed out the ignorant and those who just like to whine and complain. I completely disregarded anyone who claimed they couldn't see anything or that they could see just as well in their backyard using only their bare eyes. I would advise these people to get a life. Next, I move on to the three stars, where I find people who have valid concerns. For example, perhaps the Barlow lens doesn't work with this particular telescope. I bought this for my granddaughter for her birthday, which is in about two weeks. Yes, I opened it to make sure it wasn't damaged and was in good working order. I was impressed with its power and sharpness, and I liked it so much that I bought grandpa one and two. Thank you, grandmom. Just to add, I have many scopes in a variety of sizes and styles, so I know enough to get by in the hobby. I live in the northeast, where it's February and $100.00 scope I started to look for the horse head nebula, but my fingers hurt and the cold won out. Now I must wait for warmer weather, as it does for most people. As I mentioned before, I have many scopes, many great scopes, but this one I just had to have. Did I really need it? Probably not. Want won out. In addition, it looks nice on my wall with all of my other smaller group of scopes. So overall, I think it's worth the buy. As with all


What are the 2 main types of telescopes?

There are two main types of telescopes, refracting and reflecting. Refracting telescopes use lenses to bend and focus light, while reflecting telescopes use mirrors to do the same. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages.

What are the disadvantages of a refracting telescope?

What are the pros and cons of refracting telescopes?

Refracting telescopes are telescopes that use a lens to gather light. They are the oldest type of telescope and were first used in the 17th century. Refracting telescopes have several advantages over other types of telescopes. They are less expensive to build, they are more portable, and they have fewer moving parts. However, refracting telescopes also have several disadvantages. They are more difficult to align, they suffer from a phenomenon called “chromatic aberration,” and they have a limited field of view.

What is a achromatic telescope used for?

Achromatic telescopes are used to observe astronomical objects without the interference of chromatic aberration. This type of telescope uses a combination of two lenses of different refractive indices to cancel out the effect of chromatic aberration.

What is a refractor in a telescope?

A refractor in a telescope is an instrument that uses a lens to collect and focus light from distant objects. This type of telescope is the most common and is used by amateur and professional astronomers alike. The lens in a refractor telescope can be made of different materials, such as glass or plastic. The size of the lens determines the amount of light that can be collected and the level of detail that can be seen in the image.

What is a refractor telescope good for?

Refractor telescopes are good for a number of things. They are good for general astronomical observing, for example. They are also good for terrestrial observing, such as watching wildlife or observing the Moon. Refractor telescopes are also good for astrophotography.