It’s no secret: telescopes are expensive. Some telescopes can cost thousands of dollars – with the mount not even included! But did you know there are many good options for powerful telescopes under $500? These telescopes are big enough to resolve incredible detail on the planets, deep sky objects, and more without breaking the bank. Our team of Gear Experts at High Point Scientific has taken the time to compile a list of some of the best telescopes under $500 that you can use to enjoy the night sky for many years to come.
Celestron AstroMaster 114 EQ -
Telescopes like the Celestron Astromaster 114 EQ are great when it comes to portability and affordability. The lightweight CG-2 style Equatorial mount with slow motion controls makes this an easy to move telescope that is great for tracking night sky objects. The optical design provides a longer focal length than most other 114mm aperture scopes because of the built-in amplifier on the front of the focuser drawtube. It includes accessories, such as the 10mm eyepiece, which provides decent planetary and up-close lunar views, and the 20mm eyepiece, which is a lower power, wider field of view for the moon and bright deep space objects. For your planetary viewing pleasure, this telescope and included eyepieces could be exactly what you need.
Celestron Starsense Explorer DX 130AZ -
The Celestron DX 130AZ is the largest telescope in Celestron’s DX series of telescopes. A Newtonian telescope, this telescope has a primary mirror diameter of 5.12” and a focal length of 650mm for a focal ratio of f/5. These features make this telescope an absolutely fantastic choice for widefield observing while also being able to see beautiful detail on the planets. The biggest upside to this telescope is its ability to point to and observe any object in the night sky with the included StarSense Explorer smartphone docking station. Simply connect your smartphone to the telescope mount and your telescope will locate nearly anything in the night sky with the free StarSense Explorer app.
Also included are two eyepieces (25mm and 10mm), a StarPointer Red Dot Finder, and a tripod accessory tray. The telescope features a focuser that can use both 1.25” and 2” eyepieces should you wish to expand your observing experience. We recommend an eyepiece like the Apertura 26mm SWA 2” eyepiece. You may also wish to consider the optional essential bundle package for an additional $50.00 that will include a cleaning kit for your optics and a handy red light.
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Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ -
While this telescope is smaller than the 130AZ, there are many benefits to this telescope that you may wish to consider. This telescope is a 4” refractor telescope with a focal length of 660mm (f/6.5), meaning that it uses a lens to create an image instead of a mirror. This yields a higher contrast view as there is no central obstruction. Additionally, unlike a Newtonian, this telescope does not need to be collimated, which can be tedious and difficult for a new observer. Included are 25mm and 10mm eyepieces, a 1.25'' 90 degree diagonal, and a red dot finder. For more information on refractor telescopes, check out our Beginners Guide to Refractor Telescopes. Like the 130AZ, the 102AZ also comes with the Celestron StarSense smartphone docking station that can be used to locate object in the night sky with the free StarSense Explorer smartphone app. Should you wish to consider additional accessories, we recommend purchasing the optional essential bundle package.
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Sky-Watcher Virtuoso GTi 130P -
Take one look through this 130 mm Tabletop Dobsonian from Sky-Watcher and spark your passion for astronomy. From the craters of our own Moon to the bright light of Jupiter's Moons and beyond, this tabletop Dobsonian provides spectacular views! Portable, reliable, and easy to set up - the Virtuoso series is perfect for anyone looking for an easy night under the stars. The Virtuoso GTi tabletop Dob is designed to provide the ultimate experience with convenience, flexibility, and light-gathering power.
Simply connect to the SynScan app, align your telescope and choose your targets. The app features a list of "Tonight's Best" based on your current time and location. Planning, locating, and observing your targets has never been easier!
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Honorable Mention - Celestron NexStar 4SE -
If you’re willing to look a bit beyond $500, we recommend the Celestron NexStar computerized telescope. This is a 4” Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope with a focal length of 1325mm (f/13). The telescope also features StarBright XLT enhanced coatings for maximum light transmission and clarity. When compared to the 90SLT, the mount features better tracking accuracy, a more stable tripod, and a higher payload capacity. This telescope also comes with a built-in flip mirror, meaning that you can use this telescope for astrophotography with a dedicated T-ring and T-adapter. The mount’s NexStar hand controller features nearly 40,000 objects in its database and can be aligned using the SkyAlign utility within 5 minutes. Additionally, all of the NexStar SE models are GPS compatible. This telescope can be connected to a laptop using a program such as Celestron PWI or even Stellarium. The total weight of this setup is 22 lbs, making it a relatively lightweight option to take out to your backyard. The fantastic tracking with the NexStar SE mount makes this setup a good option if you are interested in doing planetary or lunar astrophotography without breaking the bank on a more expensive setup. Included is a red dot finderscope and a 25mm E-lux eyepiece.
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Have any questions about any of these telescopes? Interested in more recommendations? We’re here to help! We have curated a large selection of over 90 high-quality telescopes under $500 here at High Point Scientific. Our experts are on standby to assist you in finding the telescope of your dreams without breaking the bank. Reach out by completing our contact form today.
This Article was Last Updated on 5/25/2023
