These telescopes are for hardcore astronomers who intend to dedicate serious time to gazing at the universe. The weight of the telescope typically correlates with the viewing capability, so the heavier the telescope, the better it will be (this also determines the price, which can rise exponentially as the aperture grows). High-end: $1,000+ – High-end telescopes are distinctly different in two ways, the size of the aperture and focal length. Most products in this range provide better eyepiece focusers, which are capable of magnifying the image between 50x to 200x of its normal quality. Apertures for this range typically fall between 120 and 200 mm. At this price range, apertures generally remain the same, though focal lengths change to provide better and crisper views. Upper mid-range: $600-$1000 – Upper to mid-range telescopes dwell in the $600+ range.
You can expect an aperture range of around 127mm or less in this range.
These models typically begin to include an apochromatic feature, which negates the chromatic aberration effect that plagues cheaper versions. Mid-range: $400-$600 – With mid-range refractors, observers will be able to view star clusters and galaxies more clearly with better contrast. Expect an aperture between 90mm and 102mm in this price range, with some exceptions pushing a few millimeters higher or lower. They’re best for beginner astronomers or those on a budget. However, dropping an extra hundred or so is still worth it in the long run.īudget: $150-$400 – Budget-refractors will come with fewer features and less capability but are still suitable for planetary viewing and general stargazing. The most important thing about a telescope is its aperture, so each range mentions what aperture to expect.īargain: $50-$150 – Similar to buying a musical instrument, telescopes under the price of $150 use cheap parts-the optical components in telescopes are expensive to produce correctly! These telescopes are acceptable if you’re only going to use it once or twice, or if you have a child interested in astronomy but don’t have a lot of cash to spare. Each category describes the price ranges of refractors and what kind of quality you can expect to get depending on your budget (keep in mind these are price ranges for the telescope themselves, some don’t come with a tripod mount or any external accessories). We’ve broken down the prices below into five categories: bargain, budget, mid-range, upper mid-range, and high-end. You’ll have to pay at least $200-$300 for a quality budget-friendly refractor, and upwards of $1,500+ for some of the fancier models.
REFLECTOR VS REFRACTOR TELESCOPE FREE
Supporters also underline the fact that Newtonian reflector telescopes are free from chromatic aberration, aka colour distortion, which can be a bugbear of refracting telescopes that use a lens instead.Since refractors use a hardy piece of glass, which is crafted specifically for use in a telescope, they can be a bit pricey. Newtonian telescopes are great for newcomers to astronomy, as well as being economic to make compared to other types of 'scope as they only require a few parts to construct. The construction comprises a set up in which the light from the main or 'primary' mirror is deflected by a small flat secondary mirror, set at such an angle that it is sent to a magnifying eyepiece in the telescope's side. What is a Newtonian telescope?Īs the name suggests, the Newtonian telescope references 17th Century inventor Isaac Newton and is also sometimes known as the Newtonian reflector.
REFLECTOR VS REFRACTOR TELESCOPE PORTABLE
(Image credit: Orion) What is a compound telescope?Īlso known as catadioptric telescopes, as it sounds, this option combines refraction and reflection, via curved mirrors and lenses, for its optical system. As a best of both worlds solution, compound telescopes are typically recommended for astrophotography, while being ultra portable with it.