I hope you agree with me when I say:
There is nothing quite as humbling and as pleasurable as stargazing.
An astrophotography enthusiast would know how important it is to have a good telescope. A telescope is an instrument used for viewing distant objects. Astronomers make extensive use of telescopes. In fact, these are the single most important tool for an astronomer. Thus, an astronomer knows the ins and outs of telescopes. They are also equipped with adequate knowledge to find the right kind of instrument for their needs.
Stargazing and astronomy are not just limited to astronomers alone. There are plenty of individuals who are astronomy enthusiasts or indulge in stargazing as a hobby. Finding the right telescope can be a struggle for such individuals. The right one to buy is one that makes you view stars and planets in the sky as if you are standing amidst them. Presently, telescopes are also used for photography. In the compiled list you will be able to find some of the top photography scopes.
Things to consider before buying:
Aperture: Aperture is the key factor to consider when purchasing a telescope. Aperture refers to the diameter of the main lens or mirror of the telescope. The influx of light in the telescope depends on the width of the aperture.
Mount: A mount is one of the most underappreciated yet the most important feature of a telescope. It is important to ensure that one invests in a telescope that comes with a mount to keep the telescope steady. A mount can also be purchased separately. However, the inbuilt mounts are comparatively sturdier.
Best Telescope Under $2000 in 2022
Here is a complete list of our top picks for the top astrophotography telescope
TELESCOPES | RATING | PRICE |
Sky-Watcher Skymax 150 Pro | 10/10 (Editor's Choice) | |
Celestron Inspire 100AZ | 9/10 | |
Sky-Watcher EvoStar 72 APO Doublet | 8/10 | |
Zhumell Z12 Deluxe Dobsonian | 7/10 | |
Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ | 7.5/10 | |
Sky-Watcher EvoStar 100 APO Doublet | 7/10 | |
Orion SkyQuest XT10i | 7/10 | |
Sky-Watcher EvoStar 80mm APO Doublet | 6/10 | |
Celestron NexStar 8SE | 8/10 | |
Orion Starseeker IV 150mm | 6/10 |
1. Sky-Watcher Skymax 150 PRO
Why do we love it?
- It comes with an equatorial mount for added comfort
- Allows incorporating drivers for the auto-tracking purpose
- A superb device for planetary viewing and monitoring
- The accessories pack that comes as a part of the kit is also great
- Aesthetically pleasing layout
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
✅ Manual slow motion tracking for viewing planets and galaxies | ❌Absence of wider field of view |
✅ High-end telescope that offers perfect collimation | ❌ A bit expensive |
✅ The aperture width is also great allowing more light to enter which result in brighter images and lesser visual defects. |
2. Celestron NexStar 8SE
Why do we love it?
- It offers impeccable optics as compared to competitors
- Requires low maintenance so you don’t have to invest heavily in newer equipment
- It has a large aperture which allows better visualization
- The starry night software gives an interactive experience
- It is fully automated
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
✅• The build quality of this telescope is highly attractive | ❌ It's on the heavier end of the scale. |
✅ Great telescope for stargazing | ❌The battery drains at a fairly fast rate |
✅ It comes with GoTo Tracking feature |
3. Sky-Watcher EvoStar 72 APO Doublet Refractor
- Great model for celestial & terrestrial viewing and observation
- It offers an ideal edge for those who want to try their luck with astrophotography
- The dual-speed focuser of Sky-Watcher EvoStar 72 APO Doublet is of high quality
- The device is extremely versatile and can be used for various purposes
- Attractive design and overall layout
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
✅Ultra smooth focuser | ❌Additional accessories are required for astrophotography |
✅It is phenomenal in regards to portability | ❌Lacks a dedicated warrenty |
✅Provides a wide field of view |
4. Zhumell Z12 Deluxe Dobsonian Reflector Telescope
Why do we love it?
- Excellent value for money telescope that doesn’t compromise on the quality
- Despite the affordable pricing, many accessories are included with this package
- The mechanics and optical properties offered by this telescope are top-notch
- It is designed to withstand rugged conditions
- Avaliable in the right size for portability purpose
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
✅It produces ✅Breathtaking visuals for astrophotography purposes | ❌ The hefty size and weight of the telescope are its main drawback |
✅The visual appeal of the design is also great | ❌Another ordeal is collimation which occurs with large mirrors of the telescope |
✅Magnification limit ratio offered by this model is impeccable | |
5. Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ Telescope
Why do we love it?
- A budget and beginner-friendly option
- Optimal telescope for studying stars and other stellar bodies
- It comes with a smartphone app-enabled feature
- The setup is easy and not time-intensive
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
✅ A lightweight design makes it easy to carry around | ❌The mount is not computerized which can be a hassle for the technology enthusiasts |
✅Ideal telescope for the amateur astrophotographers | ❌It is not suitable for veteran astrophotographers |
✅Unlike other telescope it suggests the objects to focus upon |
6. Sky-Watcher EvoStar 100 APO Doublet Refractor
Why do we love it?
- It offers a great platform for beginners who are into astrophotography
- Highly intuitive construction and relatively easy to set up
- It is lightweight body makes it a portable option
- The color correction is phenomenal
- The magnification is up to 200x
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
✅Equipped with a 10" aperture reflector | ❌Transporting it might be a hustle |
✅Operates under friction optimization system | ❌ It lacks promising reviews on Amazon |
✅High-definition images |
7. Orion SkyQuest XT10i
Why do we love it?
- Provided with a Spaceship mode for enhanced observations
- Great value for money telescope as compared to the competitive price
- It is a manual telescope that allows a lot more control than the motorized models
- The absolute ease of use is something all users would love
- The intelliscope feature make sure one never has to upgrade the reflector telescope ever again
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
✅Equipped with a 10" aperture reflector | ❌Transporting it might be a hustle |
✅Operates under friction optimization system | ❌ It lacks promising reviews on Amazon |
✅High-definition images |
8. Sky-Watcher EvoStar 80mm APO Doublet
Why do we love it?- It is basically a widefield telescope with quality ergonomics
- It offers great power and flexibility for astrophotography
- This telescope offers a superior quality low dispersion glass
- The contrast is enhanced with better mechanics
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
✅ It comes with a two year warranty | ❌ It does not include a mount or tripod |
✅It offers a power full magnitude for viewing distant objects | ❌The aperture is comparatively smaller |
✅The optical image quality is great | |
✅It comes with set of some pretty useful accessories |
9. Celestron Inspire 100AZ Refractor
Why do we love it?
- It offers great introductory insight and experience for astrophotography
- A refractory telescope with a large aperture for beginners
- Built-in smartphone adapter technology
- Even an absolute beginner can easily set it up
- The precision of the focus micrometer is incredible.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
✅ It is extremely user friendly | ❌ The mount is not that great in many terms |
✅ The images produced have excellent optical quality. | ❌ Not ideal for long term use |
✅ Quite easy to set up for the beginners |
10. Orion Starseeker IV 150mm
- The telescope makes use of the latest WiFi technology
- Solid specifications, which are an attractive point
- Computerized alt-azimuth fork arm mount
- The focus and finder are smooth and easy to adjust
- It supports user-defined objects
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
✅ An attractive telescope build | ❌ Regular maintenance is required |
✅ It offers sharp and high contrast views | ❌All the targets in the database cannot be viewed |
✅There are no chromatic aberrations |
Important Parts to Check When Purchasing a Telescope:
Lenses
- Mirrors
- Eyepiece
- Structural Support
- Telescope Tube
- Finderscope
Factors Affecting Operation and Performance of a Telescope:
- Aperture
- Focal Length of the Objective
- Magnification
- Focal Ratio
- Resolution
Buying Guide
The right equipment is ought to make all experiences several times better. However, the key lies in recognizing the right equipment. When it comes to telescopes one is literally spoilt for choice with the plethora of options available in the market.
There are various different specifications, styles, and other elements to choose from. However, the ultimate choice comes down to personal preferences. We have compiled a buying guide to help you maneuver the daunting decision of selecting the right kind of telescope by considering the specifications.
Budget
Telescopes are available in all price ranges to cater the novices and veterans alike. A higher price tag means a more precise telescope. Usually, refractor telescopes cost higher than reflector ones. It is thus important to note that the hobbyist astronomers and stargazers equally benefit from either yet it is better suited for their budget to opt for a reflector telescope.
Aperture
A wide aperture means more influx of light and thus a better sharpness of image despite the magnification power. Novices are often misled into believing that magnification is the most important feature of the telescope. However, contrary to popular belief aperture is more important than magnification. It is interesting to note that the total effective magnification increases with the width of the aperture.
Conclusion
It comprises various different telescopes of ranging pricing. A common misconception is that the telescope on the market is the one with the heftiest price tag. In the world of the internet and digital media, it is not uncommon to sift through hundreds of reviews and relevant products before deciding which object is the one for you. The whole process can be exhaustive and in some cases somewhat misleading as well. As a beginner, it is fair to be lured into buying a telescope that fits your budget yet offers a plethora of accessories. Some of these accessories include extra eyepieces, an attractive design, and outlook, and an included mount or tripod.
It is not uncommon to be misled into buying a product that does not fit your needs. However, the most important objective factor to consider is the optics of the telescope. Telescopes come in varying price ranges depending on their specifications. One can even purchase a telescope for as low as $100. However, a good telescope would always be priced higher due to the inclusion of superior specifications. A budget of $2000 is great for looking for telescopes with good specifications. Plenty of best value telescope great value telescopes can be found under this range. Another important factor to consider is to find a good beginner telescope for astrophotography as most individuals struggle with the skill of newbies. A supporting device can be of utmost help.
Telescopes can be rather heavy objects. Thus, it is important to have a mount with telescopes. It is absolutely necessary for smooth functionality and astronomy purposes.
The ultimate choice of a telescope depends on personal preference and the budget which could be high and as low as one can afford.
While going through the list you must be wondering where is the best place to buy a telescope? None other than the mighty Amazon where you can order the product with the most suitable pricing and a guarantee.
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