Are those inexpensive Celestron telescopes worth the $110?

Question

Are those inexpensive Celestron telescopes worth the $110?

Answer 1

STAY AWAY FROM THAT ! ! ! IT IS NOT WORTH IT ! ! !

Save some money a get a better one for about 400.00-600.00 and go with 1.5 in. eye pieces, 90mm or bigger for refractors or 8 in or bigger for mirror type units. Again the bigger the better. And remember that you can make a big telescope small but not the other way around.

Check Astronomics.com

Answer 2

Heck no! Not unless you're a want it now at any cost type person.
Celestron is a respected telescope company which produces high quality optics in a mass market environment, however, that $110 will get you a lot more if you buy a used telescope.

For example, $135 will get me a brand new Celestron Firstscope 70mm refractor (2.8")

For about that much used, I might be able to find a Celestron C4.5" reflector. While the reflector has an aperture which is about 60% larger than that of the refractor, the effective aperture of the two are about equal due to the secondary obstruction of the reflector. However, a C4.5" typically has a very very good quality german equatorial mount made by Vixen, which is fairly well suited for astrophotograpy. The Firstscope, on the otherhand, has an economy type equatorial mount which doesn't look like it has much potential. Also, the Firstscope is not an apochromatic refreactor, or even an achromatic refractor, meaning you will see some degree of chromatic abberration which you won't get with the reflector while any optical issues with the reflector are typically correctable with a screw driver and a knack for collimating.

Answer 3

I bought a Celestron last Xmas for my son on amazon.com. It was about $140. It is a great starter telescope, well-built and the Celestron seems to be alot better value than the ones his friends have for the same price.

It also came with star charts and really good instructions.

The only downside is that it has gotten him so into Astronomy that I'll need to find him a better one soon. I am hoping to find the $400 Celestron with the 6" opening, the digital camera hook up and the motorized drive on Ebay for a decent price.

Answer 4

At that price, I'd prefer a pair of binoculars.

But you don't have to spend $500. Here's a good one for $275. By leaving off the fancy motors and electronice, they can provide decent optics. In fact, several manufacturers make very similar telescopes.

http://www.telescope.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=447&itemType=PRODUCT&iMainCat=4&iSubCat=13&iProductID=447

And here's a review:

http://www.cloudynights.com/item.php?item_id=1305

Answer 5

Buy a Meade ETX-125 you will not regret. If you buy a cheap telescope you will not be initiating in the right way and you will leave this great hobbie.

Answer 6

Hi. You would be happier buying a more expensive telescope that worked rather than a cheap one that has a rickety mount and poor optics.

Answer 7

$37 telescope? You'd be lucky if it doesn't break taking it out of the box.

Answer 8

no and yes but mainly mebbe