Affordable Refractors: A Closer Look at $500-$1000 Telescopes
Assessing the Top Tier from Over 70 Refractor Telescopes
ExploreScientific's Celestron Omni XLT 120 Refractor - Your Best Bet for Under $700Guess what? You don't always need a grand to own a decent refractor. The Celestron Omni XLT 120 Refractor is a solid choice for those on a budget. Check it out on Amazon
Celestron Omni XLT 102 Refractor -Just a Hundred Bucks MoreA minor upgrade can make a big difference. The 102mm Celestron Omni XLT is a fine purchase for those willing to spend an extra Benjamin. Find it here
High-End Refractors: Above $1000
The hunt for an all-in-one telescope for serious deep-sky astrophotography can be a challenging task. The following list presents some of the best options in the market:
Celestron Advanced VX Series 6'' Refractor GoTo - A Powerful Performer for Around $900Don't settle for less; this refractor is worth every single penny! With built-in GoTo technology, tracking stars and deep-sky objects is a breeze. See its price
When You're Ready to Invest:For deep-sky astrophotography beyond a thousand bucks, several high-quality telescopes are available, each with its unique advantages.
1. Celestron Advanced VX 8 Edge HD - Optical Excellence for Under $2KKnown for its exceptional clarity, the Advanced VX 8 Edge HD is perfect for viewing distant galaxies and nebulae. Check it out
2. Celestron NexStar 6SE Computerised Telescope - A Reliable Performer for about $1300A Schmidt-Cassegrain design with outstanding optical quality, this telescope is a popular choice among astrophotographers who appreciate its reliable tracking and sturdy alt-azimuth mount. Grab it here
3. Unistellar eVscope 2 - The AI-Powered AstrophotographerPrimarily designed for visual observation and smartphone astrophotography, this innovative device can tackle deep-sky imaging with its automated technology. Find it here
Separating Optics and Mounts: Scaling Up for Advanced Astrophotography
In pursuit of remarkable deep-sky astrophotography, it's common to separate the optical tube and mount. This setup provides unrivaled flexibility in tailoring your equipment to your unique needs.
Advanced VX Mount and NexStar 6SE's Mount: Both of these mounts offer outstanding performance, but they are often bundled with their respective telescopes. If you fancy a custom telescope combo, feel free to purchase the mount separately and pair it with your desired optical tube.
Optical Tubes and Mounts Best for Deep-Sky Astrophotography:Refractors or reflectors with a decent aperture (e.g., 80mm or larger refractors, or 8-inch or larger reflectors) are a wise choice for deep-sky astrophotography. When it comes to mounts, opt for an equatorial mount for smoother celestial tracking. Discover more about these options here
Enrichment Fact: According to Sky-and-Telescope, the Celestron Advanced VX Series offers an impressive degree of backlash-free performance, making it an ideal choice for deep-sky astrophotography. The Schmidt-Cassegrain design of the Celestron NexStar 6SE telescope is popular due to its cost-effective light-gathering capabilities, making it a solid choice for astrophotographers. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
- Telescopes like the Celestron Omni XLT 120 Refractor are great for beginner astronomers on a budget, providing an affordable way to explore the universe.
- The Celestron Omni XLT 102 Refractor is a slight upgrade, offering a slightly larger field of view for a hundred dollars more, making it an attractive choice for those willing to invest a bit more.
- The Celestron Advanced VX Series 6'' Refractor GoTo is a powerful performer best suited for deep-sky astrophotography, with built-in technology for easy tracking of stars and deep-sky objects, and priced around $900.
- For those willing to invest more, the Celestron Advanced VX 8 Edge HD offers exceptional clarity for viewing distant galaxies and nebulae, and can be found under $2000.
- A popular choice for astrophotographers is the Celestron NexStar 6SE Computerised Telescope, recognized for its Schmidt-Cassegrain design, sturdy alt-azimuth mount, and reliable tracking, priced around $1300.
- The Unistellar eVscope 2, designed primarily for visual observation and smartphone astrophotography, can also tackle deep-sky imaging using its automated technology.
- When scaling up for advanced astrophotography, it's common to separate the optical tube and mount, allowing for tailored equipment based on individual needs.
- In terms of mounts, equatorial mounts are preferred for smoother celestial tracking, while refractors or reflectors with a decent aperture, such as 80mm or larger refractors or 8-inch or larger reflectors, are ideal for deep-sky astrophotography.
- Both the Advanced VX Mount and NexStar 6SE's Mount offer outstanding performance, and can be purchased separately to pair with a desired optical tube for a custom setup.
- Technology and science in the field of space-and-astronomy have advanced significantly, allowing for innovative devices like the AI-powered Unistellar eVscope 2 to revolutionize deep-sky astrophotography.
