Cheap Telescopes | Universe Today

Written by Tammy Plotner

Is there such a thing as cheap telescopes? Yeah, you bet. There are cheap telescopes that are inexpensively made… and there are inexpensive "cheap" telescopes. What distinguishes one from another? Let's take a look…

Cheap Telescopes: Poor Optics and Mount…

Does that colorful box with its deep space images and promises of ridiculously high magnifying power look appealing? It should… It's advertising hype. Almost every major optics manufacturer produces at least one (or several) models of cheap telescopes. These aren't inexpensive telescopes – these are telescopes that are inexpensively made. Surprisingly enough, the optical tube is usually of good quality, but in order to keep the cost down the manufacturer has dreadfully reduced the engineering quality of the accessories, mount and tripod.

Often referred to as "department store" telescopes, these cheap telescopes go under brand names – not to be deceptive, but only because there is a limited amount of telescope manufacturers. Inside you'll find minimal quality eyepieces, more often than not of an undesirable size and magnification factor for the telescope it represents. Will it offer those high power views the box promises? Yes. But what the box isn't telling you is it is often exceeding the practical limitations of the telescope and observing conditions. Included finderscopes are also extremely minimal and usually have little or no way of adjusting their position. And the mount? Again, absolutely minimal. Most of these mounts are very light weight in both material and construction. A few accidentally overtightenings or putting something in a bind during use could mean the end of their already short life spans.

In the long run, these cheap telescopes simply aren't worth the money. They will end up being a disappointment because what you see in them doesn't look like the pictures on the box – nor will they operate as described. A computerized telescope that offers up an object data base of 20,000 items won't tell you that the telescope isn't capable of seeing all of them!

Cheap Telescopes: Inexpensive Telescopes…

The next level is the inexpensive telescopes – what could also be termed "cheap telescopes". These are good quality telescopes, just offered with basics to keep down expenses. While they will often bear the same manufacturer brand and cost slightly more, the difference is worth it. The included eyepieces are usually matched to the telescope's performance, and the finderscope is really a finderscope – not just an afterthought. However, to make the telescope less expensive, something has to give somewhere and the mount is usually the area. An inexpensive telescope will usually include a mount and tripod that is only suited to the tolerances of that particular telescope. In other words, if the telescope body and accessories weigh in at 8 lbs., you can bet the mount won't tolerate more than a 10 lb. load. Like anything built to a low tolerance level, it won't take abuse – but will stand up to careful use.

How do you spot a good cheap telescope that's in the inexpensive range? Look at the mount style. Because it requires far less engineering and moving parts, the dobsonian mount remains incredibly durable, inexpensive to produce and allows you to get more optics bang for your buck. Next in line is the alt-azimuth mount. It also requires less engineering and moving parts, therefore it is less expensive to produce and leaves more room for quality optics. The last is the equatorial mount. There is absolutely nothing wrong with an inexpensive equatorial mount if you are acquainted with how to use one. Because the equatorial mount relies on several series of small gears and good balance, one that is made just at tolerance levels won't take over-tightening, binding of the gears, shifted loads, or inexperienced abuse. The result will be metal shavings and a failed mount!

Cheap Telescopes: Recommendations…

If you are looking for a cheap telescope, there are some recommendations. If this is your first telescope of any type, a dobsonian model is a good choice. The simple styled mount will take your learning experience and the size of the optics will offer you up a wide array of objects to look at. This is especially good for children. For older children and adults, the alt-azimuth mounted refractor telescope is also a good, cheap telescope to begin your astronomy adventures with. It requires a little bit of learning – but that's a good thing! Steer clear of small, computerized telescopes that offer huge data bases of objects if you are new to astronomy. They are difficult to use and don't keep their promises. You don't want to find yourself looking through the eyepiece at something the telescope can't see just because the computer aimed it there!

The bottom line is you get what you pay for.

Filed under: Astronomy