7 Best Family Telescopes/Best Home Telescopes

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Best Family Telescope.

A family telescope is an important item that every household in love with astronomy and stargazing should have. It helps you and your family members to track and view the moon, planets, stars, and other celestial bodies at the comfort of your home and without needing multiple devices, One fits all is what a family telescope brings to the table.

It can also be used for watching birds and other mammals when your family members are not doing astronomy.

The best family telescope choice will depend on what you intend to use it for and the intended place of use. It should be easy to use for both adults and kids. However, with the market offering so many telescopes, finding the best family telescope can be challenging especially for first-time buyers.

If you are having a hard time trying to find the best family telescope, here is a list of the best telescopes you can choose from. Let’s take a look.

 

Best Family Telescope-Our Top Picks

Gskyer Telescope AZ70400

Gskyer Telescope AZ70400

 

This Gysker Astronomical Refracting Telescope is a cost-effective telescope suitable for family use. It is suitable for kids, beginners, and amateur astronomers. It is easy to use and ideal for multiple outdoor activities, not just astronomy.

The telescope has two eyepieces, 25mm and 10mm. Both eyepieces offer different levels of magnification. The 3x Barlow lens triples the magnification giving you a magnification up to 120x. With such a magnification, you are assured of vivid, up-close image views of birds, wildlife, and celestial bodies.

The telescope offers impressive optical performance. The large 70mm aperture collects maximum light for the production of bright and clear images. The all-glass lens is fully coated to enhance light transmission for bright and clear image views. The HD Gysker eyepiece provides a wide field of view which makes it comfortable to view objects for long without eye fatigue or dizziness.

The telescope is tripod adaptable for hands-free viewing. You can easily adjust the tripod to suit your height. After use, the tripod folds into a compact size for easy transportation. The telescope is also compact and light for easy transportation.

Features

  • Two replaceable eyepieces
  • 3x Barlow lens
  • 5×24 finderscope
  • 70mm aperture
  • 400 mm focal length
  • Aluminum alloy adjustable tripod with tray
  • Fully-coated optics glass lens
  • Compact and portable
  • 16x to 120x magnification
  • One smartphone adapter and one wireless camera
  • Wide-angle HD Gysker eyepiece
  • 15-30 minutes assembly
  • Altazimuth mount
  • Eyepiece: Low: 25mm(16X), High:10mm(40X)

 

Celestron-70mm Travel Scope

Celestron-70mm Travel Scope

 

 

 

If you are looking for a portable family scope, the Celestron-70mm Travel Scope suits you. It is a multipurpose scope suitable for astronomy, bird watching, and wildlife viewing. This telescope provides erect image views during the day and at night as well.

This is a manual alt-azimuth telescope that has a pan-handle for easy sky navigation. It is easy to mount on a 1.25” steel adjustable tripod which is easy to adjust to suit different users’ heights. The adjustable tripod height makes it ideal for both adults and kids.

The fully-coated, premium-quality glass optics enhance light transmission for bright and clear images. The refractor-style 70mm objective lens provides high image resolution and color fidelity, without adding extra weight. The two high-quality 20mm and 10mm eyepieces provide high-power views of celestial objects at night and low-power views of terrestrial objects during the day.

Weighing about 3.3 pounds, the telescope is fairly light, portable, and easy to use. It has a quick assembly process with no tools needed. After use, everything packs up into the travel backpack included for convenient portability and easy storage.

Features

  • Premium-quality, fully-coated glass optics
  • Suitable for both day and night use
  • 20mm and 10mm high-quality eyepieces
  • Large 70mm objective lens
  • Fairly light, portable, and easy to use
  • Quick and simple tool-free assembly
  • 25” steel adjustable tripod
  • Unbeatable warranty and customer support
  • 70mm (2.76”) Aperture
  • 400mm (16”) Focal length
  • 11.7 Limiting magnitude

 

Celestron- NexStar 5SE Telescope

Celestron- NexStar 5SE Telescope

 

 

 

This Celestron- NexStar 5SE Telescope is a high-end computerized telescope suitable for beginners and advanced users alike. This high-quality telescope provides amazing optical clarity and magnification, making it suitable for multiple outdoor applications.

The telescope uses state-of-the-art technology to provide accurate objects’ locations. It provides programmed access to thousands of deep sky, solar system and other terrestrial objects, which viewers can view through the large 235mm aperture. The large 2350mm focal length and the 13mm eyepiece provide a high 181x magnification.

The telescope features StarBright XLT high transmission coatings for bright, clear, and sharp images. The durable and sturdy steel tripod features a built-in wedge that you can use for astrophotography. You can also control the telescope remotely through the CPWI telescope control software.

For beginners, the telescope provides excellent easy-to-use features for easy operation. You can easily align it on any 3 bright objects in the sky and you are good to go. Plus, it’s GPS-compatible and compatible with most high-tech accessories as well.

Features

  • Very sturdy steel tripod
  • A sturdy computerized altazimuth mount
  • Quick and simple tool-free set up
  • StarBright XLT high transmission lens coatings
  • StarPointer finderscope
  • GPS-compatible with optional CN16 GPS accessory
  • Wide 5-inch aperture
  • Lightweight and portable
  • Fully automated GoTo mount
  • Schmidt-Cassegrain optical design
  • 125 mm (4.92”) Aperture
  • 1250 mm (49”) Focal length
  • f/10 focal ratio
  • 18x295x magnification

 

4) Gysker 80mm AZ Space Astronomical Refractor Telescope

Gysker 80mm AZ Space Astronomical Refractor Telescope

 

If you are on a budget, the Gysker 80mm AZ Space Astronomical Refractor Telescope is your best choice. The telescope can be used by both kids and adults so it’s ideal for family use. Your family members can use it for every occasion whether you are traveling or at home.

The telescope is well-made to provide many years of field use. With the high-power eyepieces, you get up to 18x magnification suitable for viewing the moon, planets, birds, and wildlife. The optics feature an anti-reflection blue film coating which provides bright, clean, and vivid views. For added image clarity, the telescope comes with a 400mm focal length and a big 80mm aperture to protect your eyes and reduce fatigue during long viewing sessions.

The three replaceable eyepieces provide 16x, 40x, and 80x magnification. You also get a 3x Barlow lens and a 6×30 finder scope for optimum magnification and easy target identification. Thanks to the adjustable steel tripod, you get a stable viewing platform and multiple viewing positions.

The telescope is easy to assemble and remove. The quick set process makes it ideal for beginners. After use, everything packs into a compact size for convenient portability and easy storage.

Features

  • Three high-powered eyepieces
  • Refractor telescope
  • Quick and simple set up
  • Suitable for kids and adults
  • 400mm focal length
  • Large 80mm aperture
  • 6×30 finderscope
  • 3X Barlow lens
  • Stainless steel adjustable tripod
  • Altazimuth mount
  • Eyepiece: K25mm: 16X ; K10mm: 40X; K5mm: 80X
  • 48°Erecting BAK4 prism Zenith Mirrors

 

Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope

Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope

 

This Maksutov-Cassegrain Telescope is your best family telescope if you and your family members are always on the go. It is incredibly light, easy to pack and carry for every adventure that you go for.

The telescope is designed to provide sharp and crisp-clear views. The high-precision, fully multi-coated optical glass lens enhances light transmission and minimal chromatic aberrations. This results in the production of brilliant and vivid images during the day and at night as well.

The superior 20mm eyepiece delivers a whole 37.5x magnification which brings distant objects closer. The angled image erector is great for day and night observation. During the day, you can use the telescope to view birds and wildlife then change to viewing the moon and planets at night.

The telescope comes with multiple accessories to make your viewing better and worthwhile. One accessory is a smartphone adapter that allows capturing the images you are viewing. Also included in an erect-image diagonal and tabletop tripod.

Features

  • Compact, light, and portable
  • Superior 20mm eyepiece
  • 750mm focal length
  • High-precision optics
  • Fully multi-coated optical glass lens
  • 60mm aperture
  • Angled image erector
  • Day and night application

 

FREE SOLDIER Telescope for Adults

FREE SOLDIER Telescope for Adults

 

This FREE SOLDIER Telescope is a high-powered telescope suitable for both adults and kids. This refractor telescope comes with powerful 28-233x magnification and a long 700mm focal length. With the astonishing 233x magnification and a 5×20 finder scope, the telescope makes the identification of objects easy and precise. You can use it for stargazing, viewing the solar system, and the moon.

The telescope features superior optics for bright and crisp clear images. The large 90mm objective lens collects more light so the images will appear brighter and more vivid.  Moreover, the lenses are feature multiple coating layers to provide bright, clear, and more natural images.

The adjustable tripod included provides a stable viewing platform and multiple viewing positions. Besides, the 360-degrees Rotating Zenith Lens provides a comfortable viewing position for both adults and kids.

Another impressive thing about the telescope is the easy installation process. Detailed installation instructions are provided to make the process quick and simple. After installation, you can connect your smartphone to the telescope via the smartphone adapter and take pictures of the images you are viewing.

Features

  • Easy setup
  • Suitable for both kids and adults
  • Universal smartphone adapter and wireless remote
  • Adjustable tripod
  • Large 90mm aperture
  • Multi-layer lens coatings
  • High-quality optics
  • Powerful 28-233 magnification
  • 360-degrees Rotating Zenith Lens
  • 3x Barlow lens
  • 5×20 finderscope

 

SOLOMARK Telescope, 80EQ Refractor Professional Telescope

SOLOMARK Telescope, 80EQ Refractor Professional Telescope

 

If your family members are astronomy enthusiasts, they need a powerful telescope like the SOLOMARK Telescope. The telescope provides quality images in all lighting conditions. It has a large 80mm objective lens which collects more light for bright and clear images. It also provides a wide field of view, which is important when viewing fast-moving objects.

Thanks to the 13%T moon filter, the telescope reduces the interference caused by large amounts of light reflected from the moon. This makes lunar craters clearer. The 90-degrees prism diagonal provides erect images plus a comfortable viewing angle for both kids and adults.

The telescope also features a German Equatorial mount that comes with a slow-motion altitude rod. You can adjust the rod to your desired position and use it for smooth and accurate pointing. The compact and lightweight design makes the telescope easy to carry for adventures. Simply pack in your travel backpack and take it with you wherever you go.

Features

  • Large and smooth slow-motion control knobs
  • 2 eyepieces; 10mm and 20mm
  • 13% moon filter
  • 700 millimeters focal length
  • Smartphone adapter
  • Compact, light and portable
  • Barlow lens
  • High-quality all-glass optics
  • Large 80mm objective lens
  • 90 degrees prism diagonal
  • Equatorial Mount

 

See Also

 

How to Choose the Best Family Telescope

When shopping for the best family telescope, here are some of the important factors you should keep in mind to help narrow your option.

  1. Purpose

What do you intend to use the telescope for? If you are looking for a live-viewing telescope, almost every telescope works for this function. All you need to do is to ensure that it offers adequate magnification and has a large aperture of at least 70mm. If you intend to use the telescope during travel, make sure that it’s portable.

For a live-viewing and recording telescope, the telescope must have a smartphone adapter. To record the entire session, look for a unit with a smartphone mount. This will prevent the images and videos from being distorted by movement.

  1. Aperture Size

The size of the aperture is an important factor to consider. The larger the aperture, the clearer the images will appear on the telescope. The aperture diameter is measured in either mm or inches, with 1-inch being equal to 25.4mm. For best views, look for a telescope with at least 70mm/2.8-inch aperture.

  1. Size

The other important factor to consider is the size of the telescope. A telescope that’s too small won’t let you see clear images. On the other hand, a telescope that’s too big to move is probably a waste of money. You’ll want a telescope that’s easy to use and portable. Look for a unit with at least a 70mm aperture. Such a telescope provides clear views while being portable.

  1. Experience Level

If you are buying the first family telescope, you’ll want a unit that isn’t too complex to use. The telescope should be easy to install and reasonably affordable as well. For experienced astronomers, you are probably looking for a better telescope with better image quality and advanced features. You can go for high-end telescopes that offer high-end and advanced features.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this post has given you the information you need to make the right buying decision. All of the telescopes listed above are well-made and reliable. They are easy to use and great for adults and kids. Get any one of the products above and use it for moon watching, stargazing, bird watching, and wildlife viewing among others.