Celestron 114AZ-SR Smartphone Ready Reflector Telescope $74.99

The_Love_Spud

Dec 17, 2021

4,952 Posts

Joined Jun 2019

Dec 17, 2021

4,952 Posts

This is not a particularly great telescope, but for the price this is about the best you can get/expect. I tend to recommend a really good pair of astronomy binoculars at this price point, but those do demand a steadier hand than is required for something like a telescope with its own tripod. There are definitely arguments against cheap reflectors but, again, at the $75 price the only thing you'd be buying of any quality really is a pair of binoculars.

Here's an example of a pair of binoculars which come in at $5 cheaper, but provide the kind of casual portability that might do just as much to inspire a further interest in astronomy:
https://slickdeals.net/f/15427015-celestron-skymaster-15x70-binoculars-69-99-amazon
https://slickdeals.net/f/15430633-celestron-skymaster-giant-15x70-binoculars-top-rated-astronomy-binoculars-69-99

Good luck!
Jon

1

3pinephrine

Dec 18, 2021

1,294 Posts

Joined Oct 2018

Dec 18, 2021

3pinephrine

Dec 18, 2021

1,294 Posts

Quote from The_Love_Spud

:

This is not a particularly great telescope, but for the price this is about the best you can get/expect. I tend to recommend a really good pair of astronomy binoculars at this price point, but those do demand a steadier hand than is required for something like a telescope with its own tripod. There are definitely arguments against cheap reflectors but, again, at the $75 price the only thing you'd be buying of any quality really is a pair of binoculars.

Here's an example of a pair of binoculars which come in at $5 cheaper, but provide the kind of casual portability that might do just as much to inspire a further interest in astronomy:
https://slickdeals.net/f/15427015-celestron-skymaster-15x70-binoculars-69-99-amazon
https://slickdeals.net/f/15430633-celestron-skymaster-giant-15x70-binoculars-top-rated-astronomy-binoculars-69-99

Good luck!
Jon

Thanks for the info. How's this compare with the Celestron 70AZ LT for $78 at Walmart?

1

The_Love_Spud

Dec 18, 2021

4,952 Posts

Joined Jun 2019

Dec 18, 2021

The_Love_Spud

Dec 18, 2021

4,952 Posts

Quote from 3pinephrine

:

Thanks for the info. How's this compare with the Celestron 70AZ LT for $78 at Walmart?

That's the great start to a flame war! That is, reflectors and refractors are different enough functionally, much less when built as these cost-sensitive models, that there are often very strong opinions expressed on threads like this about the best choice. My own take modifies one that I would reinforce from a popular review site, so consider my opinions below with some context from another site:

At this price point, maybe think about binoculars
A reflector at this price point (like the one in this deal) can often be made better with modifications/accessories (See even just the top paragraph in this article [telescopicwatch.com])
A refractor at this price point is usually hopeless garbage despite some of the functional advantages that get cited by advocates for them (See a review that, like the one above for the 114AZ, does not recommend [telescopicwatch.com] the 70AZ)

For the money I'd note that binoculars have many of the advantages a refractor would provide without being garbage at the given price point. I'm not dismissing the arguments in favor of refractor telescopes, I'm just dismissing the quality argument when shopping $70 telescopes. No $70 telescope is going to be great out of the box, period. If you're lucky, they'll do the basics without being too frustrating to diminish the experience for the (usually) enthusiastic users.

Good luck!
Jon

1

Loveday22

Dec 18, 2021

1,148 Posts

Joined Dec 2011

Dec 18, 2021

Loveday22

Dec 18, 2021

1,148 Posts

This is a reasonable scope, at a very reasonable price, especially if you're not sure you will rally enjoy the hobby. Retails near $150 generally. Use coupon GET40 for discount

https://m.kohls.com/product/prd-3...d=42960323

NoSleep007

Dec 31, 2021

2,387 Posts

Joined Oct 2008

Dec 31, 2021

NoSleep007

Dec 31, 2021

2,387 Posts

Missed out the deal, seems like a solid telescope considering the specs

Celestron 114AZ-SR Smartphone Ready Reflector Telescope $74.99

$75

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