After more than 25 years of observing the night sky, I’ve come to realize what makes a telescope so great: from the build quality and accessories offered to the optical performance and portability.
This Black Friday weekend I’ve come across quite a few instruments aimed at astronomers of all levels and budgets – and there are so many great deals on offer during Black Friday and Cyber Monday events, meaning both novice and experienced skywatchers save hundreds of dollars on top quality telescopes. This applies whether you want to buy an instrument for yourself or even for a loved one with the holidays in mind.
Before purchasing a telescope, there are a few things to consider: how much you want to spend, what types of targets pique your interest (solar system or deep-sky), and whether you’re a seasoned astronomer or astronomer. just started your hobby of looking at the sky. I recommend doing your research before making a purchase, and you can see my advice on this topic on our best telescopes page, where I answer your most frequently asked questions.
Ready to buy a telescope this Black Friday or Cyber Monday? Here are my top picks with very good optics – offering excellent, crisp images without chromatic or spherical aberrations – excellent construction and solid, good quality accessories. They are also portable, easy to assemble and intuitive to use.