Recommended Entry-level Telescopes 2023

Introducing our "Table-Top" dobs: compact telescopes designed for placement on tables. If you prefer, a stable stool or crate works just as well. These scopes are perfect for beginners, offering ease of use and a glimpse into the world of stargazing, helping you determine if you're ready to upgrade. Both OneSky and Heritage are of identical design, with the added note that OneSky contributes its profits to charity. However, when venturing to dark sky sites, keep in mind that a picnic table or park bench may not always be at hand.

Sky Watcher Heritage 130mm Dobsonian

Sky Watcher Heritage 130mm Dobsonian

A modern tribute to Sir Isaac Newton's revolutionary design, this telescope offers a powerful 130mm aperture in a compact, portable design, perfect for stargazers on the move.

  • The telescope boasts a 130mm parabolic primary mirror, capturing 319% more light than the human eye, and is constructed from robust borosilicate glass. Enhanced with the Radiant™ Aluminum Quartz (RAQ™) coating, expect superior clarity and brilliance.

  • Unique collapsible design ensures easy portability and storage without compromising on alignment. Its lightweight azimuth base, equipped with Teflon™ bearings, guarantees smooth, precise slewing, and the altitude locking knob ensures stability.

    • Fast f/5 focal ratio with a 650mm focal length

    • Collapsible tube design that retains collimation

    • 1.25-inch helical focuser

    • Stable tabletop design with vibration-suppressing rubber feet for optimal clarity

Orion SkyScanner BL135mm Dobsonian

Orion SkyScanner BL135mm Dobsonian

Discover the wonders of the night sky with a Dobsonian telescope that offers beginners incredible brightness, clarity, and user-friendly operation. Enjoy detailed lunar landscapes, the beauty of Saturn's rings, Jupiter's cloud bands, and deep-space phenomena.

    • Bright, Detailed Views: The large 135mm (5.3") mirror collects a significant amount of light, revealing the intricate details of the Moon's surface, the mesmerizing nebulae, and hundreds of celestial wonders.

    • Simplicity at its Best: The Dobsonian base allows for smooth and effortless movement in all directions. Just point and view with no complex settings or counterweights.

    • Effortless Tracking: An intuitive red dot scope aids in quickly locating your celestial target.

    • Compact and Portable: Designed with convenience in mind, the optical tube detaches easily from the base, making transport a breeze. Plus, the base has a handy carry handle.

    • High-quality Eyepieces: The package includes 25mm Kellner and 10mm Plossl eyepieces, offering magnifications of 44x and 110x respectively. Unlike standard eyepieces in beginner kits, these are of higher quality and are compatible with optional Orion 1.25" filters.

    • 3x Barlow Lens: Boost your magnification threefold with the included Barlow lens, perfect for close-ups of celestial objects.

    • MoonMap 260: Enhance your lunar exploration with the provided MoonMap, detailing over 260 lunar features, from craters to valleys.

Zhumell Z130 Portable Altazimuth Reflector

Zhumell Z130 Portable Altazimuth Reflector

Discover the universe with Zhumell’s Z130, a portable Dobsonian that brings together unmatched quality, value, and convenience. Perfect for beginners and experienced stargazers alike, this tabletop scope ensures brilliant views and easy stargazing on the go.

    • Parabolic Mirror Advantage: The Z130 boasts a 130mm parabolic primary mirror, eliminating visual defects like spherical aberration for sharper images. Not common in this size, this mirror is a game-changer.

    • High-Reflectivity Coatings: All optical surfaces, including the primary mirror, are treated with Zhumell’s high-reflectivity coatings, ensuring over 90% light transmission. Enjoy brighter images of even the dimmest celestial objects.

    • Two Premium Eyepieces: The telescope includes two fully multi-coated eyepieces (1.25” 25mm & 1.25” 10mm), allowing for both wide field and higher magnification views.

    • Durable and Compact: Built to last, the Z130 is your sturdy companion for years of travel and stargazing adventures.

    • Swift Setup: Assemble your telescope in seconds at your observing site. Using the lazy susan-style mount and Red Dot Finderscope, easily locate and track objects across the night sky.

  • The Z130’s commitment to superior optical systems ensures it stands out from other tabletop telescopes. Zhumell has prioritized investment in what matters most: delivering clear and impressive celestial views.

    • Aperture: 5" (130mm)

    • Type: Reflector

    • Focal Length: 650mm

    • Focal Ratio: 5

    • Magnification (with included eyepieces): 26x (25mm), 65x (10mm)

    • Limiting Magnitude: 13.05

    • Lowest Useful Magnification: 18x

    • Highest Theoretical Magnification: 256x

    • Light Grasp Compared to Smaller Model: 23%

    • Assembled Weight: 21 lbs

Celestron – StarSense Explorer 114mm Tabletop Dobsonian Smartphone App-Enabled Telescope – Works with StarSense App to Help You Find Nebulae, Planets & More – iPhone/Android Compatible

Celestron StarSense Explorer 114mm Tabletop Dobsonian

Transform your stargazing experience with the power of your smartphone. Dive into the cosmos using the patented StarSense technology that guides you through the night sky. Perfect for novices and seasoned astronomers.

    • Sky Recognition: Utilizes your smartphone to assess star patterns overhead and calculates the telescope's real-time position.

    • Parabolic Primary Mirror: 114mm mirror allows you to locate faint celestial objects swiftly and view them in unprecedented detail.

    • User-Friendly Application: The StarSense Explorer Powered by SkySafari™ app provides an intuitive interface with a curated list of currently visible objects, all complemented by audio descriptions and detailed insights.

    • Dobsonian Base: The tabletop Dobsonian design offers a solid foundation, easy adjustments, and is suitable for travel. The base's low profile ensures comfortable eyepiece access, and optional tripod compatibility provides flexibility.

    • Superb Optics: The 114mm parabolic mirror ensures sharp, bright views, capturing details of planets, galaxies, and nebulae.

    • Included Accessories: Two eyepieces (17mm & 10mm Kellner), StarSense smartphone dock, StarPointer™ red dot finderscope, eyepiece rack, and collimation cap.

    • Optical Design: Newtonian Reflector

    • Aperture: 114mm (4.48")

    • Focal Length: 450mm (17.71")

    • Focal Ratio: f/4

    • Eyepieces: 17mm (26x magnification) & 10mm (45x magnification)

    • Max & Min Useful Magnification: 269x & 16x

    • Optical Coatings: Aluminum with SiO2 overcoat

    • Finderscope: StarPointer™ red-dot

    • Optical Tube Dimensions: 469.9mm x 139.7mm

    • Optical Tube Weight: 4.2 lbs (1.9 kg)