Recommended Intermediate Telescopes 2023
Delve into the realm of entry-leveltelescopes with this selection. Within this range, you'll find larger Dobsonian models as well as compact tabletop versions with computerized bases. These telescopes are designed to provide views that approximate the representative images of celestial objects, especially in dark environments. Moreover, they're constructed for convenience, allowing for easy transport in vehicles, fitting comfortably in the back seat and trunk. Ideal for those with a budget between $350 to $600.
Orion 8944 SkyQuest XT6 Classic Dobsonian
The Orion SkyQuest XT6 Classic Dobsonian telescope is a value-packed telescope that provides dazzling insights into the night sky. Its design ensures ease of use and offers a broad range of high-quality accessories, ensuring a delightful astronomical experience for users.
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Parabolic Primary Mirror: Built around a 6" (152mm) diameter, the XT6 captures 80% more light than 4.5" telescopes, ensuring brighter and more detailed views of star clusters, nebulas, and galaxies.
Focal Details: Boasting a focal length of 1178mm and a focal ratio of f/7.7, this telescope excels at lunar and planetary observation. Witness the fine details of Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, and the mesmerizing craters of the Moon.
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2" Crayford Focuser: This upgraded feature from the earlier 1.25" allows for the use of optional 2" eyepieces, generally providing a more expansive view.
Eyepiece Flexibility: A 2"-to-1.25" adapter ensures compatibility with 1.25" eyepieces, including the included 25mm Plossl that delivers a remarkable 47x magnification.
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User-Friendly Design: Embrace simplicity with hands-on, point-and-view navigation, free from the hassle of counterweights, polar alignment, or tube balancing.
Dobsonian Stability: The stable base guarantees vibration-free images, even at high magnifications, and smooth manual tracking of celestial bodies.
Bonus Accessories: Enhance your stargazing experience with Orion's MoonMap 260, DeepMap 600, and a smartphone photo adapter for capturing celestial moments.
Sky Watcher Sky-Watcher Virtuoso GTI 150P Tabletop
Explore the celestial realm with Sky-Watcher's Virtuoso GTi, an innovative fusion of convenience, technological advancements, and enhanced optics — now Wi-Fi-enabled! Perfect for both astronomy novices and seasoned stargazers seeking a portable or backyard setup.
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Wi-Fi & GoTo Capability: Built-in Wi-Fi offers seamless telescope control via a smartphone using Sky-Watcher’s free SynScan app available for both iOS and Android.
Improved Aperture Options: Available in either 130mm or 150mm, the Virtuoso GTi introduces a larger aperture for richer observations.
From Planetary to Universal: While the original Virtuoso was ideal for planetary and lunar views, the revamped Virtuoso GTi is inspired by Flextube and Heritage lines, ensuring versatile astronomical explorations.
Optical Excellence: Incorporating Sky-Watcher’s Radiant™ Aluminum Quartz (RAQ™) coatings on every optical surface, this telescope promises vivid views of the night sky.
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Aperture & Focal Length: A 150mm aperture coupled with a 750mm focal length ensures brilliant views of the Moon, planets, galaxies, and nebulae.
Fast f/5 Optics: Boosted light-gathering power guarantees brighter and clearer observations.
Collapsible Design: The optical tube can be collapsed, making storage and transportation convenient.
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Alignment & Tracking: Use the internal GPS with one of four alignment methods for precise tracking of celestial objects. The patented Freedom Find™ technology empowers manual control while preserving alignment.
Power & Database: Powered by either 8 AA batteries or an external 12V power supply (not included), and comes integrated with the SynScan Pro app featuring over 10,000 celestial objects across various catalogs.
Included Components: The package includes the Virtuoso GTi base, mount assembly, optical tube assembly, red dot finder, and two eyepieces (25mm and 10mm).
Sky Watcher Sky-Watcher Virtuoso GTI 130P Tabletop
Experience the universe with the Virtuoso GTi from Sky-Watcher, a blend of technological sophistication, compact design, and enhanced light-gathering capability – now Wi-Fi-enabled. Ideal for both beginners taking their first astronomical steps and veterans in need of a portable setup.
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Innovations Over Previous Versions: A leap from the original Sky-Watcher Virtuoso, the GTi offers a larger aperture, speedier focal ratio, collapsible design, and Wi-Fi connectivity, transforming telescope control with the free SynScan app for iOS and Android.
Versatile Observations: While the original Virtuoso was tailored for planetary and lunar sights, the GTi, inspired by Sky-Watcher's Flextube and Heritage lines, offers a multi-faceted cosmic viewing experience.
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Aperture & Focal Length: With a 130mm aperture and 650mm focal length, the GTi promises crisp views of the Moon, planets, galaxies, and nebulae.
Optical Enhancements: Boasting fast f/5 optics, the telescope ensures intensified light collection. The Radiant™ Aluminum Quartz (RAQ™) coatings guarantee up to 94% reflectivity for brighter observations.
Design Benefits: The optical tube's collapsible feature ensures ease of storage and transportation.
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Wi-Fi & App Control: Seamlessly control the telescope via Wi-Fi through the SynScan Pro app, granting access to a database of over 10,000 celestial objects across various catalogs.
Alignment & Tracking: Choose from one of four alignment methods, allowing Virtuoso GTi's internal computer to precisely track objects like the Sun, Moon, and stars. Sky-Watcher's patented Freedom Find™ technology, with dual encoders, enables manual adjustments while preserving alignment data.
Power & Mounting: Powered by either 8 AA batteries or an external 12V source (not included). The GTi mount is compatible with V-style dovetails.
Included Components: The package contains the Virtuoso GTi base, mount assembly, optical tube, red dot finder, and two eyepieces (25mm and 10mm).
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A unique detachable lid unveils the telescope's inner workings, offering an intriguing educational perspective. Plus, with the included universal phone mount, capturing and sharing your astronomical findings has never been easier.
Orion Skyline 6" Dobsonian Reflector Telescope
For those eager to elevate their stargazing journey, the SkyLine 6" Dobsonian Reflector is the telescope to consider. With enhanced optics and user-friendly features, it promises vibrant, detailed views of the cosmos.
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Optics: A 152mm (6") diameter parabolic primary mirror with a reflectivity between 94%-96% ensures bright and clear views of celestial objects. The telescope's 1200mm focal length (f/7.9) delivers strong magnification, making it suitable for observing both the Moon and planets, as well as deep-sky objects like star clusters and nebulas.
Eyepieces: Comes equipped with two fully multi-coated Plossl eyepieces - 25mm (offering 48x power) and 9mm (delivering a striking 133x power).
Smooth Motion: The telescope boasts UHMW bearings on both its altitude (up/down) and azimuth (left/right) axes for smooth and precise adjustments. Its larger SkyLine Dobsonian counterparts utilize roller bearings on the azimuth axis.
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Crayford Focuser: What sets the SkyLine 6" Dobsonian apart is its CNC machined, single-speed 1.25" Crayford focuser, designed for rapid and sharp focusing. Such intricate focus control allows observers to discern finer details like Jupiter's cloud bands or Saturn's rings.
Eyepiece Rack: The included eyepiece rack on the Dobsonian base offers convenient storage for eyepieces and other telescope accessories.
Quick-Collimation Cap: The package comes with a quick-collimation cap, aiding in the alignment of the telescope's mirrors for optimal performance.
Finder Scope: Pinpoint your celestial targets with ease using the 6x30 crosshair finder scope.
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This Dobsonian reflector provides vivid details of countless celestial objects, all while maintaining a straightforward point-and-view operation. Ideal for beginners looking for a step up from their starter scopes, and intermediate observers keen on delving deeper into the cosmos.