• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Technipages

Tutorials and fixes for smartphone, gadget, and computer problems

  • Topics
    • Android
    • Gaming
    • Hardware
    • Internet
    • iOS
    • MacOS
    • Office
    • Software
    • Windows
    • Definitions
  • Product Reviews
  • Downloads
  • About Technipages

Best Mid-Market Telescopes 2021

Posted on October 25, 2021 by Mel Hawthorne Leave a Comment

Best Computerised

  • Celestron - NexStar 6SE Telescope
  •     
Check Prices

Best Reflector

  • Sky-Watcher Classic 250 Dobsonian 10-inch Aperture Telescope
  •     
Check Prices

Best Refractor

  • Sky-Watcher EvoStar 120 APO Doublet Refractor
  •     
Check Prices

Telescopes are a great way to learn about space and can inspire a lifelong passion for space and science. When first starting out in astronomy, it’s common to get a budget telescope as prices can be quite high. As you gain experience and confidence in the hobby, however, your interest may outgrow the abilities of the budget telescopes. With a bit more investment it is possible to get a larger telescope that can collect more light and make use of higher magnification levels. This allows you to see more detail in objects like planets, nebulae, and galaxies. While still capable of getting great views of the moon, larger telescopes are better for views and photography of more distant objects.

To help you get a reasonably priced high-quality telescope we’ve drawn up a list of the best mid-market telescopes in 2021.

Sky-Watcher EvoStar 120 APO Doublet Refractor
The Sky-Watcher EvoStar 120 APO Doublet Refractor
Check Best Prices

Key Features

  • Large main lens aperture
  • Comes with travel case
  • Extra smooth focuser

Specifications

  • Aperture size: 120mm
  • Lenses included: 36x and 180x
  • Telescope style: Refractor

The Sky-Watcher EvoStar 120 APO Doublet Refractor is a high-end refractor telescope. It has a large primary lens for excellent light capture and has a focal length of 900mm allowing for high levels of zoom. The two included lenses offer a magnification level of 36x and 180x. For greater flexibility, you may wish to purchase more eyepieces.

The tube of the telescope has interior baffles that block ambient light from the view, reducing its effect on the image clarity. The focuser has two different knobs for larger and smaller movements.  The lack of included tripod may be annoying, especially at this price point, but it means you can reuse tripods you already have or can buy one that fits your needs. While a travel case is included, the exterior of it isn’t particularly robust.

Pros
  • In-tube baffles reduce random incident light
  • Comes with two eyepieces
Cons
  • Doesn’t come with a tripod
  • Expensive
  • Case is relatively flimsy
Celestron – NexStar 6SE Telescope
Celestron – NexStar 6SE Telescope
Check Best Prices

Key Features

  • Computerised
  • Database of 40000 items
  • Has a battery

Specifications

  • Aperture size: 150mm
  • Lenses included: 60x
  • Telescope style: Schmidt-Cassegrain Reflector

The Celestron NexStar 6SE Telescope is a reflector telescope. The Schmidt-Cassegrain design keeps the telescope short but gives it a long focal range for high magnifications. It only comes with a single lens of relatively low magnification. You will want to get more lenses to make the most of this telescope.

The computer system has a database of 40000 night sky objects, and with a short alignment process can be programmed to point at them for you. While it has a battery, the battery life isn’t long, however, it can be plugged into the mains if you’re near enough to a power supply. The telescope is heavy and awkward to move, it’s also not easy to aim without the computer system. There are a range of compatible accessories available from Celestron to add further functionality.

Pros
  • Easy to align for automated viewing
  • Compact form factor
  • A range of compatible accessories
Cons
  • Heavy
  • Battery life isn’t great
  • Only comes with one lens
Sky-Watcher Classic 250 Dobsonian 10-inch Aperture Telescope
The Sky-Watcher Classic 250 Dobsonian 10-inch Aperture Telescope
Check Best Prices

Key Features

  • Huge aperture
  • Stable mount
  • Teflon bearings

Specifications

  • Aperture size: 257mm
  • Lenses included: 48x and 120x
  • Telescope style: Dobsonian Refelector

The Sky-Watcher Classic 250 Dobsonian 10-inch Aperture Telescope is a large and heavy telescope with a huge 257mm main mirror. This means it collects a lot of light, making it great for viewing dim and distant objects. The focal distance is large allowing for high magnifications. It comes with two lenses allowing for 48x and 120x magnification levels.

To get more out of the telescope you may wish to purchase additional lenses. The telescope comes with a tripod but under the weight of it, the tripod will often sink slowly. Once held vertically in place, the Teflon bearings and mount system are solid allowing for smooth easy movement, without being too sensitive to slight touches.

Pros
  • Two included eyepieces
  • Included tripod
  • Highly reflective mirrors
Cons
  • Heavy
  • Expensive
  • Included tripod can slide down under the weight
Orion 9005 AstroView 120ST Equatorial Refractor Telescope
The Orion 9005 AstroView 120ST Equatorial Refractor Telescope
Check Best Prices

Key Features

  • Includes a polar alignment scope
  • Equatorial mount ideal for long term tracking
  • Included Starry Night software

Specifications

  • Aperture size: 120mm
  • Lenses included: 24x and 60x
  • Telescope style: Refractor

The Orion 9005 AstroView 11220T Equatorial Refractor Telescope is a relatively large refractor telescope. The two lenses that it comes with are great for lunar views but aren’t really strong enough to make the most of the telescope for planetary viewing. To get the best views, you will want to purchase other lenses.

The telescope uses an equatorial mount, which when aligned properly makes it easy to track objects counter to the Earth’s rotation. To help in the alignment process, a polar alignment scope is included, though it is intended for northern hemisphere alignments. The equatorial mount system requires counterweights which means that the telescope is bulky and heavy.

Pros
  • Equatorial mount
  • Two included eyepieces
  • Relatively low price
Cons
  • Heavy
  • Included lenses are great for planetary viewing
  • Relatively complex to assemble

That was our roundup of the best mid-market telescopes in 2021. Have you recently bought a telescope, let us know the coolest thing you’ve seen with it down below.

You Might Also Like

  • Best Budget Telescopes 2021
    Best Budget Telescopes 2021
  • Best High-End Telescopes 2021
    Best High-End Telescopes 2021
  • Best Mid-Market Drones 2021
    Best Mid-Market Drones 2021
  • Best Mid-Market Smartwatches 2021
    Best Mid-Market Smartwatches 2021
  • Best Mid-Market Soundbars 2021
    Best Mid-Market Soundbars 2021
  • Best Mid-Market Underwater Cameras 2021
    Best Mid-Market Underwater Cameras 2021
  • Best Mid-Market Computer Speakers 2021
    Best Mid-Market Computer Speakers 2021
  • Best Mid-Market Rowing Machine 2021
    Best Mid-Market Rowing Machine 2021
  • Best Mid-Market Smart Doorbells 2021
    Best Mid-Market Smart Doorbells 2021

Reader Interactions

Did this help? Let us know!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • What Is Host Memory Buffer (HMB) in SSD?
  • DRAM on an SSD: Is It Something You want?
  • 5 Free Android Apps to Remove Red Eye
  • Windows 11: How to Change the Primary Mouse Button
  • Windows 11: Use Fonts and Make Your Text Fantastic
  • Windows 11: How to Manage the Recycling Bin
  • How to Enable Dark Mode in Firefox
  • Windows 11: How to Add Clocks with Different Time Zones

Who’s Behind Technipages?

Baby and Daddy My name is Mitch Bartlett. I've been working in technology for over 20 years in a wide range of tech jobs from Tech Support to Software Testing. I started this site as a technical guide for myself and it has grown into what I hope is a useful reference for all.

You May Also Like

  • Best Budget Telescopes 2021
  • Best High-End Telescopes 2021
  • Best Mid-Market Drones 2021
  • Best Mid-Market Smartwatches 2021
  • Best Mid-Market Soundbars 2021
  • Best Mid-Market Underwater Cameras 2021
  • Best Mid-Market Computer Speakers 2021
  • Best Mid-Market Rowing Machine 2021

© Copyright 2022 Technipages · All Rights Reserved · Privacy