I researched the best computerized telescope under $500 because I’ve been wanting to get into stargazing without spending too much. I’ve been comparing different models and going through reviews from trusted sources like Space.com, BBC Sky at Night Magazine, and Reddit threads, and after comparing many options these two kept coming up as the top choices:
Sky-Watcher Heritage 150P Virtuoso GTi Wi-Fi Dobsonian
https://www.amazon.com/Sky-Watcher-Virtuoso-GTI-150P-Collapsible-Tabletop-GoTo-Dobsonian-Telescope/dp/B0BB4MPVZD
Celestron Astro Fi 102mm Computerized Telescope
https://www.amazon.com/Celestron-Maksutov-Reflecting-Telescope-22202/dp/B01L0EQLTI?th=1
The Sky-Watcher caught my attention because of the larger 150mm aperture, GoTo tracking, and smartphone control. The Celestron Astro Fi 102 looks more compact and portable, and Space.com specifically recommends it as a beginner-friendly motorized GoTo telescope.
However, I’m having trouble deciding which one would be better for me and I would love to get your expert advice. I mainly want to view the Moon, planets, star clusters, and some brighter deep-sky objects. Portability is also important since I may not always use it from the same location.
Which one would you personally recommend under $500? Are there any other computerized telescopes I should consider in this price range?
Any suggestions or advice would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance
Well that really depends on what you want to look at. If you want to look at the moon and planets and the brighter objects in the deep sky, those will work. If you want to look at “faint fuzzies” neither of those will really work.
The skywatcher will gather more light but will require more attention use it as it will require collimation, you will want to make a shroud for it and the last i knew it had a terrible helical focuser.
The 102 Mak will be easier to use but the glass on the front will be a dew magnet. Also 4 inches isnt real big and it doesnt gather a ton of light.
If it was me i would go bigger. For doing what you want to do i would suggest the below.
Yes it costs more but at least you will have a chance to see something. You will need to make a dew shield and you will definitely want some better eyepieces then what come with it.
The other thing you should do, before spending a dime is go to an outreach program. See what is out there and get some hands on experience. Only then will you know what you REALLY want
You need to have a minimum of $1,500 to get anything that’s worth having . Anything cheaper is gonna be a futile battle of frustration and lousy views . Then you need a couple hundred in eyepieces and another couple hundred in filters . If you don’t have 2 grand , I wouldn’t even bother unless you just want to look at the Moon . Maybe some good binoculars for some open clusters but even then you’d want a parallelogram mount and those aren’t cheap either . Keep saving your money , get a couple starter books and learn about the planets and the deep space objects , learn the night sky and constellations with charts in the books and your phone . There’s some decent free apps . Then when you’ve got a couple grand to spend ask for suggestions .
All those single armed mounts are so shakey you’ll never be able to get the image to sit still in the eyepiece . It you can’t get that you’ll never be able to see the detail that’s there and believe me , it supple .
The mount is just as important if not more than the optics are .
That’s my professional opinion .
A couple good books will probably run you about 60 bucks on Amazon . Night Watch by Terrence Dickinson is a must have and The Backyard Astromers Guide he put out too . Both best of the best . Another highly acclaimed book is Turn Left at Orion by Guy Consolmagno . Night Watch has good info on optics and mounts too . If I were to buy only one book it would be Night Watch then next The Backyard Astronomers Guide .
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