The best telescope can provide a glimpse of the beauty beyond our atmosphere. Amateur astronomers and seasoned stargazers alike can use these powerful optical devices to view everything from star clusters to distant nebulas. Of course, your journey into the stars starts with selecting a high-quality telescope! There are tons of devices out there to choose from. But, the best are made by a select few brands. In our post, we look at some of the best and compare against each other. The brands we are looking at are Gskyer vs Orion vs Celestron vs Meade Instruments.
These four brands have a solid reputation for creating the finest telescopes around. To help you narrow down your options, we’ve curated a list of some of the best telescopes from each of these powerhouse astronomy brands.
Gskyer vs Orion vs Celestron vs Meade Instruments Telescopes Reviewed
Gskyer
The brand Gskyer is aimed at beginners. The telescopes are all designed with user-friendliness in mind. They feature basic refractor technology, sizable apertures, and moderate focal lengths. Many of the units also come with accessories that cater to amateur astrophotographers, such as smartphone adapters and remotes.
Gskyer 400X70 Refracting Telescope
If you’re new to the world of astronomy, this telescope kit is a great choice. It’s designed with children and beginners in mind. But, that doesn’t mean it’s not capable of providing you with a great view.
The 70mm aperture lets light flood into the optical tube. Pair that with the high-transmission lens coating and you have all you need to get a bright image. The device also has a respectable focal length to provide up to 120X magnification.
Key Features:
- 70mm aperture
- 600mm focal length
- Coated optics
- Altazimuth mount
- Smartphone mount
- Wireless remote
- Two eyepieces
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Gskyer 600X90 Refractor Telescope
This model is similar to the previous one. However, it has a slightly larger aperture of 90mm. This creates an even brighter image that you can take advantage of for astrophotography.
Speaking of which, this telescope comes with a smartphone mount. It replaces the standard eyepiece assembly so that you can view your target or snap pictures. The telescope even comes with a Bluetooth remote so that you can capture images without messing up your alignment.
Key Features:
- 90mm aperture
- 600mm focal length
- Three eyepieces
- 3X Barlow lens
- Smartphone mount
- Wireless remote
- Lightweight optical tube
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Gskyer AZ70700 Refractor Telescope
With a slightly longer optical tube, this telescope can put you even closer to the stars. In total, it provides up to 70X magnification. You can use one of the three included eyepieces to get the perfect focus. The telescope even comes with a 3X Barlow lens for higher magnification.
This particular model comes with a durable metal tripod. Holding the optical tube assembly to the tripod is a traditional altazimuth mount. It features slow-motion action to help you fine-tune your positioning.
Key Features:
- 70mm aperture
- 700mm focal length
- Green-coated lens
- Slow-motion altazimuth mount
- Three eyepieces
- 3X Barlow lens
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Orion
Orion is a long-established brand that caters to a wide range of astronomy hobbyists. While Orion does have some beginner-friendly units, most of the telescopes in the lineup are best-suited for those with a bit more experience. They’re sporting larger apertures, more magnification, and advanced equatorial mounts. Orion produces both reflector telescopes and Dobsonians, so you can get a design that works for your needs. All telescopes also come with Orion’s Starry Night software to help you learn about what you’re seeing.
Orion StarBlast 102mm Altazimuth Travel Refractor Telescope
Don’t let the travel-friendly nature of this telescope fool you. It’s a superbly built piece of optical joy! Orion is one of the most trusted names in the consumer telescope game, and the StarBlast is a perfect example of why.
The well-built telescope has a girthy optical tube with a 102mm objective lens. It’s massive by comparison, allowing you to see more distant targets due to the amount of light you’re gathering. As if that weren’t enough, Orion treated the optics with anti-reflective, high-transmission coatings. They help to improve clarity and reduce distortion.
Overall, the telescope is designed for traveling stargazers. It comes with a case and all the accessories you need to set up. That includes a robust stainless steel tripod!
Key Features:
- 102mm aperture
- 600mm focal length
- Multi-coated optics
- Rack and pinion focuser
- Includes two Plossl eyepieces
- Stainless steel tripod
- It comes with travel bad and moon map
- It weighs approximately 10.6 pounds
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Orion ED66 CF Carbon Fiber Refractor Telescope, Black
Here’s another premium Orion telescope that’ll help you get an amazing glimpse at the stars. This unit has all the fantastic features you would expect from an Orion telescope. That includes precisely cut and installed optics with all the high-transmission coatings you need to get a crystal-clear image.
The cool thing about this model is that it has a carbon fiber optical tube. The material is exceptionally lightweight, reducing your load as you find a suitable stargazing site. Furthermore, it’s thermally stable, ensuring that the cold or heat doesn’t affect the quality over time.
Like other Orion telescopes, this one comes with a carrying case and focuser. It uses a dual-speed focuser and wide-field eyepiece, giving you a unique look at your target.
Key Features:
- 66mm aperture
- Multi-coated optics
- Carbon fiber tube
- Wide-field eyepiece
- Dual-speed Crayford focuser
- Includes hard travel case
- Weighs less than 5 pounds
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Orion 10033 FunScope 76mm TableTop Reflector Telescope Moon Kit
Here’s another fantastic choice from Orion. This model is built for tabletop use. It’s a classic Dobsonian reflector that takes full advantage of its massive optical tube. The 10.2-inch tube gathers tons of light, allowing you to see objects normal refractors won’t see.
Finding your targets is a breeze. Orion included a versatile tabletop mount. Despite the size of the telescope, it’s easy enough to move and position. Plus, you have a red-dot finderscope on top. The red dot lets you mark your desired target and get good visibility in the night sky.
Once you have everything lined up, you can fine-tune the image with the Kellner eyepieces. Pop on the Barlow lens, and you can achieve powerful magnification and make your celestial target come to life.
Key Features:
- 76mm aperture
- 300mm focal length
- Multi-coated optics
- Red-dot finderscope
- Includes two Kellner eyepieces and 3X Barlow lens
- Tabletop-friendly
- It weighs about 4 pounds
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Orion 10149 StarBlast 62mm Compact Travel Refractor Telescope
The Orion 10149 StarBlast refractor is a heavy-duty telescope made for serious astronomy buffs. The kit comes with a hard-walled travel case and plenty of foam to keep your optical device safe. After luging it up to your favorite viewing site, you can set up your sights on deep-sky objects, the lunar surface, and more.
The 62mm aperture works wonders to create a crisp image. The same goes for the four-element lens. The unique lens system provides utmost clarity by reducing distortion, chromatic aberration, and other common issues.
While this telescope doesn’t come with a mount or a tripod, it’s flexible enough to become a part of a setup that works for you.
Key Features:
- 62mm aperture
- Compact refractor telescope
- Four-element lens
- It comes with 20mm Plossl eyepiece
- Crayford focuser
- Includes hard travel case
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Celestron
As one of the biggest consumer astronomy brands in the world, Celestron continues to create some innovative products. Celestron offers refractor telescopes, Newtonian reflector telescopes, and even computerized telescopes. Each one features premium optics to create stunning images of the cosmos!
Celestron NexStar 8SE Telescope
The NexStar 8SE is a feature-rich telescope that anyone can use. The Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope features a fully computerized mount. It attaches to a database that can point to 40,000 different celestial objects. Just use the SkyAlign system to calibrate the telescope and start gazing!
The telescope is fully capable of showing you deep-space objects. Thanks to its 8-inch aperture, images are clear and beautiful, even in low-light conditions. But that’s not all. The 2,032mm focal length provides up to 480X magnification!
Key Features:
- 8-inch aperture
- 2,032mm focal length
- Automated mount
- Tracking database
- SkyAlign system
- Red dot finder scope
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ Newtonian Telescope
The AstroMaster might not have a computerized mount, but it still has plenty of power. The Newtonian reflector features coated optics. The coating techniques help to improve light transmission while limiting issues like chromatic aberration.
Finding your target is a breeze thanks to the mount and finder scope. This model uses an equatorial mount with slow-motion controls. On the optical tube, you can use the red dot finder to line up your target perfectly while still maintaining a wide view of the night sky.
Key Features:
- 130mm aperture
- 1,000mm focal length
- Fully coated optics
- Equatorial mount
- Red dot finder
- Two eyepieces
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Celestron 70mm Travel Scope
Is portability an important factor for you when choosing a telescope? Check out this travel scope from Celestron. It clocks in at only 3.3 pounds! You can bring it with you to your favorite viewing spot to get the best image possible. The telescope is easy to set up and even comes with a carrying case for easy transport.
This isn’t the most powerful telescope out there. But, the wide aperture and respectable focal length are more than enough to view the stars and planets. The telescope has a relatively low focal ratio as well. As a result, you can get a wide-angle view of your target.
Key Features:
- 70mm aperture
- 400mm focal length
- Lightweight design
- Coated glass optics
- Two eyepieces
- Comes with carrying case
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ Telescope
Here’s another portable telescope. It’s not as compact as the previous model. But, it still has some great portability features. The entire telescope only weighs about 11 pounds when fully assembled. Plus, it has a slim optical tube that’s easy to manage.
The telescope also comes with a travel tripod. It sets up in minutes. The altazimuth tripod is easy to maneuver for positioning while the red dot finder lets you line things up just right.
Key Features:
- 70mm aperture
- 900mm focal length
- Erect image prism
- Altazimuth mount
- Portable
- Red dot finder
- Travel tripod
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Meade
Meade is a brand that runs the gamut in terms of features and price points. The brand has a wide range of core telescopes designs for both beginners and serious astronomy buffs. Meade even has a line of popular computerized systems that can take you on a tour of visible objects in the night sky. Whatever you choose, all of Meade’s telescopes feature premium optics to give you the best view possible.
Meade Instruments Infinity Refracting Telescope
This model from Meade Instruments is catered towards beginners. It’s a very versatile telescope that you can use to view a litany of targets. The device is sporting a wide aperture of 102mm for brighter images and a decent focal length of 600mm for adequate magnification.
One thing we like about this telescope is the accessories it comes with. You’re getting three separate eyepieces. Plus, it comes with a 2X Barlow lens for more magnification. There’s even a red dot finder for positioning and an erect image adapter for more viewing comfort.
Key Features:
- 102mm aperture
- 600mm focal length
- Slow-motion Altazimuth mount
- Three eyepieces
- 2X Barlow lens
- Red dot finder
- Erect image adapter
- Software and DVD
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Meade Instruments LX85 8″ ACF with AudioStar, Model: 217006
If you want to try your hand at astrophotography, this Meade Instruments telescope is one of the best investments you can make. Meade Instruments designed this optical device for astrophotography and astro-imaging.
A fast, single-speed focuser and ultra high-transmission coating on the lenses ensure that you’re getting the brightest image possible. It also uses coma-free optics to prevent chromatic distortion and deliver vibrancy you never thought you could achieve!
Holding everything up is a German equatorial mount. It compensates for the Earth’s rotational axis, which will serve you well during long-exposure shots. It has a sturdy build that can support up to 33 pounds.
On top of all those great features, this telescope uses Meade Instrument’s AudioStar system. The easy-to-use remote lets you dial into targets on the fly. The servo motors move the mounting system automatically, pointing you in the right direction.
As long as you perform the calibration process efficiently, you should have no issues finding your target. Start snapping away and create the stunning cosmic photos you’ll want to share.
Key Features:
- 203mm aperture
- 2,032mm focal length
- Equatorial mount
- Coma-free optics
- Ultra high-transmission coatings
- AudioStar guide
- Database of over 30,000 objects
- It weighs about 45 pounds
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Meade Instruments LX90-ACF Coma-Free Telescope
Like the previous telescope, the LX90-ACF from Meade Instruments can take you on a guided tour of the solar system above! It features the same database of 30,000 targets.
However, this telescope has more capable optics. It has a massive 245mm aperture and some impressive magnification levels! Not only that, but the optics are fully coated for better light transmission. Plus, the optics are coated for reduced distortion. The final result is a clear and bright image.
Key Features:
- 245mm aperture
- 2,500mm focal length
- Computerized mount
- AudioStar system
- Coated optics
- Speaker and hand remote
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Meade Instruments Meade LX85 ACF Astrograph
Last, but not least, we have the LX85 ACF Astrograph. As the name would suggest, this telescope is engineered for astrophotography. Of course, you can use it to simply view your target as well. But, the premium optics inside can give you stunning results you’ll want to photograph!
The device has a wide aperture for ample light collection. Plus, it’s sporting Meade’s high-transmission coatings. Like many of Meade’s high-end systems, it also has the AudioStar database and GoTo computerized mount.
Key Features:
- 152mm aperture
- 1,524mm focal length
- High-transmission coatings
- Computerized mount
- AudioStar system
- Super Plossl eyepieces
- Single Speed focuser
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Gskyer vs Orion vs Celestron vs Meade Instruments – Brand Overviews
At the end of the day, name branding takes a backseat to specifications and capabilities. But, that doesn’t mean that you should ignore the brand completely. In fact, knowing more about the company can give you a lot more insight into what they have to offer.
Gskyer, Orion, Celestron, and Meade are all great brands to buy from. But, they differ dramatically in terms of goals, target demographics, and features. Here’s a bit of information about these competing brands.
Gskyer
Gskyer is a newer brand. There’s not a ton of information out there about how the company formed or the parent company. Chances are, the Gskyer brand is simply the North American trademark for a Chinese-based manufacturing company.
Either way, the Gskyer brand is perfect for beginners. Most of the telescopes are affordable. However, they don’t disappoint when it comes to performance. Plus, many of the brand’s products come with more modern accessories to cater to connected users. These include smartphone adapters and astrophotography gear.
Orion
Orion is a heavy-hitter that’s been around since the 1970s. In its earliest days, Orion relied on mail-order catalogs to reach enthusiasts. Today, the brand sells to an international audience. The company is relatively small despite having such a huge following. It’s an employee-owned company that continues to produce great products for all skill levels.
On the more affordable end of things, Orion has a line of beginner-friendly telescopes. They aren’t the most powerful, but they can help amateur astronomers learn the ropes before upgrading to something more capable.
Orion has a healthy collection of premium telescopes. You can find devices with premium optics and deep-space capabilities.
Celestron
Celestron is a highly respected brand with a long history. It started in 1955 after Tom Johnson created a telescope with his sons. By 1964, the Celestron brand broke off into its own brand. Celestron was one of the first large-scale producers of Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes. Eventually, the brand went on to produce other Cassegrain models, such as the Maksutov-Cassegrain.
One of the reasons why Celestron became synonymous with Cassegrain telescopes is its manufacturing process. Manufacturers are able to use vacuum molding to create corrector plates. This keeps the production costs low and makes the telescopes more accessible to the masses.
Celestron has won several awards throughout its history. This includes recognition from the Consumer Electronics Association, Popular Mechanics, and more.
Meade
Meade Instruments has been around since 1972. It’s been in fierce competition with Celestron ever since! The back-and-forth competition between the two brands has resulted in some impressive innovations for us astronomy hobbyists.
Initially, Meade focused on creating small refracting telescopes. However, it’s since gone on to create more advanced units, such as Cassegrains and computerized systems.
Like Celestron, Meade has won numerous awards and received recognition from several publications. Some of its most innovative products, such as the AudioStar system and Cassegrain telescopes, have earned it a lot of praise.
While telescopes are a big part of Meade’s business, the brand also produces other optical gear. Most notably, it offers microscopes, CCD cameras, and binoculars.
Gskyer vs Orion vs Celestron vs Meade Instruments Telescopes Buyer’s Guide
These four brands have done a lot to put the magic of astronomy and stargazing into the hands of hobbyists around the world! But, they are all different companies with unique products to bring to the table.
So that begs the questions: Which brand has the telescope for you? To find out, let’s see how they compare in several key areas.
Price
The first thing you’ll probably want to consider is the price. Telescopes are no small investment. Even beginner’s models can set you back a couple of hundred bucks.
If the price is a big factor for you, Gskyer and Orion are the way to go. Gskyer, in particular, is known for producing some very affordable telescope kits. Gskyer telescopes come with several useful accessories and offer good performance for the money.
Orion is a bit pricier. But, the brand still has a nice collection of price-friendly units. The great thing about Orion is that it also offers high-end telescopes. Oftentimes, the higher-priced units will help subsidize the manufacturing costs for more affordable ones. Thus, you’re still getting high-quality optics.
Celestron and Meade are the most expensive of the bunch. Some more affordable models do exist. But, these brands cater to serious enthusiasts who aren’t afraid to spend a pretty penny for the best performance possible.
Target Market
Price and target demographic go hand in hand. Many of these brands have products to suit everyone regardless of their experience.
Gskyer tends to focus solely on beginner telescopes. The telescopes are on the simpler side, which makes it easier to pick up and learn.
Orion has a great collection of entry-level telescopes as well. But, the brand also carries more advanced models. You can easily grow with Orion as you get more experienced. With different price points, features, and capabilities, there’s always a new telescope to upgrade to.
Celestron and Meade are unique. While they tend to have the higher prices, some of the telescopes are downright foolproof! Take, for example, Celestron’s NexStar line or Meade’s AudioStar system. Both don’t require any real astronomy experience to use!
That said, you can pick up advanced telescopes that can gaze deep into space. They come with a premium price, but those telescopes from Celestron and Meade are far more capable than what you’ll find with Gskyer or Orion.
Types of Telescopes Offered
As you can see from our list above, telescopes are far more complex than most people think. There are several types of telescopes up for grabs.
Orion, Celestron, and Meade Instruments all provide a wide range of designs. Celestron telescopes emphasize Cassegrains. Meanwhile, Meade Instrument’s specialty is refractors. But, the two brands have a broad lineup.
The only exception is Gskyer. Gskyer focuses on simpler refractors rather than more expensive alternatives.
There are two core telescope designs. The first is the refractor. It uses simple lenses to bend and manipulate light before creating the image. The second is the reflector. Reflector telescopes use a series of mirrors to create an image on the focal plane.
There are some subcategories and complex designs that take elements from refractors and reflectors. For example, you can get a Newtonian reflector, a tabletop Dobsonian, Cassegrains, and more. The type of telescope you choose will reflect its optical performance.
Optical Performance
Of course, you can’t ignore the specifications! The cool thing about consumer telescopes is that they can vary widely in terms of power.
On the lower end, you have basic capabilities. Great for beginners looking for their first telescope, these models have moderate apertures and decent focal lengths. They’re more tuned to look at stars, the moon, and nearby celestial bodies. You can find these units from most brands. Gskyer only offers beginner-level telescopes.
For more advanced units, you’ll have to stick to Orion, Celestron, and Meade. Celestron and Meade, in particular, offer the most powerful telescopes on the market.
There are a couple of different specs to pay attention to. These include aperture and focal length.
The aperture is the diameter of the objective lens or primary mirror. You can also look at it as the diameter of the opening for the optical tube assembly. A larger aperture is going to let more light into the telescope. As a result, you’ll have a brighter image. Wide apertures are a must if you want to view deep-space objects like faraway planets or nebulas.
The focal length is the distance the light travels inside the telescope to create the image on the focal plane. The focal length directly impacts the magnification level. The higher the focal plane, the more magnification you’ll get.
You can also look into the focal ratio, which is the relation between the aperture and the focal length. This measurement reflects the field of view. A lower focal ratio means that the telescope has a lower focal length. Thus, you’ll get a bigger picture of your target.
Technology
Tech-heavy telescopes are becoming increasingly popular in the hobby. For now, Celestron and Meade Instruments are the biggest providers of high-tech telescopes. These brands offer units with computerized mounts, full databases of targets, and even Wi-Fi connectivity.
You might also find simpler tech features. Smartphone mounts for astrophotography, for example, are becoming more prevalent. You can keep those necessary mounts on the telescope’s accessory tray and use them whenever you want to take a snap. Both Orion and Gskyer offer astrophotography gear.
Conclusion
Amateur astronomy enthusiasts have a lot of different products to choose from. No matter your price point or experience level, you’re bound to find something from Gskyer, Orion, Celestron, or Meade. These brands are some of the best for a reason! They offer high-quality products that put you one step closer to the stars!