Black list of telescopes. Bad telescopes not for beginner

This list contains models of telescopes that, in my opinion, have serious shortcomings in the design, optical design or features of use, and which are not suitable for beginners. This black list based on my personal experience using various telescopes. Sellers in stores can either be silent about these shortcomings, or simply not be aware of them. In order to protect novice astronomy lovers from shops and sellers that’re soaring up the rubbish, I wrote this article.



The main part of the list consists of the so-called “Newtons with corrector.” Their design uses a fast mirror of spherical shape and a small corrector lens, correcting the distortions of the main mirror. Unfortunately, the corrector does not always work well, so the image at medium and high magnification can be blurred, surrounded by highlights and halos. In principle, such a telescope can be fixed, however, it is hardly possible for a beginner amateur in astronomy.

Therefore, the right choice would be a telescope with either a spherical mirror and a long tube, or with a parabolic mirror. Remember – the tube length of the Newton’s mirror telescope system is approximately equal to the focal length. If the focal length is declared 1000 mm, then the tube should be about 1000 mm long. If the tube is short, and the focal length is stated large – then there must be a corrector in it. If the telescope’s tube is short, but the focal length seems to be small — be careful anyway — you can put a spherical mirror in such telescopes.

At the same time, there are a number of telescopes of other optical systems that are equipped with an corrector, but it copes with its task. These are the telescopes of the Maksutov-Kassegren, Schmidt-Cassegrain, Maksutov-Newton, Schmidt-Newton, Klevtsov systems. Telescopes of the Maksutov-Cassegrain, Schmidt-Cassegrain and Klevtsov systems are distinguished by a short tube and a long focal length – this is normal. Such telescopes can be acquired without fear, although there is some variation in the quality of optics.

There are also specialized coma correctors that are inserted into the telescope focuser. Coma is a type of aberration in which the stars at the edges of the field of view look like birds (V). Coma corrector are usually used with Newton’s high-aperture parabolic telescopes (Sky-Watcher BKP150750EQ3-2, Sky-Watcher BKP2001EQ5) either in visual or in photographic mode. An example of coma corrector is Baader MPCC II, Televue Paracorr II.

The second part of the blacklist is lens achromat telescopes with high focal ratio (1:4…1:6), also called fast achromats. Lens telescopes are characterized by chromatic aberration — a colored halo surrounding bright objects (the moon, planets). The longer the focal length of the lens telescope with the same lens diameter, the weaker and smaller the chromatic halo. Fast achromates are suitable for specialized applications (observations of galaxies, nebulae, clusters with a small magnification,observation of terrestrial objects), but such telescopes are not recommended for observations of planets. Chromatism can be reduced or eliminated with a yellow light filter or special filters such as Baader Fringe Killer, but this will distort the natural color – the objects acquire a yellowish tint. Also, chromatism is not too noticeable when observed by Mars and Saturn. For astrophotography of gas nebulae with fast achromats, the CLS filter can be useful – it cuts off purple halos, and reduces the city light pollution. Also, fast achromats are quite suitable for narrowband capturing in the line of hydrogen (H-alpha) and oxygen (OIII). Mirror and mirror-lens telescopes, as well as apochromatic refractors, haven’t chromatism.



But fast achromats also have some advantages – a large field of view and compact size. For camping or balcony use, they are more convenient than telescopes with long tubes, and due to the large field of view, they can be successfully used as a wide-angle instrument when observing dim objects (galaxies, nebulae, star clusters).

Also in the second part of the black list are telescopes of too small diameter – less than 60 mm. Yes, they will show something (craters on the moon, for example), but in fact they are “toys”. It is better to add and take a telescope with a lens of 70 mm or more. I personally encountered cases when parents came to the store with their 15-year-old son behind the telescope “no more than 50 dollars” and really wanted to buy such a toy telescope for a schoolboy. Such a telescope will generally discourage the desire to get involved in astronomy (as in the “telescope can not see anything”).

Also, I do not recommend telescopes on too flimsy and unstable mounts. Image stability is very important for successful astronomical observations, since with constant shaking it is not possible to explore the object in more detail. Unfortunately, most telescopes on a complete mount shake when focusing, when touching a optical tube or from the wind. This may be quite enough for visual observations, however, some models of telescopes come in different mounts. For example, Sky-Watcher BK1149EQ1 and Sky-Watcher BK1149EQ2 with identical optical tubes differ in mounting and price. Mount EQ2, although not very stable, and payload capacity is still better than the EQ1. If there is a choice between two similar optical tubes, but with different mounts, then it is better to take a mount with better payload capacity. Another example is the Celestron PowerSeeker 80 EQ and Sky-Watcher BK809EQ2. The optical tubes are identical, and the mounts are different and Sky-Watchers’ mount more stable.

Of course, the final choice of the telescope is still yours, a novice space explorer. I hope that my black list of telescopes will help you make a deliberate choice, and your new telescope will give you a lot of pleasant experiences. I wish you a clear sky and success in space exploration!

Bad reflectiong and catadioptric telescopes:

Bresser Pluto 114/500 EQ – fast spherical mirror

Bresser Pluto II 114/500 EQ (carbon) – fast spherical mirror

Bresser Pollux 150/1400 EQ2 (carbon) – corrector

Bresser Pollux 150 \ 1400 – Corrector

Bresser Junior Dobson 76/350 – fast spherical mirror

Bresser National Geographic 114/500 – fast spherical mirror

Celestron FirstScope 76 – fast spherical mirror

Celestron Powerseeker 114 EQ is a very weak mount, although the pipe is quite good in optics. I advise you to pay attention to analogues with a stronger mount – Sky-Watcher BK1149EQ2, Meade Polaris 114.

Celestron Powerseeker 127 EQ – Corrector

Celestron Firstscope 114EQ Compact – Corrector

Celestron AstroMaster 114 EQ – Corrector

Celestron Astromaster 130 EQ, Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ-MD – fast spherical mirror

Celestron 114LCM – Corrector

Celestron NexStar N 114/1000 SLT GoTo – Corrector

Celestron NexStar 130 GT-SA – unknown, sphere in it or parabola, needs to be clarified.

Celestron Astromaster 76 EQ – everything is fine with optics, but the optical tube is not in the rings – it’s very hard to watch! It is necessary to purchase fixing rings.

Celestron EXPLORASCOPE 114AZ TELESCOPE – Corrector

Dicom N750150-EQ3 Nibiru 750 × 150-EQ – fast spherical mirror, weak mount

DICOM Nibiru 800 × 203-EQ4 (N800203-EQ4) – fast spherical mirror

DOFFLER T1141000 – Corrector

Fancier F1400150EQIII-A Corrector

Fancier F800203EQIV – fast spherical mirror

iOptron SmartStar-G-N114 – corrector.

JJ-Astro Astroman AutoTrack 114 × 500 – fast spherical mirror

Kon-Tiki 76/100 – fast spherical mirror

Konus KonusMotor 130 – corrector

Konus KonusMotor 500 – fast spherical mirror

Levenhuk LabZZ D1 – fast spherical mirror

Levenhuk Skyline 120 × 1000 – corrector

Levenhuk Skyline 114 × 1000 EQ – Corrector

Levenhuk Strike 100 PLUS – fast spherical mirror (residual spherical aberration)

Levenhuk Strike 120 PLUS – fast spherical mirror (residual spherical aberration)

Levenhuk Astro L220 EQ – possibly a fast spherical mirror

Meade 114EQ-ASTR – Corrector

Meade StarNavigator 114 – Corrector

Meade DS-2130 Corrector

Meade DS-2114 – Corrector

Meade Polaris 127 – Corrector

Meade Polaris 130 – fast spherical mirror, thick spider

Meade StarNavigator 130 mm – fast spherical mirror

Meade Reflector 114/1000 EQ – Corrector

Meade LightBridge Mini 82mm – fast spherical mirror

82mm MEADE EclipseView – fast spherical mirror

National Geographic 76/350 Dobson – fast spherical mirror

National Geographic 114/500 fast spherical mirror, most likely

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC NEWTON TELESCOPE 130/650 SPH – fast spherical mirror, most likely

Omegon 150/750 EQ-3 – fast spherical mirror, most likely

Omegon 114/900 EQ-1 – weak mount.

Orion SpaceProbe 3 – everything is fine with optics, but the optical tube is not in the rings – it’s very hard to watch! It is necessary to purchase fixing rings.

Pentaflex Reflector 130/1000 GOTO – Corrector

The Pentaflex Reflector 114/500 EQ1 is most likely a fast spherical mirror

RBT T800203 – fast spherical mirror

RBT T1141000 – Corrector

Seben 1000-114, also from the magazine “COLLECT YOUR TELESCOPE” (De Agostini) – corrector

Seben Big Boss 1400-150 EQ3 – corrector

Sky-Watcher BK Dob 76 – fast spherical mirror

Sky-Watcher BK1141EQ1 – Corrector

Sky-Watcher BK1145EQ1 – fast spherical mirror

Sky-Watcher Skyhawk-114/1000 EQ-1 – corrector

Sky-Watcher BK1149EQ1 – weak mount, pay attention to Synta (Sky-Watcher) BK1149EQ2.

SIGETA ME-150 150/750 EQ3 – fast spherical mirror (most likely)

Sigeta ME-200 – fast spherical mirror

Sigeta ME-200 EQ4 – fast spherical mirror

Sturman F500114 EQ3-M – Corrector

STURMAN 1400150 – Corrector

Sturman HQ 1000114 EQ1 – Corrector

STURMAN F900114 EQIII – weak mount

Sturman 750150 – fast spherical mirror

Synta NBK130650EQ2 – fast spherical mirror

Synta BK1149EQ1 – weak mount, it is better to pay attention to Sky-Watcher BK1149EQ2.

Synta Sky-Watcher Dob 76/300 Heritage – fast spherical mirror

Tasco Galaxsee 144500 – corrector

TS Optics Starscope 150 / 750mm Newton – fast spherical mirror

TS Starscope1306 – 130/650 – it is possible that thefast spherical mirror

TS Newtonian 150 / 1400mm on Mount EQ3-1 Megastar1550 – Corrector

Konus motor-130 corrector

Veber PolarStar 1000/114 EQ – Corrector

Veber PolarStar 1400/150 EQ – corrector

Veber PolarStar 1400/150 EQ – Corrector

Veber 1400/150 EQ – Corrector

Veber PolarStar 800/203 EQ – fast spherical mirror

Tal-120 – corrector, lack of adjustment of the main mirror.

Bad refracting telescopes

Bresser Messier AR-152S / 760 (EXOS-2 / EQ5) – fast achromat

Bresser Junior 50/600 silver – weak mount

Bresser RB-60 60/700 – weak mount

Bresser Junior Lunar 60/700 AZ – weak mount

Bresser National Geographic 70/350 Go To – fast achromat, small diameter at high cost

Bresser Junior 70/350 ETX-70 – fast achromat, small diameter at high cost

Bresser Junior 60/350 GOTO with case – small diameter with high cost

Bresser AR-102/600 EQ-3 AT3 Refractor – fast achromat

Celestron PowerSeeker 50AZ – weak mount, incomplete clarification of optics, small diameter

Celestron PowerSeeker 50 TT- weak mount, incomplete clarification of optics, small diameter

Celestron Travel Scope 70 – fast achromat, instead of mount – photo rod

Celestron Travel Scope 50 – small diameter, instead of mount – photo pole

Celestron Powerseeker 60 EQ – a small field of view, a purely lunar-planetary telescope.

Celestron Powerseeker 80 EQ is a very weak mount, although the optical tube is quite good in optics. I advise you to pay attention to the analog with a stronger mount – Sky-Watcher BK809EQ2.

Celestron NexStar 102 GT-SA fast achromat

Celestron NexStar 102 SLT – fast achromat

Celestron INSPIRE 100AZ REFRACTOR TELESCOPE – fast achromat

DOFFLER T50600 – weak mount, small diameter

DOFFLER T40070 – fast achromat

Eastcolight 9920 – some kind of camera toy

Eastcolight 32021 – small diameter, unstable mount

Eastcolight 3066 – small diameter, unstable mount

Eastcolight 2380 – small diameter, unstable mount

FANCIER F40070M – fast achromat, weak mount, eyepieces 0.965″

iOptron Astroboy – fast achromat

iOptron SmartStar-G-R80 – fast achromat

iOptron SmartStar-A-R80 – fast achromat

Levenhuk Skyline 80×400 AZ – fast achromat

Levenhuk Skyline Travel 70 – fast achromat, flimsy mount

Levenhuk Strike PLUS 90 – fast achromat

Levenhuk SkyMatic 105 GTA – fast achromat

Levenhuk Fixiki – unstable mount, no micrometer screws, overpriced

Levenhuk LabZZ T1 – unstable mount, small diameter, poor enlightenment

Levenhuk LabZZ T2 – unstable mount, small diameter, poor enlightenment

Levenhuk LabZZ MT2 – toy mount, small diameter, poor enlightenment

Levenhuk LabZZ MTV3 – toy mount, small diameter, poor enlightenment

Meade ETX-60, ETX-70, ETX-80 – fast achromat

Meade Infinity 80 mm – fast achromat

Meade Polaris 80 – weak mount (tier EQ1). Optics tube is good.

Meade Infinity 102 mm – fast achromat

Meade Infinity 50mm – very flimsy mount, small diameter

National Geographic Refractor 70/350 StarTracker GOTO – fast achromat

Orion AstroView 100mm EQ – fast achromat

Orion AstroView 120ST EQ – fast achromat

Paralux Lunette 70/350 – fast achromat

RBT T40070 – fast achromat

RBT T50600 – weak mount without micrometer screws

Sigeta Tucana 70/360 with case – fast achromat, weak mount.

Sigeta Volans 70/400- fast achromat, weak mount.

Sigeta Libra 80/400 – fast achromat

Sky-Watcher BK804AZ3 – fast achromat

Sky-Watcher BK1206AZ3 – fast achromat

Sky-Watcher 1206EQ3-2 – fast achromat

Sky-Watcher BK 1025 AZ3 – fast achromat

Sky-Watcher 1025 EQ1 – fast achromat on deadly EQ1

Sky-Watcher 150750 OTA (WHICH REFRACTOR) – fast achromat

Sturman HQ 40080 AZ3 – fast achromat

STURMAN HQ2 40070AZ- fast achromat

Sturman F600102 EQ4 – fast achromat

Synta protostar 50 AZ – – weak mount, incomplete coating of optics, small diameter

Veber 900/90 EK – weak mount, built-in wrap uncoated prism, incomplete coating of the objective lens.

Veber PolarStar 900/90 EQ8 – weak mount, built-in wrapping uncoated prism, incomplete coating of objective lenses.

Veber 900/90 AZ – weak mount, built-in wrapping uncoated prism, incompletecoating of the objective lens.

Veber 700/70 AZ – weak mount, built-in wrap uncoated prism, incomplete coating of the objective lens.

Veber PolarStar 700/70 AZ – weak mount, built-in wrapping uncoated prism, incomplete coating of objective lenses.

Veber 700/70 EK – the built-in turning not uncoated prism.

Veber 400/80 Az – a weak mount, a built-in wrap uncoated prism, incomplete coating of the objective lens, fast achromat.

Veber F70060TXII in the case – a very weak mount.

Veber 350/60 – fast achromat, weak mount, built-in wrapping uncoated prism.

Catadioptrics (Mirror lens)

Deepsky Mak 60 – the aperture is shielded to 40 mm with a second blend on the secondary mirror. After removing the second hood, the entire aperture is working.



Celestron C70 Mak is a telescope, not very suitable for astronomical observations.

Veber MAK 1000/90 – telescope, for astronomical observations not very suitable.

The list will be updated!

Other:

Lens Barlow Levenhuk A3x – plastic body, a lens without coating, disgusting quality.

Lens Barlow Sky-Watcher 3x, 1.25 ″ – a plastic case, a lens without coating, disgusting quality.

Have questions? Ask! If you recently acquired a telescope, and it turned out to be from the black list, it is recommended to return it to the store and purchase another telescope from the white list.

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