Gskyer Telescope, 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Mount Astronomical Refracting Telescope for Kids Beginners - Travel Telescope with Carry Bag, Phone Adapter and Wireless Remote.

I bought this knowing nothing about telescopes and not knowing what I could expect to see through this thing.Now I know more, I think this is a decent value, but it comes with A LOT of cons.In telescopes, the aperture size matters much more than magnification. The bigger the aperture, the better the image will be. This is a 70mm aperture (2.75 inches), which is about as small as you can get. It's typical for an "entry-level" telescope, and a decent value for the money if you want to get into stargazing without dropping 500 bucks or more on a bigger scope.However, if I could do it over again, I would've spent more and gone with a better one.First, as with all beginner telescopes, it is actually much harder to use than a more intermediate level one. This is something well-known in the amateur astronomy group I've joined, and they never, EVER recommend buying a beginner telescope, ESPECIALLY for kids.Because most kids like looking AT stuff more than looking FOR it. And with this telescope, far more time is spent hunting for objects than actually looking at them.My kid doesn't have the patience or attention span for that, but I rather enjoy the challenge, so I do it. Which brings me to the next problem.This is made for kids. As such, the stand is very short. Which means that all the time you spend hunting for things, you'll having to be hunched over, crouched down, or kneeling on the ground.And if you live in a place with a lot of light pollution, you won't be able to see much more than stars, the Moon, or the brightest planets. Even Mars is difficult to see through this telescope, and you can't make out any detail whatsoever on the surface.You can make out SOME faint detail on Jupiter, especially if you go away from light pollution on a clear, moonless night. And you can just make out Saturn's rings.Venus, on the other hand, is very easy to see. Especially now, near the end of April 2020, it is the brightest it'll be all year, so we've been looking at it every night. It's too bright, even at its dimmest, to make out any detail, but you can see what phase it's in.Galaxies, most nebulas, and many star clusters are beyond the ability of this telescope, but that being said, I was able to see a planetary nebula called The Ghost of Jupiter last night.For perspective, I've had a few weeks of use and practice, and feel comfortable with the telescope, and have a number of apps, charts, and star maps to help me find things, and it STILL took over an hour for me to finally find it, put it close enough to the center of my field of view to use with max magnification, and put it in focus.And even then, it looked like a hazy, bluish star. We couldn't make out any detail or the distinctive eye-shape that can be seen with even slightly larger scopes.Still, it was cool and the kid loved it. I consider it worth the effort, but my back is killing me today.Don't get me wrong, for an entry-level telescope, this is good. It'll serve our needs while we save up for an upgrade. But, like all entry-level telescopes, this is harder to use and not powerful enough to see much.All the time required to hunt for things, for what many may consider a disappointing result, could potentially end up killing a kid's enthusiasm.If you absolutely MUST get an entry-level telescope, this is a good choice. But if at all possible, save up and get a larger aperture.

Why did you pick this product vs others?:My son absolutely loves this! He takes this to his grandparents on a regular basis with him for over night stays and the case that it comes with helps in transport. He says he can see things clear and precisely through the scope! We use the app a lot with this so that he can take pictures and then show his friends what he was looking at. The lenses are easily interchangeable and assemble is easy to follow! Would buy this product again, and I am seriously considering getting this for my nephew for Christmas. Great find!

Gskyer Telescope Review: A Perfect Starter Scope for Astronomy EnthusiastsThe Gskyer Telescope (70mm Aperture, 400mm AZ Mount) is an excellent choice for beginners and hobbyists who want to explore the night sky. Here's a detailed review based on my experience:Installation and PortabilitySetting up the telescope was surprisingly easy—it took me just about 5 minutes to assemble all the pieces. The lightweight design and moderate material quality make it easy to handle, even for someone new to telescopes. Plus, it comes with a durable carrying bag, which adds to its portability and convenience for stargazing trips.Optical PerformanceWith its 70mm aperture and 400mm focal length, this refracting telescope offers decent magnification for observing celestial objects. The moon’s craters are clearly visible, and the level of detail is impressive for an entry-level telescope. It’s truly a thrilling experience to see the moon’s surface up close—it feels like you’re almost there!The telescope provides sufficient clarity for viewing other objects such as Jupiter's moons or Saturn’s rings, although you might need additional lenses or filters to enhance the experience.Build QualityThe materials are not premium but are adequate for its price range. The build feels sturdy enough for regular use, yet light enough to make it easy to transport. The adjustable tripod provides stability but might wobble slightly when extended to full height.Ease of UseThe AZ (Altazimuth) mount is simple and intuitive, making it easy to track celestial objects across the sky. For beginners, this is a big plus, as you won’t have to wrestle with complex setups or alignment processes.Value for MoneyThis telescope strikes a great balance between affordability and functionality. It’s perfect for casual observation and an excellent stepping stone into the world of astronomy.ProsQuick and easy assembly (5 minutes or less).Lightweight and portable, with a convenient carrying bag.Clear and detailed views of the moon and nearby planets.Beginner-friendly AZ mount for easy navigation.ConsMaterials are moderate in quality but sufficient for beginners.Tripod stability could be improved.Limited magnification without additional lenses or accessories.

This was a great choice for my husband! It was his birthday and I went with an “out of this world” theme. This telescope was not only the perfect compliment to this theme, but my husband hasn’t had a telescope since he was a kid and unlocked some core memories that he was excited to revisit.The telescope is perfect for the man or (our children) who love looking at the stars and exploring the planets. Great sight- easy to put together and store- great to pair with phone to take pictures. It is a great option for an affordable option without sacrificing visibility quality.Would totally recommend!

My grandson has always asked questions about what is up in the sky. So, for his 9th birthday, I bought him the Gskyer Telescope. Not wanting to pay an exorbitant amount of money and getting something too complicated to use, this was a very good choice. It is well made and easy to assemble. The handheld remote gives him the ability to catch pictures. My grandson lives in the country so there is wide open space to explore. He also is homeschooled, so the telescope and findings have become a part of the science curriculum. I would recommend this telescope to anyone starting to explore the skies.