Celestron Travel Scope 70 Portable Telescope, NO Review

What Makes Celestron Travel Scope 70 Portable Telescope, NO Stand Out?

The Celestron Travel Scope 70 Portable Telescope, NO promises accessibility and convenience for budding astronomers and nature enthusiasts. Marketed by Celestron as an entry-level telescope designed for portability without sacrificing optical quality, it aims to bridge the gap between affordability and performance. My years in the outdoor and tactical gear realm, however, have taught me to scrutinize such claims, especially when “travel” and “budget” are in the same sentence.

I needed a compact, grab-and-go telescope that I could easily pack for camping trips and spontaneous stargazing sessions. My larger, more powerful telescope is fantastic, but its bulk makes it impractical for quick excursions. The Celestron Travel Scope 70 presented itself as a potential solution, offering a seemingly decent aperture in a lightweight package.

Unboxing the telescope, I was immediately struck by its compact size and included backpack. The build quality seemed adequate for the price point, with the aluminum tripod feeling surprisingly sturdy. Compared to my older Bushnell telescope, which felt flimsy and difficult to assemble, the Celestron appeared more user-friendly right out of the box. I passed on a similar Meade telescope previously because the reviews mentioned confusing assembly.

My initial excitement was cautiously optimistic. The promise of “exceptional value” would be put to the test under the night sky. It remained to be seen if the Celestron Travel Scope 70 Portable Telescope, NO could deliver on its claims of portability and performance or if it was merely another inexpensive, underperforming optic.

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Real-World Testing: Putting Celestron Travel Scope 70 Portable Telescope, NO to the Test

First Use Experience

My first outing with the Celestron Travel Scope 70 Portable Telescope, NO was a weekend camping trip in the Mojave Desert. The dark skies promised optimal viewing conditions, and I was eager to test its capabilities. Setting it up was indeed quick and easy, requiring no tools as advertised.

The telescope performed reasonably well, providing clear views of the moon and brighter stars. However, I immediately noticed that the altazimuth mount, while smooth, wasn’t the most precise for fine adjustments, making it challenging to track objects at higher magnifications. The desert wind also proved to be a minor nuisance, causing some vibrations in the lightweight tripod.

One surprise was the erect image diagonal, which provided correctly oriented views. This was a welcome feature for terrestrial viewing during daylight hours, allowing me to observe distant wildlife without the inverted image of traditional astronomical telescopes.

Extended Use & Reliability

After several weeks of use, I’ve taken the Celestron Travel Scope 70 Portable Telescope, NO on multiple camping trips and backyard stargazing sessions. While it has held up well in terms of durability, certain limitations have become more apparent. The aluminum tripod, while initially sturdy, is prone to wobbling, especially on uneven terrain.

Maintaining the telescope is simple, requiring only occasional cleaning of the lens with a microfiber cloth. Compared to my more expensive refractor telescope, the Celestron doesn’t offer the same level of optical clarity or light-gathering capability, but it’s undeniably more convenient to transport and set up. The views are decent for the price, but serious amateur astronomers will quickly outgrow its capabilities.

Breaking Down the Features of Celestron Travel Scope 70 Portable Telescope, NO

Specifications

• The Celestron Travel Scope 70 features a 70mm aperture, which determines the amount of light the telescope can gather. This is adequate for viewing the moon, planets, and brighter deep-sky objects, but fainter objects will be difficult to observe.

• It has a focal length of 400mm, resulting in a focal ratio of f/5.7. This relatively short focal ratio contributes to a wider field of view, making it easier to locate objects.

• The telescope comes with two eyepieces: a 20mm eyepiece providing 20x magnification and a 10mm eyepiece providing 40x magnification. These are basic eyepieces and upgrading them would significantly improve the viewing experience.

• The preassembled aluminum tripod provides a stable platform. However, its lightweight design makes it susceptible to vibrations, particularly in windy conditions.

• The package includes a custom backpack for easy transportation and storage. This is a major selling point, making the telescope truly portable.

Performance & Functionality

The Celestron Travel Scope 70 Portable Telescope, NO performs adequately for its intended purpose: providing a basic introduction to astronomy for beginners. It offers clear views of the moon, revealing craters and surface details. The planets, such as Jupiter and Saturn, are visible as small disks, although details like cloud bands and rings are difficult to discern without higher magnification and better seeing conditions.

The primary weakness lies in its limited light-gathering capability and the quality of the included eyepieces. Fainter deep-sky objects, such as nebulae and galaxies, appear as faint smudges, lacking the detail and contrast that more powerful telescopes can reveal. The altazimuth mount, while easy to use, lacks the precision required for tracking objects at high magnifications.

Overall, the Celestron meets expectations for an entry-level telescope in its price range, but serious amateur astronomers will likely find its performance lacking.

Design & Ergonomics

The Celestron Travel Scope 70 features a simple and straightforward design. Its lightweight construction and compact size make it easy to handle and transport. The preassembled tripod is a welcome feature, saving time and effort during setup.

The user-friendliness is a major strength, making it accessible to beginners with little to no prior experience. The lack of complicated adjustments and the intuitive nature of the altazimuth mount contribute to a smooth learning curve.

Durability & Maintenance

The aluminum tripod and plastic telescope tube appear reasonably durable for their intended use. With proper care and storage, the Celestron Travel Scope 70 should last for several years. Maintaining the telescope is simple, requiring only occasional cleaning of the lens with a microfiber cloth and tightening of screws as needed.

Accessories and Customization Options

The Celestron Travel Scope 70 comes with the bare minimum of accessories: two eyepieces (20mm and 10mm), an erect image diagonal, and a finderscope. The finderscope is rather basic and difficult to align accurately.

The most worthwhile customization option would be upgrading the eyepieces. Higher-quality eyepieces with wider fields of view and better optical coatings can significantly improve the viewing experience. The telescope is compatible with standard 1.25-inch eyepieces from various brands.

Pros and Cons of Celestron Travel Scope 70 Portable Telescope, NO

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Who Should Buy Celestron Travel Scope 70 Portable Telescope, NO?

The Celestron Travel Scope 70 Portable Telescope, NO is perfect for:

• Beginners who are new to astronomy and want an affordable and easy-to-use telescope.
• Families with children who are interested in exploring the night sky.
• Casual campers and travelers who want a portable telescope for spontaneous stargazing sessions.

Who should skip this product?

• Experienced amateur astronomers seeking high-performance optics.
• Individuals who require a stable platform for astrophotography.

Must-have accessories or modifications?

• A higher-quality 1.25-inch eyepiece with a wider field of view (e.g., a 6mm eyepiece for higher magnification).
• A more robust tripod for increased stability, especially in windy conditions.

Conclusion on Celestron Travel Scope 70 Portable Telescope, NO

The Celestron Travel Scope 70 Portable Telescope, NO is a decent entry-level telescope that delivers on its promise of portability and ease of use. While its optical performance is limited by its small aperture and basic accessories, it provides a worthwhile introduction to the wonders of astronomy for beginners.

The price is justified for those seeking a compact and affordable telescope for casual stargazing and terrestrial viewing. However, serious amateur astronomers will quickly outgrow its capabilities and should consider investing in a higher-quality instrument.

I would recommend the Celestron Travel Scope 70 Portable Telescope, NO to families with children or beginners who are looking for a simple and affordable way to explore the night sky. Just be aware of its limitations and consider upgrading the eyepieces for a better viewing experience. Grab one today and unlock the cosmos!