What Makes Celestron Travel Scope 70DX, 10-168x Portable Stand Out?
The Celestron Travel Scope 70DX, 10-168x Portable is marketed as an entry-level telescope, designed for both terrestrial and celestial viewing. Celestron, a well-known name in amateur astronomy, aims to deliver a complete package with this refractor telescope, including a tripod, multiple eyepieces, a smartphone adapter, and even software. What immediately grabs attention is its portability, the promise of easy setup, and the inclusion of a smartphone adapter – features geared towards beginners and those on the move.
I was looking for a compact and versatile telescope to introduce my kids to astronomy and nature observation. I needed something easy to set up, lightweight, and capable of both daytime and nighttime use, without breaking the bank.
Upon unboxing the Celestron Travel Scope 70DX, 10-168x Portable, I was pleasantly surprised by how compact everything was, neatly packed in its custom backpack. The aluminum tripod felt surprisingly sturdy for its weight, and the optical tube had a decent heft to it. My initial impression was that while the materials weren’t premium, the overall build quality seemed adequate for its intended use.
I considered the Orion GoScope III 70mm and the Meade Adventure Scope 60mm. The Celestron won out because it offered a slightly larger aperture (70mm vs. 60mm) and the inclusion of a smartphone adapter, a feature I thought would be engaging for my kids.
My first impression was one of cautious optimism. I was excited by the potential for family stargazing and nature walks, but also a bit skeptical about the image quality and stability, given its budget-friendly price point.
Real-World Testing: Putting Celestron Travel Scope 70DX, 10-168x Portable to the Test
First Use Experience
I tested the Celestron Travel Scope 70DX, 10-168x Portable in my backyard, initially focusing on daytime viewing of birds and distant landmarks. The weather was clear and sunny, which provided good conditions for terrestrial observations.
The telescope was surprisingly easy to set up, taking only a few minutes to assemble the tripod and attach the optical tube. However, I found the finderscope difficult to align, and the image, even with the erect image diagonal, was noticeably dimmer than expected. After aligning the finderscope, observing the moon that same evening was much easier.
Extended Use & Reliability
After several weeks of use, the Celestron Travel Scope 70DX, 10-168x Portable has held up reasonably well, though some aspects are showing their limitations. The tripod, while lightweight, can be a bit wobbly, especially at higher magnifications.
There are no significant signs of wear and tear, but the plastic components feel a bit fragile. Cleaning the optics is straightforward with a microfiber cloth and lens cleaning solution. It is crucial to keep the lens covered when not in use.
Compared to my previous experience with a higher-end telescope, the Celestron doesn’t offer the same level of clarity or light gathering. However, for its intended purpose as a portable and beginner-friendly option, it performs adequately and is much easier to carry.
Breaking Down the Features of Celestron Travel Scope 70DX, 10-168x Portable
Specifications
Optical Design: Refractor, offering a straightforward design. Refractors generally provide sharper images compared to reflectors of the same aperture, but can suffer from chromatic aberration.
Aperture: 70mm (2.8″), which determines the light-gathering ability. A larger aperture collects more light, allowing for brighter and more detailed views of faint objects.
Focal Length: 400mm (15.74″), influencing magnification. A shorter focal length results in a wider field of view, suitable for observing larger objects.
Focal Ratio: f/5.7, a measure of optical speed. This is generally considered a fast focal ratio, which can be beneficial for astrophotography, though the Travel Scope 70DX isn’t primarily designed for that.
Eyepieces: 20mm (20x magnification) and 10mm (40x magnification), providing different levels of zoom. The included eyepieces are basic, and upgrading them could significantly improve image quality.
Barlow Lens: 2x, effectively doubling the magnification of each eyepiece. While increasing magnification, Barlow lenses can also amplify any optical imperfections.
Finderscope: 5×24, a small, low-magnification telescope used to locate objects. The finderscope is essential for aiming the telescope, but the included one is often difficult to adjust precisely.
Highest Useful Magnification: 168x, the maximum magnification achievable before image quality degrades significantly. Exceeding this limit results in a blurry and unusable image.
Mount Type: Manual Alt-Azimuth, allowing movement up/down and left/right. An Alt-Azimuth mount is simple to use but requires manual tracking of celestial objects.
Performance & Functionality
The Celestron Travel Scope 70DX, 10-168x Portable performs adequately for basic astronomical and terrestrial viewing. It is not designed for advanced observations.
The telescope offers decent views of the Moon, planets like Jupiter and Saturn (albeit small), and brighter deep-sky objects. Chromatic aberration (color fringing) is noticeable, especially at higher magnifications.
Design & Ergonomics
The Celestron Travel Scope 70DX, 10-168x Portable is lightweight and portable, making it easy to transport. The tripod is functional but can be unstable, particularly in windy conditions.
The telescope is user-friendly, especially for beginners, but the finderscope and focusing mechanism could be improved. The smartphone adapter is a nice addition, but aligning the phone camera with the eyepiece can be fiddly.
Durability & Maintenance
The Celestron Travel Scope 70DX, 10-168x Portable is reasonably durable, considering its price point. The aluminum optical tube should withstand normal use, but the plastic components require careful handling.
Cleaning the lens with a microfiber cloth and lens cleaning solution is the primary maintenance task. Protecting the telescope from dust and moisture is essential to prolong its lifespan.
Accessories and Customization Options
The Celestron Travel Scope 70DX, 10-168x Portable comes with:
- Optical tube
- Mount/tripod
- 20mm and 10mm eyepieces
- Erect image diagonal
- 5×24 finderscope
- Smartphone adapter
- Bluetooth shutter release button
- Moon filter
- SkyPortal app
- Starry Night Basic Edition software
- Backpack
The telescope is compatible with standard 1.25″ eyepieces, allowing for customization. Upgrading the eyepieces can significantly improve image quality.
Pros and Cons of Celestron Travel Scope 70DX, 10-168x Portable
Pros
- Extremely portable and lightweight. The included backpack makes it easy to carry everything.
- Easy to set up and use, even for beginners. No complicated assembly or alignment procedures.
- Includes smartphone adapter and Bluetooth shutter release. Facilitates easy astrophotography with a smartphone.
- Comes with a good range of accessories. Offers a complete package for getting started.
- Affordable price point. Makes it accessible to those on a budget.
Cons
- Tripod can be wobbly, especially at higher magnifications.
- Chromatic aberration is noticeable, especially at higher magnifications.
- The included finderscope is difficult to align.
Who Should Buy Celestron Travel Scope 70DX, 10-168x Portable?
The Celestron Travel Scope 70DX, 10-168x Portable is perfect for beginners, families with children, and casual stargazers who want a portable and easy-to-use telescope. It’s also well-suited for daytime nature observation.
Those seeking high-resolution images, advanced features, or serious astrophotography capabilities should skip this product. They should invest in a higher-end telescope with a larger aperture and a more stable mount.
A must-have accessory is a better quality 1.25″ eyepiece to improve image clarity. A sturdier tripod would also enhance stability.
Conclusion on Celestron Travel Scope 70DX, 10-168x Portable
The Celestron Travel Scope 70DX, 10-168x Portable is a decent entry-level telescope that offers a good balance of portability, ease of use, and affordability. It is not a high-performance instrument, but it serves its purpose well as a starter telescope for beginners and casual observers.
The price is justified for what it offers: a complete, portable package with useful accessories like the smartphone adapter. The software is also great for new astronomers.
I would personally recommend the Celestron Travel Scope 70DX, 10-168x Portable to anyone looking for an inexpensive and portable telescope to get started in astronomy. If you’re just starting out and want something fun to introduce you to the night sky, this is a good buy. So pack your bag, grab your Celestron Travel Scope 70DX, and discover the wonders above!