Buying stargazing literally opens up a new world. The moon comes alive, Saturn's rings become visible, and in dark skies you can even see distant nebulae and galaxies. But before you order a telescope, it's important to understand what you're buying. Because not every stargazer is right for your goals, and wrong choices often lead to frustration.
In this guide, we clearly explain how stargazing works, the difference between popular models, and how to make an informed choice based on your needs.
How does a stargazer work?
A stargazer, or telescope, is an optical instrument that collects light. The more light, the better you see, literally. This is done through lenses (refractors) or mirrors (reflectors). The image is then magnified through the eyepiece: the lens you look through.
The result? You see details you miss with the naked eye, such as the craters of the moon, the cloud bands on Jupiter, or the Orion Nebula.
But note that more magnification does not necessarily mean better image. The quality depends mainly on the opening the diameter of the lens or mirror that captures light. The larger that aperture, the brighter and sharper the image.
Which type of stargazer suits you?
If you want to buy a stargazer, it is crucial that you know how you want to look at. Do you want to peer traditionally through an eyepiece? Or prefer to see the image directly on your smartphone?
Dobsonian viewers: classic, instructive and powerful
Dobsonians are popular with beginners and advanced observers alike. They are easy to operate, offer a lot of aperture for a relatively low price, and provide a clear view of both planets and deep-sky objects. Perfect for those who really want to learn to navigate the night sky.
Compact models such as the Sky-Watcher Heritage 130/650 Are ideal for home and travel.
Larger variants such as the 150/750 give you just that little bit of extra light output.
Note that the larger the aperture (say 150 mm), the more you will see provided the sky is dark enough.
Smart stargazers: digital, fast and versatile
Would you rather see images directly on your phone or tablet, without alignment or searching? Smart telescopes like the Seestar S50 or DWARF 3 automatically find celestial objects, focus and show live images. You can even use it to take photos and auto-stack for deep-sky results.
Accessible to use, but: if you want to dive deeper into astrophotography, you will still encounter technical terms such as EQ mode or field rotation. So smart stargazers are not toys, but powerful tools, especially for those who want to get started with image capture.
Light pollution: less of a problem than you think
With a modern stargazer or smart telescope, you need to worry much less about light pollution. Planets, the moon and bright stars remain razor-sharp visible even in the middle of the city. Whether you are in Amsterdam or in the countryside, Saturn's rings and moon craters appear with remarkable detail.
For nebulae, galaxies and clusters - so-called deep-sky objects - dark skies still help, but smart telescopes compensate for that difference with live stacking and digital image processing. This also allows you to capture and see a surprising amount in urban environments. In short: light pollution limits you less than ever, especially if you work with a smart scope.
Important when buying a stargazer
Buying a stargazer is not an impulse purchase. Consider these three points:
Opening above magnification: a telescope with 130 mm aperture often performs better than one with 400x ‘magnification’ that has only 60 mm aperture. (As often advertised through Bol.com or Amazon)
Good accessories: Eyepieces determine what you see. Choose wisely.
Stable mount: instability is the biggest frustration for beginners. Choose a solid base, such as a Dobson mount, or a smart scope with internal stabilization.
Our recommendations
For classic stargazing:
Sky-Watcher Heritage 130/650 or 150/750 - pure optics, great for learning to recognize constellations
Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 114AZ - hybrid: eyepiece experience with smart search function
For digital and photography-oriented use:
Seestar S50 - user-friendly and complete
DWARF 3 - More control and better deep-sky performance
Buying stargazing equipment? Choose wisely
At telescoop.co.uk you don't choose from 300 random models, but from a carefully selected range that we test ourselves. Our advice is based on experience, customer data and the real needs of beginners. No empty promises, but telescopes that do what they promise.
Want to know which viewer is best for you? Then use our telescope selection guide and start stargazing today in the way that suits you.
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