Whether you’re buying for yourself or younger skywatchers, the Celestron Firstscope tabletop telescope is a joy to use and, even though I’ve bought bigger scopes since, it’s my go-to for quick skywatching sessions. Now, it’s even cheaper in Amazon’s Spring Sale, a steal at just $64.
Save up to 15% on this moon-themed Celestron Firstscope and survey the night sky for less.
Chris McMullen
Chris is a freelance journalist who, when not writing, skywatching or playing games, indulges his taste for horror, sci-fi and the post-apocalyptic. As well as Space.com, you can find his work at GameSpew (where he’s the weekend editor).
Whether you’re casually surveying the skies or counting down to the next full moon, you can’t go wrong with this Celestron Firstscope. It may not be as powerful as some of the best telescopes, but it’s super-portable and it’s my go-to telescope for when I want a quick stargazing session.
Why? Mainly because it’s so easy to use and set up. Yes, it’s a tabletop telescope but as I’ve discovered, you can easily rest it on a trash can or other convenient platform and there’s even a 3D printable mount you can use. Children and adults alike will find it a breeze to use.
This setup comes with 20mm and 4mm eyepieces, which are fine, but you can also trade up to any of the best eyepieces. Yes, I have two other telescopes, but I only drag them out when I’ve got a specific sky object in mind. The Celestron Firstscope is perfect for just seeing what’s out there, and bringing out the big guns if need be.
Key features: Newtonian reflector, 2.99-in (76mm) aperture, 11.81in (300mm)
focal length, 20mm and 4mm eyepieces included, dobsonian mount.
Product launched: March 2009
Price history: This is the cheapest the Firstscope has been all year; it was a little cheaper in November of last year but this is still a great deal.
Price comparison: Amazon: $64 | Walmart: $75
Reviews consensus: In our review of the essentially identical Celestron Firstscope 76, we awarded it four stars, remarking that it “Exudes portability, ease of use and a price that’s not going to break the bank.”
We gave this telescope three out of five stars in our review when comparing it to higher-end models. However, when considering its suitability to beginners, this telescope is impressive, especially for its even cheaper price point over Black Friday weekend.
Space: ★★★★
Featured in guides: Best telescopes, best tabletop telescopes
✅ Buy it if: You are new to astronomy, or are looking for a super-portable telescope that requires zero set-up.
❌ Don’t buy it if: You want brilliant deep space views, this scope’s optics and aperture aren’t quite up to that.
Check out our other guides to the best telescopes, binoculars, cameras, star projectors, drones, lego and much more.
