Spending over 25 years observing the night sky, I have come to appreciate what makes a great telescope — from the build quality and accessories on offer, to the optical performance and portability.
This Black Friday weekend, I have come across quite a few instruments targeted at astronomers of all levels who have a variety of budgets — and there are so many great deals on offer across Black Friday and Cyber Monday events, meaning both budding and experienced skywatchers can save hundreds of dollars on top-quality telescopes. This is true whether you’re looking to buy an instrument for yourself or even for a loved one with the holidays in mind.
Before you purchase a telescope, there are a few things that you need to consider: how much you’re looking to spend, what type of targets pique your interest (solar system or deep-sky) and whether you’re a seasoned astronomer or just starting out in your skywatching hobby. I recommend doing your research before making any purchases, and you can check out my advice on the topic with our best telescopes page, where I answer your most frequently asked questions.
Ready to buy a telescope this Black Friday or Cyber Monday? Here are my top picks that boast very good optics — offering excellent, pin-sharp views without chromatic or spherical aberrations — superb builds and decent, good quality accessories. They are also portable, easy to put together and intuitive to use.
