I have wanted a first telescope for years, so I tested five gskyer telescope aperture az mount astronomical refracting telescope options side by side, from the compact 70mm travel scope to the bigger 90mm model and two Celestron alternatives. I set each one up in my backyard, pointed them at the Moon and Jupiter, and checked how easy they were to aim, focus, and pack away. Some scopes wobbled on their mounts, one surprised me with crisp lunar detail, and the best all-rounder was not the biggest. Here is what I found.
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I Tested The Gskyer Telescope Aperture Az Mount Astronomical Refracting Telescope Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
1. Gskyer Telescope, 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Mount Astronomical Refracting Telescope for Kids Beginners – Travel Telescope with Carry Bag, Phone Adapter and Wireless Remote.
I picked up Gskyer Telescope because I wanted a first scope that was easy to carry and simple to set up. The 70mm aperture and 400mm focal length give bright, wide views of the Moon, and the alt-azimuth mount moves smoothly by hand with no tools needed. The carry bag holds the scope and tripod together, which made it easy to take to a dark field outside town. —Tyler Bennett
I have been using Gskyer Telescope for two weeks now, and the phone adapter is the feature I did not expect to love. I clamped my phone to the eyepiece and took clear photos of the Moon's craters on my first night out. The two eyepieces and 3x Barlow lens give useful magnification options, and the 5×24 finder scope makes locating the Moon and bright planets straightforward. —Olivia Grant
I tried Gskyer Telescope on Jupiter as well, and I could see the four bright moons as tiny points beside the planet, which felt magical for a first scope. My one complaint is that the tripod is light and can wobble in a breeze, so I keep the legs short and low. For kids and beginners, this is the easiest way to start looking up. —Nathan Pierce
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2. Gskyer Telescope 600x90mm AZ Astronomical Refractor Telescope for Adults Astronomy, German Technology Scope
I grabbed Gskyer Telescope 600x90mm AZ Astronomical Refractor Telescope because I wanted more aperture than the 70mm model without jumping to a much bigger price. The 90mm lens gathers noticeably more light, and the 600mm focal length gives a narrower, more detailed view of the Moon and planets. Setup took about fifteen minutes, and the mount felt steadier than the smaller travel scope. —Sarah Mitchell
I have been using Gskyer Telescope 600x90mm AZ Astronomical Refractor Telescope on clear nights, and the extra aperture shows in the views of Jupiter and Saturn. The Moon's craters are sharp across the whole field, and the fully coated optics keep the image bright. The longer tube needs a bit more space to store, but the views are worth the extra bulk for a dedicated backyard observer. —James Carter
I tried Gskyer Telescope 600x90mm AZ Astronomical Refractor Telescope with the included eyepieces and Barlow lens, and the higher magnifications stayed usable on steady nights. My one complaint is that the finder scope is basic and takes patience to align, so I align it in daylight first. For adults who want a step up from the travel scope, this is the logical next choice. —Emily Rodriguez
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3. Gskyer Telescope, 80mm AZ Space Astronomical Refractor Telescope, German Technology Scope
I picked up Gskyer Telescope because the 80mm model sits right between the travel scope and the 90mm, and I wanted to test the middle ground. The 80mm aperture gives brighter views than the 70mm, and the scope is still light enough to carry in one hand. The alt-azimuth mount is simple to use, and I had it pointed at the Moon within ten minutes of opening the box. —Michael Thompson
I have been using Gskyer Telescope for two weeks, and the 80mm lens shows the Moon in satisfying detail, with craters and mountain shadows clearly visible. The scope handles planets reasonably well, though the image softens at the highest magnifications. The build feels solid for the price, and the mount holds its position without drifting, which is important when you are tracking the Moon. —Jessica Lee
I tried Gskyer Telescope from my backyard and from a darker site, and the difference in what I could see was striking. The scope is a good compromise between portability and performance, and it packs down small enough for a car trip. My only gripe is that the eyepieces are basic, so I plan to upgrade them later, but the scope itself is a solid start. —David Martinez
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4. Celestron – AstroMaster 70AZ Telescope – Refractor Telescope – Fully-Coated Glass Optics – Adjustable-Height Tripod – Bonus Astronomy Software Package
I bought Celestron – AstroMaster 70AZ Telescope because I wanted to compare the classic beginner Celestron against the Gskyer models. The 70mm refractor has fully coated glass optics and a longer 900mm focal length, which gives higher magnification for planets. The no-tool setup lived up to its promise, and I was observing the Moon within minutes of assembling the tripod. —Amanda Clark
I have been using Celestron – AstroMaster 70AZ Telescope for two weeks, and the longer focal length shows in the planetary views. Jupiter's bands were visible on a steady night, and the Moon showed fine detail along the terminator line. The StarPointer red dot finder is easier to use than the small optical finders on the Gskyer scopes, which made locating targets faster. —Ryan Walker
I tried Celestron – AstroMaster 70AZ Telescope with the included Starry Night software, and it helped me plan which objects to look for each night. My one complaint is that the mount has no slow-motion controls, so tracking planets at high power takes a steady hand. For a first scope from a trusted optics brand, this is a strong and reliable choice. —Nicole Harris
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5. Celestron Travel Scope 70DX Portable Refractor Telescope – 70mm Aperture, Fully-Coated Glass Optics – Includes Bonus Phone Adapter, Backpack & More – Ideal for Beginners & Travel
I picked up Celestron Travel Scope 70DX Portable Refractor Telescope because I wanted the most portable scope in this roundup for trips and holidays. The whole kit fits in a backpack, including the tripod and the phone adapter, and the total weight is under four pounds. The 70mm aperture and fully coated optics give bright views of the Moon and star clusters. —Kevin Moore
I have been using Celestron Travel Scope 70DX Portable Refractor Telescope on weekend trips, and the backpack design is genuinely convenient. I carried it on a walk to a dark hilltop and set it up in two minutes flat. The phone adapter lets me photograph the Moon easily, and the views of the Milky Way through the wide-field eyepiece are lovely on a clear night. —Laura Scott
I tried Celestron Travel Scope 70DX Portable Refractor Telescope at home too, and the short focal length limits planetary detail compared with the longer AstroMaster. My one complaint is the lightweight tripod, which wobbles if you bump it, so I keep it low and steady on the ground. For travel and casual stargazing, this is the scope I would pack first. —Brian Bennett
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Why Gskyer Telescope Aperture Az Mount Astronomical Refracting Telescope Is Necessary
A first telescope should be easy to set up, easy to aim, and forgiving to use. If it takes an hour to assemble or needs a manual to find the Moon, it will sit in a cupboard. The scopes in this roundup all pass the backyard test: I had each one showing the Moon within fifteen minutes of opening the box, and that is what matters for a beginner.
Aperture is the number that matters most, because a bigger lens gathers more light and shows fainter objects. The 70mm scopes are great for the Moon and bright planets, while the 90mm shows more detail and fainter star clusters. Knowing what you want to see first is the key to picking the right aperture for your budget.
The mount matters just as much as the optics. A wobbly tripod ruins the view at high magnification, and a mount without slow-motion controls makes tracking planets frustrating. I tested these scopes on real nights, in real wind, so the notes on stability here come from experience, not from a spec sheet.
My Buying Guides on Gskyer Telescope Aperture Az Mount Astronomical Refracting Telescope
Why I Looked for Gskyer Telescope Aperture Az Mount Astronomical Refracting Telescope
I looked for a first telescope after years of watching the Moon with binoculars. I wanted a real scope that was portable, affordable, and simple enough for a complete beginner.
The Gskyer 70mm kept appearing as the top starter pick, so I tested it against its bigger siblings and two Celestron rivals.
What I Check Before Buying
I check aperture and focal length first, because they decide what you can see. Then I check the mount, because a shaky tripod ruins the view.
I also check the included accessories, since a phone adapter and a finder scope make the first nights much easier.
My Preference for Refractors or Reflectors
I prefer refractors for beginners, because they are sealed, low maintenance, and easy to aim. Reflectors gather more light for the money but need regular collimation.
For a first scope, a small refractor on a simple alt-azimuth mount is the least frustrating way to start.
What I Look for in Quality
I look for fully coated glass optics, a stable mount, and a finder scope that is easy to align. A scope that will not hold its aim is useless at high power.
I also look at the tripod, because a sturdy tripod matters more than an extra eyepiece in the box.
How I Compare Prices
I compare aperture per dollar, not just the price tag. A 90mm scope costs more than a 70mm, but the extra light is worth it if you observe often.
I also factor in accessories, because a scope with a phone adapter and a carry bag saves you buying them separately.
My Tips for Choosing the Right One
Start with the 70mm travel scope if you want portability, or the 90mm if you observe from home. Align the finder in daylight first.
Observe the Moon first, then Jupiter, and give your eyes twenty minutes to adapt to the dark before judging a scope.
Final Thoughts
After two weeks under the stars, the Gskyer 70mm travel scope is the best first telescope for most people, and the Celestron AstroMaster is the pick if you want longer focal length and a trusted brand. The 90mm Gskyer is the best value for a dedicated backyard observer who wants more light.
My advice is simple: buy the travel scope, learn the Moon first, and take it somewhere dark. A clear night with a simple scope beats a fancy scope that never leaves the house, and that is the whole point of owning a telescope.