Gskyer Telescope, 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Mount Astronomical Refracting Telescope for Kids Beginners - Travel Telescope with Carry Bag, Phone Adapter and Wireless Remote.

I bought this knowing nothing about telescopes and not knowing what I could expect to see through this thing.Now I know more, I think this is a decent value, but it comes with A LOT of cons.In telescopes, the aperture size matters much more than magnification. The bigger the aperture, the better the image will be. This is a 70mm aperture (2.75 inches), which is about as small as you can get. It's typical for an "entry-level" telescope, and a decent value for the money if you want to get into stargazing without dropping 500 bucks or more on a bigger scope.However, if I could do it over again, I would've spent more and gone with a better one.First, as with all beginner telescopes, it is actually much harder to use than a more intermediate level one. This is something well-known in the amateur astronomy group I've joined, and they never, EVER recommend buying a beginner telescope, ESPECIALLY for kids.Because most kids like looking AT stuff more than looking FOR it. And with this telescope, far more time is spent hunting for objects than actually looking at them.My kid doesn't have the patience or attention span for that, but I rather enjoy the challenge, so I do it. Which brings me to the next problem.This is made for kids. As such, the stand is very short. Which means that all the time you spend hunting for things, you'll having to be hunched over, crouched down, or kneeling on the ground.And if you live in a place with a lot of light pollution, you won't be able to see much more than stars, the Moon, or the brightest planets. Even Mars is difficult to see through this telescope, and you can't make out any detail whatsoever on the surface.You can make out SOME faint detail on Jupiter, especially if you go away from light pollution on a clear, moonless night. And you can just make out Saturn's rings.Venus, on the other hand, is very easy to see. Especially now, near the end of April 2020, it is the brightest it'll be all year, so we've been looking at it every night. It's too bright, even at its dimmest, to make out any detail, but you can see what phase it's in.Galaxies, most nebulas, and many star clusters are beyond the ability of this telescope, but that being said, I was able to see a planetary nebula called The Ghost of Jupiter last night.For perspective, I've had a few weeks of use and practice, and feel comfortable with the telescope, and have a number of apps, charts, and star maps to help me find things, and it STILL took over an hour for me to finally find it, put it close enough to the center of my field of view to use with max magnification, and put it in focus.And even then, it looked like a hazy, bluish star. We couldn't make out any detail or the distinctive eye-shape that can be seen with even slightly larger scopes.Still, it was cool and the kid loved it. I consider it worth the effort, but my back is killing me today.Don't get me wrong, for an entry-level telescope, this is good. It'll serve our needs while we save up for an upgrade. But, like all entry-level telescopes, this is harder to use and not powerful enough to see much.All the time required to hunt for things, for what many may consider a disappointing result, could potentially end up killing a kid's enthusiasm.If you absolutely MUST get an entry-level telescope, this is a good choice. But if at all possible, save up and get a larger aperture.

My son is a beginner and wanted a telescope for his birthday. This is his 2nd telescope, the first was a cheaper one from walmart. This one is so much better! Setup was easy and it feels sturdy. It comes with plenty of lenses and the ability to capture pictures with a hand held remote is a plus! The handle that moves the telescope up and down will lock the telescope in place by turning it to the right so it doesnt flop around on the stand. We didn't have much time with it tonight but here is a picture we captured of the moon. If you're a beginner looking to purchase, it's worth it!

Gskyer Telescope Review: A Perfect Starter Scope for Astronomy EnthusiastsThe Gskyer Telescope (70mm Aperture, 400mm AZ Mount) is an excellent choice for beginners and hobbyists who want to explore the night sky. Here's a detailed review based on my experience:Installation and PortabilitySetting up the telescope was surprisingly easy—it took me just about 5 minutes to assemble all the pieces. The lightweight design and moderate material quality make it easy to handle, even for someone new to telescopes. Plus, it comes with a durable carrying bag, which adds to its portability and convenience for stargazing trips.Optical PerformanceWith its 70mm aperture and 400mm focal length, this refracting telescope offers decent magnification for observing celestial objects. The moon’s craters are clearly visible, and the level of detail is impressive for an entry-level telescope. It’s truly a thrilling experience to see the moon’s surface up close—it feels like you’re almost there!The telescope provides sufficient clarity for viewing other objects such as Jupiter's moons or Saturn’s rings, although you might need additional lenses or filters to enhance the experience.Build QualityThe materials are not premium but are adequate for its price range. The build feels sturdy enough for regular use, yet light enough to make it easy to transport. The adjustable tripod provides stability but might wobble slightly when extended to full height.Ease of UseThe AZ (Altazimuth) mount is simple and intuitive, making it easy to track celestial objects across the sky. For beginners, this is a big plus, as you won’t have to wrestle with complex setups or alignment processes.Value for MoneyThis telescope strikes a great balance between affordability and functionality. It’s perfect for casual observation and an excellent stepping stone into the world of astronomy.ProsQuick and easy assembly (5 minutes or less).Lightweight and portable, with a convenient carrying bag.Clear and detailed views of the moon and nearby planets.Beginner-friendly AZ mount for easy navigation.ConsMaterials are moderate in quality but sufficient for beginners.Tripod stability could be improved.Limited magnification without additional lenses or accessories.

This telescope is honestly such good quality. Everything is really sturdy. It’s wonderful. I only returned it because I did not fully read the description. I saw the phone attached and I just figured it was like Bluetooth, but it’s not so I’m gonna save my money for a more high-tech one, but this one is super affordable, wonderful quality and definitely would make a good gift or if you want a nice telescope

Product is great, very easy to assemble with step by step instructions, the telescope also looks great and works amazing! Has a piece you can attach your phone and take pictures of the moon or stars or whatever you decide to look at! Would definitely purchase it again

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS!! For the insane low price you can get amazing quality pictures!! I use this almost every night!! I cannot stress how awesome this telescope is especially for beginners! I Will recommend this telescope EVERYTIME!!! I am going to share the pictures that I have gotten with this telescope below! I also love how it comes with an adapter for your phone so you are able to capture pictures that way! I was also able to capture the blood moon with this as well!!