Telescope comparisons
Each of these is a genuine trade rather than a ranking, which is why they are written as comparisons instead of as roundups. In almost every case the right answer depends on where the telescope will live and how often it will actually go outside.
27 pages in this section
- 6 Inch vs 8 Inch TelescopeA 6 inch and an 8 inch telescope compared on light gathering, resolution, weight and price, with a committed verdict on which... Open →
- Alt-Azimuth vs Equatorial MountAlt-azimuth and equatorial mounts compared: field rotation, polar alignment, counterweights and cost, and why the answer flips... Open →
- Barlow Lens vs Short Eyepiece: Which for High Power?Barlow lens vs a short focal length eyepiece compared: magnification, eye relief, cost, image quality and which route to high power... Open →
- Binoculars vs First Telescope Open →
- Binoculars vs TelescopeAstronomy binoculars and a first telescope compared target by target: field of view, magnification, what each shows, and a... Open →
- Colour Filters vs no Filters Planets Open →
- Dew Shield vs dew Heater Open →
- Dobsonian vs Equatorial MountThe real tradeoff between a Dobsonian and an equatorial telescope mount: cost per inch of aperture, tracking, polar alignment, and... Open →
- Dual Speed Focuser vs Stock Open →
- GoTo Mount vs Motor Drive: Which Do You Need?GoTo telescope vs a simple motor drive compared: finding objects, tracking, power, alignment time, cost and which suits how you... Open →
- GoTo vs Manual TelescopeGoTo, plate solving phone docks and manual star hopping compared: what each costs in aperture, setup time and batteries, and which... Open →
- Green Laser vs Finder for Pointing Open →
- Laser Collimator vs Collimation Cap: Which to Use?Laser collimator vs Cheshire collimation cap compared: accuracy, ease of use, cost, the need to collimate the tool itself and which... Open →
- Planetary Camera vs DSLR: Which for Astrophotography?Dedicated planetary camera vs a DSLR compared: frame rates, sensor size, planets versus deep sky, cost and where each one wins. Open →
- Plossl vs Goldline Eyepieces: Which Should You Buy?Plossl vs goldline eyepieces compared: field of view, eye relief, price, comfort at short focal lengths and which upgrade is worth... Open →
- Polar Scope vs Drift Alignment Open →
- Red Dot Finder vs Finderscope: Which Helps You Find Things?Red dot finder vs optical finderscope compared: field of view, faint targets, neck comfort, star hopping and which suits your... Open →
- Red Flashlight vs Phone Night Mode Open →
- Refractor vs Reflector TelescopeThe honest tradeoff between refractor and reflector telescopes: contrast, collimation, sealed tube, and dollar cost per inch of... Open →
- Schmidt-Cassegrain vs NewtonianSchmidt-Cassegrain and Newtonian telescopes compared at the same 8 inch aperture: focal length, field of view, cool down... Open →
- Smartphone Adapter vs Dedicated Camera Open →
- Solar Filter vs Eyepiece Projection: Safe Solar ViewingFront-mounted solar filter vs eyepiece projection compared: safety, image quality, equipment risk and the only safe way to observe... Open →
- Tabletop Dobsonian vs GoTo Telescope: Which First?Tabletop Dobsonian vs a computerized GoTo telescope compared: aperture per dollar, setup, portability, learning and which suits a... Open →
- Telescope Case vs Leaving it set up Open →
- Tripod Riser vs Taller Tripod Open →
- Uhc Filter vs Darker Skies Open →
- Zoom Eyepiece vs Fixed Eyepieces Open →
Start here if you are new
- How to choose a telescope, the whole decision in one page
- Complete builds at three budgets, with running totals
- Magnification calculator, the number everyone gets wrong
- What you can see by aperture, honestly