Review on 🔭 Celestron 70mm Travel Scope: Portable Refractor Telescope for Beginners with Fully-Coated Glass Optics and BONUS Astronomy Software Package by Sam Simone

The Celestron Travel Riflescope is a good product for what it was made for. First of all, this is a ground-based telescope. The lens (large lens in front of the scope) is of good quality and functional. However, the eyepieces that come with the scope are (IMO) of lower quality (probably to reduce the overall cost of the scope). Without a decent eyepiece, the object viewing experience is minimal. I invested about $25 (they can be more expensive depending on quality) in a good quality 20mm x 1.25" (a good standard starting size) Plossel-type eyepiece (several are available from Revain for listed less than $30). The addition of a higher quality eyepiece has really changed the perception of this telescope. Or, if you want to get into astronomical observations with this telescope, Celestron makes an observer accessory kit (#94308 - you can get it at Revain - about $70). It comes with two Plössel eyepieces - 17mm and 6mm - a moon filter (which you absolutely need to reduce glare when viewing the moon), a 2x Barlow lens (doubles the magnification of the eyepieces) and two Planetary filters supplied. Occurrence. It looks like a well put together and thoughtful accessory kit (I know, another $70!). Also (as stated by other reviews) the tripod is weak (when extended to its full length). What I recommend is getting a sturdy table (and chair) and setting a tripod (at its non-extended or shortest length) on the table. Sit in a chair and rotate the prism 45 degrees (with the eyepiece attached) until you see what you want. You don't have to stand to look at the stars (or anything else)! It's even better to get a proper 90 degree diagonal image for looking at the sky (that way you don't have to lean as far and you can aim your scope higher - I know, even more money - actually around 45 Dollars for a starter to be correct picture the diagonal). Familiarize yourself with the attachment of the parts (the eyepiece to the 45 degree prism, the insert in the telescope's focusing tube, and how to rotate them to a seated position) and you'll have a lot more fun with this well-made product. Keep in mind this is not a heavy duty azimuth tripod with slow motion control (Celestron #93607, looks like it will fit this scope with a screw on the base). In fact, this is a standard tripod for the camera. You have to "play" with it and figure out (especially with celestial objects) how to get it up, and then tighten the settings (which lowers the object into your field of view). You can even buy a heavier tripod with the same setup as this tripod - Celestron #93610 - this makes the scope safer if you need to fully stretch your legs on the tripod - I have one that I use with some of my other scopes - you just have to get used to how it adjusts - I think each tripod mentioned costs between $80 and $90 (the money just keeps adding up!). Adjusting the lowering of the subject in the field of view when tightening the tripod control takes some getting used to, but can be mastered - and is part of the overall "experience" of this fine travel telescope. Also about tripod adjustments. Vertical lever (up/down) on a tripod - do not pull it out all the way. What happened to me is the little nut that secures the handle to the tripod falls out. So I put a piece of tape over the hole that the nut is in so the nut doesn't fall out if I turn the setting too far (no big deal, just be aware this can happen). I've had this telescope for a number of years and have seen many celestial objects with it (although I'm using the correct image with a 90 degree star diagonal - as mentioned). This is a good scope for its intended purpose, but (in my opinion) it needs a few upgrades (as suggested). If you need to make the tripod more secure when it's on a table or partially extended, try throwing some sort of "ankle weight strap" over one or more of the tripod's mounts (leave one or both sides of the weight on the table - so as not to overload the mount). I had an old ankle weight strap lying around, I just slipped one over the brace (without tying it) and it made it a lot more secure. You also get two ankle supports included. So you have an extra when you need it! So let's take a look. The most important element of any telescope is the objective lens (as mentioned earlier), the large lens at the front of the scope. The lenses for the Celestron Travel Scopes are of good quality and this is where I think the product excels. I recommend buying a higher quality eyepiece (Plossel type), weighing down the tripod (as recommended) - don't extend the tripod to the full extended position (becomes very wobbly and flimsy) - keep it as 'lower' as possible - am best on a table (add "weight on the ankle" to fold out extensions), learn to rotate the diagonal 45 degrees so you can see while seated (it doesn't change the correct image of the subject), and you did a very good , fairly easy road section. I have used this scope for terrestrial and astronomical purposes and as "binoculars" at the shooting range. Works perfectly! I hope this review helped you with your decision (I know I didn't want this review to be so long, but here it is!). Have fun !