Refractor Telescopes

Refractor telescopes are usually what people think of when they picture a telescope - long and slender with the eyepiece at the skinny end and the aperture at the fat end. Day or night, these scopes give incredibly clear, sharp views of objects in space or just down the street. Our selection of iOptron, Celestron, and Meade refractors are perfect for bird watching, stargazing, or both. And since they’re also easy to use and maintain, these classic telescopes are perfect for beginners and intermediate users alike.

More about Refractor Telescopes...

Refractor telescopes are the classic amateur astronomy scope. They use a lens to gather light and focus it down to a small point before being magnified by the eyepiece to your eye. Refractors are great scopes for beginners and kids, as well as experts and pros because they come in a variety of sizes, but are always easily portable. They’re also pretty hardy—once a refractor’s optics are set up, you likely won’t need to do a bunch of adjusting. Images appear sharp and clear through the eyepiece, and they’ll be right side up, which makes refractors perfect for day or night use. Refractor lens sizes are measured in millimeters; the larger the lens, the more light the scope can collect and the more you will be able to see. These telescopes vary from the most basic to advanced, so they’re a great place to start whether you are looking for a scope for a beginner, want to find a great value, or are shopping for a serious stargazer or expert telescope enthusiast.