Celestron 70mm Travel Scope Review: A Beginner-Friendly Portable Telescope for Stargazing

in Categories Gear Review

Written by All Things Backyard Editorial Staff Last Updated May 9, 2023

As an amateur astronomer, I’m always on the lookout for telescopes that are easy to use, portable, and affordable. One such telescope that caught my eye is the Celestron 70mm Travel Scope.

While it’s touted as an ideal telescope for beginners, I wanted to take a closer look at what this scope has to offer, and whether it truly delivers on its promises.

In this review, I’ll share my honest thoughts and observations about the Celestron 70mm Travel Scope, so you can decide if it’s the right fit for your stargazing adventures.

Table of Contents

What Is the Celestron 70mm Travel Scope?

$Celestron - 70mm Travel Scope - Portable Refractor...$

Celestron - 70mm Travel Scope - Portable Refractor...

The Celestron 70mm Travel Scope is a refractor telescope perfect for terrestrial and celestial viewing on the go. It comes complete with fully-coated glass optics and a lightweight frame.

With a 70mm aperture objective lens, this telescope provides brighter and more detailed views compared to smaller telescopes, such as those with a 50mm aperture. The Travel Scope is designed for beginners who want to observe celestial objects at night and land-based objects during the day.

It’s equipped with two eyepieces (20mm and 10mm) that provide low- and high-power views, a 45° erect image diagonal, a 5×24 finderscope, and an adjustable height tripod. The telescope also comes with a custom backpack that neatly stores the telescope, tripod, and accessories, making it a convenient choice for traveling and outdoor use.

To enhance your observing experience, the Celestron 70mm Travel Scope comes with a FREE download of Celestron’s Starry Night Software. This software is a valuable tool for beginners, as it helps you identify and locate celestial objects, plan your observing sessions, and learn more about the night sky.

Specifications of the Celestron 70mm Travel Scope

Aperture: 70mm
Objective Lens: Fully-coated glass optics
Eyepieces: 20mm (low-power) and 10mm (high-power)
Finderscope: 5×24
Diagonal: 45° erect image diagonal
Mount: Manual Alt-Azimuth control with pan handle and clutch
Tripod: Adjustable height tripod
Accessories: Travel backpack and Starry Night Software download
Weight: 3.3 pounds
Warranty: 2-Year US Warranty

Key Features of the Celestron 70mm Travel Scope

Superior Optics

One of the highlights of the Celestron 70mm Travel Scope is its superior optics. With a 70mm aperture objective lens, this telescope provides brighter and more detailed views compared to smaller telescopes, such as those with a 50mm aperture. The fully-coated glass optics help reduce glare and improve image clarity, ensuring that you get the best possible views of your celestial targets.

Powerful Eyepieces for Up-Close Viewing

The Celestron 70mm Travel Scope comes with two high-quality eyepieces (20mm and 10mm) that provide both low- and high-power views. Whether you’re observing the Moon’s craters, Jupiter’s moons, or distant galaxies, these eyepieces offer a range of magnification options to suit your viewing preferences.

Portability and Convenience

Portability is a key advantage of the Celestron 70mm Travel Scope. Weighing just 3.3 pounds, it’s lightweight and easy to carry. The telescope comes with a custom backpack that neatly stores the telescope, tripod, and accessories, making it a breeze to transport to your favorite stargazing locations. Whether you’re heading to a remote campsite or simply setting up in your backyard, the Travel Scope is ready to go wherever your adventures take you.

Bonus Software and Accessories

Celestron includes several bonus items with the Travel Scope to enhance your stargazing experience. In addition to the two eyepieces, 45° erect image diagonal, and 5×24 finderscope, you’ll receive a FREE download of Celestron’s Starry Night Software.

This software is the premier astronomy software package on the market, providing resources and knowledge to view our solar system and beyond. It’s a valuable tool for planning your observing sessions and learning more about the night sky.

Honest Assessment: Pros and Cons

As with any product, the Celestron 70mm Travel Scope has its strengths and weaknesses. It’s important to weigh both the pros and cons to determine if this telescope is the right choice for you.

What We Like

Portability: The Travel Scope is lightweight, compact, and comes with a convenient backpack for easy transport.
Optics: The 70mm objective lens provides brighter and more detailed views compared to smaller telescopes.
Eyepieces: The inclusion of two high-quality eyepieces (20mm and 10mm) offers versatility in magnification options.
Bonus Software: The FREE astronomy software enhances your observing experience and helps you learn more about the night sky.
Warranty and Support: Celestron offers a 2-Year US Warranty and unlimited support from their team of US-based experts, giving you peace of mind with your purchase.

What We Don’t Like

Optical Issues: As noted in a detailed review on TelescopicWatch, the Travel Scope suffers from chromatic aberration, glare problems, and low-quality optics, which may hinder image clarity.
Mount and Tripod: The tripod is mostly plastic and may lack stability, leading to shaky images at higher magnifications.
Accessories: While some accessories are included, the finderscope and diagonal are of low quality and may be uncomfortable to use.

Quick Tips for Beginners

If you’re new to astronomy and using telescopes, here are some quick tips to get you started:

Start with low magnification: Use the 20mm eyepiece to get a wide field of view and easier target acquisition.
Choose a dark location: Get away from city lights to enhance the visibility of faint celestial objects.
Use the finderscope: Align the finderscope to help you center objects in the main telescope.
Experiment with different eyepieces: Switch to the 10mm eyepiece for higher magnification once you’re comfortable.
Be patient: Observing the night sky takes practice, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t spot everything right away.

What Can You See with the Celestron 70mm Travel Scope?

While the Celestron 70mm Travel Scope may not have the highest optical quality, it’s still capable of providing enjoyable views of various celestial objects:

The Moon: Observe craters, mountain ranges, and lunar maria (dark plains) on the Moon’s surface.
Planets: Spot details like Jupiter’s cloud bands and moons, Saturn’s rings, and phases of Venus.
Star Clusters: Gaze at the Pleiades and other bright star clusters.
Nebulae: Explore the Orion Nebula and other brighter deep-sky objects.
Terrestrial Viewing: Use the telescope as a spotting scope for birdwatching or observing landscapes.

Remember, the telescope’s performance will be influenced by factors like light pollution, atmospheric conditions, and the observer’s experience.

Conclusion

The Celestron 70mm Travel Scope offers a great deal of portability and convenience, making it an attractive option for beginners and those who enjoy stargazing on the go. While its optics and included eyepieces provide decent views of celestial and terrestrial objects, the telescope has some limitations in terms of optical quality and stability.

It’s important to carefully consider what you’re looking for in a telescope and assess whether the Travel Scope meets your needs. If portability and affordability are your top priorities, the Celestron 70mm Travel Scope may be a suitable choice. However, if you’re seeking higher-quality optics and a more stable mount, you may want to explore alternative options in the market.

Ultimately, the joy of stargazing comes from exploring the wonders of the night sky and sharing that experience with others. Whatever telescope you choose, we hope it brings you many memorable nights under the stars.