Are you looking for the best handheld telescope for stargazing? If yes, you’ve come to the right place.
Whether you’re into hiking or a wanderer, choosing a versatile and compact device allows you to enjoy the night sky and even wildlife without bringing too many instruments.
To keep you equipped on your next adventures, check out our pick on the best handheld telescopes, perfect for stargazing.
Top 15 Handheld Telescopes Exclusive For Stargazing
1. Gosky Skyhawk 10×50
The Gosky Skyhawk 10×50 is a powerful high-magnification monocular featuring a 50mm premium lens for 10x closer wide and detailed images.
It also has a built-in Bak-4 prism, a fully multi-coated lens coating, and better light transmission for brighter, clearer, and sharp images.
If you need a telescope to watch stellar objects, the Gosky Skyhawk 10×50 is a decent device to consider [1].
Pros:
- Good light transmission
- Compact, well-sealed, and durable
- Clear and multi-coated optics
- Smartphone adapter
- Rubber armor
- High power prism
- Dust-repellent
- Waterproof
- Fogproof
Cons:
- Narrow field of view
2. Stellax Monocular Telescope
If you are searching for a device that offers impressive magnification, the Stellax Monocular Telescope is a great choice.
This device has a Bak-4 prism, a fully multi-coated lens, and up to 99.6% light transmission.
Also, this monocular can be submerged in 1.5-meter water for up to 30 minutes without getting damaged.
Pros:
- Fully multi-coated lens
- High magnification
- Durable
- Waterproof
- Fog proof
- Shockproof
- Dust-repellent
- High light transmission
- Smartphone adapter
Cons:
- Too heavy for a monocular
- Requires a tripod
3. Celestron Nature 10×25 Monocular Telescope
The Celestron Nature Monocular Telescope is a capable device to start with your astronomical observations dating back from 1000 BCE [2].
It offers 10x magnification, allowing you to see stars closer. Celestron 25 mm aperture lens also offers enough lighting to create decent images.
It’s also equipped with a Bak-4 prism to allow sufficient lighting to enter the lens and create detailed images.
Pros:
- Sturdy and portable
- Waterproof
- Dust-repellent
- Lightweight
- Rubber armor
- Non-slip grip
Cons:
- Doesn’t include a tripod
- Hard focus ring
4. Vortex Recon 15×50 R/T Tactical Scope RT155
The Vortex Recon R/T Tactical Scope RT155 is one of the well-built handheld telescopes for stargazing.
It features 15x magnification and a 50 mm fully coated lens and is the ideal device for observing objects around 3.5 meters.
Furthermore, Vortex Recon has a rubberized grip and is made of scratch-resistant material. Its anti-reflection lens coating makes it the perfect for dimly lit surroundings.
Pros:
- High-quality optics and lens coating
- High magnification
- Durably constructed
- Scratch-resistant
- Rubberized grip
- Waterproof
- Fog proof
- Dust-repellent
Cons:
- A bit heavy
- Narrow field of view
5. Opticron BGA 10×42 Monocular
The Opticron BGA Monocular is another ideal device for up-close viewing that offers 10x magnification and an aperture lens of 42 mm.
Despite its aperture, this device still works for occasional stargazing.
Opticron also features a close focus of 2 meters, a built-in Bak-4 prism design, and fully multi-coated optics for better lighting in dim light conditions.
Pros:
- Smooth focus rings
- Compact and handy
- Waterproof
- Fog proof
- Bright and clear images
- Case with a belt loop
- High magnification
- Good light transmission
Cons:
- A bit expensive
- Narrow field of view
6. Orion 10×42 Waterproof Monocular
The perfect device for viewing wildlife up close, Orion Waterproof Monocular has an aperture of 10×42.
It features a fully multi-coated 42 mm lens that offers good lighting transmission.
Note that this monocular has a low Bk-7 prism but still does the job. With its aperture, Orion still offers clear and sharp images.
Pros:
- Lightweight and durable
- Rubberized and durable design
- Waterproof
- Bright images
- High magnification
- High contrast
- Rubber armor
- Non-slip grip
- Multi-coated optics
Cons:
- Low Bk-7 prism
- Without a lens dust cap
7. Vortex Optics 8×36 Solo R/T Monocular
The Vortex Optics 8×36 Solo R/T Monocular is the ideal device for observation and estimating range as it comes with a rangefinder.
It is a compact and lightweight monocular perfect for stargazing, traveling, and outdoor adventures.
Aside from that, the Solo R/T 36 mm has fully anti-reflective multi-coated optics, offering good lighting to provide bright images even in low-light conditions.
Pros:
- Fully multi-coated lens
- Rangefinder
- High magnification
- Lightweight
- Anti-slip grip
- Waterproof
- Fog proof
- Dust-repellent
Cons:
- Lens requires an upgrade
- No attachment for a tripod
8. Gosky Titan 12X55 High Power Prism Monocular
Boasting a 12x magnification, the Gosky Titan 12×55 High Power Prism Monocular offers clear and bright images within 1000 yards range.
This device has a Bak-4 prism inside and a multi-coated lens, allowing one to see celestial objects like Jupiter and its 4 Galilean moons.
It also has a twist eye cup, making it convenient to use even with glasses on.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Durable design
- 18 mm eye relief
- High magnification
- Waterproof
- Fogproof
- Shockproof
- Smartphone adapter
- Wide field of view
Cons:
- The adapter may get loose
- Difficult to steady 12x magnification
9. RIVMOUNT Monocular Telescope
RIVMOUNT Monocular Telescope is another high-power magnification device that is durable and portable, perfect for stargazing, hiking, hunting, and wildlife exploration.
It offers 10x magnification power, creating clear and detailed images. Moreover, it has a 42 mm objective lens, providing better light transmission for brighter images.
This device also offers HD-quality vision, a Bak-4 prism, and coated lens to keep your eyes safe while providing a superior image.
Pros:
- Compact and durable
- Armor rubber
- Waterproof
- Shock-resistant
- Dust-repellent
- Rubber grip
- Coated lens
- Smartphone adapter
Cons:
- Not completely waterproof
- Interior lens can mist or fog up
10. NAUTICALMART Nautical Spyglass Handheld Telescope
If you’re looking for a device with a traditional touch, the NAUTICALMART Nautical Spyglass Handheld Telescope is for you.
It offers 10x magnification and is the perfect device for visual observation. It also includes a sunshade and is made of brass material.
On the other hand, this device is hard to focus on and has poor durability, so it is only ideal for occasional stargazers.
Pros:
- Traditional telescope design
- 10x magnification
- Comes with a sunshade
- Brass construction
- Ideal for visual observation
Cons:
- Difficult to focus
- Not durably built
11. ROXANT Grip Scope Handheld Telescope
The ROXANT Grip Scope Handheld Telescope will deliver if you’re in for a handy device. Measuring 5.5 inches long, the Roxant Grip Scope will easily fit in your pocket or bag.
It has a non-slip grip and adjustable eyecup, making it easy to use with or without glasses on.
The downside is that it only offers 6x magnification, which is only enough for some users and activities.
Pros:
- Very portable
- Adjustable eyecup
- Slim frame
- Non-slip grip
- Reasonably priced
Cons:
- Unimpressive magnification
- Narrow field of view
12. Wingspan Optics Titan 12X50 Telescope
The Wingspan Optics Titan Telescope is another competitive device, offering high magnification and a 12×50 aperture.
With this monocular, you can see Jupiter and its moon, Earth’s moon, birds, and mountains from afar.
Additionally, the Wingspan telescope has a Bak-4 prism, offering excellent light transmission that allows you to see up to 300 meters away, even in total darkness.
Pros:
- Impressive light transmission
- 12x magnification
- Waterproof
- Ruggedly built
- Non-slip grip
Cons:
- Poor eye relief for glasses-wearer
- Unstable at high magnification
13. Feemic High Power Monocular Telescope
The Feemic High Power Monocular Telescope is the perfect device for stargazing, camping, and other outdoor activities, offering an aperture of 8x42mm.
It has a built-in Bak-4 prism, multi-coated lens, and up to 99% light transmission, providing clear and detailed images in low light conditions.
Pros:
- Durable and handy
- Rubber armor
- Waterproof
- Fog proof
- Shockproof
Cons:
- Low magnification
- Narrow field of view
14. Bushnell 191142 Legend Ultra HD Monocular
The telescope plays a vital role in studying Earth’s position in the universe [3].
If you need the perfect telescope that allows you to see celestial objects, the Bushnell 191142 Legend Ultra HD Monocular will not disappoint.
With an aperture of 10 x 42 mm, this device can magnify 10x up to 45x closer, making it ideal for stargazing. Its body has a rubber coating and offers an eye relief of 15.2 mm.
Pros:
- Built-in Bak-4 prism
- Fully multi-coated lens
- Wide field of view
- Great light transmission
Cons:
- Unstable rear dust cap
- A bit expensive
15. ARCHEER 16×52 Monocular Handheld Telescope
The ARCHEER Monocular Handheld Telescope is a reliable device, boasting 16x magnification power and a 52mm aperture lens for brighter and clearer images.
It also has an 18.5mm eye lens that offers impressive light transmission even in dim light conditions, making it ideal for hiking, hunting, bird watching, and stargazing.
Additionally, Archeer has a Bak-4 prism inside and a 66m/800m field of view.
Pros:
- Compact and portable
- 16x magnification
- Adjustable diopter
- Huge lens
Cons:
- Low clarity
- Difficult to focus
Things To Consider
Lens Size
The lens size is the first thing to consider when picking a stargazing device. This feature is vital since the lens size determines the image clarity.
As a general rule, the image gets clearer as the lens increases. So pick a monocular with at least a 30mm to 50 mm objective lens to ensure portability.
Magnification Power
Magnification power is the lens’ capacity to make images appear bigger to the human eye [4]. If you’re searching for a monocular for stargazing, pick a device with high magnification power.
For instance, a device with 16x magnification power can magnify images sixteen times their original size.
Focal Length
Another important feature an optical device offers is the focal length as it determines the magnification power. It is the distance between the objective lens core and the focal point.
Thus, choosing a device with a great focal length is ideal for a higher magnification power.
Aperture
One of the most important features to look for in an optical device is the aperture since it indicates the image quality.
In general, a wider aperture creates higher-quality images, allowing you to observe stellar objects better.
In addition, the aperture determines the light-gathering abilities of a monocular device, providing brighter images in low light conditions.
Weight & Portability
Since we are talking about handheld telescopes for stargazing, then weight and portability should also be considered.
While small and lightweight monocular seems already handy, there’s more to consider in terms of portability.
For instance, a portable device should be durable for ease of packing and has rubberized armor to be slip-resistant.
Eye Relief
Aside from technical abilities, a good monocular should offer great eye relief. This is something you should consider if you’re wearing glasses.
So pick a telescope with a twist eye cup for your convenience to enjoy stargazing while your glasses are on.
Weather Resistance
If you’re planning to use your telescope for camping, hunting, or areas with extreme weather conditions, then pick a durable device to withstand different conditions.
It should be waterproof, fog proof, and dust resistant, so you can enjoy stargazing or whatever activities you intend to do without worries.
Field Of View
Optical devices are designed to meet a specific level of magnification power, resulting in a limited field of view.
Unlike the human eye with peripheral vision, optical devices only cover the image upfront. So if you want to observe landscapes, pick a device with a wide field of view.
For stargazing, high magnification power is essential.
Extra Features
When choosing a telescope for stargazing, it doesn’t stop with the technical features.
Depending on your usage, look for extra features that you find useful, like a built-in tripod attachment to ensure stability, especially at high magnification levels.
Also, a monocular with a smartphone adapter makes it convenient to view images.
Price & Value
Considering all the features, a telescope for stargazing should also be reasonably priced and deliver impressive images.
A reliable monocular doesn’t have to necessarily break the bank since there are alternative devices that offer the same results.
Nonetheless, splurging a bit is ideal if you’re aiming for higher magnification power.
FAQs
Can you see stars with a handheld telescope?
Yes, you can see stars using a handheld telescope. You can observe faint stars and other stellar objects, such as Earth’s moon, with the right features.
Apart from that, you can see Jupiter and its 4 largest moons, including Callisto, Europa, Io, and Ganymede.
What is better for stargazing, a handheld telescope or binoculars?
Although telescopes and binoculars both do the same thing, it depends on the user which one they find ideal for stargazing.
If you want a wider view, better magnification, and high light-gathering abilities, then go with binoculars.
However, if you’re looking for a flexible device, a handheld telescope also works fine for stargazing.
Final Say
With its compact design and portability, the monocular is an efficient device to enjoy stargazing without carrying a massive telescope on your camping trips and outdoor adventures.
If you only want to observe the stars and other distant stellar objects, then monoculars will not disappoint. This device is also perfect for wildlife viewing and hunting.
Most of all, not all optical devices are waterproof and weather resistant. So if you’re an adventurer, consider these features before making a purchase.
References:
- http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/people-and-astronomy/the-history-of-astronomy
- https://sci.esa.int/web/gaia/-/53196-the-oldest-sky-maps
- https://www.loc.gov/collections/finding-our-place-in-the-cosmos-with-carl-sagan/articles-and-essays/modeling-the-cosmos/galileo-and-the-telescope
- https://www.jstor.org/stable/3625097
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