Celestron – AstroMaster LT 70AZ Refractor Telescope – Easy-to-Use Telescope for Beginners with Full-Height Tripod Included – Bonus Astronomy Software Package

Unreal. I've never used a telescope before and I got this for my birthday. I looked around and saw all the ya's and na's on telescopes like this. "Don't buy cheap, the mount sucks, the tripod sucks, the way you move it sucks (ALT/AZ), etc." But I also saw some really good reviews saying how easy it was to use and how good the optics are and how you don't have to collimate it. So I pulled the trigger and I COULD NOT BE HAPPIER with this telescope. Seriously I had it put together in 5 minutes. I had two surgeries this year on my abdomen so I'm not supposed to lift much and I can't do much physical labor and this was easy for me to put together and carry. It's incredibly light and mobile and a complete piece of cake to put together. then I took it outside and started using it. All I can say is... WOW. The optics are amazing and I started by looking at a mountain several miles away and then the horizon after the sun set. I could clearly see people many miles away and all kinds of things with minimal focusing. But then the sky went dark... That's when things got really cool. I've never seen stars through a telescope and this blew me away. I looked at several stars that you couldn't see with the naked eye and thought that was awesome. I watched planes fly overhead and was having fun and then I saw Saturn. That just blew my mind. I had never seen the rings in reality. They were so clear that the moment I saw that start in my view I knew exactly what it was. It was just such a cool thing for a brand new astronomer.For me, this telescope is totally good for my purposes. It was the right price and I am having a blast discovering the skies over my head. I don't see what there is to complain about unless you are like a professional astronomer. I found the mount great, the tripod fine and the movement totally easy and good to use. I mean you can always find shortcomings with stuff if you look for it. But for the price, this telescope is worth every penny. Bravo Celestron!!PS- I wasn't sure if I would like astronomy before I got this and went back and forth on whether or not to even try it and all I can say is this Is a total blast. I'm a hunter/fisher/sports guy so I wasn't sure if I would like this. It gets me out of the house and is a world I've never seen before. I'm going to take it camping and hunting. 2 thumbs way up!

Exactly as described. Perfect for starting out. Kit comes with a lot. Great build quality and value. We will have many date nights to come looking into space.

I bought this for my 8 year old daughter, so that she would have something to bring with her to our club’s star parties. I purchased from Amazon Warehouse Deals, so it was a great deal. Set up is pretty painless and straightforward. The viewfinder didn’t work so I replaced it, the star diagonal is very loosely held on. The views are decent, but it’s very difficult to find a specific object. Once she’s a little older, I may invest in a goto scope that will work a little better. For now, this is a decent introduction.

I am experienced with telescopes and have a larger Celestron telescope already. I purchased this one for my daughter (6y.o.) as her first telescope. This telescope is very basic but well made and a great place to start. I have attached a picture of Jupiter and its moons, taken through the eyepiece of this Astromaster 70AZ.

Astromaster 70 lt az. Easy assembly. Coming from am mid 80s Tasco telescope to this one. I'm pretty impressed. Way better stand and eye pieces. I knew from the reviews that the finder red dot thing was 70/30 that I wasn't good . All and all I love it and would buy again. Unfortunately it is cloudy for the next few days go figure but I have no doubt.

Great all around for the price really worth it

very good

I'm satisfied with the telescope incl. the mount.Three stars:the tripod is very short-somebody with massive back problems might not have a good time,also makes it almost impossible useing the finders-scope.Tried to find a higher tripod but no cigar.