Jumping into astronomy doesn’t have to be a hassle or cost a fortune. The Celestron Travel Scope 70 gives beginners a smart way to get started, offering decent optics without the heft of bigger telescopes.
This little refractor telescope has a 70mm aperture and fully coated glass lenses, so you’ll get pretty crisp views of the moon, planets, and even whatever’s out during the day. It weighs just over 4 pounds—light enough that you can toss it in the car for a camping trip, but it still feels sturdy enough for some backyard observing.
You get two eyepieces for different magnifications, and the whole thing sets up in just a few seconds—no tools, no headache. Everything fits into the included backpack, so it’s genuinely travel-friendly. That said, some folks mention the tripod can get a bit wobbly if it’s windy, and the finderscope takes a little patience to master.
Overview: Celestron Travel Scope 70 Portable Refractor Telescope
This telescope makes astronomy accessible for beginners without draining your wallet. The Travel Scope 70 brings a 70mm aperture and fully coated glass optics that give you crisp views of the moon, planets, and even wildlife.
Key Features:
- Weight: 4.2 pounds
- Setup: No tools needed
- Included: Two eyepieces, tripod, backpack, software
- Warranty: 2-year coverage
You can set it up in seconds and stash it in a custom backpack. Both 20mm and 10mm eyepieces come standard for different kinds of viewing. The full-height tripod helps you get a stable look at the sky.
Customer reviews are a mixed bag. Lots of people love the easy setup and portability. Still, you’ve got to keep your expectations in check at this price point. It’s great for looking at the moon and daytime scenes, but deep space objects? Not really its thing.
The included Starry Night software helps you figure out what you’re looking at. Assembly is tool-free, so it’s easy to take camping or just out to your backyard for some stargazing.
Curious to see more? Check out the Travel Scope 70 on Amazon for the latest price and availability.
Fully Coated Glass Optics
Celestron gives the glass in this telescope a special coating, and honestly, it does make a difference. The coating cuts down on light loss and those annoying reflections that can make images look washed out or fuzzy.
Here’s what the coating helps with:
- Cuts glare from bright stuff
- Boosts contrast between light and dark
- Lets more light through so images look brighter
They put this coating on every glass surface in the optical path. You’ll notice clearer views of the moon’s craters and sharper details even during the day.
But it’s not flawless. Some people still see scattered light around super-bright objects like Venus. Also, you’ll want to clean the coated glass gently so you don’t mess it up.
For a beginner telescope at this price, these fully coated optics are a real step up from models with plain, uncoated glass.
Want to see what the fuss is about? Check out the Travel Scope 70 on Amazon and start exploring.
Aperture and Image Brightness
How bright and sharp your view looks depends a lot on how much light your telescope gathers. The Travel Scope 70 uses a 70mm aperture—enough for most basic stargazing.
This size works for checking out the moon’s craters and bigger planets like Jupiter and Saturn. You’ll see some details, but don’t expect the razor-sharp images you’d get from a bigger scope.
The fully coated glass helps you get the most out of the light coming in. That means less glare and better contrast than you’d get with uncoated lenses.
Where it shines:
- Great for moon watching
- Decent planetary views
- Coated optics mean you get more light to your eye
Where it falls short:
- Smaller aperture means deep-sky stuff looks faint
- Dim objects just don’t pop
- Not really built for detailed planetary study
The 70mm aperture puts this scope firmly in the beginner camp. It won’t reveal faint galaxies, but for casual astronomy, it does the job.
Portable Design and Travel Backpack
Moving this telescope around is refreshingly easy. The Travel Scope 70 weighs only 4.2 pounds, so carrying it feels like no big deal.
Why it’s handy:
- Quick setup – You can assemble it in a snap
- Compact – Packs down small for storage
- Custom backpack – Padded and keeps everything together
- Complete storage – Plenty of room for the scope, tripod, and accessories
The backpack keeps all your gear in one spot. You can fit the tube, tripod, eyepieces, and whatever else you need—no more searching for missing parts.
A couple of downsides:
- Not much space if you buy extra accessories later
- Backpack quality isn’t top-tier, but it’s fine for most uses
Most people love how fast they can set up or pack away this telescope. If you like to take your gear camping or move between locations, the lightweight design just makes sense.
Simple No-Tool Setup
Starting out in astronomy can feel intimidating, but this telescope keeps things simple. You can put the Travel Scope 70 together in seconds—no tools, no complicated instructions.
The tripod pops open to full height, and the tube attaches easily. All the parts fit together smoothly, so you won’t waste time fumbling with screws or missing pieces.
When you’re finished, just break it down and stash everything in the backpack. Whether you’re headed to the backyard or somewhere darker, transport is a breeze.
What it gets right:
- Fast assembly – Ready to use in under a minute
- No tools – Seriously, you won’t need a screwdriver
- Compact storage – Backpack holds it all
Minor issues:
- Some folks say the tripod feels wobbly on uneven ground
- The quick setup design isn’t as rock-solid as more advanced mounts
Dual Eyepiece Functionality
Celestron includes two eyepieces, which actually makes this telescope more flexible than you’d expect. You get both 20mm and 10mm eyepieces, so you can swap between wide views and close-ups.
The 20mm eyepiece gives you a wide, low-magnification view—great for scanning the sky or checking out landscapes. The 10mm eyepiece bumps up the magnification, letting you zoom in on moon craters or distant objects.
Why it’s useful:
- 20mm: Wide field, easier to find stuff
- 10mm: Higher magnification, more detail
- Easy switching: Just pop them in and out—no tools
Most users like having both options right out of the box. The glass lenses in the eyepieces match the scope’s optics well. If you get really into astronomy, you might want to upgrade later, but these work fine for beginners.
Included Starry Night Software
Celestron throws in free Starry Night software, which honestly is a nice touch. The program helps you figure out what’s up in the night sky. You can plan your stargazing trips before you even step outside.
It shows you star maps and helps you find planets, constellations, and other cool stuff. If you’re new to astronomy, this makes a big difference. You’ll actually know what you’re looking at instead of just guessing.
The software runs on your computer and makes learning about space feel a lot more approachable. It takes the guesswork out of your first observing sessions.
Versatile Day and Night Use
You can use this telescope for both daytime and nighttime views. The 70mm aperture and coated glass lenses let you check out wildlife or landscapes during the day, then switch to the moon and planets at night.
During the day:
- Distant landscapes look clear
- Works for birdwatching and nature
- Lightweight, so you can carry it anywhere
At night:
- Moon craters show up well
- Bright planets like Jupiter and Saturn are visible
- Good for basic stargazing
The two eyepieces let you swap between wide and narrow views, so whether you’re spotting birds or peeking at lunar details, you’re covered.
Some folks say the views aren’t as sharp in bright sunlight as you’d get from a dedicated spotting scope. And if it’s windy, expect a little shaking.
Pros and Cons
Thinking about what works and what doesn’t can help you figure out if this telescope is right for you.
Pros
The Travel Scope 70 makes life easy. You can set it up in minutes, no tools needed. The tripod clicks into place fast, and everything slides into the backpack.
Optics are surprisingly good for the price. The 70mm aperture lets you see moon craters clearly, and the fully coated glass gives you sharp images compared to bargain-basement scopes with plastic lenses.
You get a lot for your money—two eyepieces, the backpack, and the star software all come standard.
It’s not just for stargazing. You can watch birds, scan landscapes, or use it for other daytime activities. That flexibility means you’ll probably use it more often.
Cons
The lightweight design often leads to stability issues. Wind shakes the tripod pretty easily. When you try to track objects smoothly, the mount might wobble a bit.
City lights limit what you can see. This telescope shines with bright objects like the moon and planets. If you’re hoping to spot faint galaxies or nebulae from the city, you’ll probably be disappointed.
The eyepieces included are pretty basic. They do the job but don’t offer the sharpest views. You’ll probably want to upgrade them at some point.
Assembly quality isn’t always consistent. Some buyers mention missing parts or loose connections. The plastic pieces feel flimsy compared to the metal parts you’d find on pricier scopes.
Curious to start your astronomy journey? Check out the Travel Scope 70 on Amazon to see current pricing and availability.
Customer Reviews
Buyers have mixed feelings about how this telescope performs. A lot of people love how easy it is to set up and carry. The lightweight build and backpack make it a top pick for travel.
What users love:
- Simple to assemble
- Fits easily in most cars
- Great for moon viewing
- Solid build for the price
Common complaints:
- Planet viewing is limited in bright cities
- Some parts arrive damaged
- Not made for deep space objects
Most buyers say this scope does what it’s supposed to do. Experienced users think it’s perfect as a first telescope. With a 4.2-star rating from over 15,000 reviews, satisfaction seems pretty strong.
Parents often pick this up for their kids and usually get good results. It covers basic astronomy needs without costing a fortune.
Ready to start your stargazing journey? Check out the Travel Scope 70 on Amazon to see current pricing and availability.
Conclusion
This telescope actually delivers solid performance for what it’s meant to do. The Travel Scope 70 shines when you’re looking at the moon or checking out landscapes during the day. I like that you get a backpack and tripod thrown in—makes it feel like a good deal.
Strengths:
- Lightweight, super portable design
- Pretty decent optics for the price
- Comes as a full starter kit
- You can put it together in no time
Limitations:
- Not great for viewing planets up close
- Light pollution messes with the view
- The build feels a bit basic
More than 15,000 users have given it an average of 4.2 stars, so clearly, a lot of beginners and casual observers walk away happy. Sure, it’s not going to blow away any high-end telescopes, but for entry-level stargazing, it does what it promises.
If you’re after a telescope that’s easy to carry around and simple to use, the Travel Scope 70 gives you pretty good bang for your buck. It’s a nice choice if you’re just dipping your toes into astronomy and don’t want to spend a fortune.
Ready to give stargazing a shot? Check out the current price and availability on Amazon.