PSA: I dropped $180 on a cheapo telescope for my backyard and saw basically nothing

Claire Butler · 2026-10-03T08:05:03.318403+00:00

I grabbed a 70mm refractor on Amazon for $180 last spring thinking I'd finally see Saturn's rings from my patio in Columbus, and all I could make out was a bright blob and some shaky moon craters because the mount wobbled every time I touched it. The tripod was so flimsy a light breeze ruined any viewing, and I ended up missing two clear nights fighting with the focuser instead of relaxing. Save your cash and spend it on a solid pair of 10x50 binoculars instead, they're way more fun and steady. Did anyone else's first scope end up in the closet after like three backyard sessions?

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PSA: I dropped $180 on a cheapo telescope for my backyard and saw basically nothing | Backyard Stargazing - nhfree.com