How We Research
Every guide on StargazePicks starts with one question: will this telescope be simple enough that it actually gets used?
Here is how we answer it.
1. We start with the mount and the type
A wobbly tripod or a tricky mount is a common reason first-time buyers give up. That's why we favor simple alt-az and tabletop mounts for a first scope.
We check whether each product is a refractor, a reflector or a Dobsonian, and what mount it comes with. When it matters, we say so.
2. We compare specs and features
We look at aperture, focal length, mount type, finder, included eyepieces and weight. We also note app-guided features and the warranty terms the maker lists.
When a detail comes from the maker, we say so.
3. We look at buyer feedback
We read through what buyers report after using a telescope. We look for patterns, like wobbly tripods, finders that are hard to line up or views that look softer than the box photos.
One angry review doesn't sink a product. A pattern does.
4. We score each product
Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for. A scope that's easy for a first-timer may score lower in a guide for someone who wants more detail.
Scores spread out on purpose. A 10 is rare.
5. We keep pages up to date
Products change, and some disappear from stores. When we update a guide, the "Updated on" date at the top changes with it.
What our picks are not
Our picks are research, not lab tests. We don't claim to have used every telescope we cover.
Big magnification numbers on a box don't tell you what you'll see. We say plainly what each size of scope shows, from the moon and planets to the small, soft views of galaxies.
App-guided scopes need a phone and a clear sky, so we describe what they do and where they fall short.