Celestron · Achromat Refractor
Celestron Travel Scope 70DX
Lightweight, go-anywhere refractor that delivers genuine lunar and planetary views for beginners on a budget.
Performance Scores
Overview
The Celestron Travel Scope 70DX is a 70mm achromatic refractor with a 400mm focal length and an f/5.7 ratio, packaged around portability and ease of use. At 1.5kg total weight and fitting into an included backpack, this is genuinely one of the most travel-friendly beginner scopes available at this price point. The 70mm aperture is enough to show lunar craters with satisfying detail, the four Galilean moons of Jupiter, Saturn's rings, and basic views of brighter deep-sky objects like the Orion Nebula and the Pleiades.
Do not expect fine planetary detail or tight globular clusters; this is an entry-level instrument, and the achromat design will show some chromatic aberration around high-contrast objects at higher magnifications. The included 20mm and 10mm eyepieces give you workable starting points, and the 2x Barlow lens extends your magnification range. The alt-az mount is simple and intuitive, though tracking requires manual adjustment.
The addition of a smartphone adapter, Bluetooth remote, and Starry Night software makes this the more complete package compared to the standard Travel Scope 70, and for $103 it represents solid value for a first telescope that will actually get used.
At a Glance
70mm
Aperture
f/5.7
Focal Ratio
1.5kg
Weight
400mm
Focal Length
Specifications
Key Features
- The 70mm aperture gathers enough light for clear lunar views and basic planetary observation, outperforming smaller 50mm or 60mm beginner scopes
- At 1.5kg and packaged in a dedicated backpack, this is one of the few telescopes genuinely convenient to bring on trips or to dark-sky sites
- The included 20mm and 10mm eyepieces cover both wide-field and close-up viewing without requiring immediate additional purchases
- A 2x Barlow lens, Moon filter, smartphone adapter, and Bluetooth remote are bundled in, adding real utility beyond the base kit
- The alt-az mount requires no alignment and sets up without tools, making it accessible for complete beginners and younger observers
- Fully coated glass optics improve light transmission and contrast compared to uncoated lenses common on cheaper refractors in this range
- Expect visible chromatic aberration at higher magnifications, a known limitation of achromat refractors at this focal ratio and price
Customer Reviews
3,571 reviews
I've had a 8" diameter dobsonian telescope for about 25 years but wanted a smaller scope I could take camping when I didn't feel like dragging the heavy, 4 foot long one with me. I also wanted one I could use as a spotting scope for birding. There are only two things I don't like about this scope. 1...
So I bought it for my kids to let them find their own stars. For the cost it is not a bad telescope, it is small and not great for fine tuning your movements but for kids it is light weight, come with a backpack. They can take it where you can get a good dark sky
The only reason I’m not giving 5 is because I think some of the reviews I read set unrealistic expectations. If you’re expecting to see detailed close ups of the moon or distant stars, that’s just not going to happen with this scope. You won’t see anything dramatically different than what you can al...