Gskyer · Achromat Refractor
Gskyer 70AZ
A capable 70mm refractor that punches above its price for beginners ready to explore the night sky.
Performance Scores
Overview
The Gskyer 70AZ is a 70mm aperture refractor with a 400mm focal length, giving it a focal ratio of f/5.7. That aperture is genuinely useful for astronomy, enough to reveal lunar craters in solid detail, split some double stars, and show the Galilean moons of Jupiter on a clear night. The short focal length makes it a wide-field instrument, better suited to open star clusters and large targets like the Orion Nebula than to high-magnification planetary work.
The fully coated optics help with contrast and light transmission, which matters more than many beginners expect. The included eyepieces, combined with the 3x Barlow lens, give you a range of magnification options without additional purchases. Keep in mind that atmospheric conditions and aperture size are the real limiting factors on how much power is actually useful, so the higher end of that range will not always deliver sharp views.
The alt-azimuth mount is simple and intuitive, though it lacks tracking, meaning objects will drift out of view over time. At under $100, this telescope is a reasonable starting point for someone curious about visual astronomy who is not yet ready to invest in more serious equipment.
At a Glance
400mm
Aperture
f/5.7
Focal Ratio
2.59kg
Weight
400mm
Focal Length
Specifications
Key Features
- 70mm aperture collects enough light to show lunar surface detail, Jupiter's moons, and bright deep-sky objects like the Orion Nebula
- 400mm focal length at f/5.7 favors wide-field viewing, making it easier to locate and frame large targets
- Fully coated optics improve contrast and light transmission compared to uncoated lenses at this price range
- Two eyepieces plus a 3x Barlow lens provide multiple magnification levels without requiring additional purchases
- Lightweight at 2.59kg with an adjustable aluminum tripod and included carry bag, making it practical for travel or backyard use
- Simple alt-azimuth mount is beginner-friendly, though it requires manual repositioning as objects move across the sky
- Smartphone adapter and wireless remote allow basic astrophotography of the moon and bright planets
Customer Reviews
22,659 reviews
My husband and I bought the Gskyer telescope as a Christmas gift for our son because he’s super into science and space, and it ended up being a great choice. It was easy to set up, lightweight, and beginner friendly (he’s only 8), which made it perfect for him to learn the basics without getting ove...
I bought this knowing nothing about telescopes and not knowing what I could expect to see through this thing. Now I know more, I think this is a decent value, but it comes with A LOT of cons. In telescopes, the aperture size matters much more than magnification. The bigger the aperture, the better t...
My husband loves stargazing and he has a couple of telescopes and other accessories for beginners. I wanted to get him something more advanced without being too complicated and too expensive. I spent a lot of time reading reviews and comparing products. The Gskyer seemed like the best choice. It is ...