Telescopes are surprisingly expensive, just ask my wife, she was surprised.
Telescopes are precision instruments that must be constructed with precision. The materials used and the methods used in construction make telescopes very expensive. The glass surfaces, mirrors and their alignment must be correct and of high quality for a telescope to work well. Telescopes are also in higher demand than in years past and the supply is somewhat low, so the price has risen with demand.
The glass that you look through on a telescope is called optical glass, or the optical train. These surfaces often have a coating that is applied to create a better surface for reflecting and collecting light. This is called corrected glass. This glass has been polished and coated correctly for excellent seeing. In the highest end telescopes these surfaces are polished and coated by hand.
The two main types of telescopes are reflector and refractor telescopes. They work differently and are made of different materials.
Cost: Reflector Vs. Refractor
Reflector telescopes are less expensive for the amount of aperture. They are less expensive because of the simpler design and cost of materials. These telescopes are easier to manufacture and they are easier to mount.
Reflector telescopes use mirrors to collect and focus light, these mirrors vary in quality, but they are corrected, or coated and polished. These mirrors are the most important part of a reflector telescope.
Refractor telescopes use convex lenses to collect and focus light. These lenses are more prone to imperfections and distortions.
Mirrors are cheaper and easier to make than lenses, this makes reflector telescopes less expensive than refractor telescopes.
Mounts also play a big role in the price of a telescope.
Manual Dobsonian mounts can be had for a few hundred dollars while a high quality astrophotography Equatorial mounts with tracking can cost more than $3,000.
There are many models of mounts for reflector or refractor telescopes all over the price scale, but as a general rule, Dobsonian mounts with a reflector telescope will be less expensive than a refractor on an Equatorial mount.
Saving Money on a Telescope
Getting started in astronomy can be very expensive or more basic. There are quite a few ways to save money and still have an incredible set up.
Buy Used
Telescopes last forever, and they hold their value very well. The biggest NASA telescopes have been in use for decades. The cost of a telescope may be a large investment, but it can be used for many years to come.
This also means that buying a used telescope is a great way to save money on your scope. This handy resource will help you with your used telescope purchase. Mike gives you some questions to ask and how to find a great scope at a great price.
Before you purchase your new scope be sure to read our guide on transporting your scope!
Keep Accessories to a Minimum
You will need eyepieces, and I also recommend an observing chair, but do not go crazy with gear.
Telescope eyepieces are not scope specific in most cases. Eyepieces, which are a big part of the cost of your astronomy gear, can be used in almost any telescope you can buy.
Realistically you can be very happy with three eyepieces and a barlow, which gives you more flexibility. This is my current set of intermediate eyepieces.
Buying used eyepieces is the way to go. I have purchased some open box eyepieces right from the manufacturer. You may find that the seller of your telescope will throw in or add on a few eyepieces.
Once you introduce electrical components like tracking, dew heaters or fans you will need electricity.
Portable power banks are a popular, but very expensive choice. The seven options we found are in this post if you do end up needing power to your scope.
What Makes a Telescope More Expensive
Brand
Higher quality telescopes cost more money, expect to pay more for a telescope from a reputable brand like High Point Scientific, Meade or Orion. These manufacturers are known for high quality construction and a higher level of customer service compared to department store telescopes.
Telescopes that are purchased at Target, Walmart or any other big box store will be much cheaper, but of much lower quality. Some do not even have a brand name. If you encounter a problem when using the telescope, there is no number to call.
Custom, specialty telescopes like StarMaster or Obsession are much more expensive because they are handcrafted and held to the highest possible standards. They are made to order and they are the highest quality telescope that can be purchased by an ameture.
Tracking
Telescope mounts that have electronic tracking will cost significantly more money than a manual mount.
These mounts have a catalogue of objects in the sky that the telescope can find automatically. There are pros and cons for having a goto mount, I have had both.
GoTo mounts are very expensive and they make finding objects in the night sky fast and easy, but you do miss out on learning the sky. When you use a manual telescope you have to be familiar with the constellations and their positions. Finding objects manually is like a treasure hunt, it is so exciting when you can find an object yourself. With a goto mount some of that is taken away.
When you are doing outreach a goto mount makes it fast to find lots of objects to show people, and that makes it worth it for me.
Accessories
Telescopes need a few things to be useful, a scope, a mount, eyepieces, and in some cases, active dew control.
All the necessary gear really adds up.
Eyepieces are expensive, and there are lots of opinions on how many you need to enjoy a night of stargazing. I surveyed a bunch of ameature astronomers and found some interesting information on how many you should have in your collection.
I have about 9 eyepieces, but last time I was out observing I just used 3.
Keeping a small collection of eyepieces is a great way to keep the cost of your setup low.
Features
Telescopes that can break down to travel or store are often marked up for that feature.
My truss tube Dobsonian telescope was more expensive because the enormous telescope can be broken down and transported in my small car. It was worth it to me because I do not have a garage or a truck to transport a larger scope.
Speciality solar telescopes are also more expensive as they are built to withstand the heat and they have special filters that allow you to view the very bright surface of the sun.
Any scope that has unique or specialty features will be more expensive.
