Christmas is a great time to give someone a genuine window to the night sky. Whether you’re buying for a first-time observer keen to spot the Moon’s craters, a family who’d love to share views of Saturn’s rings, or a more experienced viewer ready to step up their gear, a telescope from Optics Central is a gift they’ll remember long after the wrapping paper is gone.
In this guide, we’ll take you through our top Christmas telescope picks – from simple, user-friendly starter scopes for kids and beginners, through to more advanced options, including smart telescopes like the Seestar. Whatever your budget, experience level or backyard setup, you’ll find a telescope here that fits.
Saxon Novo 709AZ3 Refractor Telescope
Alt-azimuth (Alt/Az) mounts are ideal for beginners and casual viewing because they’re simple to use, fast to set up and require very little adjustment. They’re well suited to backyard views of the Moon, planets and brighter deep-sky targets, making them a great choice for a first Christmas telescope when you want more time looking and less time figuring out how the mount works.
This sells for $329
The Saxon 709 AZ3 is a solid entry-level refractor with a 70mm aperture and 900mm focal length on an easy-to-use AZ3 alt-azimuth tripod. It’s a good match for anyone keen to enjoy both daytime views of distant landscapes and night-time views of the stars.
Key features:
- 70mm aperture – Multi-coated achromatic objective lens for bright, clear views of the Moon, planets and bright deep-sky objects.
- 900mm focal length (f/13) – Long focal length that works well for high-power, detailed viewing.
- AZ3 alt-azimuth mount – Includes slow-motion controls for smooth, precise adjustments and easy tracking of objects across the sky.
- Portable design – Lightweight setup that’s easy to pack in the car and take to darker skies.
This level suits:
- Kids and beginners – Simple controls make it easy for children and first-time users to start exploring the sky.
- Fun for families – Ideal for parents and kids to share views of the Moon at night and wildlife during the day.
- Easy to carry (under 10kg) – Light enough to move from the house to the backyard or pack in the car for a trip.
Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ
This sells for $499.99
Celestron StarSense telescopes are built to make finding night-sky objects almost effortless, especially for beginners and families. Instead of learning star maps or guessing where to point, you place your smartphone in the StarSense cradle, open the app and let it scan the sky. The app then shows you exactly where to push the telescope to find the Moon, planets, star clusters, nebulae and more, using on-screen arrows that guide you in real time.
Because it’s a “push-to” system, you still enjoy the hands-on feel of moving the telescope yourself, but with the bonus of smartphone guidance so you know you’re on target. It’s an excellent choice for a first telescope for kids, teens or adults, and it turns a simple evening in the backyard into an interactive guided tour of the night sky.
Key features:
- StarSense Explorer technology – Works with your smartphone to scan the sky and uses on-screen arrows to guide you to planets, stars and deep-sky objects.
- 70mm aperture, 700mm focal length – Versatile optics for viewing the Moon, distant ships, coastlines, wildlife and more.
- Durable aluminium tube – Lightweight yet sturdy, making it easy to carry, set up and pack away.
- Fully coated optics – Improved brightness and contrast for clearer, sharper views.
- Manual alt-azimuth (AZ) mount – Simple up/down, left/right movement for quick, intuitive aiming.
- Sturdy aluminium tripod – Provides a stable base for steady views at low and high magnifications.
- Included accessories – Comes with 10mm and 25mm eyepieces, a 2x Barlow lens and a StarPointer red dot finder so you can start observing straight away.
This level suits:
- Kids, teens and first-time stargazers – Suits beginners who want an easy, guided way to find the Moon, planets and bright targets without needing star charts or tricky alignment.
- Families – Perfect for parents and kids to enjoy quick, fun backyard sessions, with the smartphone app showing exactly where to point.
- Home and school education – Simple to use in classrooms, STEM programs or at home, thanks to the intuitive app and lightweight, portable setup.
Saxon F767AZ Newtonian Reflector Telescope
This sells for $189.95
If you want an affordable first “real” telescope to place under the tree this Christmas, the saxon 767AZ Newtonian Reflector is a strong choice. Its 76mm aperture and 700mm focal length provide enough light and magnification to reveal craters on the Moon and pick out key details on the brighter planets. The Newtonian mirror design avoids the colour fringing (chromatic aberration) common in many low-cost refractors, helping keep the price down while still offering reliable, enjoyable views.
Key Features:
- Complete starter kit – Supplied with everything a beginner needs, so you can start observing straight from the box.
- Three 1.25″ eyepieces (4mm, 12.5mm, 25mm) – Offer a useful spread of magnifications for the Moon, planets and simple deep-sky targets.
- 5×24 finderscope – Makes it easier to line up the telescope on the Moon, planets and bright stars.
- 1.5x erecting eyepiece – Turns the image upright for comfortable daytime land viewing.
- Moon filter included – Cuts down glare and makes bright lunar detail easier on the eyes.
- More light than a 70mm scope – Delivers about 18% more light-gathering, helping with study of the Moon and the larger planets.
- Beginner-friendly and affordable – Easy to use, great value, and a good fit for kids, teens and first-time adult observers.
This level suits:
- Kids and young teens – A reliable first telescope for school-aged children keen to explore the Moon and bright planets.
- First-time adults – Suits adults on a budget who want to try stargazing without jumping into a complicated setup.
- Families sharing one scope – Easy enough for kids to use with guidance, while still offering views that parents will enjoy.
- Beginners on a tight budget – A very affordable way to get good views of the Moon and larger planets in a complete, ready-to-go kit.
Saxon F1149EQ Reflector Telescope
This sells for $199.95
An equatorial (EQ) mounted telescope sits on a mount with one axis tilted to match Earth’s rotation. Once you’ve polar-aligned it, you can keep a star or planet in view by turning just that single axis, rather than juggling up–down and left–right movements at the same time.
Observers choose EQ mounts because they make it easier to keep objects centred in the eyepiece, especially at higher magnifications. The motion feels smoother once aligned, and you can add slow-motion controls or motors so the telescope steadily tracks as the sky appears to drift.
This model combines a 114mm aperture and 900mm focal length with an EQ mount for smoother tracking and more precise control, making it a strong next step for anyone ready to start exploring fainter, deeper-sky targets.
Key Features:
- 114mm primary mirror – Provides bright, detailed views of the Moon, planets and the brighter deep-sky objects.
- 900mm focal length (f/7.9) – Offers a good balance between useful magnification and a comfortable field of view.
- 4.5″ aluminium-coated mirror with protective overcoat – Maintains strong reflectivity and long-term performance.
- 5×24 optical finderscope – Helps you line up and locate your targets quickly.
- EQ1 German equatorial mount – Allows smoother tracking as objects move across the sky.
- Rack-and-pinion focuser – Gives precise, easy-to-control focusing.
- Included 1.25″ Super eyepieces – Deliver clear, comfortable views straight out of the box.
- 1.5x erecting eyepiece – Provides correctly oriented images for daytime land viewing.
- Lightweight aluminium tripod with accessory tray – Offers stable support and handy storage for your eyepieces and accessories.
This level suits:
- Great next step – Suits beginners who’ve already had a first look at the night sky and now want to see more detail.
- 114mm aperture mirror – Collects plenty of light for clearer views of the Moon, planets and brighter nebulae.
- 900mm focal length – Provides comfortable magnification for both lunar and planetary observing.
- German Equatorial EQ1 mount – Allows you to track objects smoothly as they drift across the sky.
- Slow-motion controls – Help you keep your target centred in the eyepiece with fine, easy adjustments.
ZWO Seestar S50 Smart Telescope
This sells for $949
It’s a compact, all-in-one smart telescope that packs a small apochromatic refractor, camera, tracking mount, computer and battery into one lightweight unit. You run everything from the Seestar app, which handles alignment, target selection, focusing and image stacking for you.
Set up on a tripod, it can automatically centre and track your chosen object, slowly building up detailed views of nebulae, star clusters and galaxies, even from a suburban backyard. With built-in filters, a solar viewing mode and a true grab-and-go design, it suits beginners and anyone who wants effortless, automated views of the sky without the hassle of a complex setup.
Key Features:
- All-in-one smart telescope – Combines telescope, camera, tracking mount, controller and battery in one compact unit.
- 50mm APO refractor – 250mm focal length (f/5) with ED glass for sharper, colour-corrected views.
- Integrated camera – 1/2.8″ sensor (around 2MP) tailored for live stacking and EAA-style observing.
- Fully automated setup – The app takes care of alignment, goto, tracking, focusing and stacking.
- Seestar mobile app control – iOS/Android app with object database, live view and simple one-tap imaging.
- Live stacking – Builds up many short exposures to reveal faint nebulae, clusters and galaxies.
- Dual-band nebula filter – Boosts contrast on emission nebulae, even under suburban light pollution.
- Clip-on solar filter – Allows safe white-light viewing of sunspots and solar surface detail.
- Built-in Wi-Fi and battery – Cord-free operation, perfect for quick setup and pack-up.
- Lightweight and portable – About 3kg including tripod, and easy to carry in the supplied case.
- Time-lapse and panorama modes – For creative wide-field and landscape-style sequences.
- Beginner-friendly design – Minimal setup, no collimation, and a guided app workflow ideal for first-time users.
This level suits:
- Beginners and casual observers – Ideal for anyone who wants easy, automated views and simple imaging without having to learn polar alignment, focusing, guiding and other setup steps.
- Families and kids – Just tap an object in the app and let the Seestar handle the rest, keeping frustration to a minimum.
- Grab-and-go users – Great for intermediate observers who already own traditional gear but want a quick, portable, no-fuss option for relaxed nights.
NOTE: This ‘Smart Telescope’ is not aimed at advanced imagers who want full manual control, big sensors, or complex upgrade paths – it’s more of a simple, fun, smart-scope experience.
Accessories for Telescopes
Saxon 2× Short‑Focus Barlow Lens with Camera Adapter (1.25in)
This sells for $124.95
- What it does: A Barlow lens multiplies the magnification of whatever eyepiece you’re using — this one gives 2× when inserted between the telescope focuser and eyepiece.
- Why its on our list: Whether you’re using a beginner scope like the 70 mm refractor or the larger 114 mm, adding a Barlow gives you extra reach for the Moon, planets or tighter views of deep-sky objects.
Saxon Moon Filter 1.25in
This sells for $22.95
- What it does: A simple filter you screw into the eyepiece barrel that reduces brightness and increases contrast when viewing bright objects (especially the Moon).
- Why its on our list: Every scope you listed (70 mm refractor, 76 mm reflector, 114 mm reflector, smart scope etc.) will benefit from a moon filter – the Moon tends to be too bright and the filter makes viewing more comfortable and reveals more detail.
ScopePix Smartphone Telescope/Binocular Adapter
This sells for $49.95
- What it does: An adapter that lets you mount your smartphone onto a telescope (or binocular) eyepiece to take photos/videos of what you’re seeing.
- Why its on our list:If you’re considering any of the scopes (especially the larger ones) and want to capture your stargazing efforts (Moon shots, planetary glimpses, perhaps even deep-sky using your mobile phone).
Saxon Optical Cleaning Kit
This sells for $49.95
For anyone unwrapping a telescope this Christmas, pairing it with a cleaning kit is a smart idea. The saxon Optical Lens Cleaning Kit includes everything needed to keep lenses, eyepieces, finderscopes and cameras in top condition. Inside you get a dust blower, soft brush, alcohol-free solution, swabs, microfibre cloths, cleaning wipes and a handy carry pouch.
It suits all the scopes listed here, from a 70mm refractor to a more advanced 114mm reflector. Clean optics deliver sharper views and help your gear last longer. The kit is especially helpful on cold, dewy nights when dust and moisture can quickly spoil the view.
Add this cleaning kit to a telescope gift and you turn a ‘great present’ into a thoughtful, complete setup.
Celestron Night Vision Flashlight
This sells for $39.95
What it does: The Celestron Night Vision Torch is a compact red LED light that lets you adjust your telescope, read star charts and find gear in the dark without ruining your night vision. It has two even red LEDs with a thumbwheel to control brightness, a square body that won’t roll away, a handy lanyard, and it runs on the included 9V battery so it’s ready to use straight away.
Why it’s on our list: This red torch makes every night under the stars easier and more enjoyable. It’s affordable, practical, and pairs well with any telescope or star chart, so it’s a perfect add-on gift or stocking filler. By preserving dark-adapted vision better than a phone or white torch, it helps keep faint nebulae, galaxies and star clusters visible all night.
Saxon Night Sky 15×70 Binoculars
This sells for $189.95
These are powerful yet portable way to explore the night sky, offering bright, detailed views without the bulk of a telescope. They’re ideal for sweeping across constellations and rich star fields, giving you an easy, grab-and-go option for stargazing.
With 15x magnification and large 70mm objective lenses, they pull in plenty of light to reveal stars and larger clusters more clearly. The Porro prism design, BaK-4 glass and fully multi-coated optics work together to deliver sharp images with strong contrast. An 18.2mm long eye relief and foldable eyecups keep them comfortable, even for glasses wearers, while the central focusing wheel makes fine-tuning your view simple. They come with a neck strap and soft carry case for convenient transport. Although they’re not waterproof or fogproof, their solid build and quality optics make them a great choice for clear, dark nights.
Features: The Saxon Night Sky 15×70 Binoculars use a Porro prism design with BaK-4 glass to deliver bright, sharp views. With 15x magnification, 70mm objective lenses and a 77m/1000m field of view, they’re well suited to long-distance and night-sky viewing. Long 18.2mm eye relief keeps them comfortable for glasses wearers, and at 1390g they feel solid yet manageable, especially on a tripod. While they aren’t waterproof or fogproof, they perform best under clear, dry conditions.
Why it is on our list: These 15×70 binoculars are on the Christmas list because they give a big “wow” factor without needing a telescope. They’re powerful, bright, easy to use, and much more portable than a scope, making them a great gift for anyone keen to explore the night sky.
Wrapping up:
A telescope gift can be as simple as a Saxon 709AZ3 for a first look at the Moon or as feature-packed as the Celestron StarSense Explorer range for families who want easy smartphone-guided viewing. Each upgrade adds smoother tracking, brighter optics and a clearer path to exploring the night sky.
Accessories such as Eyepieces, Barlow lenses, Bags, Moon filters and Smartphone adapters make any telescope more enjoyable to use. The right mix helps the recipient spend less time adjusting gear and more time discovering the night sky.