Table of Contents
Even though they are always sold at high prices, the best computerized telescopes have been around for a long time. Most of them will still have the same interface as a cheaper option that has been used for 20 years.
Not everyone would like to use best computerized telescopes. Most of the time, it costs more and doesn’t offer as much value as manual Dobsonians. It automatically tracks and focuses, so whatever you’re looking at stays in the middle of the eyepiece.
The best computerized telescopes, but we also made sure there was one for every level of astronomer and every budget. At the end of the guide, we explain which types of telescopes are best for which kinds of activities.
Best Computerized Telescopes Comparison Table
Telescope Name | Features | Platform | Price | Official Website |
---|---|---|---|---|
Unistellar eVscope eQuinox smart telescope | Smart telescope, app connectivity, high-quality optics, portability | Mobile (iOS/Android) | $2,999 | Visit Website |
Sky-Watcher Virtuoso GTi 130P | Motorized tabletop telescope, computerized mount, smartphone control | Mobile (iOS/Android) | $479 | Visit Website |
Celestron Inspire 100AZ Refractor | Refractor telescope, smartphone adapter, alt-azimuth mount, lightweight | Mobile (iOS/Android) | $399.95 | Visit Website |
Celestron NexStar 127SLT | Computerized telescope, alt-azimuth mount, SkyAlign technology | PC, Mac | $659.95 | Visit Website |
Meade Instruments ETX125 | GoTo telescope, Maksutov-Cassegrain design, AudioStar controller | PC, Mac | $1,199.00 | Visit Website |
Explore Scientific FirstLight 114mm Newtonian | Newtonian reflector, smartphone adapter, alt-azimuth mount | Mobile (iOS/Android) | $249.99 | Visit Website |
Unistellar eVscope eQuinox smart telescope

Specification | |
---|---|
Aperture | 4.5 inches (114 mm) |
Focal Length | 450 mm |
Magnification | Up to 400x |
Mount Type | Alt-Azimuth |
Camera | Sony IMX224 Sensor |
Battery Life | Up to 10 hours |
Wi-Fi Connectivity | Yes |
Weight | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) |
This is a new type of best computerized telescopes that doesn’t have a built-in viewfinder but instead has a camera that sends pictures of the night sky to your phone or tablet. At its heart, it’s a 4.5-inch reflector telescope with a Sony IMX224 CMOS image sensor.
Galaxies, nebulae, open clusters, and globular clusters with Enhanced Vision (EV). It lets up to 10 smartphones and tablets connect to its own WiFi network to see and download its pictures. It has 64 MB of space.
The Good
- New technology that improves the quality of images
- Light and easy to carry
- Built with advanced software to make it easy to use
- Wi-Fi connectivity and a long battery life make it easy to share.
The Bad
- Compared to other telescopes with similar specs, this one is expensive.
- Limited magnification capabilities
Sky-Watcher Virtuoso GTi 130P

Specification | |
---|---|
Aperture | 5.1 inches (130 mm) |
Focal Length | 650 mm |
Magnification | Up to 260x |
Mount Type | Alt-Azimuth |
Controller | SynScan |
Battery Life | 10-20 hours |
Weight | 28.5 lbs (12.9 kg) |
The Sky-Watcher Virtuoso GTi 130P is basically a computerized version of the famous Heritage 130P. But to call it just best computerized telescopes upgrade would be to do this great telescope a disservice. The Virtuoso GTi 130P has advanced encoder technology that lets you manually aim it even when the system is on.
You can also use this telescope without turning it on or using any power, if you want to. You can control the Virtuoso GTi 130P without a big, old-fashioned hand controller by using the SynScan app or SkySafari on your smartphone or tablet.
The Good
- A good deal for the money
- SynScan controller installed for accurate navigation
- High magnification capabilities
- Large aperture to make the image better.
The Bad
- Heavy and hard to move around
- It takes time to figure out how to use the controller.
Celestron Inspire 100AZ Refractor

Specification | |
---|---|
Aperture | 4 inches (102 mm) |
Focal Length | 660 mm |
Magnification | Up to 204x |
Mount Type | Alt-Azimuth |
Controller | StarPointer Pro Finderscope |
Battery Life | 4 hours |
Weight | 15.4 lbs (7 kg) |
The Celestron Inspire 100AZ is best computerized telescopes or people on a tight budget. It is a great choice for people who want a complete package that comes with more accessories than most starter telescope bundles.
The Inspire 100AZ comes with a 90-degree erect image diagonal with a 1.25-inch fitting that makes the telescope good for terrestrial and celestial views. A StarPointer Pro finderscope, and a smartphone adapter for basic astrophotography.
The Good
- With the StarPointer Pro Finderscope, it is easy to use.
- Easy to carry and not too heavy
- Worth the price.
- Ideal for beginners
The Bad
- Battery life is short
- The smaller the aperture, the worse the image quality.
Celestron NexStar 127SLT

Specification | |
---|---|
Aperture | 5 inches (127 mm) |
Focal Length | 1500 mm |
Magnification | Up to 300x |
Mount Type | Alt-Azimuth |
Controller | NexStar+ Hand Control |
Battery Life | 8-10 hours |
Weight | 18 lbs (8.2 kg) |
The Celestron NexStar 127SLT is another best computerized telescopes for beginners, but it has a larger opening and a bit more power. Even though it is like the 90SLT in some ways, it is not the same.
Its alignment software, SkyAlign, is easy to use, and its database of 40,000 objects makes it easy to find what you’re looking for. It is also a great way to see planets and deep-sky objects outside of our solar system.
The Good
- With a large aperture and a high magnification,
- Easy navigation with the NexStar+ Hand Control
- Lasts a long time
- Easy to carry and use
The Bad
- Compared to other telescopes with similar specs, this one is expensive.
- May take a while to figure out how to use the controller well.
Meade Instruments ETX125

Specification | |
---|---|
Aperture | 5 inches (127 mm) |
Focal Length | 1900 mm |
Magnification | Up to 250x |
Mount Type | Alt-Azimuth |
Controller | AudioStar Handbox |
Battery Life | 6-8 hours |
Weight | 15 lbs (6.8 kg) |
This best computerized telescopes is great for both beginners and experts because it is easy to move and has better lighting. The Meade Instruments ETX125 is not hard to set up or use at all, unlike many other types of automated telescopes.
With a 127 mm aperture, you can find out a lot about the night sky. The focal length and ratio are 900mm f/15, and an internal mirror makes it possible to look through both lenses at the same time.
The Good
- Detailed observations can be made with a large opening and high magnification.
- The AudioStar Handbox makes it easy to find your way.
- Easy to carry and not too heavy
- This is a great telescope for both new and experienced astronomers.
The Bad
- Compared to other telescopes, it has a short battery life.
- Compared to other telescopes on the market, it is expensive.
Explore Scientific FirstLight 114mm Newtonian

Specification | |
---|---|
Aperture | 4.5 inches (114 mm) |
Focal Length | 500 mm |
Magnification | Up to 228x |
Mount Type | Alt-Azimuth |
Controller | N/A |
Battery Life | N/A |
Weight | 14.6 lbs (6.6 kg) |
Have you been looking for a 6″ aperture f/5 refractor? It could be the ES First Light AR-152. When you combine it with the Exos 2 GoTo mount, you have a motorized set-up that has all the best computerized telescopes of a large aperture refractor.
152mm is a big size for a refractor, and it’s a good size for aperture hunters who don’t want the central obstruction of a Newtonian or SCT to limit their seeing. But even though you have a nice 6″ objective lens, it’s just an achromatic doublet, which could be a problem.
The Good
- A high-quality telescope at a price anyone can afford
- Large opening and the ability to zoom in far
- Design that is small and easy to carry
- Good for taking photos of the stars
The Bad
- There is no controller for easier navigation.
- The best image quality might not be possible with a small aperture size.
FAQs
Is it worth it to get a telescope with a computer?
If the sky is very light polluted, you should also consider getting a computer telescope. When you can’t see many stars, it’s hard to use a star map to get around on your own. Last but not least, a computer on a telescope can be a great teacher for a beginner who wants to learn.
What can a computerized telescope show you?
Computerized telescopes, also called “GoTo” telescopes, are easy to use and have the latest technology to help you find hundreds of deep-sky objects and planets in our own solar system with just a few simple steps.
What is the most powerful smart telescope?
- Unistellar eVscope eQuinox smart telescope
- Celestron NexStar Evolution 8
- Celestron NexStar 6SE
- Sky-Watcher 250P GoTo Collapsible 10
- Celestron Astro Fi 130.