Last updated on January 28th, 2023

A gskyer telescope 70mm aperture 400mm az mount astronomical refracting narrow spectral length refractor fitted on a camera style tripod is included in the Gskyer AZ70400 Telescope set. A 45-degree diagonal, a travel bag, a finder scope, two eyepieces, and a 3X Barlow lens are all a part of the pack. It is specially made by keeping in mind the first-time buyers who are not we aware of telescopes and their fnctioning with a modest entry price. 

Remember that when buying a telescope for less than $100, there are always some compromises—you will get in hands what you paid for, and anyone who claims you to get more than that is pulling a swift one.

Our gskyer telescope az70400 review, on the other hand, will accurately put in front of you the benefits and drawbacks so you will be able to determine whether this telescope is a suitable fit for your requirements and financial plan. We will be going through its features, setup, easiness, and other important factors to create a detailed sketch of the gskyer telescope 70mm aperture 400mm review. And I will be explaining what it entails for you with respect to how much you could view and how simple is its usage.

Basic Specs

• Type: Refractor
• Aperture: 70mm
• Optics: Glass, fully-coated
• Weight: 5.71 lbs.
• Eyepieces: Kellner type, 2 included (10mm and 25mm)
• Magnification: 16x and 40x with included eyepieces (or 48x and 120x with 3x Barlow lens)
• Focal Distance: 400mm
• Focal Ratio: f/5.7
• Finderscope: 5×24
• Mount: Alt-azimuth with included tripod
• Warranty: Two years

Accessories are included in the price:

• It comes with a telescope and tripod carrying case 
• An flexible camera tripod prepared of aluminum alloy which contracts for compact storage
• Barlow lens with 3x magnification
• Easily attaches to the tripod as an eyepiece rack.
• Adapter for smartphones are also available
• Image-taking is made easy with a smartphone using its wireless remote (comprises a battery to)
• Setup instruction manual comes along with colorful pictures
• 524 finderscope with lens cloth and mounting bracket
• Image diagonally erect (48-degrees)
• Image diagonally erect (48-degrees)

Here are some of the things I enjoyed more about Gskyer AZ70400:

1. The optical excellence has exceeded the expectations of its customer. Images were crisp and clear, and creating a great image was simple. (However, several other online reviewers had trouble getting a nice photograph. The 70mm completely coated objective lens provides adequate magnification to see a wide range of targets, including several bright deep sky objects.
2. Excellent value for the package of beginning supplies. I’ll probably retain this telescope and use as a “extra” when I go stargazing with the kids.
3. My 9-year-old kid had no trouble figuring out how to operate the telescope with practically no instructions — he has been playing with it during the daytime, exploring altered eyepiece combos and changing the focus to see if he gets an even better view. 
4. It’s small, compact, and light, and it comes with a carry case for both the telescope and the tripod.
5. The 48-degree erect picture diagonal is ideal for terrestrial / daylight viewing. Because the picture has always been right side up, moving the telescope around is simple and straightforward, which is ideal for novices. (However, for nighttime views much beyond the horizon, this form of diagonal might be troublesome.)
6. The smartphone app and wireless remote appealed to me. You will not be able to find this option in most of the other 70mm cheap telescopes that are in the market. The wireless remote was smoothly connected to my phone through the Bluetooth system, and it was not hard to capture a decent photograph with it.

What Didn’t Appeal to Me: 

1. The Kellner eyepieces are just fine, but the rest of the accessories appear to be poorly made. Given the pricing range, there are no surprises here… However, it is worth highlighting. (It is critical to have some realistic expectations here; do not expect some high-quality accessories when you are paying a cheap price for the telescope.)
2. The eyepieces’ limited field of view (particularly the 25mm) made it hard to locate the ideal angle for peering into them. This might be intimidating to a novice or a child who has never looked through a telescope eyepiece before. (At least until you figure it out.) Given the pricing range, there are no surprises here. Better eyepieces will cost more, but they will be easier to use for children and beginners.

3. Gskyer az astronomical refractor telescope tripod is very very small for an adult. To make matters worse, the 48-degree diagonal makes it much more uncomfortable. Unless you go down on your knees and have an extremely flexible neck, don’t even bother staring straight up. You’ll have to sit in a chair as an adult, and you’ll generally want to choose viewing objectives that aren’t more than 50-60 degrees above the horizon. (Note: In this aspect, the Celestron and Orion rival models are almost identical to the Gskyer.)

4. The directions of this gskyer 70mm astronomical refractor telescope are bravo for setting up the telescope, but at the same time they have failed to explain you how to use it. Some users on the internet even claimed that that they could not locate a lot with the telescope, which in our opinion is fairly due to the fact that some individuals are still learning how to calibrate and utilise the finderscope, as well as how to find something and focus it in the eyepiece.

5. The 524 finderscope is made out of plastic, which makes it almost useless. In the dim light, the cross-hairs were almost non-existent. I also was unable to quite get the finderscope to line properly, and ultimately I resulted in making a tiny misalignment. As a result, I have just stopped using the finderscope entirely and instead relied on the low-power (25mm) eyepiece. It is worth noting that many low budget telescopes suffer from the same issue and that makes it justified.

Is the Gskyer 70mm a Good Investment?

So, let’s go right to the point. Is it worth your money to buy this telescope? I get why AZ70400 is just so successful if you have the appropriate expectations. The Gskyer 70mm can help you stretch a limited budget, especially if you’re shopping for children or simply want to view more from the sky than you can with your eyes alone.

Pros: 

• It’s inexpensive and includes everything you’ll need to get started.
• It’s compact and portable, and it’s quite simple to set up and operate.
• It’s simple for youngsters to operate, and it can also be used for daylight watching, wildlife viewing, and so on.
• Decent optics – will offer you lovely views of the crescent, bright planets, and even a sliver of a handful of deep sky objects.
• When we compare the gskyer telescope 70400, this one comes with an additional smartphone attachment with a wireless remote, Barlow lens, and even the eyepiece rack that mounts to the tripod.

Cons:

• Adults will have to utilise it when seated, and the viewing angles will be limited.
• The accessories are flimsy (we should be accepting this to be the case when we have a low budget)
• If you value customer care and support, you might prefer to go and one of the more well-known astronomical brand names, such as Celestron or Orion.

Initial installation with the Gskyer 70mm Refractor Telescope

Whether you buy a $100 telescope or even a $1,000 telescope, the very first (and sometimes most difficult) step is to put it together.

As it has a small number of mechanisms, the Gskyer AZ70400 70mm telescope is easier to assemble for learners. Taking the telescope out from the box and setting it up the first time took me around 5-10 minutes.

A really simple brochure having clear instructions with even the visual directions for getting started is included in the box that makes the process even hustle free, and you can also locate training internet videos. However, as the telescope is targeted for novices and children, there seem to be no manuals to educate you how to really operate it.

As a result, if you’re purchasing something for children, the parents must be prepared to provide extensive initial supervision and research.

Accessories

The gskyer telescope 70mm aperture 400mm review comes with a full set of beginner accessories to get you started on your astronomy adventure. (As we have mentioned before please do not expect a high-quality accessory at this pricing range.)

Two eyepieces, a 3x Barlow lens, a 48-degree diagonal / zenith mirror, tripod, finderscope, a Bluetooth remote and smartphone adapter for taking images with your telescope, a carrying bag, and an accessory tray are included.

This accessory bundle truly adds to the total value of Gskyer telescope 25mm kit. While they aren’t the most durable or powerful, it will surely try out all of the telescope’s functions. 

Additional eyepieces provided:

In my first few travels with this telescope, the Kellner spotting scopes performed admirably. The images were clear. The quality of gskyer telescope 70mm aperture 400mm is satisfactory for this price budget. (Of course, more costly eyepieces with a broader field of vision and better sight relief would be preferable.)

The very first Gskyer telescope 25mm focal length with a magnification of 16x. While you might be unable to see items that are near, the wide field will surely help you finding and recognizing them. You may use the second eyepiece, which is 10mm and has a magnification of 40x, to get “closer” to your subject. Keep in mind that you won’t be able to notice many details, especially if your viewing circumstances aren’t ideal.

While the eyepieces provide limited magnification on their own, you also receive a 3x Barlow lens that can treble magnification power—up to 48x and 120x, respectively. However, don’t hold your breath for two reasons. 

1. The accompanying Barlow lens is made of plastic and of poor quality. The snapshots are just satisfactory, but with an improved lens, they will be much sharper. 
2. The maximum magnification in those ideal viewing conditions are only possible with the 70mm aperture is just 137x (50 times its aperture in inches). This signifies that 120x is towards the limit of this telescope’s capabilities.

However, when you posses a Barlow that is included in your package is a great touch. The moon, all those planets, the star clusters will all be seen in greater detail. You can also use them for bird watching or nature gazing. Beautiful details of the nature such as the feather marks or even the distant trees will all be prominent in your gskyer telescope 70mm aperture 400mm review.

Tripod

The tripod, to be honest, let me down. It’s fragile and light. While it is difficult to knock this over, any shaking degrades the visual quality.

Because the tripod is so short, adults and teenagers would have to sit, crouch, or kneel in order to utilise it. On the plus side, it’s a suitable height for little children, therefore this flaw might be advantageous based upon that primary user.

When placed on a strong table, the telescope’s height, paired with its fragile construction, makes it more convenient to operate. (Also, when you completely extend the tripod legs, it gets more unstable.)

While several online reviewers complained about how difficult it was to adjust the tripod, I had no such issues. (During my viewing sessions, I was able to discover a decent “sweet spot” tension in the handle and just maintained it there.) However, due to the form of this gear that are the zero extender pole above the base moves the gskyer telescope 70mm aperture 400mm to aim directly up will be a little difficult. Keep in mind that, unlike more costly equatorial mounted scope, you won’t be able to smoothly track moving objects.

Fortunately, a more sturdy tripod may readily be substituted. (Any tripod will suffice.) Don’t allow this functionality hold you back if you’re prepared to make that investment in the future.

Using the finderscope and calibrating it

The finderscope which came along with the Gskyer 70mm refractor is really a 524, which, as I’ve already shown, is almost useless. Since the telescope itself is already pretty broad field and low magnification with 25mm eyepiece, I found myself avoiding the finderscope entirely.

It’s made of low-quality plastic, and I couldn’t get it correctly calibrated. With that being said, it may be helpful if you’re searching for a fairly bright with in sky and you take the time to calibrate the equipment at the best you can. It’s also similar to what the Celestron and Orion 70mm traveling scopes provide.

(Note: 524 refers to a 5x magnification with just a 24mm aperture.) A little telescope set on top of a larger telescope.)

Tips for using the finderscope:

Take the following steps:

1. After putting the telescope together, put the 10mm eyepiece in place and gaze it at a distance in your vicinity. (You may choose a recognised treetop, a home corner, or a rooftop a little further down the street.)
2. To bring your target into crisp focus, utilise the focuser. (This is also a wonderful opportunity to practise using the various spotting scopes and focussing the telescope.)
3. Make absolutely sure your target is in the eyepiece’s centre, then lock its tripod handle to keep it there.
4. Now, using the three bolts on the outside of the finderscope, adjust it until your target is properly centred in the finderscope, being cautious not to move the telescope. you must carry on to tense the finderscope up until the time that is has no longer space to longer move. (keep under consideration that You might have to refocus the finderscope itself by rotating the tip left or right.)
5. Check your eyepiece once again to make sure that what you are getting on telescope viewfinder equals what you see on your finderscope centre. If it doesn’t work, go repeat step one and try again.

Secondly, please keep in mind that the image in the finderscope is always inverted. During the day, practise finding anything with the finderscope and then gazing through the telescope eyepiece. Adjust the focus on many various eyepiece combination, such as the Barlow lens, to produce a clear image each time. The inverted image on the finderscope will be the second nature for you. It’s a little uncomfortable for this first telescope user.

The aforementioned pointers will make using the finderscope for gazing a lot easier. The dim stars on the other hand are far more complicated to locate (even when you are using your finderscope) then those bright neighbouring trees and homes. It takes some time to get used to.

Optics

The Gskyer AZ70400 provides excellent optics in my opinion. For beginners and children, the 400mm focal length is ideal providing a wide field of view. I also thought the photographs were crisp and sharp. 

The 70mm objective lens appears to be of satisfactory quality. The anti reflective layers are exclusively functional to the optics, even that the sealed optical system provides further moisture for the protection which ultimately saves your gskyer telescope 70mm aperture 400mm az mount astronomical refracting. Therefore if we take it camping, it won’t be affected by the wet or a sudden downpour. Neither is this apparatus waterproof but nor is it fragile, which is the key element when you’re gifting a telescope to small kids.

But, in terms about what you’ll be able to view, what does it mean?

1. The moon, Jupiter, and Saturn—anything with a brilliant profile and is relatively straightforward to locate—will be visible. (When I originally tried this telescope, neither of the planets was visible with in night sky, but I’ll come right back and update my review later.) I was able to photograph the moon in its waxing crescent phase from my front porch, which revealed fairly clear detail at 40x magnification, including craters and shadows around the terminator.)
2. Some well-known deep sky objects, such as the Galactic center, and brighter nebulae, such as the Orion nebula, may also be seen. (Andromeda was visible but dim from my light-polluted garden.) Orion shone brightly and was easier to locate. Its smoky-white hue provided a lovely background for the trapezoid shape stars at it from both 16x and 40x magnification.)

3. You’ll also be able to view a number of other DSOs (deep sky objects), such as the Pleiades and Hyades star clusters. Just make sure you’re expecting the correct things: a 70mm aperture will give you views of both the biggest and sharpest objects, but not much detail. (And many DSOs will be too faint to be seen with this telescope.)

Smartphone adapter and Bluetooth remote

This is a wow factor to the gskyer telescope 70mm aperture 400mm az mount astronomical refracting as we hardly find any scope that comes with all of this feature. You can look at items on your screen, which is very good for small children because the entire extended family may look at the picture at the same time so you can describe the objects and compare them to a reference guide.

The camera’s photo capacity is fantastic for preserving memories or sharing them on social media, but it’s too limiting for anyone who wants to learn about astrophotography. Considering this something of a “bonus” than a compelling cause to purchase.

The wireless remote seems useful since it allows you to snap photos without moving the tripod, which eliminates blurring.

Convenience and simplicity

Maintaining the Gskyer 70mm is simple after you’ve figured out how to put it together and use it. Everything you have to do now is install that on the tripod and you’re ready to go. It just takes a few minutes to put it together, making it incredibly easy to store when not in use.

One of the most significant advantages of the Gskyer telescope is that it does not require collimation, or the alignment of optics, in order to produce a good image.

This is especially crucial for novices or small children who may become frustrated if the “telescope” does not operate. You won’t be able to fully enjoy features if you don’t learn to set up and adjust a much more powerful laser that requires collimation.

Portability

The telescopes and all of its attachments are lightweight and fit neatly into the carrying bag that comes with it. The telescope weighs only 6 pounds and has an 18-inch tube length, making it light and portable sufficient for even a youngster to carry up an hilltop or take on a trip. It’s ideal for trips, hikes, and camping.

“Can my kids put it up without even any adult supervision?” parents may wonder. Yes. Once children have been taught how to use the telescope properly, they will be able to remove this from the case and then use it alone. The tripod is extremely simple to fold or unfold, and the scope is well-secured.

Note that, while I loved the case and the velcro straps on the inside, it lacks places for storing accessories. You may need to cover them in a tiny towel inside the case if you don’t want them banging about.

Versatility

Both astronomical and terrestrial viewing are possible with the Gskyer 70mm. This is a significant benefit for any telescope aimed towards novices and children. You will not only get greater value for money, but you will also have more opportunities to practise in “everyday” scenarios such as observing nature or looking at distant buildings.

When it comes to seeing even more distant things like stars and planets, the more hands-on experience you have, the more adept and comfortable you will be.

Who is the best candidate for the Gskyer AZ70400 70 mm telescope?

There isn’t a single telescope that is best for everyone. Stronger telescopes would be larger and more costly, and they will need abilities such as collimation. The optics of low-cost telescopes will be restricted. Some telescopes will be created specifically for certain purposes, such as astrophotography.

So, in order to be completely fair and impartial, our Gskyer 70mm review considers all of those varied specifications and demands, and comes up with the following suggestions.

The characteristics and pricing of the Gskyer AZ70400 70mm make it an excellent choice for:

1. Beginners who don’t want to spend too much money. You want to learn about astronomy but don’t want to spend hundreds on a weekend activity. For less than $100, you receive a telescope and accessories—plus the ability to upgrade your eyepieces or accessories as your astronomical knowledge grows.
2. Children’s present. The Gskyer is one of the finest telescopes for kids for a variety of reasons, including its ease of use, size and weight, and durability. We all know that children are easily irritated and may not be as cautious with equipment as we would want. They can operate the telescope without difficulty, and if they inadvertently scratch or shatter it, they can replace it.
3. Families. You may very well be a committed stargazer with your own pricey equipment, but you’d like to share your passion with others. This may be a secondary telescope which family and friends can use when they come stargazing with you, and you’re in the greatest place to assist them get the most out of it because of your talents and knowledge.
4. Travel-friendly astronomy. Perhaps you like hiking or camping and would want to carry a telescope with you to see the night sky. In this situation, the Gskyer’s low cost and mobility are significant advantages. It fits easily into to the back of a compact car, can be moved around without difficulty, and is simple to store.

There is no reason for the product’s name, which refers to German technology. The scope, like many consumer telescopes on the market today, is built in China.

The telescope comes with a visual assembly instruction leaflet that shows you how to put it together. There is, however, no owner’s handbook or user’s guide.

It appears that the consumer is either familiar with telescope operation or will purchase a supplemental guide. Take this into account when determining the pricing. Any of the other brands of telescope, in this price range normally include a user handbook in the box or online.

The 45-degree diagonal was the first thing that attracted my eye. It will suffice if you want to use the scope mainly as a daylight spotting scope or to see things in the evening sky that are less than 30 degrees above the horizon. However, seeing targets 40 degrees above the horizon becomes problematic, and the user may be required to squat on the floor to just use the eyepiece.

Unfortunately, while looking at the sky, we usually like to look at things that are 30 to 90 degrees above the surface, thus almost all of the time your eyepiece will not be in the best position for stargazing with this diagonal. It would be tough to look straight up towards the zenith. This is unfortunate since looking near the zenith is ideal because the atmosphere is lightest there, resulting in the least amount of atmospheric distortion. Which is why astronomy diagonals, also known as star diagonal lines, are 90 degrees rather than 45.

For adding to the scope, you may purchase a 90-degree diagonal. However, this raises the price.

The eyepieces provided look to be Kellner-style, which is to be anticipated in a set at around this price point. They do a good job, but they don’t have eyecups to block off stray light. Reflections on the lens from spotlights or your next-door neighbor’s front porch can drastically degrade the image inside the eyepiece. When using these eyepieces, I recommend wearing a hood over your head.

The eyepieces give 16X and 40X magnification, which are ideal for the scope. They produce 48X and 120X when used with the accompanying 3X Barlow. A 70 mm short focal length refractor’s practical limit would be around 120X.

After the original purchase of a telescope bundle, it is common to add eyepieces. You might want to consider adding one or two spotting scopes to close the gap from 48X to 120X in the future, since this would have been a highly useful section of the scope’s range.

The kickstand is a camera tripod that is lightweight. It’s sufficient for the scope’s weight. However, where is the Amazon website’s mention of slow-motion control? The tripod is advertised as having slow motion control, however there is no sign of this on the tripod, and no instructions to explain how to use it.

Any telescope bundle that costs less than $100 is likely to be missing in some way. However, there are far too many flaws with this one. I’m probably going to give this a one-star rating. The Gskyer AZ70400 can suit your needs if you’re seeking for a daylight spotting scope. Instead, I recommend that you look into a purpose-built spotting scope.