Is OPT Telescope legit?

Since 1947, people have come to OPT because we have the expertise and the drive to help you succeed in your Astronomy goals. OPT provides lifetime expert support to customers in the hobby of astronomy. From professional institutions to amateurs just getting started, you'll be treated with the utmost respect and service you deserve. After all, each of us is part of the OPTeam no matter where in the world we reside. We are the Telescope Authority and we want you to be, too.

What are the three main types of Telescopes?

The three main types of telescopes are: - Refractors: use lenses to focus incoming light - Reflectors: use mirrors to focus incoming light - Catadioptrics: use a combination of lenses and mirrors to focus light. All optical telescopes fall under one of these three categories, and each have their strengths and weaknesses. To learn about each type in more detail and understand the pros and cons of each, head to our blog post about The Basic Telescope Types .

How does a Telescope work?

A telescope gathers large amount of incoming light through an opening at the front called the aperture. It then uses lenses, mirrors, or both in combination to magnify and focus that light, which gets projected out of the telescope to an eyepiece or camera. You can read more (and watch a helpful video) on how a telescope works here .

How can I reach OPT Customer Service?

If you need help deciding what product is right for you, have a technical question, or a question about your order, you can reach out to our team so we can help! Contact us today!

OPT Telescopes | Buy New & Used Telescopes & Accessories

OPT Staff Picks

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope CE-11069

$1,599

Why we like it:

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized GoTo Telescope The Celestron NexStar 8SE is one of the most ve...

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Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer 2i Pro Pack SW-S20512

$449 $520

Why we like it:

The Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer 2i Pro Pack is built around the Star Adventurer 2i mount. The St...

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Unistellar eVscope eQuinox Smart Telescope UNI-EQUINOX

$1,999 $2,999

Why we like it:

Discover The Wonders Of The Universe With The Unistellar eQuinox! The Unistellar eVscope eQuino...

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Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial GoTo Mount SW-S30300

$2,025

Why we like it:

The Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial GoTo Mount has developed a large following of die-hard fans ...

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What's in the Sky? Top Astronomy Events of September 2022

Check out the astronomy events in September 2022!

From conjunctions, the planets, and an equinox, be sure to read up on what to observe and capture the night sky this month!

Telescope Buying Guide 2022

$Refractor vs. Reflector Telescopes$

Refractor vs. Reflector Telescopes

Star Death in the Constellation Lyra

Latest Used Gear

Used Starlight Xpress Lodestar X2C Autoguider - Color UT-15609

$450 $625

You save 28%

$Used William Optics ZenithStar 73 - f/5.9 Doublet Apo Refractor - Red$

Used William Optics ZenithStar 73 - f/5.9 Doublet Apo Refractor - Red UT-15594

$663.09 $713

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Used Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer 2i Pro Pack UT-15470

$389 $425

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Used Astrodon Tru-Balance Generation 2 Luminance Filter - 50mm UT-14537

$358.67 $403

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Open Box TPO USB-to-2.5mm Cable for ImagesPlus Software - 20 Feet OS-DSL-UB2-20-OPEN

$55

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Used SBIG Aluma 814 Cooled Monochrome CCD Telescope Camera Package UT-14484

$5,946.42

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Open Box of Meade 10" ACF LX90 Telescope UT-15635

$3,705 $3,899.99

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Used Hobym Crux 170HD Computerized German Equatorial Mount UT-15628

$5,514.90 $5,930

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Open Box QHY Medium Ultra Slim Seven-Position Motorized Filter Wheel for 36 mm Unmounted Filters UT-15595

$449.10 $499

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Used Starlight Xpress Lodestar PRO Autoguider Camera - Monochrome UT-15604

$515.38 $542.50

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Open Box iOptron GEM45 German Equatorial Mount with iPolar and 1.75" Tripod UT-15624

$2,468.10 $2,598

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Used Starizona HyperStar 14" v4 - Celestron and Filter Slider UT-15593

$1,405.76 $1,528

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Used iOptron CEM26 EQ Mount with iPolar and 1.75" LiteRoc Tripod UT-15598

$1,455.12 $1,548

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Used Lunt Adapter Plate for 50mm/60mm Filters & Meade 5'' LXD 127 Telescopes UT-15163

$135.20

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Open Box SBIG FW8S-STXL Filter Wheel UT-15432

$1,040

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Used Astronomik H-Alpha 12nm CCD Filter - Sony Alpha Clip UT-15622

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Used Astronomik H-alpha 12nm CCD Clip-Filter Nikon XL UT-15606

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Used FLI Research Grade 8nm H-Alpha Filter - 50mm Round UT-15617

$375 $455

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Used Astrozap Baader Film Solar Filter for 130mm Telescopes UT-15603

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Used Chroma 1.25" LRGB Filter Set UT-15583

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Used Astrodon 5nm OIII Narrowband Filter - 50mm Square Unmounted UT-14500

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Used Astrodon Tru-Balance Gen2 E-Series - LRGB 65mm Square Filters for SBIG STX UT-14501

$2,740

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Used Astrodon Sloan Filter - z' 50mm Round - Unmounted UT-14539

$300

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Used Astrodon Johnson & Cousins UBVRI Photometric UV Telescope Filter - 50mm Square UT-14538

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Open Box Lunt Solar 2" Polarizing Filter for 2" Solar Wedge UT-15402

$50.40

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Used Astronomik CLS CCD Clip-Filter Pentax K UT-15082

$140

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Used Astrodon Sloan Photometric r'2 Telescope Filter - 50mm Square UT-14542

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Used Astronomik SII 12nm CCD Filter - 27mm UT-15448

$81.95

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Open Box FLI CFW-1-8 Color Filter Wheel - 8 Position - 28mm UT-15438

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Open Box Optics Future SII Filter - 10nm - 36mm Unmounted UT-15346

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Open Box Baader 8.5nm OIII CCD Filter - 65mm Square Unmounted UT-15397

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Open Box SBIG Aluma 8-Position Standard Filter Wheel UT-15430

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Open Box Optics Future Oxygen III (OIII) Filter - 36mm Unmounted UT-15348

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Used MOAG Lens F/250 UT-14545

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Used Astro-Physics Portable Pier - 10" Diameter, 24" High UT-15181

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Used Losmandy DC8 - Dovetail Plate for 8" Celestron SCT's UT-15632

$86.46 $95

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Open Box OPT Pro Services Black Box C13-US AMZ-C13-US-OPEN

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Used Celestron Ultima Pan Tilt Head Tripod UT-15581

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Open Box Pro Services Black Box Time Server Antenna AMZ-TSA-OPEN

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Open Box Optec AP2.7 x 24tpi Extension Tube - 3-inch UT-15358

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Open Box Pro Services Black Box Ethernet Patch Cable 5 Pack AMZ-ETC-OPEN

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Used Starlight Xpress Adaptive Optics with USB UT-15605

$1,413.13 $1,487.50

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Open Box Optec 15V DC Universal Power Supply UT-15326

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Used Optec Lepus Camera Adapter- CS Mount Camera UT-15477

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Open Box Optec Lepus to Nikon DSLR Camera Adapter UT-15331

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Open Box Optec Lepus Camera Adapter for QSI Cameras UT-15370

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About OPT

Astrophotography Tips & Techniques

What's in the Sky? Top Astronomy Events of September 2022

Telescope Buying Guide 2022

Refractor vs. Reflector Telescopes

Star Death in the Constellation Lyra

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Don't know what you're looking for?

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About OPT

Astrophotography Tips & Techniques

What's in the Sky? Top Astronomy Events of September 2022

Telescope Buying Guide 2022

Refractor vs. Reflector Telescopes

Star Death in the Constellation Lyra

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