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 | View the Best & Affordable Telescopes

Overstock Sale

Huge Markdowns On Astronomy Tools and Accessories!

We've priced hundreds of overstocked items to move! Hurry, inventory is as low as the pricing, so order now before we sell out. See all the savings!

Radian Telescopes 6.5-inch Lightweight Universal D-Style Dovetail Bar RT-UDB-D-65LW

$39.38 $65.95

You save 40%

Universal Astro Stainless Steel Reducer Bushing - Standard 3/8"-16 to 1/4"-20 UA-BUSHING-S

$2.49 $2.95

You save 15%

Celestron UpClose G2 10 X 50 Binoculars - Porro CE-71256

$30.62 $47.95

You save 36%

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

$43.05 $55

You save 21%

Orion Saturn Map & Observing Guide OR-51925

$5.25 $12.99

You save 59%

Orion Mars Map & Observing Guide OR-51924

$5.25 $12.99

You save 59%

Celestron Nature 10x25 Monocular CE-71210

$37.28 $56.95

You save 34%

TPO Extension-25MM for 10" And Larger RC Telescopes OS-E25-RC10

$20.99 $24.95

You save 15%

Orion Jupiter Map & Observing Guide OR-51926

$5.25 $12.99

You save 59%

T/S T2 Spacer 7.4-9.5mm for CCD Lens Adapter TS-30A189B

$36.99 $64.05

You save 42%

TPO #21 Orange Filter & Case - 2" OS-F2-21

$8.77 $19.99

You save 56%

Celestron 10 x 42 Outland X Binoculars - Roof CE-71347

$64.83 $104.95

You save 38%

Radian Telescopes Collect Light Shirt - Small RT-COLLECT-S

$4.36 $19.95

You save 78%

ATIK 5 Position Filter Wheel Carousel - 2" Round A3-WHEEL-2

$71.40 $99

You save 27%

Celestron 10x56 Nature DX Binoculars CE-71335

$174.20 $259.95

You save 32%

Celestron TrailSeeker ED 10x42 Binocular CE-71407

$281.31 $389.95

You save 27%

Astro Systems Collimating Tool Set - 1.25" AS-TOOLS

$85.05 $95

You save 10%

Celestron Echelon 20x70 Binoculars CE-71454

$835.20 $1,129.95

You save 26%

Celestron 8x42 TrailSeeker Binoculars CE-71404

$275.95 $299.95

You save 8%

Celestron 10x32 TrailSeeker Binoculars CE-71402

$201.43 $289.95

You save 30%

Celestron Nature DX 8x42 Binoculars CE-71332

$149.95 $169.95

You save 11%

Bob's Knobs for Meade 12" Lightbridge Primary Mirror BS-MLB12PRI

$21 $29.95

You save 29%

Celestron 10x50 Cavalry Binoculars CE-71424

$73.50 $99.99

You save 26%

Opticron Micro Four Thirds T-Ring ON-40610

$18.90 $25

You save 24%

Peterson EZ Clutch Kit for Meade 14" LX200GPS & All LX200-ACF & LX400-ACF (RCX-400) Models PG-EZCLUTCH14

$21 $29.99

You save 29%

Spectrum Mobile Phone Telescope Kit with Solar Filter SP-MPTKSF1

$40.95 $89

You save 53%

Celestron Nature DX ED 8x42 Binoculars CE-72332

$157.11 $209.95

You save 25%

Celestron Digital Microscope Imager HD 5MP CE-44422

$85.85 $109.95

You save 21%

Celestron Nature DX ED 10x42 Binoculars CE-72333

$146.63 $219.95

You save 33%

Celestron Labs S10-60 - Stereo Microscope CE-44208

$153.62 $219.95

You save 30%

Explore Scientific TDM Adapter for EQ6 & Atlas Mounts - New Version ES-0721061

$376.25 $429.99

You save 12%

Optec Pyxis 2-inch Gen3 Camera Field Rotator OP-19645

$1,019.81 $1,295

You save 21%

PlaneWave L-500/L-600 Equatorial Wedge for Latitudes 27-33 PI-600560-30

$3,013.50 $3,500

You save 13%

Shelyak 1200 gr/ mm Grating Module for Lhires III Spectrograph SL-SE0006

$508.48 $590.58

You save 13%

Parallax Standard Rings for 16" OD Tubes PA-16IN

$420 $500

You save 16%

Orion SkyQuest XX12 Case Set and Shroud Package - Discontinued OR-24756

$246.75 $309.99

You save 20%

Astro-Physics 9lb Stainless Steel Counterweight for 1.125" Shaft AP-9SLCWT

$123.90 $138

You save 10%

Celestron Ultima 8x32mm Porro Binocular CE-72251

$75.60 $119.95

You save 36%

iOptron iGuide Camera IO-3362

$110.25 $143

You save 22%

Celestron Ultima 10x42mm Porro Binocular CE-72253

$100.80 $149.95

You save 32%

Celestron AstroMaster 90AZ Telescope CE-21063

$202.86 $319.95

You save 36%

Celestron Travel Scope 60 DX with Backpack CE-22007

$58.99 $99.95

You save 40%

$Orion ED66 CF f/6.1 Doublet Refracting Telescope$

Orion ED66 CF f/6.1 Doublet Refracting Telescope OR-40905

$730.03

You save 40%

QHY 367C CMOS Full Frame Color Astronomy Camera QH-QHY367C

$3,599 $4,399

You save 18%

Astronomik H-Alpha 12nm CCD Filter - 50mm Round AK-8H00A4

$204.72 $299.95

You save 31%

QHY 695A Cooled Monochrome CCD Telescope Camera QH-QHY695A

$2,343.60 $3,189

You save 26%

Astronomik H-Alpha 12nm CCD Filter - 36mm Round Mounted AK-8H00FO

$129.64 $189.95

You save 31%

QSI 6162 Cooled Monochrome CCD Camera with 8 Position Filter Wheel QS-6162FW8OAG

$6,061.65 $7,323

You save 17%

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

$5,573.40 $5,946.42

You save 6%

Orion 12.5mm Edge-On Flat Field Planetary Eyepiece - 1.25" OR-08882

$84 $109.99

You save 23%

OPT Staff Picks

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope CE-11069

$1,599

Why we like it:

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized GoTo TelescopeThe Celestron NexStar 8SE is one of the most ver...

More by Celestron

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...

More by Sky-Watcher

Unistellar eVscope eQuinox Smart Telescope UNI-EQUINOX

$2,999

Why we like it:

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

More by Unistellar

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 ...

More by Sky-Watcher

Astronomical Events for July 2022

Check out the astronomy events in July 2022!

From conjunctions, the planets, and a supermoon, 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

Used Starlight Xpress Lodestar X2C Autoguider - Color UT-15609

$450 $625

You save 28%

$Used Takahashi Starbase 80 f/10 Doublet Refracting Telescope$

Used Takahashi Starbase 80 f/10 Doublet Refracting Telescope UT-15627

$573.31 $630

You save 8%

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

$5,514.90 $5,930

You save 7%

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

$449.10 $499

You save 10%

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

$43.05 $55

You save 21%

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

$515.38 $542.50

You save 4%

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

$2,468.10 $2,598

You save 5%

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

$1,405.76 $1,528

You save 8%

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

$5,573.40 $5,946.42

You save 6%

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

$1,455.12 $1,548

You save 6%

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

$125 $135.20

You save 7%

Used iOptron CEM40ECA Mount Head with iPolar and Hard Case UT-15544

$2,549 $2,699

You save 5%

Open Box SBIG FW8S-STXL Filter Wheel UT-15432

$945 $1,040

You save 9%

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

$306.85 $329.95

You save 7%

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

$375 $455

You save 17%

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

$306.85 $329.95

You save 7%

Used Astronomik L2 UV-IR Blocking Filter - 1.25" UT-15600

$55.75 $59.95

You save 7%

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

$85.79 $94.80

You save 9%

Used Baader CMOS-optimized Ultra Highspeed Filterset (3.5/4nm) H-alpha, OIII, SII - 2" UT-15601

$1,194.15 $1,257

You save 5%

Used Chroma 1.25" LRGB Filter Set UT-15583

$489 $525

You save 6%

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

$917.70

You save -2%

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

$28 $41.97

You save 33%

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

$2,399.95 $2,740

You save 12%

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

$44 $77.79

You save 43%

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

$135 $140

You save 3%

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

$275 $300

You save 8%

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

$301 $319.20

You save 5%

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

$49 $50.40

You save 2%

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

$624 $631.20

You save 1%

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

$315 $319.20

You save 1%

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

$75.04 $81.95

You save 8%

Used Astronomik L-3 UV Clip Pentax K1 UT-14334

$109.17 $129

You save 15%

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

$275 $280

You save 1%

Open Box SBIG Filter Wheel Spacer UT-15435

$45 $47.20

You save 4%

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

$859 $879.20

You save 2%

Used Gerd Neumann 50x50mm Dark Filter UT-15223

$8 $40

You save 80%

Used MOAG Lens F/250 UT-14545

$27 $29.60

You save 8%

Used ADM Losmandy Dual Saddle UT-15625

$114.81 $129

You save 11%

Used PrimaLuceLab EAGLE 3 Telescope Control Unit - Standard Version UT-15610

$769 $845

You save 8%

Used Takahashi 22 Pound Counterweight for Takahashi EM-500 Mount UT-15612

$558 $600

You save 7%

Used Celestron Ultima Pan Tilt Head Tripod UT-15581

$75 $86.95

You save 13%

Used Starlight Xpress Adaptive Optics with USB UT-15605

$1,413.13 $1,487.50

You save 4%

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

$47.25 $55

You save 14%

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

$45.10

You save 0%

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

$33 $36

You save 8%

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

$16.79

You save 0%

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

$17.84

You save 0%

Open Box Optec Meade 10''-12'' SCT Mount Adapter - Optec 3'' Pyxis & TCFS-3 UT-15364

$61 $63.20

You save 3%

Open Box Optec 117mm to Optec-3600 Dovetail Adapter UT-15356

$64 $68

You save 5%

Open Box Optec-DSI 3.5 x 24 TPI Male Thread to STL 2.156" x 24 TPI Male Thread Adapter UT-15336

$47 $50.40

You save 6%

Popular Telescope Brands at OPT

New to the hobby?

Don't know what you're looking for?

About OPT

Astrophotography Tips & Techniques

Astronomical Events for July 2022

Telescope Buying Guide 2022

Refractor vs. Reflector Telescopes

New to the hobby?

Don't know what you're looking for?

Top Categories at OPT

Overstock Sale

About OPT

Astrophotography Tips & Techniques

Astronomical Events for July 2022

Telescope Buying Guide 2022

Refractor vs. Reflector Telescopes

Latest Used Gear

Follow OPT on Instagram

Price Match Guarantee