Brass telescopes – Buying guide & Comparison
If you’re short on time and you just want to find the best brass telescope, this should paragraph should help you get exactly the model you need. According to our research the Celestron 21034 Ambassador is the best because the optical tube is constructed from durable and attractive brass. Its sleek finish gives it an elegant appearance that looks great sitting out in any den or study, and it also comes with a sleek mahogany tripod with matching brass accents. To ensure you are comfortable when you are scanning the horizon or the ground the tripod can be easily adjust to the perfect height. The 25mm eyepiece is the perfect size to view your surroundings without causing any distortion, and since it comes with a coated lens images will appear crisp and clear. You will also appreciate how easy it is to assemble since all of the necessary tools are included with your purchase. If the Celestron 21304 Ambassador is not available, you second option should be the Celestron 22302 Ambassador.
Comparison table
Our Top Choice
This telescope is a perfect decorative showpiece for any room but is still capable of providing great performance when used for casual astronomical and terrestrial use. The brass telescope mounts on a beautiful wood tripod with a mahogany finish.
As is the case with most decorative pieces, you shouldn’t expect to get the best quality optics. For casual use it is more than adequate, but not more than that.
Whether you are looking for a decorative showpiece or for an instrument to use and explore the night’s sky, the Celestron 21034 Ambassador is a great choice that you should consider.
2nd Best
The classic 50mm refractor features the use of durable brass and an exquisite mahogany finish. The precision glass optics include a 50mm objective lens to help with nighttime viewing and a 15-45x zoom eyepiece that is suitable for almost all observing situations.
When zooming in to the maximum 45x power of the eyepiece, customers have said that the resolution gets comprised and the image looks fuzzy.
In brief, the 22302 Ambassador is an affordable brass tabletop telescope with a stylish design that will look good in any home, and with quality optics designed for casual use.
Also To Consider
The 28x60 brass refractor telescope features all-metal components that give it a marvelous shine. Apart from its looks, the telescope is fully functional and features high-quality lenses which are fully coated to allow for the images to appear brighter and clearer.
Customers were very satisfied with the looks and performance of this model but if you are on a tight budget, the price might be a big downside for you.
To conclude, the Anchormaster is a true work of art that is hard to compete with both in terms of its splendid and classy polished brass body, but also when looking at its performance.
There is something special about a brass telescope. It has a sleek and elegant appearance that looks great displayed in almost any room, while also being fully functional. You can find brass telescopes in all sizes and at varying price points. If you are interested in purchasing one of these models but aren’t sure what to look for, the following tips will help you find the best brass telescope to fit your needs and budget.
Price
According to the best brass telescope ratings one of the first aspects to consider is your budget, as is for every other kind of telescope, like the Dobsonian as you can read in our review. You can find these models at varying prices that will fit almost any budget. The size of the telescope will affect its price, along with any extra features that might be included. When it comes to the size of the telescope it is best to pick one that is comfortable for you to use, and fits in with your needs. Smaller handheld brass telescopes are often less expensive, but if you are looking for one to display and watch the heavens you will be better off paying a little more for a larger model.
The price of the telescope will also affect the materials used in construction as it is with any other type of optical device, including those that are specially made to see planets like Saturn (click through for more details). This aspect is especially important if you want it to perform as well as it might look. The type of material used for the lens and its strength will affect the price, along if it comes with any type of coating. If you want to see farther and clearer with the telescope, you will probably want to pay a little extra for one that is constructed from high quality materials or get another professional one from this list in addition to the one you’ve already selected.
Power
Even those already familiar with telescopes can get confused when they are trying to decide on power. Our review on Celestron telescopes might help you understand this aspect better. It refers to distance and clarity, and it can make the difference between only being able to see the moon or the rings around Saturn. One of the first aspects to consider is the size of the aperture. The larger it is the higher the magnification. While you can easily adjust the magnification simply by changing out the eyepiece, if the aperture is not large enough objects will appear blurry. In most cases brass telescopes come with 20x to 50x magnification which gives you plenty of power to see the distant horizon and even Jupiter’s moons.
Along with aperture size you also want to pay attention to the focal length. This will not only determine how easy it is to use, but also how clear objects appear under high magnification. In general an aperture with a longer focal length is simple to adjust, able to provide a wide view, and a great choice if your wear glasses. Another advantage of having a long focal length is that the construction is generally more durable since they are easier to make due to fewer small pieces.
Mount
Even handheld brass telescopes can be used and displayed if they are on the right mount, and this will also affect how well they function. There are two types of mounts, equatorial and altazimuth, and each comes with its own advantages. When you are trying to choose a mount, it is also important to consider your own preferences to ensure the telescope is easy and convenient to use. Equatorial mounts can move north-south and east-west so you can easily track moving objects, and some higher priced ones even come with small motors.
Altazimuth mounts are lightweight and generally easy to set up, but they can only move up and down for altitude and left to right. This also means that they are not designed to be motorized. Mounts can also be constructed from a variety of materials to suit almost any taste. You can even find some with brass accents that will match your telescope perfectly. It is also important to make sure that the mount is sturdy enough to support the weight of your brass telescope, and that it is stable.
5 Best Brass Telescopes (Reviews) in 2024
Brass telescopes not only look great, they are also functional and some are powerful enough to let you see features on the surface of Mars. While we can’t choose the right model for you we can help you make an informed decision, which is why we have the best brass telescopes showcased below.
Contents
1. Celestron 21034 80 mm Ambassador Refractor Telescope Brass
This vintage style brass telescope is designed to be displayed. The shiny brass finish looks great sitting out in your office, den or living room. Adding to its appeal is the elegant mahogany wood tripod that even comes with matching brass accents.
The tripod provides a stable and secure base so you can concentrate on focusing on an object, and it also makes it easy and convenient to display when it is not being used. The tripod can even be adjusted so you can find a comfortable viewing height. The altazimuth mount is also constructed from brass so it blends in beautifully with the rest of the telescope. Novice telescope users will appreciate how simple the mount is to set up, and how easy it is to scan your surroundings. Even though this telescope is designed more for terrestrial viewing, it also makes a great starter model for casual astronomers.
This 80mm refractor telescope allows you to see objects clearly thanks to the fully coated lens. Distant objects are crisp and clear, even in the night sky.
The 25mm eyepiece ensures that plenty of light is allowed through, which is always an advantage when you are using the telescope for night viewing. Its longer length is also ideal if you wear glasses. To ensure the lens doesn’t get scratched it comes with a protective lens cover. There is also a soft cleaning cloth included to keep the lens free from dust and fingerprints.
Pros
This good-looking telescope comes with a tripod that will offer you the stability needed when you’re focusing on a distant object.
Due to its beautiful design and being helped by the tripod, this telescope will look great in your home.
You can adjust this model and its tripod so you can always find a comfortable viewing spot.
The major parts are made of brass, including the altazimuth mount, and thus everything blends beautifully together.
Setting the telescope up is a simple thing to do for novices too.
It’s the type of instrument that you can use for terrestrial viewing, but it can also be a good choice if you want to see close celestial bodies.
Cons
The tripod is nice and stable but it’s also very large and it will take up a lot of room in your house, and it will also be difficult to transport.
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2. Celestron 22302 Ambassador 50 Brass Table Top Telescope
Have you ever just wanted to have a better view of your surroundings outside your window or clearly see planetary bodies and constellations? If so, this brass and wood telescope by Celestron might be the perfect choice for you.
While it is not intended for use by professional astronomers, this 50mm refractor telescope is powerful enough for you to clearly see distant objects on the ground or in the sky.
The coated lens ensures that objects appear crisp and clear, especially when it is combined with the 15-45x zoom eyepiece. The long eyepiece not only ensures objects aren’t blurry, it is also designed to be simple to use. All you need to do is twist the eyepiece to instantly go from high to low power.
You will love how this telescope looks sitting on your desk or table, and it comes with an attractive matching stand.
The brass and wood construction not only looks attractive it is also designed to last. The stand comes with an altazimuth mount that is easy to setup and since it is also constructed from brass it blends in beautifully with the rest of the telescope. It will scan left to right and up and down so you can easily track distant objects whether they are on land or in the sky.
Pros
This model has a 50mm refractor lens that will offer you enough image clarity so that you can see very distant objects, both on the ground and in the sky.
The eyepiece allows you to zoom from 15 times to 45 times, and that will let you see all the details of the objects, especially taking into account that the lenses are coated.
This telescope can also be described as simple to use, with an eye-piece easy to handle.
The altazimuth mount is also easy to set up and it’s made of brass too, so it looks great with the rest of the telescope.
It’s a great telescope to use either on a desk or on a table, as it looks wonderful on those surfaces.
The model is made from brass and wood, which match really well, and the construction is also made to last.
Cons
Because it doesn’t come with a tripod, this telescope can be unstable.
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3. Barska Anchormaster 28x60m Brass Refractor Telescope
Whether you are looking for your first telescope or simply want one that performs as well as it looks the Anchormaster might be the perfect choice for you.
Close attention was paid to every aspect of this telescope from its high quality optics to its elegant and sturdy tripod. Constructed from wood and brass it has a stylish appearance that looks great displayed in almost any room in your home.
The mahogany tripod provides a sturdy base for the telescope, and the legs can be easily extended so you can find a comfortable viewing height. It also comes with a brass stabilizing chain for added stability.
Not only does this brass telescope look stunning, it is also fully functional. The high quality lens is fully coated so images appear bright and clear, and you will love being able to see every detail thanks to the 25mm eyepiece.
Its longer length makes it easy to use, and more comfortable if you happen to wear glasses. What really sets this brass telescope apart is the altazimuth or cradle mount that allows it to smoothly move in all directions so you can easily track distant objects in the sky or on the ground.
Pros
It’s clear that those who made this telescope paid close attention to all of its details because it’s a high-quality model.
The telescope looks really well, and that is mainly due to the quality wood and brass used in making it, and those materials go so well together.
The tripod is strong and made of mahogany wood, and that makes for a sturdy and stable base for the device.
You can also adjust the telescope and its tripod so you can find the best viewing position.
On top of that, the instrument comes with high-quality lenses that are fully-coated, and that helps them provide clear and bright images.
Coming with an altazimuth mount, this telescope allows you to rotate it in every direction, being stable in the process.
Cons
The massive tripod is heavy and bulky, and that makes it hard to carry or move around the room.
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4. Nautical Brass Telescope with Stand
If you are looking for an affordable telescope that performs as well as it looks this vintage style brass model might be the perfect choice for you. It is designed to sit on a desk, table or the floor so you can enjoy a stunning view of the city skyline or the stars at night or during the day.
It measures only 18 inches so the telescope is easy to control, especially since it comes with an altazimuth mount. The brass mount ensures that the telescope will smoothly track objects and scan the area, and you will also appreciate how easy it is to set up.
To ensure stability this telescope comes with an attractive wood tripod. The brass accents not only ensure that it matches the telescope beautifully, but they also work to provide additional stability.
You will appreciate how bright and clear objects appear thanks to the coated lens, and the eyepiece is easy to adjust so details are never blurry.
Simply turn the ring on the tube and watch distant objects come sharply into focus. To protect the lens from dust and scratches the telescope also comes with a brass cap.
Pros
As the name suggests, this telescope is entirely made of brass, and it also has a vintage style, which adds a lot to its looks.
Because it only measures 18 inches, it’s easy to control and it can also be rotated with ease with the help of the altazimuth mount.
Everything about this telescope is easy to set up, including the tripod, which is made of wood and it’s really stable.
The coated lenses ensure that the objects you see appear in their natural color, and they are seen in bright images.
You will be helped by the eyepiece to adjust the zoom as you see fit, and people wearing glasses will benefit from this feature.
Cons
The telescope is small and as such you will need to place it on some surface if you want to sit in a comfortable position while using it.
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There is very little not to like about this handheld brass telescope, including its affordable price. It vintage nautical design will make any “landlubber” feel like a real captain scanning the seas for pirates and treasure. Its authentic design also makes this brass telescope perfect for display or to give as a gift.
It is constructed from sturdy wood and brass that is designed to last for years. It also comes in a matching wood box with glass top so you can keep it safe and protected, while still showing it off.
What you will really appreciate about this telescope is the fact that it functions just as great as it looks. Since it weighs less than 2 pounds you don’t have to worry about arm fatigue when you are scanning the horizon for hours.
The telescope also only measures around 14 inches long so it is easy to carry and control when you are zooming in on an object. While this telescope doesn’t come with a mount or stand its small size ensures that you don’t need one, and this has the added advantage of keeping its price extremely affordable.
Perfect for kids and adults, this brass telescope might be the best choice for you.
Pros
This telescope is made of strong wood and durable brass, so it’s designed to endure the test of time.
To keep it even more protected, the model comes in a box made of wood and glass, and it looks really well in it too.
Furthermore, the telescope works as well as it looks, and because it weighs less than 2 pounds, you can transport it everywhere.
It’s a telescope that looks like the ones pirates use in the movies, and it’s only 14 inches long, meaning that it can be easy to control.
Given its design and the box it comes in, it’s clear that this model is good for nautical enthusiasts or for kids.
Cons
It doesn’t come with a stand and it’s also quite small, so you won’t be able to see many details with it unless you’re on the sea and just want to look at some ships afar.
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Bibliography:
1) Brass telescopes that will give you higher power
3) What do telescope numbers mean?
