Just in time for the total lunar eclipse, this beginner-friendly telescope is now $100 off at Amazon
The Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 5-inch Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope is one of the most compelling telescopes for beginners on the market – and with the total lunar eclipse taking place on March 3, 2026, it’s an ideal choice for anyone who wants spectacular views of the moon beyond what astronomy binoculars can offer. Plus, it’s now the cheapest since before Black Friday, so it’s worth taking advantage of this deal now so you can make the most of the blood moon eclipse.
Get the Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 5-inch Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope now for $479.97 at Amazon. Don’t forget to add the coupon at checkout.
Its 5-inch aperture and long 1,250mm focal length provide bright, high-contrast views with rich detail of the moon’s craters and surface features. The included 25mm and 10mm eyepieces provide a good range from moderate (50x) to high (125x) magnification for both wide and more detailed lunar viewing – although for even better views we recommend upgrading the eyepieces.
THE Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 5-inch Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope arrives ready to observe right out of the box with everything you need to get started. In this deal, you get the optical tube, a tripod with accessory tray, a dual-axis alt-azimuth mount, two eyepieces (25mm and 10mm), a red dot finderscope, and an erect image diagonal.
This telescope also comes with a StarSense smartphone dock. Once your phone is in place and the StarSense Explorer app launches, it determines exactly where the telescope is pointing and guides you to celestial objects with on-screen arrows, displaying a green target when you’re perfectly aligned. This system is perfect for beginners who may not yet be familiar with the night sky, and ideal for a quick setup if you want to observe the total lunar eclipse on March 3.
Main features: 5 inch (125 mm) aperture, 1250 mm focal length, f/10 focal ratio, total kit weight 14.6 pounds (6.62 kg), includes 25 mm and 10 mm eyepieces.
Product launched: 2021.
Price history: It is almost the lowest price we have seen. Last November, it dropped to $475 before Black Friday, and it usually costs around $579.99.
Price comparison: Amazon: $479.97 | BH: $579.99 | Adorama: $579.99
Consensus of opinions: We haven’t tested this specific model, but we like Celestron as a reliable telescope brand that consistently provides excellent quality, user-friendly, and value for money optics. Amazon users rate this telescope 4.1 out of 5 stars.
✅ Buy it if: You are a beginner and want to invest in a decent first telescope that you won’t get bored of after a few uses.
❌ Do not buy it if: You are a seasoned astronomer and want to observe faint deep-sky objects and resolve fine planetary details.
