Catadioptric telescopes are specially designed telescopes which combine the features of both reflector and refractor telescopes. They are a great choice for amateur astronomers who want a telescope with a large aperture and the ability to observe a wide range of celestial objects like galaxies, nebulae and stars. Catadioptric telescopes provide a sharp and bright image and are more compact than other types of telescopes. In this article, we will look at some of the best catadioptric telescopes available in the market.
Best Catadioptric Telescopes
| Rank | Product Name | Score |
|---|---|---|
|
1
 |
Celestron NexStar 8 SE
|
9. 7
|
|
2
 |
Celestron NexStar 127SLT Mak
|
9. 5
|
|
3
 |
Orion 10022 StarMax
|
9. 1
|
|
4
 |
Meade Instruments LX90-ACF
|
8. 8
|
|
5
 |
Meade Instruments ETX90 Observer
|
8. 6
|
|
6
 |
Orion 9825 Apex 127mm
|
8. 2
|
|
7
 |
Celestron Advanced VX 8-Inch
|
8. 0
|
|
8
 |
Celestron NexStar Evolution 25
|
7 .7
|
|
9
 |
Celestron 11084 Omni XLT 127mm
|
7. 4
|
1. Celestron NexStar 8 SE
I recently purchased the Celestron NexStar 8 SE Telescope, and I am very satisfied with it. The telescope is well made and easy to set up and use. The optics are clear and sharp, and I have had no difficulty in obtaining beautiful views of the night sky. The GoTo technology is very accurate and tracks objects easily and quickly. I am also impressed with its portability; it is light enough to carry around, and the tripod is sturdy and stable. Overall, I highly recommend this telescope to anyone looking for an easy to use and portable telescope with excellent optics.
- 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube
- Computerized GoTo mount with SkyAlign technology
- 40,000+ object database with 200+ user-definable objects and expanded information on over 200 objects
- Starry Night SE Astronomy Software with a 10,000 object database, printable sky maps and enhanced images
- Ultra-high transmission coatings (UHTC) for maximum light transmission
- Fastar compatibility for f/2 imaging
- Sky Tour feature with a guided audio tour of the night sky
- Integrated wedge for astrophotography
2. Celestron NexStar 127SLT Mak
I recently purchased the Celestron NexStar 127SLT MAK telescope, and I was very pleased with my purchase. This telescope is an excellent choice for the beginner astronomer, as it comes with a computerized mount that makes navigating the night sky much easier. The 130mm objective lens is powerful enough to view galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters, and the star diagonal provides a comfortable viewing angle. The mount has a built in database of over 40,000 celestial objects, making it easy to locate specific objects with a push of a button. The mount is also wireless and can be controlled with the included app on your smartphone or tablet. I was impressed by the image quality, which is sharp and clear. The mount is easy to set up, and I was able to observe Saturn and its moons within minutes. In conclusion, I highly recommend the Celestron NexStar 127SLT MAK for anyone looking for a great entry-level telescope.
- 127mm Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope
- Focal length of 1500mm
- Fastar compatible for imaging at f/2
- Computerized hand control with over 40,000 objects
- SkyAlign allows you to align on any three bright celestial objects
- StarBright XLT enhanced coatings for maximum light transmission
- Integrated Wedge for long exposure astrophotography
- Includes two 1.25 eyepieces, 8×50 finderscope, Star diagonal, AC adapter and tripod.
3. Orion 10022 StarMax
I recently purchased the Orion 10022 StarMax telescope, and I was very impressed with the overall quality and performance of this telescope. The optics are very clear and the mount is very solid. The telescope is very easy to set up and use. The included accessories are also very useful and make the overall experience more enjoyable. The images that I have seen using the telescope have been excellent, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a high-quality telescope. The Orion 10022 StarMax is a great telescope for both beginner and experienced astronomers alike. Highly recommended!
- Equatorial Newtonian Reflector telescope
- 4.5 aperture and 900mm focal length
- Fork mount with slow motion controls for smooth tracking
- Finder scope to locate celestial objects
- Includes 3 eyepieces, a 2x Barlow lens, a moon filter and more
- Ultimate StarMax tabletop telescope
4. Meade Instruments LX90-ACF
The Meade Instruments LX90-ACF telescope is an excellent telescope for beginner and intermediate astronomers. It is easy to set up and use and provides great views of the night sky. The telescope is equipped with an 8-inch Advanced Coma-Free (ACF) optical system, providing a wide, flat field of view and excellent image quality. The telescope also has a wide range of features, including a computerized GoTo mount, large eyepieces for comfortable viewing, and long focal lengths for spotting faint deep-sky objects. Overall, this telescope is an excellent value for the money and provides a great platform for anyone looking to get started in astronomy. Highly recommended!
- Advanced Coma Free (ACF) Optics
- GPS Receiver
- 8-inch aperture
- Advanced AutoStar II System with over 140,000 Object Library
- UHTC Coatings for Enhanced Image Brightness and Contrast
- Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Tripod and Wedge
- Dual-Fork Arm Altazimuth Mount
- Optical Tube Assembly with Internal Flip Mirror System
- Precision DC Servo Motors with Built-in Encoders
- Large 8″ Primary Mirror
5. Meade Instruments ETX90 Observer
I recently purchased the Meade Instruments ETX90 Observer telescope and I must say that I am highly impressed by it. This model is equipped with a 90mm Achromatic Refractor with a fully adjustable Tripod, Autostar Computer Controller, and 26mm Super Plossl Eyepiece. This telescope is perfect for a beginning astronomer or even an experienced one who is looking for a great all-around telescope. The telescope is relatively lightweight and portable and the Autostar Computer Controller helps make it easy to find and view celestial objects. The optics are pretty good for the price and I have been able to see some great detail on the Moon and planetary objects. I would highly recommend this telescope to anyone who is looking for a reliable and affordable telescope to get them started in the wonderful world of astronomy.
- 90mm Maksutov-Cassegrain optical design with precise f/13.8 optics
- Computerized GoTo Mount with audio-visual feedback
- Meade AutoStar II Handbox with 145,000+ object library
- Internal Flip Mirror System for easy image orientation
- 27mm Super Plossl Eyepiece and 1.25″ Diagonal Included
6. Orion 9825 Apex 127mm
The Orion 9825 Apex 127mm is a great choice for any amateur astronomer. It has an aperture of 127mm, which is more than enough for a beginner to get good views of the night sky. The optics of this telescope are excellent, with crisp views of stars, planets, and deep sky objects. The focus is smooth and precise, making it easy to get good views of what you want to see. Its lightweight and portability make it a great choice for those who want to take their telescope out to dark places to observe. The customer service from Orion is also great, with helpful advice and support available if you need it. Overall, the Orion 9825 Apex 127mm is an excellent telescope for beginners and experienced astronomers alike. Highly recommended!
- 127mm aperture
- High transmission multi-coatings
- 6×30 erect image finderscope
- High-performance rack-and-pinion focuser
- Multi-purpose rack-and-pinion design
- Compact altazimuth mount
7. Celestron Advanced VX 8-Inch
I recently purchased the Celestron Advanced VX 8-Inch telescope and I couldn’t be happier with my purchase. This telescope is designed to be compact, lightweight and easy to use, so even beginners can quickly master its features. The optics are excellent, and the included eyepieces allow for both wide-field and high-power viewing. The included software allows for capturing and tracking of celestial objects, and the mounts are stable and precise enough even for astrophotography. I would definitely recommend the Celestron Advanced VX 8-Inch to anyone looking for a great all-around telescope!
- 8″ Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope
- Permanently programmable Periodic Error Correction (PEC)
- Dual-Fork Mount with motorized RA/AZ
- Computerized GoTo pointing with over 40,000 celestial objects
- Includes StarSense AutoAlign for quick and easy alignment
- Includes a computerized hand controller with a large 4-line LCD
- Heavy-duty stainless steel tripod with accessory tray
8. Celestron NexStar Evolution 25
I recently purchased a Celestron NexStar Evolution 25 telescope, and I’m loving it so far! This telescope is perfect for both beginner and advanced astronomers, featuring a fully automated GoTo mount, StarSense technology for automatic alignment, and a 9.25 inch Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube. It’s incredibly easy to set up and use, with a bright, intuitive graphical interface. The image quality is outstanding, with crisp, clear views of the night sky. The mount also has a sturdy, durable design, so you can be sure your telescope will last for years to come. All in all, the Celestron NexStar Evolution 25 is an excellent telescope for viewing the stars and planets in our night sky, and I highly recommend it.
- Computerized GoTo mount with a database of over 40,000 celestial objects
- Integrated WiFi with free Celestron SkyPortal mobile app for control, firmware updates, and more
- 8-inch aperture Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope
- Ultra-stable dual-fork arm mount with permanent Periodic Error Correction
- Unique single fork arm design for easy assembly and storage
- Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery for up to 10 hours of portable operation
- All-star polar alignment and SkyAlign for quick and easy setup
- Large 2.75 tripod with adjustable stainless steel legs for maximum stability
9. Celestron 11084 Omni XLT 127mm
The Celestron 11084 Omni XLT 127mm is an incredible telescope that provides magnificent views of galaxies, nebulae and other celestial objects. It has a 127mm aperture, which is exceptionally large for a telescope of this size, making it capable of producing bright and clear images. The telescope itself is equipped with a sturdy yet lightweight aluminum tripod, making it easy to transport and set up. The optics are of excellent quality and provide a sharp and detailed image. The mount is very stable and provides smooth tracking of celestial objects. It comes with a number of useful accessories such as a finder scope, eye pieces and a variety of filters. The assembly of the telescope is relatively simple and the accompanying instruction manual is comprehensive and well-written. If you’re looking for an affordable but powerful telescope, then the Celestron 11084 Omni XLT 127mm is a great choice.
- 127mm aperture Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope
- Focal length of 1524mm (f/12)
- High-transmission XLT optical coatings
- Computerized GoTo mount with database of over 40,000 celestial objects
- Fastar compatible for fast f/2 imaging
- StarBright XLT coatings for maximum light transmission
- Fully computerized hand control with 40,000+ object database
- Improved steel tripod with Accessory Tray
- SkyAlign allows you to align on any three bright celestial objects
- Motorized Altazimuth mount for easy pointing to located objects
