5 money-saving tips for buying a telescope

As we all feel the squeeze of rising living costs and as budgets get ever tighter it might seem like buying a telescope is out of the question. Fortunately, with a little forethought we can shop smarter and experience the wonders of the night sky for less than you might think. 

Here are five tips to help you cut the cost of entering the telescope world.

1) The best telescope is the one you use the most

Two people stargazing. One is using a telescope and the other is just looking up at the sky. Shot outside in the dark.

(Image credit: Future/James Sheppard)

In most cases, this isn’t the largest. Indeed, larger, more powerful instruments can be cumbersome to set up and usually require more maintenance. So by starting out with a relatively small telescope it’s possible to save money and avoid the frustration encountered by those who rush to the deep end.