After spending $2,500 on different telescopes over the past 5 years, I was skeptical about another budget-friendly option. The Celestron Travel Scope 60 DX promises to be the perfect portable telescope for beginners with a complete accessory bundle, but does it deliver on these claims? As someone who has tested telescopes from $50 to $2,000, I put this 60mm portable refractor through extensive testing to see if it’s truly worth your money.
The Celestron Travel Scope 60 DX is the best portable telescope for beginners under $110, offering excellent value with its complete accessory bundle and surprisingly good optical performance despite tripod limitations. After testing it for lunar viewing, planetary observation, and terrestrial spotting, I found it delivers clear views of the Moon, Jupiter’s moons, and Saturn’s rings while being lightweight enough for true travel use.
This review covers everything from unboxing to real-world performance testing, including smartphone photography attempts and tripod upgrade recommendations. I’ll show you exactly what you can expect to see with this telescope, whether the included accessories add real value, and help you decide if it’s the right choice for your astronomy journey.
Celestron Travel Scope 60 DX – The Best Portable Option for Beginners
Celestron Travel Scope 60DX Portable…
Aperture: 60mm
Focal Length: 360mm
Weight: 3.3 lbs
Includes: Complete accessory bundle with smartphone adapter
The Travel Scope 60 DX excels as one of the best beginner telescopes that can truly travel with you. During my testing, I took it on three camping trips and was able to set up and observe within minutes of arriving at camp sites. The included backpack is genuinely well-designed and protects all components during transport.
What impressed me most was the optical quality – for a 60mm telescope in this price range, the views of the Moon and planets exceeded my expectations. Customer photos confirm the build quality matches what you’d expect from Celestron, a brand with over 60 years of telescope manufacturing experience.
While the tripod limitations are real, they don’t prevent the telescope from delivering enjoyable views. With reasonable expectations and proper setup technique, beginners can have rewarding observing sessions immediately after unboxing.
What Users Love: The complete accessory bundle, portability, surprisingly good optics for the price, and ease of setup make this a popular choice among beginners.
Common Concerns: The tripod stability issues are the most frequently mentioned drawback, along with the limitations of smartphone photography and the challenges of observing faint deep-sky objects.
Technical Specifications: The Numbers Behind the Travel Scope 60 DX
The Celestron Travel Scope 60 DX is a refractor telescope designed specifically for portability and ease of use. Let’s break down exactly what you’re getting for your money.
| Specification | Details | Performance Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Optical Design | Refractor | Low maintenance, sealed optics |
| Aperture | 60mm (2.4 inches) | Good light gathering for Moon and planets |
| Focal Length | 360mm | Wide field of view, portable design |
| Focal Ratio | f/6 | Fast for bright images, good for deep sky |
| Magnification | 18x-45x (with Barlow: 54x-135x) | Good range for Moon and planets |
| Eyepieces | 20mm (18x) and 8mm (45x) | Standard Kellner design, decent quality |
| Mount Type | Alt-azimuth | Simple up/down, left/right movement |
| Weight | 3.3 pounds (1.5kg) | Excellent for travel and hiking |
| Dimensions | 11″ x 9.1″ x 52″ (assembled) | Compact when collapsed in backpack |
| Warranty | 2-year US warranty | Good customer support from Celestron |
The 60mm aperture might seem small, but it’s actually quite capable for lunar and planetary viewing. The f/6 focal ratio makes this a “fast” telescope, delivering bright images that are great for beginners. At just 3.3 pounds, it’s one of the most portable complete telescope setups available.
Unboxing Experience: What’s Actually in the Box?
When my Travel Scope 60 DX arrived, I was impressed by the comprehensive accessory bundle. Celestron definitely understands that beginners need everything in one package rather than piecing together accessories separately.
The included travel backpack is surprisingly well-made with padded compartments for each component. Inside, you’ll find the telescope tube, full-height tripod, two eyepieces, 3x Barlow lens, smartphone adapter, Bluetooth remote shutter, finderscope, erect image diagonal, and even a lens cloth. The thoughtful organization shows Celestron considered the complete user experience.
Build quality is mixed – the telescope tube feels solid with its metal construction, while the tripod is mostly plastic with thin aluminum legs. The accessories are generally good quality for the price point, though some feel more durable than others. The smartphone adapter, while functional, feels a bit flimsy and requires careful handling.
Setup Process: From Box to First View in Minutes
The Travel Scope 60 DX truly shines in its setup simplicity. Even my 8-year-old nephew could assemble it independently after watching me once. The no-tool setup takes less than 5 minutes from opening the backpack to first light.
Here’s the step-by-step process:
- Extend the tripod legs and lock them in place
- Attach the accessory tray (stabilizes the tripod)
- Mount the telescope tube using the built-in dovetail
- Insert the finderscope in the bracket on top
- Add the diagonal to the focuser
- Insert your chosen eyepiece (start with 20mm for wide views)
During my testing, I found the setup process takes approximately 3-4 minutes once you’re familiar with it. The instructions are clear, but I’d recommend watching a Celestron setup video first if you’re completely new to telescopes. The alt-azimuth mount is intuitive – simply point and shoot without complex alignment procedures.
One common issue I encountered was the tripod’s tendency to wobble during focusing. The fix is simple: make sure the accessory tray is securely fastened and avoid extending the tripod legs to their maximum height unless absolutely necessary.
Optical Performance: What Can You Actually See?
This is where the Travel Scope 60 DX surprised me. Despite its modest 60mm aperture, the optical quality exceeded my expectations for a telescope in this price range. After testing under various conditions, here’s what you can realistically expect to see.
Lunar Viewing: The Moon is where this telescope truly shines. Using the 20mm eyepiece, I could see the entire lunar disk with excellent clarity. Craters become visible at around 30-40x magnification, and the 8mm eyepiece (45x) provides detailed views of major crater walls and mare (dark “seas”). The included moon filter significantly improves contrast and reduces eye strain during bright moon viewing.
Planetary Observation: Jupiter reveals its four Galilean moons as bright points around the planet. With good seeing conditions, I could detect faint atmospheric bands on Jupiter at 45x magnification. Saturn appears as a small oval with the rings visible as a distinct extension on either side – definitely recognizable as rings but not the spectacular view you’d get with larger telescopes. Venus shows its phases clearly, though it appears as a bright white disk without surface details.
Deep Sky Objects: This is where the 60mm aperture shows its limitations. The Pleiades star cluster appears beautiful with dozens of blue-white stars visible. The Orion Nebula (M42) shows as a fuzzy patch with some structure visible, but don’t expect the spectacular views from larger telescopes. Other bright nebulae and star clusters like the Double Cluster are visible but not detailed.
Terrestrial Viewing: The erect image diagonal corrects the upside-down view, making this surprisingly good for bird watching and nature observation. I could easily identify birds at 100+ yards and read street signs from about a quarter mile away. The close focus distance is approximately 25 feet, making it versatile for closer subjects.
Image quality remains surprisingly sharp at lower magnifications, but the 3x Barlow lens (pushing magnification to 135x) exceeds the telescope’s practical limits. I found the sweet spot to be between 30-45x for most viewing, with image degradation becoming noticeable above 60x due to atmospheric conditions and optical limitations.
Smartphone Photography: Astrophotography with Your Phone
The included smartphone adapter and Bluetooth remote are designed to help you capture images through the telescope. While this sounds great in theory, the reality is more challenging.
Setting up your phone requires careful alignment and patience. The adapter accommodates phones up to 3.5 inches wide, but achieving perfect alignment with the eyepiece can be tricky. I found it works best with the 20mm eyepiece, which provides a larger exit pupil and more forgiving alignment.
Lunar photography is definitely achievable with practice. I was able to capture decent moon photos showing major craters and maria using an iPhone 12 Pro. The key is to use a burst mode and keep the phone as still as possible. Planetary photography is much more difficult – I managed to capture Jupiter and its moons, but the images were small and required significant cropping.
The Bluetooth remote shutter helps reduce vibration, but the tripod’s instability remains the biggest challenge. Even touching the phone to focus can cause enough vibration to ruin the shot. My recommendation: use a 2-second timer or the remote, and take multiple shots to increase your chances of getting a sharp image.
Tripod Analysis: The Biggest Weakness?
If there’s one universal complaint about the Travel Scope 60 DX, it’s the tripod. After extensive testing, I can confirm that the included aluminum tripod is the weakest component of this package.
The tripod suffers from several issues: thin legs that flex easily, limited height adjustment (fully extended becomes unstable), and a basic alt-azimuth mount with tension adjustments that are difficult to fine-tune. During focusing sessions, the entire setup wobbles noticeably, making high magnification viewing challenging.
For terrestrial viewing and casual stargazing, the tripod works adequately if you keep the legs partially extended and avoid making sudden movements. However, for serious astronomical observation or photography, you’ll want to upgrade to a more stable mounting solution.
Fortunately, the telescope’s standard dovetail mounting bar means it’s compatible with virtually any alt-azimuth or equatorial mount. I tested it on a $40 camera tripod and immediately noticed a dramatic improvement in stability. For those planning to use this telescope long-term, I’d recommend budgeting an additional $40-80 for a quality tripod or mount.
Included Accessories: Value Beyond the Telescope
The accessory bundle is where the Travel Scope 60 DX provides exceptional value. Celestron includes everything a beginner needs to get started immediately, which eliminates the often-overwhelming process of selecting compatible accessories separately.
Eyepieces: The 20mm and 8mm Kellner eyepieces provide good quality views for their price point. While not as high-quality as premium Plössl eyepieces, they deliver sharp images at the telescope’s useful magnification range.
3x Barlow Lens: This triples the magnification of any eyepiece, though I found it pushes the telescope beyond its practical limits. It’s useful for experimentation but I wouldn’t rely on it for regular viewing.
Moon Filter: A simple but effective accessory that reduces glare and improves contrast during lunar observation. I found it essential for comfortable full moon viewing.
Smartphone Adapter: While functional, it requires patience and practice to use effectively. The Bluetooth remote shutter is a thoughtful inclusion that helps reduce vibration.
Starry Night Software: The included download of Starry Night Basic Edition (valued at $49.95) is genuinely useful for learning the night sky and planning observation sessions.
Travel Scope 60 vs 70: Is the Upgrade Worth It?
Many beginners wonder whether to choose the 60mm or 70mm version of the Travel Scope. After testing both, here’s my analysis:
The Travel Scope 70 offers 36% more light-gathering power (70mm vs 60mm aperture), which translates to slightly brighter images and the ability to see fainter objects. The difference is noticeable but not dramatic – you’ll see slightly more detail in nebulae and star clusters, and planets might appear a bit brighter.
The 70mm version costs approximately $30-40 more, weighs slightly more (3.7 vs 3.3 pounds), and is marginally less portable. For most beginners, the 60mm version provides better value for money, especially if you’re primarily interested in lunar and planetary viewing.
If your budget allows and you want maximum performance within the best Celestron travel telescopes series, the 70mm is worth the upgrade. But if portability and value are your priorities, the 60mm version offers an excellent balance of performance and convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see Saturn with a 60mm telescope?
Yes, you can see Saturn with the Travel Scope 60 DX, though it appears small. At 45x magnification, Saturn looks like a bright oval with visible rings as extensions on either side. The rings are definitely recognizable but not spectacularly detailed. You’ll need good atmospheric conditions and a steady hand (or better tripod) for the best view.
What can you see with a 60mm telescope?
With a 60mm telescope like the Travel Scope 60 DX, you can see the Moon in excellent detail (craters, mountains, maria), Jupiter’s four Galilean moons, Saturn’s rings, Venus’s phases, and bright star clusters like the Pleiades. You can also spot some bright nebulae like the Orion Nebula, though detail will be limited. For terrestrial viewing, it works well for bird watching and nature observation.
Is the Celestron Travel Scope 60 DX worth it?
At its regular price of $109.95, the Travel Scope 60 DX offers good value considering the complete accessory bundle. However, when discounted to $70-80, it becomes an excellent value for beginners. The included eyepieces, smartphone adapter, backpack, and software would cost over $100 if purchased separately. For true beginners who want everything in one package, it’s definitely worth considering despite the tripod limitations.
Which is better, a 60mm or 70mm telescope?
The 70mm telescope offers 36% more light-gathering power, providing slightly brighter images and the ability to see fainter objects. The difference is noticeable but not dramatic – you’ll see a bit more detail in nebulae and star clusters. However, the 70mm version costs $30-40 more and is slightly less portable. For most beginners focused on lunar and planetary viewing, the 60mm version provides better value for money.
Can you upgrade the tripod on Celestron Travel Scope 60?
Yes, the Travel Scope 60 uses a standard dovetail mounting bar that’s compatible with virtually any alt-azimuth or equatorial mount. Many users upgrade to a quality camera tripod or a dedicated astronomy mount for significantly improved stability. A $40-80 tripod upgrade dramatically improves the viewing experience, especially at higher magnifications and for photography.
Final Verdict: Who Should Buy the Travel Scope 60 DX?
After 30 days of extensive testing across various observing conditions, I can confidently say the Celestron Travel Scope 60 DX delivers on its promise as a beginner-friendly portable telescope. It’s not without flaws, but its strengths outweigh its weaknesses for the right users.
Who should buy this telescope: Complete beginners who want everything in one package, families with children interested in astronomy, travelers who need true portability, and those on a budget who still want quality optics. The complete accessory bundle eliminates the often-overwhelming process of selecting compatible components separately.
Who should avoid this telescope: Serious astrophotographers, those primarily interested in deep-sky observation, and anyone unwilling to either upgrade the tripod or work around its limitations. For those who need compact telescope alternatives with better stability, other options might be preferable.
The Travel Scope 60 DX represents excellent value when purchased at $70-80, good value at its regular $109.95 price, and questionable value above $120. With realistic expectations and a willingness to either upgrade the tripod or work around its limitations, this telescope can provide years of enjoyable viewing experiences.
For true beginners seeking an accessible entry point into astronomy without breaking the bank, the Celestron Travel Scope 60 DX offers a compelling combination of portability, optical quality, and complete accessories that makes it one of the telescopes for planetary viewing available in 2026.
Comments