A telescope's aperture is the diameter of the main lens or mirror (slightly less than the outer diameter of the main tube). It's the most important technical specification because it determines how much light the telescope can collect.

Why aperture matters:

The greater the aperture, the more light collected, and this directly affects the brightness and clarity of what you see.

Light-gathering power increases dramatically with aperture size - for example, a 120mm telescope gathers about four times as much light as a 60mm telescope, making images significantly brighter and clearer.

For general purpose use:

Aperture is important for visual observation (using your eye and an eyepiece) because it determines what you can see. Larger apertures reveal more detail in distant landscapes, wildlife, and night-sky objects.

A telescope's magnification is important but not as important as aperture.

Unlike aperture (which is fixed), magnification can be changed by using different eyepieces, giving you flexibility based on what you're observing.

How magnification works:

Magnification is calculated by dividing the telescope's focal length by the eyepiece focal length. For example, a telescope with 600mm focal length using a 10mm eyepiece gives 60x magnification (600 ÷ 10 = 60x).

Maximum useful magnification:

 Approximately 2 times the aperture in millimeters. For example, a 102mm telescope can usefully magnify up to about 204x. Beyond this limit, the image becomes too dim and blurry to be useful.

Choosing the right magnification:

For general purpose use, less magnification is often preferred because:

• You get a wider, fuller field of view
• Images stay brighter and clearer
• It's easier to locate and track moving subjects like birds or boats
• Atmospheric conditions (heat shimmer, humidity) have less impact on image quality

Trying to use an eyepiece that magnifies beyond the useful limit will result in a narrow field of view and an unclear, dim image.

Most telescopes come with 1-2 eyepieces to get started. You can add more eyepieces over time to suit your favorite observing activities.

The mounting system refers to the way the telescope can be moved to track moving objects.

For general purpose use, an Alt-Azimuth (Alt-Az) mount is the best choice.

Alt-Azimuth (Alt-Az) Mounts:

Alt-Az mounts move the telescope in simple left-right and up-down motion, making them intuitive to use

Not all Alt-Az mounts are the same:

While all Alt-Az mounts move in the same basic left-right and up-down motions, they vary in quality and features:

Entry-level mounts have single-axis slow-motion control. They're lightweight and simple to operate.

Pan handle mounts use a handle to control telescope movement, providing smooth pointing for general positioning. However, they only allow gross adjustments rather than fine control, making precise tracking more challenging.

Dual-axis slow-motion control mounts feature fine adjustment controls on both axes, allowing precise movements and making it much easier to track objects smoothly and keep them centered in your view.

The mount quality affects stability, smoothness of movement, and how well the telescope tracks objects - higher quality mounts with dual-axis controls make viewing more comfortable and enjoyable, especially for extended observation sessions.

The easier your telescope is to operate, the more you'll use it and enjoy it. For general purpose use, simplicity and intuitive operation are key advantages that refractor telescopes offer.

Why refractors are easy to use:

Refractor telescopes are the simplest telescope design with minimal maintenance requirements. There are no mirrors to align (collimation), and the sealed optical tube protects the lenses from dust and moisture.

Correct image orientation:

Unlike astronomy-only telescopes that show inverted images, general purpose refractors use a diagonal that provides correctly oriented views for daytime use - what you see through the telescope matches what you see with your eyes.

The accessories included with your telescope affect both the initial value and your viewing experience. Understanding what comes in the box helps you assess the true value of a telescope package.

Standard accessories:

Most general purpose telescopes include the essential accessories to get started:

• Eyepieces: Typically 2-3 eyepieces providing different magnifications. Entry-level telescopes include basic eyepieces, while better models come with quality Plossl eyepieces for superior views.
• Diagonal: A 45° or 90° erect image diagonal that provides correctly oriented views for daytime use and comfortable viewing angles.
• Finderscope: Either a red-dot finder or an optical finderscope (like 5x24) to help locate objects before viewing through the main telescope.
• Tripod with accessory tray: Aluminum or steel tripod with a tray to hold extra eyepieces and accessories during observing sessions.

Future additions: 

As you use your telescope more, you might want to add specialized eyepieces for specific magnifications, filters for planetary viewing, or a smartphone adapter for capturing images through your telescope.

General purpose telescope prices vary based on aperture size, optical quality, build quality, and mount features. Understanding what drives the price helps you make an informed decision.

What affects the price:

Aperture: Larger apertures cost more due to the larger, more expensive optics required.

Build quality: Some telescopes use more plastic components to keep costs down, while others feature more metal construction for durability and stability. The optical tube, focuser, and fittings all vary in quality.

Mount quality: Not all Alt-Az mounts are equal. Entry-level mounts have basic controls and lighter construction, pan handle mounts offer smooth gross adjustments, and dual-axis mounts provide fine control on both axes with enhanced stability.

Included eyepieces:Entry-level telescopes typically come with basic eyepieces, while higher-end models include quality Plossl eyepieces. Plossl eyepieces feature a 4-element design that provides better edge-to-edge sharpness, wider apparent field of view (typically 50°), and superior light transmission compared to basic eyepieces. The difference in viewing quality is noticeable, especially when observing fine details.