Binoculars are already ubiquitous, and you may be wondering if you should buy one that suits you.  But there’s a question for novices — what to check before buying a telescope?  So this guide will give you the answers and give you the confidence to buy the telescope you want.  

What to check before buying a telescope?  

The first step is to check that the refractive index of the telescope is appropriate. Experts suggest that the refractive index of the telescope should be about 1.5, but in practice, it is usually about 1.25.  That’s because the lens of a telescope is affected by the environment. If the environment is dry, the lens will have a higher refractive index.  If the environment is humid, the refractive index of the lens will be lower.  

If the refractive index of the telescope is not right, then it can cause the perspective to be distorted, which can cause the observer to see something distorted rather than what it is.  The refractive index of the telescope has a great influence on the distortion of the observer’s perspective.  A telescope with an inappropriate refractive index can also blur the image.  So be careful with that when you’re choosing a telescope.  

Secondly, the focal length of the telescope should be selected according to the actual situation.  This maximizes the performance of the telescope.  If you choose too large a focal length, you will waste a lot of field of view, and it will affect the quality of the shot.  

If the focal length is too small, the quality of the telescope will be affected.  The smaller the focal length of a telescope, the worse it’s quality.  Therefore, choosing a moderate focal length, otherwise, it will affect the quality of the telescope.  Too long or too short a focal length will affect the effect of observation.  

Then, the aperture of the telescope is also a very important parameter.  The aperture of a telescope refers to the diameter of the telescope tube, which is an important index to measure the performance of the telescope.  In general, the larger the aperture, the larger the field of view, the better the performance, and the more expensive the telescope.  But there are exceptions, if the telescope lens quality is not good, the larger the aperture, the more serious the shaking.  Therefore, when choosing a telescope, you should choose the right caliber according to your actual situation.  This is an important principle.  If you don’t pick the right caliber, it can affect your performance.  

For example, if you choose a tight caliber, you won’t be able to show your strength.  In the same way, if you choose a too loose line, you will not be able to show your strength.  So, you need to choose the right caliber according to your actual situation.  This will help you perform at your best.  

Finally, check that the telescope is structurally sound.  To check whether the telescope structure is intact, check the following aspects:  

First, make sure the telescope’s bracket is intact.  It is very important to maintain the telescope’s support. If not checked and repaired in time, the support may develop problems and affect the telescope’s service life.  Therefore, make sure that the telescope bracket is intact, otherwise, it will affect the normal use of the telescope.  

Second, check the lens of the telescope for abnormalities.  If an anomaly is found, the telescope is returned to the manufacturer for repair.  Generally, the manufacturer will decide whether to replace the telescope according to the condition of the telescope.  

Third, check the telescope receiver again.  A telescope’s receiver is important to ensure that it is collecting the right information.  If the receiver fails, the telescope will not work properly, which will result in a waste of time and money.  Therefore, it is very important to check the receiver of a telescope.  If problems are found, the telescope’s receiver needs to be serviced.  

If the telescope is structurally unsound, it will be repaired or the telescope manufacturer will be contacted for repair.  

Also, check the lens of the telescope for dirt.  Because the lens of the telescope can affect the telescope’s field of view.  If the lens of the telescope has dirt, the telescope’s field of view will be affected, resulting in poor telescope performance.  So it’s important to check the lens of your telescope for dirt.  If you buy a telescope and the lens gets dirty, wipe it with cotton water.  This will remove dirt from the lens.