Celestron 21061 AstroMaster 70 AZ Refractor Telescope

by Celestron

• Quick and easy no-tool setup
• Permanently mounted StarPointer
• Erect image optics - Ideal for terrestrial and astronomical use
• Quick release dovetail attachment - no tool setup
• Pan handle Alt-Az control with clutch - for smooth and accurate pointing. Optical Lens Diameter 2.6" (70mm)

Product Details

Product Manual (English) [2.32MB PDF]

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Product Manual (French) [2.3MB PDF]

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Product Manual (German) [2.34MB PDF]

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Product Manual (Spanish) [2.25MB PDF]

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Quick Setup Guide [1.25MB PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 15 x 5.1 x 3.9 inches ; 18 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 26 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000MLHMAS
• Item model number: 21061
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (154 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #112 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
  • #1 in Camera & Photo > Binoculars, Telescopes & Optics > Telescopes > Refractors
  • #29 in Sports & Outdoors > Hunting & Fishing > Hunting > Hunting Optics
• Date first available at Amazon.com: January 1, 2007

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

From the Manufacturer If you’re looking for a dual-purpose telescope appropriate for both terrestrial and celestial viewing, then the AstroMaster Series is for you. Each AstroMaster model is capable of giving correct views of land and sky.

General Features:

• Quick and easy no-tool setup
• Permanently mounted StarPointer
• Erect image optics - Ideal for terrestrial and astronomical use
• Quick release dovetail attachment - no tool setup
• Pan handle Alt-Az control with clutch - for smooth and accurate pointing
• Rugged pre-assembled tripod with 1.25-inches steel tube legs - Provides a rigid and stable platform
• All coated glass optics for clear, crisp images
• Deluxe accessory tray for convenient storage of accessories
• "The Sky" Level 1 planetarium software with 10,000 object database and enhanced images

The AstroMaster Series produce bright, clear images of the Moon and planets. It is easy to see the moons of Jupiter and the rings of Saturn with every one of these fine instruments. For views of the brighter deep space objects like galaxies and nebulae, we recommend the larger aperture and light gathering ability of the Newtonian reflectors.

Specs

• Optical Design: Refractor
• Aperture: 70 mm (2.76 in)
• Focal Length: 900 mm (35.43 in)
• Focal Ratio: 12.86
• Eyepiece 1: 20 mm (0.79 in)
• Magnification 1: 45 x
• Eyepiece 2: 10 mm (0.39 in)
• Magnification 2: 90 x
• Mount: Altazimuth
• Optical Coatings: Fully Coated
• Weight: 18 lb (8.16 kg)
• Finderscope: Built-on StarPointer
• Tube Attachment: Dovetail Bar
• Star Diagonal: Erect Image Diagonal - 1.25"
• Tripod: 1.25" steel tube legs
• CD ROM: The Sky L1
• Highest Useful Magnification: 165 x
• Limiting Stellar Magnitude: 11.7
• Resolution (Rayleigh): 1.99 arcsec
• Resolution (Dawes): 1.66 arcsec
• Light Gathering Power: 100 x
• Angular Field of View: 1.1 °
• Linear Field of View (@1000 yds): 58 ft (17.68 m)
• Optical Tube Length: 36 in (914.4 mm)

2-year Telescope Warranty

CELESTRON TWO YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY

A. Celestron warrants your telescope to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for two years. Celestron will repair or replace such product or part thereof which, upon inspection by Celestron, is found to be defective in materials or workmanship. As a condition to the obligation of Celestron to repair or replace such product, the product must be returned to Celestron together with proof-of-purchase satisfactory to Celestron.

B. The Proper Return Authorization Number must be obtained from Celestron in advance of return. Call Celestron at [phone] to receive the number to be displayed on the outside of your shipping container.

All returns must be accompanied by a written statement setting forth the name, address, and daytime telephone number of the owner, together with a brief description of any claimed defects. Parts or product for which replacement is made shall become the property of Celestron.

The customer shall be responsible for all costs of transportation and insurance, both to and from the factory of Celestron, and shall be required to prepay such costs.

Celestron shall use reasonable efforts to repair or replace any telescope covered by this warranty within thirty days of receipt. In the event repair or replacement shall require more than thirty days, Celestron shall notify the customer accordingly. Celestron reserves the right to replace any product which has been discontinued from its product line with a new product of comparable value and function.

This warranty shall be void and of no force of effect in the event a covered product has been modified in design or function, or subjected to abuse, misuse, mishandling or unauthorized repair. Further, product malfunction or deterioration due to normal wear is not covered by this warranty.

CELESTRON DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WHETHER OF MERCHANTABILITY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE, EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH HEREIN. THE SOLE OBLIGATION OF CELESTRON UNDER THIS LIMITED WARRANTY SHALL BE TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE COVERED PRODUCT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS SET FORTH HEREIN. CELESTRON EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY LOST PROFITS, GENERAL, SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHICH MAY RESULT FROM BREACH OF ANY WARRANTY, OR ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE ANY CELESTRON PRODUCT. ANY WARRANTIES WHICH ARE IMPLIED AND WHICH CANNOT BE DISCLAIMED SHALL BE LIMITED IN DURATION TO A TERM OF TWO YEARS FROM THE DATE OF ORIGINAL RETAIL PURCHASE.

Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages or limitation on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitations and exclusions may not apply to you.

This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.

Celestron reserves the right to modify or discontinue, without prior notice to you, any model or style telescope.

If warranty problems arise, or if you need assistance in using your telescope contact:

Celestron
Customer Service Department
2835 Columbia Street
Torrance, CA 90503
Tel. [phone]
Fax. [phone]

Monday-Friday 8AM-4PM PST

NOTE: This warranty is valid to U.S.A. and Canadian customers who have purchased this product from an authorized Celestron dealer in the U.S.A. or Canada. Warranty outside the U.S.A. and Canada is valid only to customers who purchased from a Celestron's International Distributor or Authorized Celestron Dealer in the specific country. Please contact them for any warranty service.

Product Description

TE3) Celestron astromaster 70AZ scope

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

355 of 366 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great scope for any level of Amature January 23, 2009

By Karl Matz

I have been a backyard stargazer for several years. My very nice 8" Dobsonian Reflector became too much to haul to darker skies away from light pollution, so I have been indoors on starry nights for a couple of years now. When a local camera shop was going out of business, they had a fabulous blow-out price on a Celestron AZ70 Refractor. I know two things about refractors 1) beware of flimsey tripods and 2) beware of extravagant claims of HIGH POWER. I first noticed intelligent power claims on the box (60X per aperture inch TOPS). The Celestron AZ70 suits all my needs. It's compact and light enough to transport easily, it has GREAT optics and a VERY macho tripod and Starfinder with a bright reticle which nailed Venus in 1 easy try right out of the box. Absolutely the best 50 bucks I ever spent and I would GLADLY recommend it to anyone for 4 times that price.

173 of 189 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy to use January 19, 2008

By Scott Willenbrock

I bought this scope for my neighbor's kids as a Christmas present. They (along with their dad) had very little experience with telescopes, so I expected it would take some time (along with a little help from me) to get this scope up and running. I was wrong. The very night I gave it to them, they (actually, the dad) set it up and enjoyed looking at the moon with it. They didn't need me at all. In fact, I have yet to look through the scope myself. They tell me it's fantastic. It certainly struck me as a serious, well-made scope when we took it out of the box. The fact that it is so easy to use makes it a really great scope.

138 of 151 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Twinkling an Opinion for Beginning Stars November 20, 2009

By T. W. Seed

Amazon Verified Purchase

This is my and my wife's first venture with a telescope so we sought something that would not require a big investment; would not "jiggle or shake" if bumped when in use; would be easy to handle and transport by hand; and allowed us some recreational fun. This item is sturdy and easy to set up but lacks a couple of minor conveniences that could inexpensively been added by the manufacturer to enhance the user's enjoyment. Without detracting from our feelings that there is inherent value in this item to introduce the beginner (especially kids) to astronomy, the changes would be: (1) although the tripod is nice and firm with a locking mechanism, the removable little tray that one snaps inside the legs to hold some of the extras is not easy to put into place or remove; (2) there is insufficient guidance on how to best utilize the infrared eye piece that is battery powered and it is easy to overlook that this eyepiece battery is in the on positon when folding up and storing it and a dead battery will ensue; (3) there is not a protective cap for the 10mm or 20mm lens inserted into the eyepiece if you do not always want to have to remove and store them when not in use; and (4) a carrying case (cloth or plastic) for storage for a few bucks more would have been a nice addition...we're still searching for something suitable. Again, overall it was worth <$100 price paid but I would have been willing to add an extra $10 or $15 for the improvements mentioned above.

47 of 49 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars This is an excellent starter telescope September 22, 2010

By Victoria S. Ekstrand

Amazon Verified Purchase

I bought this telescope last Christmas for my family. I have one daughter, age 7. I did a lot of research around the Internet and this product appeared to be a good starter telescope at the right price. (Incidentally, I paid $69.99 on amazon just before Christmas last year, so clearly prices on electronics change as much as airfares!) We are VERY satisfied. It's perfect for families just beginning to explore the stars/planets/moon with their young ones. It also was easy to assemble. Those who've criticized the parts for being less than perfect are probably right -- but then again, they probably want to be buying a telescope in the $100-$200 range or higher. The parts are fine. Sturdy enough for family use. The tripod works well. We live in Northwest Ohio where our clearest nights tend to be early fall and during extremely cold January/February. So, indeed, our biggest challenge has been recognizing a clear night when we have one. If you're doing this for the first time, work toward finding the moon first. Once I was able to master getting the moon into view, I was able to work on trying to see a planet. Tonight we saw Jupiter and four of its moons! We even saw a ring around Jupiter. Seeing the stars is harder with this unit, though. But we are thrilled enough to see parts of our own solar system. The CD with the product is pretty good, too and can help you plan what part of the sky to look at, when the full moons are, etc. Very happy to recommend this product and thanks to those who wrote about it previously.

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Very nice Telescope for Beginers November 22, 2011

By Ganesh Narayanan

Amazon Verified Purchase

I have been using this telescope for about a year now and it never bores me.

You can easily watch the below celestial objects
-> Moon in a very high definition
-> Mars
-> Jupiter with jupiter's moons
-> Saturn
-> Venus
-> Orion Nebula
and many many objects.

Pros:
-> Very helpfull viewfinder
-> The First light software is very helpful
-> Sturdy design
-> The 90degree prism makes erect images
-> Very nice focal length

Cons:
-> Tripod is very very bad. The movement of the telescope up and down while tracking will be of a big challenge
The horizontal rotation is fine. But when u move up and down while u r watching through the eyepiece, it will become very difficult to track due to the spillover movement in the tripod's rotators. WHen u tight your telescope, it gets tight in a different position. With this tripod, it almost becomes impossible to tight the telescope exactly after tracking something. You fix it and the telescope will move and gets fixed somewhere where u can see only blank sky. For such a company like celestron, this tripod is a black mark.

-> Heavy vibration on the tripods. The nuts and bolts and joints starts sounding unusually after some days of usage.
If you plan to buy this, better buy it along with vibration suppression pads or else it will not be fruitful in long term

From a telescope perspective, this is a very nice investment for a beginer to intermediate astronomers. You will enjoy the fun of it when you see it in refractors.

My suggestion to celestron is to fix these tripods to avoid frustration on these nice telescopes. The goodwill of telescope is lost because of the bad quality tripod....

Overall, this is a product I am enjoying every day. Please be very choosy between reflectors and refractors. And please dont see sun using this. Even with a solar filter, i suggest NO. Refractors get in a lot of light focus which sometimes makes the UV rays even come out of solar filters.

Nice product except for the Irritating Tripod. :) Read more ›