Amazon Basics Telescope, 70mm Aperture 400mm AZ Mount, Portable w/Lightweight Tripod, Phone Holder, Carry Bag, Black Review

Let's be upfront about what this telescope is and isn't. The Amazon Basics 70mm AZ Mount telescope sits in a crowded corner of the market — entry-level refractors aimed at curious beginners, curious kids, and adults who want to dip a toe into stargazing without committing serious money. At this price point, the question isn't "is it perfect?" It's "is it enough?"

The short answer: for a complete newcomer, it delivers a genuine first look at the moon and planets. For anyone expecting more, it will disappoint quickly.

What You're Actually Getting

The 70mm aperture and 400mm focal length put this squarely in "starter" territory. That gives you a focal ratio of f/5.7 — reasonably fast for a refractor, which helps with brightness on wide-field views. The altazimuth (AZ) mount is simple point-and-track, no motorized tracking, no equatorial alignment. You point it, you look, you manually nudge it as the Earth rotates the sky away from your eyepiece.

The package includes the optical tube, a lightweight aluminum tripod, two eyepieces (likely a 10mm and 25mm), a finderscope, a phone holder for astrophotography, and a carry bag. On paper, that's a complete starter kit. In practice, the weakest link is the tripod — it's functional but wobbles easily, which becomes genuinely frustrating when you're trying to hold a magnified view steady.

The Moon Will Impress You. Planets Will Humble You.

This is the most important thing a buyer needs to understand about a 70mm/400mm refractor. Lunar views are genuinely rewarding — craters, mountains, and the terminator line all come through clearly and will make a first-time observer gasp. That's real value.

Saturn's rings are visible. Jupiter's cloud bands and the four Galilean moons are visible. But "visible" is doing a lot of work in that sentence. At the magnifications this scope can realistically deliver (pushing much past 100x starts degrading image quality on a 70mm), you're seeing shapes and suggestions rather than the crisp detail you see in magazine photos. Managing those expectations up front will determine whether this purchase feels like a success or a letdown.

Deep sky objects — nebulae, galaxies — are largely out of reach in any meaningful way, especially from suburban skies. The Orion Nebula will show as a fuzzy patch. Andromeda will be a smear. If deep-sky observing is your goal, this is not your telescope, and no amount of accessories will change that.

The Phone Holder: A Nice Idea With Caveats

The included phone holder is a thoughtful addition for this price tier. Afocal smartphone astrophotography — holding your phone's camera up to the eyepiece — can produce decent lunar shots when conditions cooperate. Don't expect much beyond the moon, though. Planets will be tiny, dim, and blurry at this aperture with a phone sensor. Think of it as a bonus feature for sharing moon photos, not a serious astrophotography setup.

Build Quality: Honest Assessment

The optical tube itself is serviceable — optics are adequately coated and alignment holds reasonably well out of the box. The AZ mount is simple enough that a child can operate it without instruction, which is genuinely useful. The carry bag is a standout practical inclusion that makes this genuinely portable for camping trips or dark-sky excursions.

The tripod, however, is the product's Achilles heel. It's lightweight, which helps portability, but that lightness translates to instability. Any vibration — wind, accidental touch, breathing too hard — sends the image dancing. At low magnification this is manageable. Push the magnification up to find a planet and it becomes a real frustration. A heavier, sturdier tripod would transform this scope; the tripod it ships with is the single biggest hardware limitation.

Who Should Buy This — and Who Shouldn't

This telescope makes sense as a gift for a child aged 8–14 with a budding interest in astronomy, or as a "test the waters" purchase for an adult who isn't sure if stargazing will stick. The carry bag and portability make it a decent travel companion for occasional use. At this price, the moon alone can justify the purchase for the right person.

• Good fit: Kids, gift buyers, casual curiosity, travel/camping
• Bad fit: Anyone serious about astronomy, deep-sky observers, astrophotographers, adults who've already looked through a quality scope

If you're an adult who already knows you're committed to this hobby, spend more. The Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ or the Sky-Watcher Heritage 130P are in the next tier and represent dramatically better long-term value. Buying this as a stepping stone is fine — just know it's a stepping stone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can you see Saturn's rings with this telescope?

A: Yes — Saturn's rings are visible as a distinct oval shape, and you can distinguish them from the planet's disk. Detailed ring structure or the Cassini Division will be very difficult at this aperture and magnification.

Q: Is the Amazon Basics 70mm telescope good for kids?

A: It's a reasonable choice for children aged 8 and up who are curious about astronomy. The AZ mount is intuitive, setup is straightforward, and lunar views are rewarding enough to hold a young viewer's attention.

Q: How does this compare to Celestron entry-level telescopes?

A: The Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ is a direct competitor and generally considered a slight step up in build quality and mount stability. The Amazon Basics version competes on price and the included carry bag is a practical advantage for portability.

Q: Can you use this telescope for birdwatching or daytime use?

A: A refractor can work for terrestrial viewing, but without an erecting prism (which this kit may not include), the image will appear upside down. Check the included accessories before relying on it for daytime observation.

Q: Is the phone holder actually useful for astrophotography?

A: For moon photography, yes — you can get satisfying snapshots. For planets or deep-sky objects, results will be very limited due to the 70mm aperture and the sensitivity limitations of smartphone cameras.

— Lifestyle Lead Editor, CPrice