The Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ is a friendly first telescope that prioritizes quick wins on the Moon, bright planets, and daytime views over deep-sky ambition.
If you want a telescope that gets you observing fast – without the intimidation factor of counterweights, polar alignment, or complicated electronics – the celestron astromaster 70az is built for exactly that moment. It’s a small achromatic refractor on a simple manual alt-az mount, with just enough included accessories to go from box to backyard in a single evening.
What you’re really buying here is approachability: a lightweight setup you can carry in one trip, a panhandle mount that points like a camera tripod, and optics that do a reliably pleasing job on the Moon and other bright targets. The trade-off is that this is a modest-aperture scope on a beginner mount – so it rewards realistic expectations and a bit of technique more than raw light-gathering power.
- Quick, tool-free setup with intuitive manual pointing
- Best on the Moon, bright planets, and daytime viewing
Celestron sells the AstroMaster 70AZ on Amazon Canada under two separate listings: a standard AstroMaster 70AZ and an AstroMaster LT 70AZ. This review covers the standard listing above, which carries by far the deepest Canadian review history of the two and was in stock at the time of writing. The LT variant is the same core optical tube and mount concept with a slightly different accessory bundle; if you see it listed separately while shopping, know that it is not a different telescope in any meaningful way, just a different retail package that comes and goes in stock.
What it’s like to use from box to first light
The AstroMaster 70AZ is at its best when you treat it like an “instant observing” tool. Assembly is straightforward and, importantly, doesn’t demand tools – ideal if you’re setting up with kids or you don’t want a hobby that begins with hardware. The adjustable tripod helps you find a workable height for seated or standing sessions, and the panhandle on the alt-az mount makes the whole experience feel familiar: point left-right, up-down, tighten a little, observe.
The included StarPointer red dot finder is a solid match for this kind of scope because it encourages intuitive aiming. That said, you’ll still benefit from taking five minutes to align it carefully in daylight on a distant object (a tower or rooftop edge). Do that once, and nighttime target acquisition becomes far less frustrating – especially for bright objects like the Moon, Jupiter, or a prominent star. The included eyepieces are enough to get started, and the 20mm is typically the easier “finder” option before switching to more magnification.
Real-world views: Moon, planets, and what to realistically skip
With a 70mm fully coated achromatic refractor, the AstroMaster 70AZ rewards you most on high-contrast targets. Lunar viewing is the headline: you can pick out crisp crater edges, mountain relief near the terminator, and a surprising amount of detail that keeps beginners engaged for a long time. On planets, your most satisfying sessions will be when the atmosphere is steady and you keep expectations aligned with aperture: Jupiter’s four Galilean moons are the classic “wow” moment, and you can often make out the planet’s main cloud belts as subtle bands. Venus’s phases are a fun, underrated target for a scope like this.
Where it becomes less satisfying is on faint deep-sky objects. Bright star clusters and a few showcase nebulae can be rewarding from darker skies, but you’re not buying a galaxy hunter here. The other real-world limitation is stability at higher magnification: because this is a manual, beginner-friendly mount, tiny nudges can shift the view. You can absolutely learn to track smoothly, but if your main goal is high-power planetary observing for long stretches, a heavier mount or different optical design would feel more composed.
- Fast setup with minimal assembly
- Intuitive alt-az panhandle for easy aiming
- Crisp, pleasing Moon performance for beginners
- Erect-image diagonal enables practical daytime use
- Good starter kit: finder, eyepieces, and software
- Limited deep-sky reach with 70mm aperture
- High-power views can feel shaky on the mount
- Achromat can show some color fringing on bright targets
Quick take: A genuinely approachable beginner refractor that excels on the Moon and bright targets, with day-use versatility, but modest reach and mount steadiness at high power.
Align the red dot finder in daylight using the 20mm eyepiece first, then fine-tune. Nighttime pointing becomes dramatically easier.
Alternatives if the 70AZ isn't quite right
The 70AZ sits at the entry point of Celestron’s refractor lineup, so it’s worth knowing what’s around it. Want more aperture on the same simple alt-az style mount? The AstroMaster 102AZ steps up to a bigger objective lens for brighter, sharper views. Want to spend less and go even more grab-and-go? The Travel Scope 70 is a lighter, more packable option built for trips rather than backyard sessions. If you’d rather have your phone help you find targets, the StarSense Explorer DX 102AZ swaps the plain alt-az mount for app-guided pointing. And if you’re ready to skip manual aiming altogether, the NexStar 6SE moves you into a fully computerized GoTo experience.
If the 70AZ Isn't Quite Right
The celestron astromaster 70az is a smart pick if you value a smooth on-ramp into the hobby: quick setup, intuitive aiming, and rewarding Moon and bright-planet sessions. If you can accept some mount finesse at higher magnification – and you’re not expecting faint deep-sky dominance – it delivers a lot of confidence-building observing for the money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Celestron AstroMaster 70AZ good for complete beginners?
Yes. The manual alt-az mount points in a straightforward up/down/left/right way, setup is fast, and the included finder and eyepieces are enough to get you observing quickly.
What are the best targets to view with the AstroMaster 70AZ?
The Moon is the standout, followed by bright planets (especially Jupiter’s moons and Venus’s phases) and brighter star clusters. It’s also useful for daytime landmarks and wildlife thanks to the erect-image diagonal.
Can it show Saturn’s rings?
Depending on conditions and your observing technique, you can often glimpse Saturn’s ring shape as a distinct “ear” or oval structure, but don’t expect large, high-contrast detail at this aperture and on a light beginner mount.
Does the mount track objects automatically?
No. It’s a manual alt-az mount, so you track by gently nudging with the panhandle as the sky drifts. This is easy on the Moon and bright targets, but it takes practice at higher magnification.
Is it suitable for astrophotography?
It’s best treated as a visual telescope. You can experiment casually (for example, simple Moon snapshots), but the mount and overall design are not aimed at serious long-exposure imaging.
Is it better for kids or adults?
Both. The adjustable tripod helps fit different heights, and the simple pointing is kid-friendly under supervision. Adults will appreciate how quickly it becomes a grab-and-go option for short sessions.
If you want a low-friction first telescope that makes the Moon look fantastic, lands bright planets without drama, and doubles as a daytime spotter, the AstroMaster 70AZ is an easy recommendation. Just keep your expectations realistic for faint deep-sky objects and plan to use a gentle touch at higher magnification.
Coming from cheap 10×50 binos and an old department-store 60mm refractor, this one feels like a real step up. The mount’s still not “buttery,” but it’s way less frustrating to track the Moon. Star clusters pop more than I expected.
Getting this as a gift for my niece (she’s 12 and super into space). Would this be a decent beginner refractor telescope for a kid, or is it going to be too finicky to set up and aim without an adult hovering?
For a 12-year-old who’s genuinely interested, it can be a solid first refractor—especially for the Moon, Jupiter’s moons, and brighter targets. The main “kid factor” is steadiness and aiming: keep the tripod a bit lower, start with the lowest-power eyepiece, and practise in daylight on distant objects first. If you can do one quick “how to” session with her (finder alignment + focusing), most kids can run it on their own after that.
After a couple clear nights with the celestron astromaster 70az, the best tip I’ve got is to set the tripod lower than you think you need. Less wobble. I also pre-focus on a far streetlight before you go outside so you’re not hunting focus in the dark.
Super fun starter scope, honestly.