National Geographic NT114PH 114mm Carbon Fiber Reflector Telescope

If you are choosing a first telescope for a child of 10 or older, Explore Scientific recommends a 70 mm refractor or a 114 mm reflector, and a 114 mm mirror gathers (114 ÷ 70)² = 2.7 times the light. The National Geographic NT114PH (item 80-20114, sold by Explore Scientific as the NT114CF) is that reflector: a 114 mm f/4.4 mirror on a panhandle mount and full-size tripod, with two Plössl eyepieces and a 2x Barlow for 19x to 103x.

Key Features

• What it shows. The Moon, the planets and deep-sky objects such as the Orion Nebula and the Andromeda Galaxy. For craters, look along the terminator, where light meets shadow on the Moon.
• Wide field at f/4.4. Find targets with the 26 mm eyepiece (19x), then switch to the 9.7 mm (51.5x).
• Red dot viewfinder, its CR-1620 battery included.
• Smartphone adapter for pictures through the eyepiece; keep a hand on the phone.
• Carbon fiber optical tube, both lightweight and durable.
• Mirror care. With the dust cover on, the mirrors will rarely need cleaning, and if a film of dirt ever collects, Explore Scientific cleans and collimates them at its facility.

Who It's For

• Families with a child 10 or older, observing with adult supervision and never at the Sun.
• Night-sky use. Land views can appear inverted or at an angle.
• Comparing models. The StarApp70 costs the same and finds objects with a phone app; the 76mm Compact costs less and comes fully assembled for a tabletop. Our guides to Saturn's rings and Jupiter show what 114 mm reaches.