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In-depth review
Updated September 2026 · Written by the TelescopeReviews.co.uk test team
The Celestron Travel Scope 70 is exactly what it claims to be — a portable telescope designed for travel rather than serious astronomy. The 70mm aperture and compact design make it genuinely packable, the Moon views are decent, and Saturn's rings are visible. But the lightweight mount wobbles significantly at high magnification, and serious observers will quickly outgrow it. Buy it for travel — not as your primary telescope.
| Optical design | Refractor |
|---|---|
| Aperture | 70mm |
| Focal length | 400mm |
| Focal ratio | f/5.7 |
| Mount type | Alt-azimuth (lightweight) |
| Eyepieces included | 10mm and 20mm (1.25 inch) |
| Finder | Red dot finder |
| Weight | 1.3kg (tube only) |
| Packed size | Fits in backpack |
| Tripod | Lightweight aluminium |
| UK warranty | 2 years (Celestron UK) |
The Travel Scope 70 prioritises portability above all else — and it succeeds. The 70mm refractor tube weighs just 1.3kg and fits in most large backpacks or carry-on luggage. The folding tripod collapses to a compact size and includes a carry bag.
The trade-off is mount stability. The lightweight aluminium tripod wobbles noticeably at high magnification — at 40x with the 10mm eyepiece, vibrations from touching the telescope take 3-4 seconds to dampen. For low-magnification views (20x with the 20mm eyepiece), stability is adequate.
✈️ Travel Credentials
Verdict: Good — the 70mm refractor produces sharp lunar views when the mount is stable.
Verdict: Rings visible — exciting for first-time observers despite the mount limitations.
Verdict: Limited — disc and moons only.
Verdict: Best performance — wide field suits clusters well.
⚠️ Mount limits high magnification
⚠️ Not for serious observing sessions
⚠️ Home vs Travel Use
If you plan to use this telescope primarily at home, buy the Sky-Watcher Heritage 130P instead — 130mm aperture and a stable Dobsonian mount at a similar price. The Travel Scope 70 makes sense only if portability for travel is genuinely your primary requirement.
✅ YES — Buy if
❌ NO — Consider alternatives if
For home use — dramatically better views, stable Dobsonian mount, same price range. The obvious choice if travel is not essential.
Same 70mm aperture with StarSense navigation — better mount stability and smartphone guidance for finding objects.
The Celestron Travel Scope 70 is a true travel telescope — lightweight, packable and capable of showing Saturn's rings and the Moon from a dark sky location. For home use it is quickly outperformed by similarly priced alternatives like the Sky-Watcher Heritage 130P. Buy it if portability for travel is your main goal; skip it if you want a serious first telescope for the garden.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ 3.8/5 — Acceptable for travel only
Recommended for: Travellers who stargaze occasionally, campers, occasional dark-sky visitors