Small scope for backpacking

[alhoand]

Hi everyone, and sorry if this question has already been asked; I wasn't able to find a post asking the same.

I live in the city, but relatively often go on hikes/camping trips in the surrounding nature. I'm looking for a scope that I would be able to use on such trips. I realize I won't be able to use it in the city due to light pollution.

I am completely new to observing the sky, and before I go out and spend a lot, I would like to see if this is something for me. Hence, I am looking for a low-budget scope (preferably below 200$ but willing to stretch a bit for the right one) that can fit into a backpack without taking up too much space. The weight is not at all as important as the size.

Can anyone give me some recommendations?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

[skysurfer5cva]

I did a Google search for "backpacking telescope" and this site was one of the more recent ones on the topic. https://www.space.com/31228-best-por...elescopes.html

[schlaugh]

You might consider packing some good binoculars. Easy to store, light and durable with no need for a stand unless you want to also carry a tripod.

Take a look at the Orion site and you’ll see a number of choices. Decide if you want to go for light gathering or enlargement. I would opt for light gathering but that’s just me.

[John Mendenhall]

Binoculars, definetly. If weight is an issue, you could even consider a monocular. Personally, I am fond of 7x50's, but there are many variations. Check local flea markets, swap meats, thrift stores, yard sales, etc., for bargains. Also, many other uses in a natural environment.

[Grey]

The nice part of binoculars as a choice for observing while backpacking is of course the fact that they may also be useful for looking around at cool stuff in the daytime.

[glappkaeft]

If you want something more capable there is also some compact Dobson telescopes (like the Skywatcher Dobson N 130/650 Heritage) especially if your observing location has a sturdy table or tree stump to place it on. Around 4 kg for 13 cm aparture is quite good.

[Trebuchet]

The nice part of binoculars as a choice for observing while backpacking is of course the fact that they may also be useful for looking around at cool stuff in the daytime.

Which is why, if it needs to be a telescope, I'd go with a good quality spotting scope. For the night sky it doesn't much matter if the image is upright or inverted. But if you want to look at wildlife, it does.

[Swift]

Which is why, if it needs to be a telescope, I'd go with a good quality spotting scope. For the night sky it doesn't much matter if the image is upright or inverted. But if you want to look at wildlife, it does.

I've never had luck using my spotting scope for astronomy, other than a big target like the moon. Spotting scopes don't have a finder scope, and I find it very hard to find astronomy targets with just the spotting scope (I've tried a couple of times to see comets with it). This isn't such a problem in bright daylight; the background isn't just uniform black ("OK, I want just a little to the right of the big tree I'm seeing).