Rank #10 in Best Telescopes 2026: 10 Ranked, and the Specs That Don't Add Up
Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ Refractor
Price and rating as shown on Amazon when we collected them. Both change.
At #10 in this guide, the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ is a 70 mm refractor on a manual altazimuth mount that uses a docked smartphone to help you find your way around the sky. The listing has it at £179.99 with 4.3 out of 5 from 185 ratings, and the box includes a 25 mm and a 10 mm eyepiece, a 2x Barlow lens, an erect image diagonal, a red dot finderscope and a full-height tripod.
The spec table is where this one gets interesting. It gives the exit pupil as 0.1 mm — the smallest figure anywhere in this guide — but 0.1 mm from a 70 mm lens implies something in the region of 700x magnification, while the two eyepieces supplied work out at about 28x and 70x on the 700 mm focal length. The same table names the model 'Celestron Astromaster LT70' while the title says StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ, and it lists an 812 mm optical tube against a 700 mm focal length. Everything on this page comes from the Amazon listing as it is written; none of it comes from testing by us.
How those 185 ratings break down
An average hides its own shape. This is the spread behind the 4.3 stars.
Specification
Exactly as published on the Amazon listing, field for field.
| Price | £179.99 |
|---|---|
| Rating | 4.3 out of 5 from 185 ratings |
| Aperture / focal length | 70 mm / 700 mm (as listed) |
| Exit pupil | 0.1 mm (as listed) |
| Supplied eyepieces | 25 mm and 10 mm, plus 2x Barlow |
| Optical tube length | 812 mm (as listed) |
| Item dimensions | 87 x 23.5 x 33.7 cm (as listed) |
| Model name on the listing | Celestron Astromaster LT70 (as listed) |
What buyers actually say
Quoted from customer reviews on Amazon
Verified purchase“Once set up, this is great. You could see the moon with ease, good quality, lots of enjoyment, good value for money.”
Verified purchase“Ordered this as an upgrade for our avid stargazer Son. He loves it!Instructions clear and well built - took around 20 minutes to complete the assembly.One small problem. The laser sight was damaged so we need to organise a replacement. These things happen I suppose.”
What it is up against
The rivals it was ranked against in Best Telescopes 2026: 10 Ranked, and the Specs That Don't Add Up.
Questions people ask
What magnification does the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ give?
The listing pairs a 25 mm and a 10 mm eyepiece with a 700 mm focal length, which works out at roughly 28x and 70x; the included 2x Barlow lens doubles those figures.
Why does the listing give a 0.1 mm exit pupil?
The spec table states 0.1 mm, which does not sit with a 70 mm aperture and either supplied eyepiece — a 0.1 mm exit pupil would mean around 700x magnification. It is the smallest exit pupil figure in this guide.
Does the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ need batteries?
Yes. The listing states that one CR2032 battery is required, which covers the red dot finderscope.
How does the StarSense app work with this telescope?
The supplied StarSense dock holds your smartphone, the app recognises star patterns overhead and generates a list of what is currently visible, and the bullseye turns green when your target is ready in the eyepiece. It is listed as compatible with iOS and Android.
What mount does the Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ use?
A manual altazimuth mount with altitude slow motion adjustment via a sliding rod, according to the listing.
Is the model name consistent across the listing?
No. The title says StarSense Explorer LT 70AZ while the spec table's model name reads Celestron Astromaster LT70 — two different names inside the same listing.
Comments
Reader comments are not checked against the manufacturer's claims above.
No comments yet
Be the first to add something we missed — a price change, a spec that turned out wrong, or how one of these held up.
Leave a comment
No account needed. Own one of these? Tell other readers how it actually performed.