Refractor or reflector. Which telescope is best for a beginner?

Are you interested in buying your first telescope? When it comes to choosing the right telescope for beginners, it can be overwhelming to decide between a refractor or reflector telescope. It is important to understand the difference between these two telescope types so that you can make an informed decision. In this blog post, I’ll discuss the pros and cons of refractor and reflector telescopes, so you can determine which one is the best telescope for you.

The first recommendation I will make is to not buy a department store telescope. These are typcially inferior quality and will not provide you a good view of the cosmos. Always purchase your telescopes and accessories from a reputable astronomy dealer. Links in this article are for established and well known vendors that will assist you through the process of buying your first telescope or if you are upgrading. 

Types of telescopes

When considering the best telescope for a beginner, it’s important to understand the different types of telescopes available. The two most common designs are refractor and reflector.
Refractor telescopes use lenses to gather and focus light. They tend to be compact, lightweight, and relatively easy to use. In addition, they require very little maintenance and upkeep. However, they can be more expensive than reflectors. 

Reflector telescopes use mirrors to gather and focus light. They are typically bigger and heavier than refractors, and they require more maintenance due to the need to periodically collimate the optics. However, they are usually less expensive than refractors. 

Pros and cons of reflector telescopes
Reflector telescopes are a popular choice for amateur astronomers because they offer excellent viewing opportunities at a relatively low cost. 

The pros of reflector telescopes include their large aperture size and relatively low cost compared to other types of telescopes. The larger aperture size allows for more light-gathering power, which means you can see objects in greater detail. As example, a Dobsonian telescope is an easy-to-use design that allows you to easily move the telescope up and down as well as side to side. The Dobsonian is also an affordable option when compared to other reflector telescopes.

One downside to using a reflecting telescope is that they require more frequent maintenance due to the mirrors being exposed. This includes re-alignment and cleaning of the mirrors which should be done on a regular basis.

Pros and cons of refractor telescopes

Refractor telescopes are the oldest telescope design dating back over 400 years and have been used by astronomers for centuries. They are the simplest of all telescope designs and feature a lens at the front which is used to collect light from the sky.

One of the main benefits of refractor telescopes is that they are simple to use. This makes them ideal for beginners. Grab and go!

A disadvantage of lower cost refractor telescopes (especially department store type!) is that they can suffer from chromatic aberration. This occurs when colours that make up light are bent differently as they pass through the lens, resulting in a distorted image.