AZ - Manual

Telescopes on manual alt-azimuth mounts move in two simple directions, up and down (altitude) and left and right (azimuth), making them the most intuitive way to point a telescope. There is no polar alignment, no electronics and no learning curve, so you can set up in minutes and start observing right away.

This collection includes refractors, reflectors and compact telescopes from Explore Scientific, Explore One and National Geographic on alt-az mounts, many with slow-motion controls or panhandle mounts for smooth, precise adjustments. These setups are ideal for beginners, kids and families, as well as experienced observers who want a quick grab-and-go telescope for the Moon, planets, star clusters and daytime nature viewing.

Manual alt-az telescopes are lightweight and portable, require no batteries and are easy to store. Pair one with a planisphere or star chart to learn the sky by star hopping, and add a wide-field eyepiece to make finding and tracking objects even easier. For simple, enjoyable observing without complications, a telescope on a manual alt-azimuth mount is an excellent choice.