The Bresser Junior 70/400 refracting telescope with backpack seems like the perfect all-in-one package for kids.
Picking a first telescope for a young astronomer can be challenging.
Your choice should be simple to use, to encourage absolute beginners, yet it should also return some rewarding views.
If you don’t meet both criteria, the telescope could end up simply gathering dust.
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More astronomy for kids
We think Bresser has struck a good balance with this budget introductory setup, marketed for ages
8 and above.
The Bresser Junior 70/400 refractor telescope comes with a suite of accessories to provide astronomy newcomers with a complete one-stop shop, from eyepieces to a smartphone adaptor, plus even a small backpack to transport everything on astronomy adventures.
Available in a range of colours, for our review we received the blue version which arrived in a single package.
Setting up the Bresser Junior 70/400
Assembly couldn’t have been easier; the compact refractor arrived in the backpack, alongside the manual and accessory tray.
The tripod arrived nestled next to these, although we noted that the backpack also has external Velcro straps that allow you to strap it to the outside.
This ensures the refractor is kept safe from knocks from the tripod when walking to a dark-sky site.
We were ready to go in minutes, and felt it wouldn’t take a younger, less experienced astronomer much longer to figure out how to attach the refractor to the tripod or to fix the finderscope, diagonal and eyepieces in place.
We liked the fact that no other tools were needed, such as an Allen key or screwdriver – a small detail perhaps, but for children, we could appreciate the independence and confidence this inspires from the get-go.
Adults who are buying the Bresser Junior 70/400 as a present for a child will be glad to hear that they won’t be spending hours assembling multiple components, armed with a toolbox!
The instruction manual that accompanies the set is clear enough for young astronomers to understand, with simple language and plenty of images.
Admittedly, we found the tripod rather flimsy. Nevertheless, the pan-and-tilt mount was fluid to operate, which is handy for honing into targets.
How the Bresser Junior 70/400 performs
First, we headed over to a 70%-lit waxing Moon, and while it was fairly bright through the 12mm eyepiece, we were able to resolve a good level of surface detail for such a budget telescope.
We also thought the 6mm eyepiece managed these details well and could imagine young ones excitedly asking for a chance to grab a photo through the smartphone adaptor.
This is definitely a key selling point for this 70mm refractor.
Eye relief wasn’t overly restricted across any of the three eyepiece options; however, it was a little tricky to position our eyes at the optimal distance.
This trial and error might prove difficult for the youngest users, who could be then tempted to grab the eyepiece and move the refractor away from its target.
We moved on to doing a star test, noting that the field of view was rather small and dark, meaning that the starfield wasn’t well illuminated, although the stars did remain round throughout our review.
Slewing to the Pleiades, M45, we struggled to see the target through the 20mm eyepiece, due to the small and dark field of view.
Heading over to the bright Andromeda Galaxy, M31, we could easily make out a fuzzy patch and even some variation towards its bright core.
Noting that brighter objects were best, we turned towards Saturn, which was still fairly high in the southeastern sky.
Through the 12mm and 6mm eyepieces, we could see the disc and bulge of its rings, although not much more in terms of detail.
The quality of the Bresser Junior 70/400 isn’t exceptional, but you get a lot for the modest price tag.
The lightweight refractor performs best for lunar observation – which, let’s be honest, is an excellent introduction to astronomy!
The ability to view the brighter deep-sky and planetary objects is also a bonus, which ensures that young newcomers to the hobby will be rewarded enough to want to continue their quest to learn about the night sky.
Overall, Bresser’s starter set is excellent for capturing the interest and imagination of any fledgling young astronomer.
All-in-one telescope for kids
We particularly liked the complete solution that this Bresser Junior 70/400 set provides for curious beginners – within a highly portable 2kg.
From the accessible instructions to the bright colourful presentation, it’s easy to put together and light enough for younger children to carry.
The tripod can attach to the tripod once the accessory tray is fixed in place, meaning the whole set can be easily picked up and taken to a different dark-sky spot on a whim.
The 70mm-aperture refractor is an excellent choice for beginners, as it’s lightweight and compact, while the corresponding 400mm focal length is perfect for a wide range of popular targets, including detailed Moon views, vistas of Saturn and Jupiter, and even brighter deep-sky objects.
Meanwhile, Bresser has clearly considered each accessory, including the rather sweet backpack that can carry every item.
With parental supervision, we can imagine children younger than the suggested 8 years using this and being captivated early on in their astronomy journey.
Bresser Junior 70/400 best features
Optics
This 70mm achromatic refractor might be basic, but that doesn’t stop it from returning some lovely lunar views. It impressed us with well-controlled vistas across the majority of our field, which is also good for the brighter objects such as planets and some globular clusters.
Finderscope
The 5x24 finderscope is an essential item for honing in on astronomy targets. Before using the 20mm eyepiece to centre an object in your field of view, the finderscope helps to swing the telescope to the correct patch of sky. We found the views through this one clear from edge to edge.
6mm, 12mm and 20mm eyepieces
The three eyepieces allow new astronomers access to a range of powers between 20x and 66x magnification. These can be swapped in to suit the target of choice, whether it’s Jupiter and its Galilean moons or a star cluster. The 20mm eyepiece is particularly useful for locating objects.
Universal smartphone adaptor
This simple-to-use universal adaptor is included as standard. Featuring an adjustable clamp, it accommodates a range of smartphone sizes and fits securely to the top of the eyepiece. Once your camera lens is positioned, capture that memorable first glance at the Moon or even bright deep-sky objects such as Orion.
1.5x corrective lens
After removing the diagonal, this can be popped into the focus tube for high-magnification views, boosting the eyepiece powers by 1.5x. We found this particularly suitable for daytime observation, turning the 70mm refractor into a spotting telescope that could be used for birdwatching or viewing ships from coastal sites.
Vital stats
- Price: £77.99
- Optics: Anti-reflective coated achromatic refractor
- Aperture: 70mm
- Focal length: 400mm
- Mount: Pan-and-tilt mount on tripod
- Extras: 6mm, 12mm and 20mm eyepieces, diagonal, accessory tray, manual
- Weight: 1.75kg
- Supplier: Telescope House
- Tel: 01342 837098
- www.bresseruk.com
This review appeared in the December 2024 issue of BBC Sky at Night Magazine
