Is the Inspire 100AZ good for a beginner?

Yes. It sets up in minutes, the alt-az mount is simple to point, and the wide field makes the Moon and planets easy to find. Expect to upgrade the eyepieces later.

What can I see with it?

The Moon, planets, star clusters and bright deep-sky objects like the Orion Nebula and Andromeda Galaxy. Faint galaxies and nebulae need dark skies.

Can I use it during the day?

Yes. The 90-degree erect-image diagonal gives upright, correct images, so it works as a spotting scope for birds, wildlife and scenery.

Does it track objects automatically?

No. The mount is manual alt-azimuth with a panning handle and clutch, so you follow objects by hand, which gets harder at high magnification.

What comes in the box?

The optical tube, alt-az mount and adjustable tripod, two Kellner eyepieces (20mm and 10mm), a 90-degree erect-image diagonal and an integrated flashlight.

How does it compare with the Inspire 90AZ?

The 100AZ has the larger 100mm aperture, so it gathers more light and shows brighter, more detailed views, while keeping the same short-tube, grab-and-go design.

Where is the Inspire 100AZ Refractor Telescope cheapest?

At Amazon, for $339.99, as of our latest check.

Where can I buy the Inspire 100AZ Refractor Telescope?

14 stores we checked sell it, including Amazon, Best Buy, Adorama, Newegg.com, High Point Scientific.

$Inspire 100AZ Refractor Telescope$

Inspire 100AZ Refractor Telescope

Best price now

$339.99at AmazonChecked 57 min ago

Compared across 13 stores. Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when. Store links may earn us a commission. As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

Visit Amazon

Ask our agent about this product

It checks today's price at every store, compares the alternatives and answers in about a minute.

Price facts

Lowest price today: $339.99 at Amazon (checked Nov 12, 2026).

What reviewers say

Owners treat the Inspire 100AZ as an easy, portable first telescope that shows the Moon, planets and bright clusters well. Many praise the quick setup and the daytime spotting-scope option, while more experienced users note the basic eyepieces and manual tracking as limits.

What people mention

SetupPraisedOwners say it assembles in minutes with no extra tray to fit.
Field of viewPraisedThe short tube gives wide views that suit the Moon, planets and bright clusters.
EyepiecesCriticisedThe included 20mm and 10mm Kellners are seen as basic and narrow.
TrackingMixedThe manual alt-az mount is smooth but needs hand tracking at high power.
Color fringingCriticisedBright objects show chromatic aberration typical of an achromatic refractor.
PortabilityPraisedOwners like carrying it out for quick sessions and daytime spotting.

About the Inspire 100AZ Refractor Telescope

The Inspire 100AZ is a short-tube refractor telescope for both terrestrial and celestial viewing. It has the largest aperture in the Inspire family. The short tube gives a wider field of view for viewing the planets, the Moon, star clusters and brighter deep sky objects such as the Orion Nebula and Andromeda Galaxy. With the erect image star diagonal, the tube can also be used as a daytime spotting scope.

The manual Alt-Azimuth mount has a panning handle with a clutch for smooth, accurate pointing. Move the handle up and down or left and right to track an object in the eyepiece. The accessory tray is built into the tripod, so there is no extra tray to attach. The tripod legs are adjustable, so the telescope can be set to a chosen height or placed on a raised surface such as a picnic table.

The telescope and its accessories can be assembled in a few minutes. An integrated red LED flashlight fits in the mount to light the tray and can be removed for use as a handheld flashlight. The smartphone adapter clamps over the top of an eyepiece and holds a phone in place with bungee cords. Most phones fit with their cases on, but very large or bulky cases, such as folio styles, may need to be removed. Celestron's Starry Night Software is available to download for learning about the night sky and planning observing sessions.

Type

Short refractor telescope

Mount

Manual Alt-Azimuth with panning handle and clutch

Eyepieces

Two Kellner eyepieces: 20mm and 10mm

Diagonal

90° erect image diagonal

Finderscope

StarPointer Pro red dot finderscope

Smartphone adapter

Integrated; fits eyepieces with an outside diameter of 45mm or smaller