3 Best Bushnell Refractor Telescope 150 X 50 Models Compared (2026)

Updated November 2026

Shoppers searching for a bushnell refractor telescope 150 x 50 usually want one thing: a telescope that shows the Moon’s craters, Jupiter’s bands and bright deep-sky objects without a steep learning curve. This guide compares three products on the criteria that matter most for a first refractor: aperture and magnification claims, mount stability, how easily it sets up, eyepiece quality, portability, and the consistency of owner feedback across the product type. The picks are based on manufacturer specifications, brand reputation and common patterns in owner reports.

Note on the product line: the three items below are the listings we were asked to cover, and they are not all the same kind of instrument. Two are small refractor telescopes sold for beginners, and one is a pair of binoculars. The binoculars are included because many shoppers consider them as an alternative to a beginner scope. That difference will matter when you judge what each one can show you.

Our Top Picks

Quick Comparison

Product	Best for	Key feature
Bushnell Refractor 600x50mm Telescope, Deep Space Viewing Telescope 181561	Beginners who want a tabletop-to-tripod refractor for Moon and planet viewing	50mm objective refractor with a 600mm listed focal length
Tasco Spacestation 600 x 50mm Refractor Telescope, Astronomy Telescope for Adults and Beginners, Black	Casual observers who move the scope between locations	Lightweight refractor design with a 600mm listed focal length
Bushnell Falcon 10×50 Wide-Angle Binoculars | Porro Prism, InstaFocus, BK7, Fold-Down Eyecups, Non-Slip Grip	Wide-field star fields, Milky Way views and easy handheld use	10x magnification with 50mm objectives and porro prisms

Bushnell Refractor 600x50mm Telescope, Deep Space Viewing Telescope 181561

Best for: Beginners who want a traditional refractor for Moon, planet and bright double-star viewing.

This is the most straightforward choice for someone who wants a true telescope rather than binoculars. Its 50mm objective and 600mm listed focal length suit low-to-moderate power viewing of the Moon and the brighter planets, which is where small refractors typically perform best. It is aimed at people who will set it up on a table or a small tripod and observe from a backyard or a balcony.

Key specs

• Refractor optical design
• 50mm objective lens diameter (per listing name)
• 600mm focal length (per listing name)

Pros

• Refractor design needs little collimation, so setup is simpler than a reflector
• Good fit for lunar and planetary views at moderate magnification
• Compact enough to store and move without a dedicated case

Cons

• A 50mm aperture gathers limited light, so faint deep-sky objects will look dim
• Included accessories and mount stability vary by bundle, so check what ships with your order

Bottom line: Choose this if you want the most telescope-like experience of the three for the least complexity, and you mainly plan to observe the Moon and planets.

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Tasco Spacestation 600 x 50mm Refractor Telescope, Astronomy Telescope for Adults and Beginners, Black

Best for: Casual observers who carry the telescope between backyard, patio and car trips.

The Spacestation line is marketed as a lightweight, easy-to-move beginner telescope. If your observing sessions happen in different places, portability can matter more than maximum light-gathering. This model shares the same general optical formula as the Bushnell above (50mm aperture, 600mm focal length), so the viewing expectations are similar.

Key specs

• Refractor optical design
• 50mm objective lens diameter (per listing name)
• 600mm focal length (per listing name)

Pros

• Lightweight build makes it easier to carry outside
• Refractor optics require no collimation
• Works well for quick sessions with the Moon and bright planets

Cons

• Small aperture limits how much faint detail you can see on deep-sky targets
• Lightweight mounts can wobble at higher magnifications, a common complaint with budget refractors

Bottom line: A good pick if portability is your main concern and you accept the limits of a 50mm refractor.

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Bushnell Falcon 10×50 Wide-Angle Binoculars | Porro Prism, InstaFocus, BK7, Fold-Down Eyecups, Non-Slip Grip

Best for: Wide-field sky sweeps, the Milky Way, and a first look at the night sky without a tripod.

These are binoculars, not a telescope, and that difference shapes what you will see. At 10x, the image is steady enough to hold by hand, and the wide field of view makes star clusters and the Milky Way easier to appreciate than through a narrow telescope eyepiece. Shoppers who want a telescope for high-power planet detail should look at the two scopes above instead.

Key specs

• 10x magnification (per listing name)
• 50mm objective lenses (per listing name)
• Porro prism design, BK7 prisms, fold-down eyecups (per listing name)

Pros

• Handheld use requires no tripod or setup time
• Wide field suits star fields, the Milky Way and large objects
• Fold-down eyecups help eyeglass wearers

Cons

• Magnification is too low to show planetary surface detail
• Hand-held views shake more at higher magnifications, and the image is less steady than on a tripod-mounted telescope

Bottom line: Pick these if you want an easy, low-commitment way to explore the sky and do not need planetary detail.

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Buying Guide

Aperture and light gathering

Aperture is the diameter of the main lens, and it sets how much light the instrument collects. Larger apertures show fainter objects and finer detail. With a 50mm refractor, expect the Moon, bright planets and some double stars to be clear, while faint galaxies and nebulae will be modest. Two of the picks above share this aperture, so the choice between them rests more on build and mount than on optics.

Good picks for this: Bushnell Refractor 600x50mm Telescope, Deep Space Viewing Telescope 181561; Tasco Spacestation 600 x 50mm Refractor Telescope

Magnification and focal length

Magnification equals the telescope’s focal length divided by the eyepiece’s focal length. A large magnification number is not a sign of quality. Small refractors perform best at low to moderate power, and the claims printed on boxes often promise far more magnification than the optics can usefully deliver. Judge a telescope by its aperture and build first, and treat advertised magnification as secondary.

Good picks for this: Bushnell Refractor 600x50mm Telescope, Deep Space Viewing Telescope 181561; Bushnell Falcon 10×50 Wide-Angle Binoculars

Mount stability

A wobbly mount makes an image hard to hold and frustrating to use, especially at higher power. Look for a sturdy tripod with solid locking knobs and a mount that does not shake when you touch the tube. Owner feedback across budget refractors often mentions mount wobble, so check whether your bundle includes a stable tripod and whether it is adjustable enough for your height.

Good picks for this: Bushnell Refractor 600x50mm Telescope, Deep Space Viewing Telescope 181561; Tasco Spacestation 600 x 50mm Refractor Telescope

Eyepieces and included accessories

Many beginner telescopes ship with two or three eyepieces and sometimes a barlow lens or moon filter. Check which eyepieces are included, since the focal length of each one determines the magnification you get. Replacing the stock eyepieces with better ones is a common upgrade later, but it is not required to start observing.

Good picks for this: Tasco Spacestation 600 x 50mm Refractor Telescope; Bushnell Refractor 600x50mm Telescope, Deep Space Viewing Telescope 181561

Portability and weight

If you carry your telescope to a dark site or move it between rooms, weight and packed size matter. A lightweight refractor is easy to carry, but lighter build usually means a less rigid mount. Decide whether you will observe mostly from one spot or regularly move the scope, and weigh that against stability.

Good picks for this: Tasco Spacestation 600 x 50mm Refractor Telescope; Bushnell Falcon 10×50 Wide-Angle Binoculars

Use case: what you plan to observe

Match the instrument to your targets. The Moon and planets reward higher magnification and steady air. Star clusters and the Milky Way reward wide fields. Faint galaxies need larger apertures and dark skies. Be honest about what you want to see most, because the answer changes which product fits.

Good picks for this: Bushnell Falcon 10×50 Wide-Angle Binoculars; Bushnell Refractor 600x50mm Telescope, Deep Space Viewing Telescope 181561

Care and durability

Keep optical surfaces clean and covered, and store the telescope in a dry place away from temperature swings, which can cause condensation inside the tube. Use a soft brush or a lens blower for dust and avoid touching glass with bare fingers. Binoculars need the same care, and fold-down eyecups and hinges should be checked periodically for wear.

Good picks for this: Bushnell Falcon 10×50 Wide-Angle Binoculars; Tasco Spacestation 600 x 50mm Refractor Telescope

FAQ

Is a 50mm refractor good for beginners?

Yes, for the Moon, bright planets and some double stars. It is less suited to faint galaxies and nebulae, which need more light than a 50mm aperture gathers. Dark skies help, but no beginner refractor of this size will show deep-sky objects as bright as photographs.

Do refractor telescopes need collimation?

Refractors use lenses rather than mirrors, so they generally do not need the regular alignment that reflectors require. This is one reason they are often recommended to new observers.

Is 600mm focal length good?

Focal length on its own does not determine image quality. A 600mm focal length with a 50mm aperture is a common beginner configuration, and it gives a usable range of low to moderate magnification with standard eyepieces.

Should I buy binoculars or a telescope?

Binoculars are easier to use and better for wide sky views, the Milky Way and star fields. A telescope gives higher magnification for planets and the Moon but needs a tripod and more setup. If you want both, binoculars are often a practical first step.

Can I see planets with a 50mm telescope?

You can see the brighter planets as small disks and the larger ones, such as Jupiter and Saturn, with some detail when conditions are steady. Surface features will be limited compared with larger instruments.

What magnification should I expect?

Magnification depends on the eyepiece you use. The included eyepieces will give a range of low to moderate power. Higher power is possible with shorter focal-length eyepieces, but image quality usually drops as magnification rises beyond what the aperture can support.

Do I need a moon filter?

A moon filter reduces glare when viewing the Moon at high power and can make the view more comfortable. Some beginner kits include one. It is optional but useful for lunar observing.

Conclusion

For a traditional refractor experience at beginner level, the Bushnell Refractor 600x50mm Telescope, Deep Space Viewing Telescope 181561 is the most direct fit for Moon and planet viewing, and it is the pick we would point most users toward when their main goal is a true telescope. The Tasco Spacestation 600 x 50mm Refractor Telescope suits people who move their gear often and accept the trade-offs of a lighter build. The Bushnell Falcon 10×50 Wide-Angle Binoculars are the right choice if you want the quickest, lowest-effort way to see the night sky, though they cannot match a telescope for planetary detail. Match the instrument to what you most want to see, and check the included accessories before ordering.

Sources

• Current sky events, Moon phases and observing guidance for beginners (nasa.gov)
• Introductory resources on telescope types, optics and observing basics
• Explanations of aperture, magnification and what different telescope types are best at

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• Wide Field Refractor Telescope Picks Compared for 2026

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