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Testing methodology
Every recommendation on AstronomyTested follows the same process, so you can compare pages with confidence.
Honest about the view
We describe what a telescope shows under real skies, not what the box art suggests.
A clear verdict
Each guide says who the gear suits, who should look elsewhere, and what to check before you buy.
No paid placements
Brands cannot buy a review or a spot on a list. Partner codes save you money; they never decide what we recommend.
Kept current
Prices are dated, codes are updated across the site at once, and pages are revised when a product, standard or rule changes.
Where our facts come from
We use manufacturer optical and mount specifications, the AAS list of reputable solar filters and viewers and the ISO 12312-2 standard for direct solar viewing, and guidance from the Astronomical League, NASA and Sky & Telescope on observing.
What we check, by product type
| Telescopes | Aperture, focal length and ratio, optical design, weight, included accessories and collimation needs. |
|---|---|
| Mounts | Type (alt-azimuth, equatorial, Dobsonian), payload rating, tracking and GoTo, power and setup time. |
| Eyepieces | Focal length, apparent field of view, eye relief, barrel size and weight. |
| Imaging gear | Sensor size and type, pixel size, cooling, guiding support and software. |
| Solar gear | ISO 12312-2 or front-mounted solar filter certification and secure fit. |
Hands-on testing versus research
A review carries a "Hands-on tested" badge only when our team has used the product, and it lists the date and what we did. Every other page is built from published specs, governing-body rules, the brand's own documentation and owner feedback, and says so. Comparisons are research-based unless marked otherwise.
Prices and codes
Prices come from each brand's own store and are dated on every review. Reader codes come directly from the brands we partner with. When a brand changes an offer, we update the code everywhere it appears on the site at once.
Corrections
If you spot something out of date, email info@astronomytested.com and we'll check it and fix it.