Explore One CF350 50mm Silver Carbon Fiber Refractor — Tabletop Beginner Telescope on AZ Mount

The Explore One CF350 is built for the simplest possible astronomy experience: set it on a table and look up. No floor tripod to wrestle with, no legs to adjust, no height to worry about — just a silver carbon fiber-wrapped 50mm refractor on a compact AZ tabletop mount that's ready to observe in under a minute.

Unlike floor-standing beginner scopes that need to be leveled and stabilized before you can start, the CF350 sits directly on any flat surface — a patio table, picnic bench, car hood, or window ledge — and stays put. The AZ mount's pan-and-tilt control keeps movements smooth and natural, and the coated glass optics deliver the views you want to see: the Moon's crater rims in crisp relief, Saturn's rings on clear nights, and Jupiter's four Galilean moons as small dots on either side of the planet.

What you'll see

• The Moon — craters, mountain ranges, and the jagged terminator line in satisfying detail
• Saturn — rings visible and separated from the planet on good nights
• Jupiter — four Galilean moons as tiny points arranged around the disk
• Star clusters — the Pleiades and open clusters beautiful at low power

What's in the box

• CF350 50mm refractor telescope (silver carbon fiber-wrap tube)
• Compact AZ tabletop mount with pan-and-tilt knob control
• Eyepiece(s) for out-of-box viewing

Backed by Telescope Wolves' price match guarantee and free US shipping. Not sure if this is the right telescope for you? Our team is happy to help — contact us anytime.

Frequently asked questions

What surface does the tabletop mount work on?
Any stable flat surface works — a patio table, picnic bench, car roof, retaining wall, or any flat outdoor surface at a comfortable height. The compact mount doesn't need to be attached or leveled, just placed and ready to go.

Is a tabletop telescope less stable than a floor-standing scope?
It depends on the surface, not the scope. On a solid table the CF350 is very stable — often more stable than a lightweight tripod that flexes in the wind. On a flimsy folding table it may wobble. A solid surface makes all the difference.

Can I mount this on a floor tripod too?
The CF350's tabletop AZ mount is designed for flat surfaces. If you want to use it at standing height without a table, a camera tripod or telescope tripod with a compatible attachment point can work, though the primary design is tabletop use.

Is this good for apartments and balconies?
Yes — the compact tabletop design is ideal for balcony astronomy where you may not have room for a floor-standing tripod. Just rest it on the balcony railing, ledge, or a small table and you're ready to observe.

New to astronomy? Read our beginner's guide to choosing your first telescope or our Astronomy 101 guide to get started.

Watch it in action