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National Geographic

National Geographic 50mm Portable Refractor Telescope RF360MM — Beginner Travel Telescope with Tripod

National Geographic 50mm Portable Refractor Telescope RF360MM — Beginner Travel Telescope with Tripod

$39.99
$39.99
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Shipping calculated at checkout.

Most beginner telescopes are too big to take anywhere. The National Geographic RF360MM is the exception — a genuine 50mm refractor on a panhandle mount that packs down small enough to bring camping, to the beach, or on a road trip without leaving anything behind.

Unlike the heavy, unwieldy scopes that end up sitting in a closet after the first session, the RF360MM's compact 360mm focal length and lightweight aluminum body make it genuinely grab-and-go. The panhandle alt-azimuth mount lets you steer one-handed, the full-size aluminum tripod keeps it steady wherever you set up, and two Huygens eyepieces (18× and 28.8×) give you both a wide-field view for finding objects and a closer look at the Moon's surface detail. Astronomy software is included to help you plan sessions and identify what you're seeing.

What you'll see

  • The Moon — craters, the terminator shadow, and mountain ranges in satisfying detail at 28.8×
  • Jupiter — the Galilean moons as tiny points on either side of the planet
  • Saturn — rings visible on clear nights at full magnification
  • Star clusters — the Pleiades, Beehive Cluster, and wide double stars at 18×

What's in the box

  • National Geographic RF360MM 50mm refractor telescope
  • Panhandle alt-azimuth mount
  • Full-size aluminum tripod
  • Two Huygens eyepieces (20mm / 18× and 12.5mm / 28.8×)
  • Downloadable astronomy software
Specifications
Model RF360MM / 80-51050
Optical design Refractor
Aperture 50 mm
Focal length 360 mm
Magnification 18× and 28.8×
Eyepieces Huygens 20mm & 12.5mm
Mount type Panhandle alt-azimuth
Tripod Full-size aluminum

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

Is 50mm enough aperture to see planets?
Yes — a 50mm scope will show Jupiter's four Galilean moons, Saturn's rings, and the Moon's craters. It won't show fine planetary surface detail like an 80mm or larger scope, but it's genuinely rewarding for beginning astronomers and delivers real views, not just bright dots.

What does 360mm focal length mean for a beginner?
A shorter focal length (360mm) gives you a wider, brighter field of view than longer-tubed scopes. This makes finding objects easier and makes the scope more compact for travel. The tradeoff is slightly less maximum magnification than a 600mm or 700mm tube, but 28.8× is plenty for the Moon and bright planets.

Is the panhandle mount easy to use?
It's one of the easiest mounts for beginners. You hold the panhandle and steer the telescope by moving it naturally — up, down, left, right. No knobs to loosen and tighten, no slow-motion cables. Just point and look.

Can I use this for daytime nature viewing?
Yes — a refractor telescope works well for birdwatching, landscapes, and other terrestrial viewing. Just remember never to point any telescope at the Sun without a proper solar filter.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

With a beginner telescope you can see a surprising amount — the craters and mountains on the Moon, the rings of Saturn, the moons of Jupiter, and star clusters like the Pleiades. As you get more comfortable, you can also spot nebulae and distant galaxies. Not sure which beginner telescope is right for you? Check out our Telescope Buying Guide.
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All telescopes on Telescope Wolves are hand-picked with beginners in mind. If you're unsure which telescope is right for you, check out our Telescope Buying Guide.
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