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National Geographic

National Geographic RT70400 70mm Refractor Telescope — Beginner Telescope with Panhandle Mount and Smartphone Adapter

National Geographic RT70400 70mm Refractor Telescope — Beginner Telescope with Panhandle Mount and Smartphone Adapter

$99.99
$99.99
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The National Geographic RT70400 puts a genuine 70mm refractor on a smooth panhandle mount at a price that doesn't make you choose between features and budget. Designed for first-time astronomers, it handles everything from lunar detail to planetary observation with less fumbling and more time actually looking at the sky.

Unlike basic alt-azimuth mounts with slow-motion knobs, the RT70400's panhandle design lets you steer the telescope with one hand — point, follow, and track objects fluidly without losing sight of your target. The included smartphone adapter opens up basic astrophotography from day one, so you can share what you see without any additional gear. The compact travel bag means this scope is as ready for camping trips as it is for backyard observing.

What you'll see

  • The Moon — crater rims, valleys, and the terminator shadow in crisp relief at 40×
  • Jupiter — distinct cloud bands and all four Galilean moons
  • Saturn — rings clearly visible, Titan (its largest moon) detectable
  • Deep-sky objects — the Orion Nebula, Beehive Cluster, and bright open clusters

What's in the box

  • National Geographic RT70400 70mm refractor telescope
  • Panhandle alt-azimuth mount
  • Full-size adjustable tripod
  • Two eyepieces (20× and 40× magnification)
  • Red dot finder
  • Smartphone adapter
  • Travel bag
  • Dew shield cap
Specifications
Optical design Refractor
Aperture 70 mm
Focal length 400 mm
Magnification 20× and 40×
Mount type Panhandle alt-azimuth
Finder Red dot finder
Smartphone adapter Included
Travel bag Included

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 is a panhandle mount?
A panhandle mount uses a single handle to aim and move the telescope — you grip it and steer freely, which is much more intuitive for beginners than turning slow-motion knobs. It makes tracking a moving object like the Moon much easier.

Can I take photos of the Moon with the smartphone adapter?
Yes — the included smartphone adapter clips your phone over the eyepiece for easy astrophotography. Moon photos turn out very well. Planetary images require a bit more practice but are absolutely doable.

Is 400mm focal length good for planets?
A 400mm focal length makes this a wider-field scope than a 700mm model. At 40×, it's excellent for whole-disk planetary views and wide lunar surveys. If you want extreme close-up planetary detail, a longer focal length scope would provide higher magnifications — but for beginners getting started, this delivers great results.

How portable is this telescope?
Very — the included travel bag is sized specifically for this scope and tripod. It's one of the reasons the RT70400 is popular for camping and travel. The 70mm tube is compact and lightweight compared to larger beginner scopes.

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

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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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