Celestron Inspire 100AZ refractor telescope with built-in smartphone adapter (22403)
Product description
What it is and what it’s for
The Celestron 22403 Inspire 100AZ is a refractor telescope aimed at people who want a straightforward way to start looking at the sky and also capture what they’re seeing with a phone. The standout angle here is the built-in smartphone adapter, which means you’re not hunting for extra bits just to take a quick photo of the Moon or share what you’ve found.
On paper, it’s built around a 100 mm aperture refractor with a 600 mm focal length (so it’s not trying to be a specialised astrophotography instrument). Instead, it sits more in the “grab it, set it up, observe” category—especially because the mount is described as an asymmetric altazimuth mount with quick, tool-free setup.
The 100 mm class is where many beginners start to feel a noticeable step up in light-gathering compared with smaller entry telescopes. It’s not a guarantee of instant “wow” (sky conditions and what you target matter), but the basic ingredients are there for everyday observing.
Key takeaways: what you’ll notice day to day
You can expect a telescope that’s designed around convenience more than fuss. The altazimuth mount is meant to move quickly and intuitively, and the kit includes two Kellner eyepieces in the 1.25" format. If you like the idea of swapping between moderate and higher magnification without overcomplicating things, the supplied eyepieces are a practical starting point.
The smartphone adapter is also more than a gimmick if you actually plan to use it. Even if you don’t aim for high-end images, being able to line up a phone for casual shots or to document your observing sessions is the sort of feature that often decides whether a telescope gets used regularly.
That said, it’s worth keeping expectations realistic: with a refractor and the kit eyepieces provided, you’re likely to stay in the realm of viewing and simple mobile captures rather than pushing deep-sky imaging detail.
Where it shines
A few things about this Inspire 100AZ feel especially “buy-reasonable” for a first telescope.
- 100 mm aperture refractor for brighter views: The 100 mm opening is a solid base for a beginner-friendly scope. More light generally helps you see more contrast on targets like the Moon and can make general observing feel less underwhelming.
- Quick, tool-free assembly: The description specifically calls out fast setup without tools. That matters when you want to use the telescope on a weeknight rather than planning a whole outing.
- Built-in smartphone adapter: If you’ve ever had a telescope on a tripod while your phone sat uselessly nearby, this is the feature that tries to stop that.
- Supplied 1.25" eyepieces: You get a 10 mm Kellner eyepiece and a 20 mm Kellner eyepiece, which should cover a useful spread for starting out.
What to know before you buy
There are a couple of limitations you should consider so you don’t feel short-changed.
First, the kit is tied to the eyepiece format listed (1.25"). That’s fine for many beginners, but if you already own other eyepieces or you’re planning to expand heavily, you’ll want to check compatibility with what you have.
Second, the focal ratio is listed as f/6.5 and the maximum/minimum useful magnification range is stated (241x / 15x). Those figures suggest it can reach higher magnification, but in real life, higher power is often more sensitive to seeing conditions and alignment. In other words: you might not always get the “sharpest” results at the top end, especially on less steady nights.
Finally, it’s described as a blue telescope with fully coated lens (fully lens-coated). That’s good for light transmission, but it doesn’t automatically make it a specialist optical performer for every niche use case.
Practical example: a simple observing session
Imagine you’re at home on a clear evening. You set up the telescope on the altazimuth mount quickly (the kit is described as tool-free). You start with the 20 mm Kellner eyepiece for wider, easier viewing at lower magnification. Once you’ve found the target—often the Moon is the obvious “first win”—you switch to the 10 mm Kellner eyepiece to bring things in closer. If you want a quick record, you use the built-in smartphone adapter to take a phone shot of what you’re seeing. That whole flow is exactly the kind of low-friction routine this model is designed for.
Tech specs (from the listing)
- Type: Refractor telescope with built-in smartphone adapter
- Aperture: 100 mm
- Focal length: 600 mm
- Focal ratio: f/6.5
- Mount type: Altazimuth (asymmetric), quick mounting, tool-free
- Eyepieces (1.25"): 10 mm Kellner (66x), 20 mm Kellner (33x)
- Useful magnification range: Max / min 241x / 15x
- Lens coating: Fully coated lens
Is it worth it?
It’s a good fit if you want a beginner telescope that focuses on quick setup, easy day-to-day use, and basic viewing that can be enhanced with phone capture thanks to the built-in smartphone adapter.
It’s not the best choice if you’re specifically chasing advanced astrophotography results, or if you already have a plan that relies heavily on specific eyepiece ecosystems beyond 1.25"—because this kit is built around what’s included.
When it makes sense: if you’re the type who actually goes outside to use your gear (and you want something you can get running without tools), this Inspire 100AZ looks like a sensible starting point.
When to look elsewhere: if you already know you’ll demand more specialised imaging performance or you’re aiming for a highly customised eyepiece and accessories setup from day one, you may want to think more carefully about what you’ll need to add.
Mini FAQ
Does it include eyepieces?
Yes. The listing specifies two Kellner eyepieces in the 1.25" format: 10 mm and 20 mm.
Is the smartphone adapter built in?
Yes. The Inspire 100AZ is described as having a built-in smartphone adapter.
What kind of telescope is it?
It’s a refractor telescope, with a 100 mm aperture and 600 mm focal length.
What magnification can it reach?
The useful magnification range is stated as 241x (max) down to 15x (min).
Final verdict
Worth considering if you want a refractor telescope designed for quick, tool-free setup and easy mobile-friendly observing. Just keep expectations grounded: for high-end specialist imaging, you may end up wanting more than what a beginner-oriented kit like this is set up to deliver.