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Celestron - AstroMaster 70AZ Telescope - Refractor Telescope - Fully Coated Glass Optics - Adjustable Height Tripod – Bonus Astronomy Software Package
Return this item for free
Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges
Learn more about free returns.- Go to your orders and start the return
- Select the return method
- Ship it!
Return this item for free
Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges
Learn more about free returns.- Go to your orders and start the return
- Select the return method
- Ship it!
Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | Celestron |
Model Name | 21061 |
Optical Tube Length | 27 Inches |
Eye Piece Lens Description | 70 |
Objective Lens Diameter | 70 Millimeters |
Telescope Mount Description | Altazimuth Mount |
Product Dimensions | 14.96"D x 5.12"W x 3.94"H |
Focus Type | Manual Focus |
Finderscope | StarPointer™ red dot finderscope |
Item Weight | 18 Pounds |
About this item
- Quick and easy no-tool setup
- Permanently mounted StarPointer
- Erect image optics - Ideal for terrestrial and astronomical use
- Quick release dovetail attachment - no tool setup
- Pan handle Alt-Az control with clutch - for smooth and accurate pointing. Optical Lens Diameter 2.6
Frequently bought together
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From the manufacturer
AstroMaster 70AZ
A favorite first telescope for beginners, the AstroMaster 70AZ refractor offers sharp, detailed views of Saturn’s rings, Jupiter’s moons, and more. It’s the easiest way to discover the night sky.
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Manual Alt-Azimuth Mount
Locating celestial objects is a breeze thanks to AstroMaster’s intuitive alt-azimuth mount and pan handle. The telescope also features a sturdy, full-height adjustable steel tripod.
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Portability
Grab and go! This compact, lightweight telescope is your perfect companion for star parties, camping trips, and impromptu backyard observing sessions.
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Objects to Observe
By night, discover the Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, favorite deep sky objects like the Orion Nebula, Andromeda, and more. During the day, AstroMaster also delivers crisp views of landscapes and wildlife.
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Celestron is Here for You
Astronomy can be intimidating, but Celestron is here to help. As the premier telescope brand since 1960, we offer free US-based tech support & how-to videos, so you can enjoy stargazing hassle-free.
Better Viewing
Includes everything you need to get started with astronomy: two 1.25” eyepieces (20mm and 10mm), finderscope, erect image diagonal, and free Starry Night astronomy software.
Comparison Chart
AstroMaster 70AZ | AstroMaster 90AZ | AstroMaster 102AZ | AstroMaster LT 60AZ | |
Customer Reviews
|
4.4 out of 5 stars
3,977
|
4.2 out of 5 stars
369
|
4.4 out of 5 stars
3,977
|
4.3 out of 5 stars
430
|
Aperture
| 70mm (2.76”) | 90mm (3.54”) | 102mm (4.0”) | 60mm (2.36”) |
Focal Length
| 900mm (35”) | 1000mm (39”) | 660mm (23.6”) | 700mm (28”) |
Focal Ratio
| f/13 | f/11 | f/6.5 | f/12 |
Magnification
| 45x, 90x | 50x,100x | 33x, 66x | 35x, 70x |
Limiting Magnitude
| 11.7 | 12.3 | 13.7 | 11.4 |
Low Useful Magnification
| 10x | 13x | 14x | 9x |
High Theoretical Magnification
| 165x | 213x | 240x | 142x |
Assembled Weight
| 11.0 lbs (5.0 kg) | 12.4 lbs (5.6 kg) | 14.1 lbs (6.4kg) | 7.5 lbs (3.4 kg) |
Videos
Videos for this product
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1:42
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Celestron Astromaster AZ70 - perfect telescope for beginners
Laura Kay
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0:43
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A Closer Look at the Celestron 80 AZS Telescope
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Tarek Salem
Videos for this product
1:55
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Celestron Astromaster 70 Telescope.mp4
Down To The Felt
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This Item Celestron - AstroMaster 70AZ Telescope - Refractor Telescope - Fully Coated Glass Optics - Adjustable Height Tripod – Bonus Astronomy Software Package | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
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Price | -33% $126.59$126.59 List: $189.95 | -20% $191.59$191.59 List: $239.95 | -10% $107.99$107.99 Typical: $119.99 | $109.99$109.99 | -10% $107.99$107.99 Typical: $119.99 | -15% $297.28$297.28 List: $349.95 |
Delivery | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 | Get it as soon as Sunday, Mar 31 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Easy to use | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.1 |
Easy to assemble | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.7 | — | 4.5 | 4.5 |
For beginners | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.6 | — | 4.4 | 4.3 |
Giftable | 4.6 | 4.6 | — | — | — | 4.6 |
Easy to install | 4.3 | 4.3 | — | — | — | 4.3 |
Sold By | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Yogahome | BANJOO US | Yogahome | Amazon.com |
focus type | Manual Focus | Manual Focus | Auto Focus | Manual Focus | Manual Focus | Manual Focus |
zoom ratio | 90 multiplier x | 80 multiplier x | — | 10 multiplier x | 60 multiplier x | — |
eye piece lens | 70 | — | Barlow | — | Barlow | — |
objective lens diameter | 70 millimeters | 80 millimeters | 80 millimeters | 80 millimeters | 80 millimeters | 102 millimeters |
aperture diameter | 70 millimeters millimeters | 80 millimeters millimeters | — | — | 80 millimeters millimeters | — |
telescope mount | Altazimuth Mount | Altazimuth Mount | Altazimuth Mount | — | Altazimuth Mount | Altazimuth Mount |
What's in the box
Looking for specific info?
Product information
Product Dimensions | 14.96 x 5.12 x 3.94 inches |
---|---|
Item Weight | 18 pounds |
ASIN | B000MLHMAS |
Item model number | 21061 |
Batteries | Lithium Metal batteries required. (included) |
Customer Reviews |
4.4 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #109 in Camera & Photo Products (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo Products) #12 in Telescope Refractors |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | January 1, 2007 |
Department | mens |
Manufacturer | Celestron |
Language | English |
Country of Origin | China |
Warranty & Support
Feedback
Product Description
The Celestron AstroMaster is a superior choice for those looking for a professionally-designed, durable, and long-lasting dual-purpose telescope. The AstroMaster Series 70AZ Refractor Telescope is a user-friendly and powerful telescope engineered with a lightweight frame and fully-coated glass optics. It includes two eyepieces (20mm and 10mm), an adjustable-height tripod and a red dot finder scope. The AstroMaster is made of high-quality materials to provide clear and bright images of Saturn, Jupiter, and the Moon, along with deep space objects including brighter galaxies and nebulae. For even more versatility, you can also use this telescope for viewing land based objects during the daytime hours. The two eyepieces combined with the powerful 70mm aperture optics produce amazing magnification. The 20mm eyepiece has a 45x magnification, while the second 10mm eyepiece can zoom up to 90x. This combination permits you to focus on distant objects with amazing clarity and perception. The telescope is quick to set up and requires no tools for assembly. This fun to use and precision manufactured telescope includes a rugged, pre-assembled tripod with 1.25-inch steel tube legs, which provides a stable platform for hours of safe use. As a bonus, all users receive a FREE download PC- and Mac-compatible astronomy software for interactive sky simulation, Starry Night Basic Edition. It’s the best way to learn about the night sky, download printable sky maps, research thousands of celestial objects, and plan your next observing session. This telescope also comes with a deluxe accessory tray to store your telescope’s accessories. Buy with confidence from the world’s #1 telescope brand, based in California since 1960. You’ll also receive a 2-year warranty and unlimited access to technical support from our team of US-based experts. Tom Johnson founded Celestron in 1960 after building a telescope to share the night sky with his sons. Since then, Celestron has established itself as the world’s #1 telescope brand. Celestron telescopes are used by scientists in world-class research observatories and even aboard the International Space Station.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the quality, ease of use, image quality and value of the telescope. For example, they mention it's constructed really well, easy to set up and that the moon view is amazing to look at. That said, they appreciate the value for money. Opinions are mixed on performance and focus.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the quality of the telescope. They say it's constructed really well, sturdy, and has great views. Some mention that the tripod is a bit heavy. Overall, customers are satisfied with the quality and durability of the product.
"...The good thing is the mount of the finder scope is very good and stable and aligned enough with my telescope so I can just look through the round..." Read more
"...Trust me. Absolutely great product though, I was able to see every detail of the moon for the first time ever !..." Read more
"...I know some reviewers expect a heavier tripod, but i found it sturdy enough, especially after trying the lightweight tripod that came with the $150..." Read more
"...This set has by far the best potential of any set I've ever owned because of the additional accessories that can be purchased for it." Read more
Customers find the telescope easy to set up and use. They mention that the instructions are clear and the telescope can be put together in no time at all. Some say that the telescope itself is simple and good enough to fit the bill.
"...Grandpa, Daddy and grandson loved it. Easy to put together and use." Read more
"...Nice quality of view. Easy to use. Easy to cary. Sturdy while not heavy. The finder scope/ red dot is garbage. Which is to be expected...." Read more
"...The packaging was pretty and setup was simple." Read more
"...It's very light and easy to assemble with the assembly instructions. We took it out last night (October 20th, 2023) to look at the moon...." Read more
Customers like the image quality of the telescope. They say the moon view is amazing to look at, with high definition. They also say the picture is sharp and impressive looking. Customers can also see Saturn's rings very clearly and 3 of Jupiter's moons.
"...Moon in a very high definition-> Mars-> Jupiter with jupiter's moons-..." Read more
"The telescope itself, for the price is very nice. Nice quality of view. Easy to use. Easy to cary. Sturdy while not heavy...." Read more
"...A speck on the horizon, is transformed into a perfect image through this AstroMaster 102 scope." Read more
"...You can certainly see a lot of detail on the moon surface as well, including ridges, craters, and shadows...." Read more
Customers like the value of the telescope. They say it's a good investment for beginners, and an affordable starter telescope. Some customers also mention that it works well. Overall, most are happy with their purchase and recommend it to others.
"...From a telescope perspective, this is a very nice investment for a beginer to intermediate astronomers...." Read more
"The telescope itself, for the price is very nice. Nice quality of view. Easy to use. Easy to cary. Sturdy while not heavy...." Read more
"...Certainly worth the money for what it is and I am very pleased with my purchase." Read more
"This is a great, affordable starter telescope. I live in the city and can get good views of Saturn and Jupiter...." Read more
Customers find the star finder really helpful in finding stars at night. They say the alt-az mount makes finding celestial objects easy and intuitive. They mention that they can spot some planets and constellations pretty quickly and clearly. They also say the telescope is great and the software for finding stars and such in the sky is great. Customers also say that they have had fantastic views of many planets, clusters, and deep space objects.
"...You can easily watch the below celestial objects-> Moon in a very high definition-> Mars-> Jupiter with jupiter's moons-..." Read more
"...this telescope 3 stars because I was impressed by it's ability to capture light and see distant faint objects, including Jupiter's moons and Saturn..." Read more
"...and has an electronic star finder which is really helpful in finding stars at night once you align it properly...." Read more
"...mount the tripod kinda suck but the scope its' self is great for resolving binary stars and getting good views of planets and the moon." Read more
Customers are mixed about the performance of the telescope. Some mention that it works well, while others say that it doesn't do as described, is woefully underpowered, and the tripod sucks a little.
"...clusters and deep space objects, tripod is not perfect but works well enough, might upgrade eventually...." Read more
"...The parts are fine. Sturdy enough for family use. The tripod works well...." Read more
"...wise not very satisfied, the finderscope is a pain, mine did not work, even with the battery full on...." Read more
"...complaint is the star finder feels and looks pretty cheap but works perfectly fine. You will have to play with it to find it’s sweet spot...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the focus of the telescope. Some mention that it's easy to find things, has a nice focal length, and is easy to use and handle. However, others say that it doesn't focus, the finder is not great, and the lens will not focus.
"...Also, there is no fine focus feature which was disappointing. With star gazing, not having a fine focus feature is frustrating...." Read more
"...The 90degree prism makes erect images-> Very nice focal lengthCons:-> Tripod is very very bad...." Read more
"...time I would show my family the planet and the moon the telescope will lose the focus which makes it frustrating...." Read more
"...It is long and big and the tripod looks super cool even if it is less than optimal...." Read more
Reviews with images
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Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
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You can easily watch the below celestial objects
-> Moon in a very high definition
-> Mars
-> Jupiter with jupiter's moons
-> Saturn
-> Venus
-> Orion Nebula
and many many objects.
Pros:
-> Very helpfull viewfinder
-> The First light software is very helpful
-> Sturdy design
-> The 90degree prism makes erect images
-> Very nice focal length
Cons:
-> Tripod is very very bad. The movement of the telescope up and down while tracking will be of a big challenge
The horizontal rotation is fine. But when u move up and down while u r watching through the eyepiece, it will become very difficult to track due to the spillover movement in the tripod's rotators. WHen u tight your telescope, it gets tight in a different position. With this tripod, it almost becomes impossible to tight the telescope exactly after tracking something. You fix it and the telescope will move and gets fixed somewhere where u can see only blank sky. For such a company like celestron, this tripod is a black mark.
-> Heavy vibration on the tripods. The nuts and bolts and joints starts sounding unusually after some days of usage.
If you plan to buy this, better buy it along with vibration suppression pads or else it will not be fruitful in long term
From a telescope perspective, this is a very nice investment for a beginer to intermediate astronomers. You will enjoy the fun of it when you see it in refractors.
My suggestion to celestron is to fix these tripods to avoid frustration on these nice telescopes. The goodwill of telescope is lost because of the bad quality tripod.
Overall, this is a product I am enjoying every day. Please be very choosy between reflectors and refractors. And please dont see sun using this. Even with a solar filter, i suggest NO. Refractors get in a lot of light focus which sometimes makes the UV rays even come out of solar filters.
Nice product except for the Irritating Tripod. :)
I dropped a second star after trying to use the scope to look at the moon. This year Jupiter and Saturn were both visible, so I started first on them. Nine months later, Saturn is now a daytime planet and Jupiter sets in the early evening, so I set my sights on the moon. Since I also bought a set of upgraded gold-line eyepieces, I expected to see a nice sharp image. I was very disappointed. Nothing was truly sharp. I tired every trick I knew. I went up and down the magnifications of my gold-line eyepieces. I tried both of the original Celestron eyepieces. I tried a moon filter. I tried adding my 80A filter to the moon filter. I put a cut-out over the large objective lens to reduce total light and increase contrast. I cleaned my eyepieces. I took apart the telescope and cleaned the star diagonal and the objective lens/lenses (The objective uses double lenses). Nothing helped. I began to suspect my eyesight and pulled out my binoculars and found my binoculars and gave me me a nice sharp image at one-eighth the cost. I'm still leaving this telescope 3 stars because I was impressed by it's ability to capture light and see distant faint objects, including Jupiter's moons and Saturn's rings. However, the resolution and contrast were disappointing for a $300+ telescope.
Original review
I dropped a star due to the annoying telescope mount on the tripod. Even with the mechanisms unlocked, when I first got the telescope, the mount was very hard to rotate, both horizontally and vertically. Basically, it is so stiff that once you put enough pressure to overcome the friction, it suddenly shoots past your target. I will provide directions on how reduce this problem, but plan on buying an 8 mm hex key (or 5/16 inch hex key) and Super Lube synthetic grease.
I had a beginner telescope since I was 8 or 10 years old and shared it with my kids from time to time until it fell apart somewhere in my late 30s. I'm now past 60 and wanted to be able occasionally look at the moon and planets again, without breaking the bank. I first bought a $150 80mm Hexeum telescope, but returned it a few days later, realizing that I would have to spend lots more to replace every eyepiece and and drill some holes to install a better finder scope. So, it took a big breath, and bought the Celestron 102AZ for $300.
When it arrived, I pulled the large refractor scope out of the box and was impressed. The telescope is best described as advanced beginner or pre-intermediate. I put it together and adjusted the finder scope while it was still daylight. After nightfall saw Jupiter and at least 4 moons and Saturn with its rings and at least one moon. The red-spot finder was a big help in targeting the planets and the eyepieces were pretty good for inexpensive Keller lenses. I also bought a 2X and a 3X Svbony Barlow lens to make the images bigger. I was impressed by the quality of the images, even with the beginner eyepieces.
Now for the tripod. I know some reviewers expect a heavier tripod, but i found it sturdy enough, especially after trying the lightweight tripod that came with the $150 Hexeum telescope that I returned. However, the telescope mount was very, very stiff for both horizontal rotation (azimuth) and vertical up and down (altitude). I tried oiling various parts with WD-40 and light oil, but that solution failed.
After email correspondence with Celestron and reading about similar complaints online, here is what I found. Between the tripod legs, under the mount, there is an overtightened bolt that attaches the horizontal rotating plate to the base that attaches to the legs. Turn the mount upside-down, then use an 8mm (or 5/16 inch) hex key (same thing as an Allen wrench) to loosen the bottom bolt counter-clockwise about a quarter turn. If that's not enough, turn it a hair more. Now flip it back over and try rotating the mount horizontally. If unlocked, it should turn smoothly and freely with almost no friction.
The altitude (up and down) mechanism is a little harder to fix. The altitude mechanism attaches the telescope to a horizontally split tube that rotates around two parallel black disks, one on each side of the altitude mechanism, The disks are hidden by an orange cap on one side and grey metal on the other side, but they are visible though the horizontal split (or gap) in the mechanism. You may need a bright light or flashlight to look in the gap and see the black disks. The twisting handle, called the pan handle, reduces the size of the horizontal split (gap), causing the tube to grip onto the disks. Unfortunately, even when completely loosened, there still too much friction on the disks. To reduce the friction, buy some Super Lube Multipurpose Synthetic Grease, then take a toothpick or skewer and dab some grease on the edge of the black disks, which can only be reached through the horizontal "split" or gap in the altitude tube. After you dab in some grease, loosen the pan handle lever and rotate the altitude down and up, over and back in order to spread the grease. I had to dab the grease on the edges of the gap a several times and at multiple altitudes. Although the altitude rotation is not as smooth as I would like, it is a lot better with the synthetic grease.
One more detail. Unlike the Hexeum telescope, the Celestron AstroMaster 102AZ does not come with a free carry bag. A decent carry bag is not cheap but is a worthwhile purchase to protect your telescope, especially if you ever need to store the telescope, move to a new apartment, or travel with the telescope.
Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2022
I dropped a second star after trying to use the scope to look at the moon. This year Jupiter and Saturn were both visible, so I started first on them. Nine months later, Saturn is now a daytime planet and Jupiter sets in the early evening, so I set my sights on the moon. Since I also bought a set of upgraded gold-line eyepieces, I expected to see a nice sharp image. I was very disappointed. Nothing was truly sharp. I tired every trick I knew. I went up and down the magnifications of my gold-line eyepieces. I tried both of the original Celestron eyepieces. I tried a moon filter. I tried adding my 80A filter to the moon filter. I put a cut-out over the large objective lens to reduce total light and increase contrast. I cleaned my eyepieces. I took apart the telescope and cleaned the star diagonal and the objective lens/lenses (The objective uses double lenses). Nothing helped. I began to suspect my eyesight and pulled out my binoculars and found my binoculars and gave me me a nice sharp image at one-eighth the cost. I'm still leaving this telescope 3 stars because I was impressed by it's ability to capture light and see distant faint objects, including Jupiter's moons and Saturn's rings. However, the resolution and contrast were disappointing for a $300+ telescope.
Original review
I dropped a star due to the annoying telescope mount on the tripod. Even with the mechanisms unlocked, when I first got the telescope, the mount was very hard to rotate, both horizontally and vertically. Basically, it is so stiff that once you put enough pressure to overcome the friction, it suddenly shoots past your target. I will provide directions on how reduce this problem, but plan on buying an 8 mm hex key (or 5/16 inch hex key) and Super Lube synthetic grease.
I had a beginner telescope since I was 8 or 10 years old and shared it with my kids from time to time until it fell apart somewhere in my late 30s. I'm now past 60 and wanted to be able occasionally look at the moon and planets again, without breaking the bank. I first bought a $150 80mm Hexeum telescope, but returned it a few days later, realizing that I would have to spend lots more to replace every eyepiece and and drill some holes to install a better finder scope. So, it took a big breath, and bought the Celestron 102AZ for $300.
When it arrived, I pulled the large refractor scope out of the box and was impressed. The telescope is best described as advanced beginner or pre-intermediate. I put it together and adjusted the finder scope while it was still daylight. After nightfall saw Jupiter and at least 4 moons and Saturn with its rings and at least one moon. The red-spot finder was a big help in targeting the planets and the eyepieces were pretty good for inexpensive Keller lenses. I also bought a 2X and a 3X Svbony Barlow lens to make the images bigger. I was impressed by the quality of the images, even with the beginner eyepieces.
Now for the tripod. I know some reviewers expect a heavier tripod, but i found it sturdy enough, especially after trying the lightweight tripod that came with the $150 Hexeum telescope that I returned. However, the telescope mount was very, very stiff for both horizontal rotation (azimuth) and vertical up and down (altitude). I tried oiling various parts with WD-40 and light oil, but that solution failed.
After email correspondence with Celestron and reading about similar complaints online, here is what I found. Between the tripod legs, under the mount, there is an overtightened bolt that attaches the horizontal rotating plate to the base that attaches to the legs. Turn the mount upside-down, then use an 8mm (or 5/16 inch) hex key (same thing as an Allen wrench) to loosen the bottom bolt counter-clockwise about a quarter turn. If that's not enough, turn it a hair more. Now flip it back over and try rotating the mount horizontally. If unlocked, it should turn smoothly and freely with almost no friction.
The altitude (up and down) mechanism is a little harder to fix. The altitude mechanism attaches the telescope to a horizontally split tube that rotates around two parallel black disks, one on each side of the altitude mechanism, The disks are hidden by an orange cap on one side and grey metal on the other side, but they are visible though the horizontal split (or gap) in the mechanism. You may need a bright light or flashlight to look in the gap and see the black disks. The twisting handle, called the pan handle, reduces the size of the horizontal split (gap), causing the tube to grip onto the disks. Unfortunately, even when completely loosened, there still too much friction on the disks. To reduce the friction, buy some Super Lube Multipurpose Synthetic Grease, then take a toothpick or skewer and dab some grease on the edge of the black disks, which can only be reached through the horizontal "split" or gap in the altitude tube. After you dab in some grease, loosen the pan handle lever and rotate the altitude down and up, over and back in order to spread the grease. I had to dab the grease on the edges of the gap a several times and at multiple altitudes. Although the altitude rotation is not as smooth as I would like, it is a lot better with the synthetic grease.
One more detail. Unlike the Hexeum telescope, the Celestron AstroMaster 102AZ does not come with a free carry bag. A decent carry bag is not cheap but is a worthwhile purchase to protect your telescope, especially if you ever need to store the telescope, move to a new apartment, or travel with the telescope.