The best replacement for telescope is binoculars.

The best alternatives to telescope are rated as following:
★★★★★  binoculars
★★★★  spotting scope
★★★  microscope
★  refractor
★  telephoto lens
★  refracting telescope
★  camera lens
★  telephoto
★  monocular
★  reflecting telescope
★  astronomy
★  binoculars stargazing
★  reflector telescope
★  refractor telescope
★  optical telescope
★  binocular
★  binoculars for astronomy
  giant binoculars
  hubble
  coated optics
  torpedo
  refracting
  binoculars astronomy
  spyglass
  astronomy magazine
  reflector
  birthdays telescope
  hubble space telescope
  hubble telescope
  radio telescope

Your alternative for telescope is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about telescope, one probably shouldn't forget about eyepiece.

Other search terms related to telescope and their ratings are:
★★★★★ eyepiece
★ an eyepiece
★ telescope
You have in mind a companion for telescope and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of telescope in all years. Click on graph for more.
telescope
binoculars
spotting scope