Telescopes

Archive for the ‘Kids Telescope’ Category

Can someone recommend a decent intermediate/advanced Reflector Telescope?

When I was a kid to young teen I had a refractor telescope that an aunt and uncle gave me, and it really got me into looking at the stars! Living in the country, I’d be outside in the summertime from after dinner until well after midnight trying to follow star charts and I loved it!
But as most people know, a refractor style is sometimes awkward to use, especially with a short tripod balanced in a small table in the lawn, Lol…

Now 20+ years later, I’d really like to get my kids into it.
So much has changed in stargazing equipment its almost mind boggling to choose a good Reflector style, with all of the sizes, powers, motorized and non-motorized… etc.

Like I said, I’d like an Intermediate to Advanced Reflector style, and looking to spend under $500.
Thanks for any suggestions.

The 10" Orion has done very well for me and I would recommend it to anyone.
Wally

What is the best telescope to buy for a 10 year old kid

Hi jk -

Sounds like a lucky kid. The answers above represent good advice. However, I think it really depends on the kid and the parent. Some kids at age 10 are pretty responsible and have an attention span that will allow for the patience required in this hobby. Some parents are willing to share the hobby with their kids and take the time to learn it together. If you are fortunate enough to head up such a family, then you might consider one of the following:

http://www.telescope.com/control/product/~category_id=dobsonians/~pcategory=Telescopes/~product_id=09814

http://www.telescope.com/control/product/~category_id=dobsonians/~pcategory=telescopes/~product_id=09964

These are both decent little scopes, and are both fairly easy to use. You are the only one who can determine if your son – and you – can spend the hours required to get started in the hobby.

Really, the best way to start is to take him to a local astronomy club observing session. If he enjoys looking through the scopes, and can handle the down times between targets, then go for it. If he becomes impatient and cranky, I would stick with binoculars.

There is no hurry to make this purchase. Patience will be rewarded.

this jerk that sits behind me in 2nd period told me he had a telescope he could sell me, i asked "how much?", he said "i got it as a christmas present and it costed me $8,000 but i’ve never used it so i’ll sell it to you for $8,000 as a beginner scope kuz that’s how much i think it’s worth because i’ve never used it." my whole problem is that he say’s that an $8,000 telescope is a beginner level and that he had to pay for it…. except that it was a christmas present. this kids been known to lie though the @$$ about everything just just to make everyone think he’s rich. now, i’ve been reading about telescopes for so long that i have facts flying out the wazoo (i’ve been studying telescopes alot before i buy my 1st one so i don’t screw up and get a crappy one). anyway, he appears to know absolutely nothing about telescopes and is trying to look like a geneous but he’s just making himself look like an idiot. anyway, enough of my ranting. i was wondering if an $8,000 telescope counts as a beginner telescope.

oh yeah, he also says he doesn’t know what type it is (refractor or reflector) so i asked him if it has a lense on the front or if it’s hollow and it has a mirror in the back and you know what he said? "i dunno, i don’t know much about telescopes." is this even possible to own an $8,000 telescope, let it sit there, and not even know if it has a lense on the front of it? now don’t get me wrong, he probably did own a Telescope at some point but it sounds like he’d trying to make $7,800 more than it’s actually worth. tell me what you think.

Well, …, yes, it is possible to own an $8000 scope and up. However, that price range is not the beginner price range. Your friend is, well, not being a friend.

Source links 1 and 2 will take you to the Orion XT6 ($279) and the XT8 ($329) both are excellent "grab and go" beginner scopes and will hold up well over the years. If you can swing the XT8 get it be cause the extra aperture will give you great views with a single eyepiece (like the 26mm Ploosl that comes with it). However, if you’ve got the money for it the larger the aperture the better. 10", 12", 14" 16" Scopes and above all yield excellent views. I’ve suggested the Dobsonian style scopes because they are the easiest to setup and operate. They also hold up well over time.

Also, see the 3rd link below for some tips on owning a telescope.

Finally, you may want to checkout your local astronomy club. They’ve got great tips on scope ownership and will help you learn how to use your scope. In fact many clubs will let you try before you buy. So contacting your local astronomy club is a good idea.