Need advice on telescopes?

[Quixfire]

The wife & I are thinking about getting our seven-year-old son a telescope for Christmas. Can any of you astronomers recommend a good company or brand to get; we are looking to spend about $70.00.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

70 bucks is tough, but NEVER NEVER let your child have unsupervised access to a telescope during the day. The temptation to look at the sun is very strong. I dont think I have to go further on this.

 

[AreaCode707]

$70? Check out a toy store. They're likely to sell kids' scopes for about that price there. You're going to be buying something pretty small, for that price.

 

[SoylentGreen]

I know he's only seven, but a 70 dollar scope will give nothing but poor images. If you are to get your budding scientist interested spend a little more.
If you are far away from city lights, get a reflector. That way you can observe objects other than the moon and planets.
If you are near city lights, get a refractor since you cannot see anything else but the brightest objects with skyglow washing out everything else.

 

[illusion88]

for 70$ I would say a toy store
If you had around 7000$ then we could talk!

 

[vegetation]

For $70 budget, get binoculars. You need to spend at least $250-$350 for an entry level scope, anything less than that just buys you useless junk that will turn-off a kid to astronomy.