Who knows about telescopes?

[JulesMaximus]

My son has expressed interest in a telescope so I'm thinking of getting one for Christmas so we can check out the moon and planets in our solar system. Maybe go out to the desert and check out some of the really interesting things in our night sky.

Anyway, my wife would rather I spend around $40 on one. I was thinking more along the lines of getting something decent, maybe around the $200 price range.

Any suggestions?

 

[JulesMaximus]

Was looking at this:

http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=354-365-1474-12377

or possibly this:

http://www.telescope.com/control/te...-starblast-4*5-equatorial-reflector-telescope

 

[tranceport]

I've always heard meade was the brand to buy.

I do not own one myself though. Figured I would pass it along.

 

[MotF Bane]

Well, although your son may lose any interest in this shortly, I think you're right with wanting to spend a little money on it, rather than get a really cheap probable piece of junk.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Note: I know nothing about telescopes.

I was in a Slickdeals thread talking about budget telescopes, and it seemed like this one was thought to be reasonable value for someone wanting a cheap starter telescope that was better than the typical big retail store cheapo options.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001UQ6E4Y
Celestron 21024 FirstScope

 

[dud]

OP,

If there is any chance that your son might actually have an interest in astronomy the first time (look) is pretty important. It is a make/break situation. If you buy a piece-o-crap then his interest might never go farther.

BTW , the scope above from Amazon is crap.

It's hard to find a good scope in your price range (even used). Consider a good pair of binoculars. You will be amazed what you can see with one.

Remember, the effect MAX magnification (with excellent optics) is only 60 power per inch of aperture. Those 2.4" department store scope are only good out to about 100 power ... yet they advertise 675 power. Don't believe most what you read when buying a telescope.

 

[Synomenon]

Buy your son a Meade or Celestron scope. Those are the two brands to get if you were to drop a couple hundred on a scope.

You could even get him a Celestron FirstScope just to try it out and see if he really does get into it:
http://www.celestron.com/c3/product.php?ProdID=568

If he really does get into astronomy, then you can spend and get him one with an onboard computer (something from Meade's ETX line or Celestron's NexStar SE line).

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

Slickdeals is probably not a good place to find telescope info, eh?

Sometimes I read through audio equipment threads on Slickdeals just to get myself mad

The above amazon telescope was presented by a few people as not as terrible as the kind of really cheap telescopes you'd find at department stores (and the galileoscope that was the original deal in the thread... which was full of people wanting a $50 or less telescope).

Does this look like good advice?
http://www.scopereviews.com/begin.html

Binoculars were mentioned in that terrible Slickdeals thread as well for people looking for a cheap starter telescope.

Would something like these
http://www.amazon.com/Celestron-SkyM.../dp/B00008Y0VN
+ a good mount for them be a good starter idea?

 

[BoomerD]

IME, the better quality scopes will hold his attention longer than a cheap POS scope.

While you don't have to drop several grand on the first one, a good quality one usually gets used more than the cheap ones.

 

[Gibsons]

pretty good guide
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/astronomy/telescope_II.html

 

[theflyingpig]

Here's what will happen. You will buy your son this telescope, and he will be thrilled. Every night, he will go out and gaze into the heavens. Soon, however, his interest will begin to fade. In about a month or two his once prized telescope will be sitting in his closet, unused and forgotten. Then, many years from now, he will rediscover his old telescope. He will remember how he was able to see the rings of Saturn and the craters on the moon. A thought will dawn on him. "If I can use this to see craters on the moon, then surely...surely I can use it to look into Lucy's window and watch her change! Yes, I will do this!". Only as a teenager will your son realize the true potential of the gift you gave him, so many years ago. Everyone knows this.

 

[TridenT]

Here's what will happen. You will buy your son this telescope, and he will be thrilled. Every night, he will go out and gaze into the heavens. Soon, however, his interest will begin to fade. In about a month or two his once prized telescope will be sitting in his closet, unused and forgotten. Then, many years from now, he will rediscover his old telescope. He will remember how he was able to see the rings of Saturn and the craters on the moon. A thought will dawn on him. "If I can use this to see craters on the moon, then surely...surely I can use it to look into Lucy's window and watch her change! Yes, I will do this!". Only as a teenager will your son realize the true potential of the gift you gave him, so many years ago. Everyone knows this.

:ninja::sneaky:

 

[JulesMaximus]

Well, I drove over to Oceanside Photo & Telescope and bought this:

http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=1-600-602-1119-9195

I think this will be something we can both enjoy. There are so many great places here in SoCal to go to view the stars I think it would be a shame to have my son grow up here without ever spending any time viewing the magnificent night sky out in the desert.

BTW-OPT is the shit! What a great place to have so close to me. People were very helpful and knowledgeable.

 

[eldorado99]

Don't forget to bring along a good set of binoculars, really helps to locate some objects before you point the telescope at them. Also check out this program: http://www.stellarium.org/

 

[SonicIce]

and get this program
http://www.stellarium.org/

 

[foghorn67]

Well, I drove over to Oceanside Photo & Telescope and bought this:

http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=1-600-602-1119-9195

I think this will be something we can both enjoy. There are so many great places here in SoCal to go to view the stars I think it would be a shame to have my son grow up here without ever spending any time viewing the magnificent night sky out in the desert.

BTW-OPT is the shit! What a great place to have so close to me. People were very helpful and knowledgeable.

Be sure to get Google Earth/Sky beforehand. Or some sort of chart. Awesome buy, btw.
--edit--SoniceIce's post blew my post out of the water.

 

[eldorado99]

Be sure to get Google Earth/Sky beforehand. Or some sort of chart. Awesome buy, btw.
--edit--SoniceIce's post blew my post out of the water.

Poppycock, I was faster on the draw!