|
|
New Junky
Posts: 1
Location: Arkansas | New to all this. My 6 year old son has been wanting a telescope for awhile now. Looking to get one for Christmas but need some help. First we live in a rual area so it does get pretty dark here. He wears glasses so I would like something we could use. Not looking for a cheap one but nothing to break the bank. Something around $200.00 or so. Though something that might link to a computer maybe cool and one that helps us find what we might be looking for. Like I said this is very new to me and my family. Not sure how long he may use this but think it would be nice for my kids to learn something away from the TV. Thanks for reading and all the help... |
|
| |
|
Extreme Junky
Posts: 380
 
Location: Mount Airy, MD | Hi and wecome.  The first one is above $200, but is a computerized intelliscope, this will help you find objects in the sky.
http://www.telescope.com/control/product/~category_id=intelliscoped...
The next one is a bit smaller and isn't an intelliscope, but is more in line with your price.
http://www.telescope.com/control/product/~category_id=classicdobs/~...
The next one is more like the first one, just that it's a table top, not one that sits on the groud.
http://www.telescope.com/control/product/~category_id=minidobs/~pca...
One more thing to add, if don't have Stellarium, this is a great free program you can download. I use it all the time to help me find objects.
http://www.stellarium.org/
-----
Tim
Orion 80mm ED
Orion Skyview Pro GoTo 8"
Orion 6" Imaging Scope
Orion Starshoot DSCI-II
Orion System Solar System color ImagerII
Celestron Neximage Solar System Imager
Orion ST80
Orion StarShoot Autoguider
Photoshop & Carboni tools
|
|
| |
|
Veteran Junky
Posts: 215
Location: Gainesville, FL | Knowing what I know now if I had to start over again from scratch with a budget of $200 I would:
1) Spend half on a 7X50 binocular, such as Nikon Action Series or Orion Scenix
2) Buy a planisphere or a used copy of a book about identifying constellations
3) Buy a used copy of a book about things to see in the night sky with binoculars
4) Join an astronomy club
5) If there was any money left over I would get a red LED flashlight
6) a light, folding recliner
7) and finally, a subscription to Astronomy or Sky & Telescope.
Then I would go to the club's star parties and check out every one of their loaner telescopes. And only when I knew what it was I wanted to look at in the night sky, the type of telescope best suited for doing that, had a clear idea of what I wanted as accessories for that telescope, how much it would all cost and most importantly, that astronomy was a hobby I (or my child) wanted to pursue would I then purchase a telescope.
Edited by AlBoning 10/13/2010 9:46 AM
|
|
| |
|
Elite Junky
Posts: 659
Location: Sacramento, CA 38*32'N 121*26'W |
welcome
TUBA is another freeware that helped me to find stuff in the night sky...
http://www.philharrington.net/tuba.htm
i feel it's important to get youngsters involved in science early... BRAVO!!!
enjoy the sky!!! CS,,, k...
|
|
| |
|
Forum Support Old Timer
Posts: 6228
 
Location: Mandeville, LA USA 30.38 X 90.07 | Welcome! You've gotten some good advice. You might consider picking up Phil Harrington's Starware. It's about all thing astrohardware.
David |
|
| |
|
New Junky
Posts: 1
Location: Colden, New York | Walmart.com has a great deal on an iOptron R80 computerized GOTO telescope for $198. This telescope is not a toy nor is it a "piece of junk". The iOptron company and its award winning "CUBE" mount (Hot Product 2008 by the prestigious Sky and Telescope Magazine) are very highly regarded in the amateur astronomy community. The computerized mount and hand controller are exceptionally easy and intuitive to operate by non-astronomers and without any prior knowledge of the night sky, users will be automatically finding deep-sky objects and planets in minutes. The included 80mm achromatic refractor has enough aperture for nice wide-field views of the brighter deep-sky objects and high-power views of the moon and planets. Refractor telescopes are very rugged and never need to adjusted (collimated), unlike reflector telescopes. Its alt-az mount design also works very well for daytime terrestrial viewing and nature studies.
I have been an amateur astronomer for over 30 years and currently own 6 telescopes (3 computerized) and 4 pairs of binoculars (1 image stabilized). I highly recommend the iOptron R80 telescope as an excellent choice for a beginner who has an interest in the night sky and the desire to own a computerized telescope. It also doesn't hurt that this scope is being offered at an excellent price:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/iOptron-SmartStar-R80-Computerized-Telesc...
Have A Great Christmas .... I'm sure your son will,
Jim
|
|
| |
Son wants a telescope.. please help!!!
