Telescope buying help needed.....

[InletBchDweller]

Little IBD wants a telescope for Christmas.... :roll:

This is better than a Barbie doll, play-doh, makeup, etc but which one to buy?? I dont want a super cheap one that does not work very well but hate to spend a fortune on something that could be a passing fancy.

Any recommendations for anyone????

 

[Beachbummette]

Little IBD wants a telescope for Christmas.... :roll:

This is better than a Barbie doll, play-doh, makeup, etc but which one to buy?? I dont want a super cheap one that does not work very well but hate to spend a fortune on something that could be a passing fancy.

Any recommendations for anyone????

Mango should be along soon...she is the telescope expert. Tell Lil' IBD I'm coming over to star gaze too. Or better yet...bring it over to the tower.

 

[DD]

God luv that little stargazer! I don't have any advice, but I DO want to hear the stories of her discoveries!

 

[Jdarg]

Bdarg suggests a small inexpensive one to look at the moon, which is easy to target. She can also use it to look at birds, trees, neighbors, etc.

To see stars and planets, you need a fairly decent telescope if you want them to look like anything other than specks. It doesn't really hold their attention long at this age- Kate used to go to astronomy club meetings with Bdarg and Will, and was rather bored, even though the club telescope cost about $1200 and you could see the rings around Saturn.

Also, you need to know what you are looking at- I suck at looking at the charts and figuring out the star and constellation locations- it is difficult.

 

[InletBchDweller]

Mango should be along soon...she is the telescope expert. Tell Lil' IBD I'm coming over to star gaze too. Or better yet...bring it over to the tower.

I will bring it to the tower, I PROMISE....MAYBE you, LATBeach and I can spot a streaker...

God luv that little stargazer! I don't have any advice, but I DO want to hear the stories of her discoveries!

I am sure she will have some....

Bdarg suggests a small inexpensive one to look at the moon, which is easy to target. She can also use it to look at birds, trees, neighbors, etc.

To see stars and planets, you need a fairly decent telescope if you want them to look like anything other than specks. It doesn't really hold their attention long at this age- Kate used to go to astronomy club meetings with Bdarg and Will, and was rather bored, even though the club telescope cost about $1200 and you could see the rings around Saturn.

Also, you need to know what you are looking at- I suck at looking at the charts and figuring out the star and constellation locations- it is difficult.

I told Mr. IBD that I would get a stargazing for Dummies book and he completely agreed. I would think that there are beginners books out there. Rings around Saturn would be cool but $1200,

 

[Beachbummette]

I will bring it to the tower, I PROMISE....MAYBE you, LATBeach and I can spot a streaker...

We're gonna need a bigger telescope.

 

[Smiling JOe]

I think bdarg is on to something there. I had a simple one as a kid, and in college astronomy classes, we had access to some pricey electronic telescopes. They move accordingly with the Earth's rotation so that you remain focused on the stars. Of course, remember that Little IBD is probably going to be asking you to set it all up for her, so get one that you can handle.

 

[elgordoboy]

There are several different technologies. For a layperson maybe go to Amazon and read the reviews..get one that can position itself. I looked a lot last year and never pulled the trigger for fear of having an expensive hatrack in the corner.

 

[DD]

I will bring it to the tower, I PROMISE....MAYBE you, LATBeach and I can spot a streaker...

We're gonna need a bigger telescope.

 

[Jdarg]

What about binoculars? The things you can see through binoculars are way more exciting to a first grader than looking at flecks of light through a telescope. You can even see moon details with an average set of binoculars! They would be great for viewing wildlife at the beach and at Bunker too!