VaderAG

Thanks all that's some really useful information. @Tiny Clanger really appreciate the thought there esp with regards to building the interest - do you have any good resources to look at for that background reading? As you say, my daughter loves those Myths! Also any resources to find the "things" that I can see with my scope? At the moment I don't really know where to look other than the moo

Thanks. The finder is awkward but so is using the main scope. I'm like doubled over and crouched at the same time trying to get the high angle to the moon...

Thanks to some help on here before Xmas I got my daughter a Celestron Travel Scope 70 We've had it out a few times looking at the moon but I'm really struggling to get things set up which inevitably leads to getting off on the wrong foot I have the spotting scope set up and I can usually get it directed at the moon, but it's usually in such an awkward position that it takes me so long and it's actually painful to get into the right place - is this par for the course? Should I be doing things differently And then the lenses, frankly I don't have a clue! There are different magnifications but the moment I try and change the scope or moon inevitably moves, but even if it doesn't seem to I don't seem to be able to get anything out of any of them but the one that is lowest magnification. Is this normal? Are the others just too powerful for the moon? And what about the Barlow - that seems to multiply magnification but again I can't find anything with anything but one of the lenses! Can someone ELI5 what I'm doing wrong or how I get these lenses dialled in? Thanks

I'm trying, but when every site I look at says everything is out of stock, and everything that I find that is in stock is apparently rubbish then it's difficult to stay positive! I mean, how can anyone look at a page like this and not be disheartened - literally everything out of stock!

I'm starting to feel like given the lack of choice and everyone's opinions that anything less than £200 is crap I may as well just go for the Nat Geo one. At least then we can see if she maintains an interest, but I'm worried now that anything less than that is going to provide the opposite... How about this https://www.bristolcameras.co.uk/p-celestron-firstscope-tabletop-telescope.htm Seems pretty similar to the mini mentioned by lots of others?

We've been using Stellarium to spot things in the sky with the naked eye and she's been really enjoying it. Hence the desire to step up

Thanks, that was another consideration The biggest problem I seem to have right now is that there doesn't seem to be anything from any known brands available right now at any specialist stores... Can anyone comment on these similar ones? https://www.jessops.com/p/Jessops/300x76-Telescope---White-97001 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Emarth-Telescope-Astronomy-Adjustable-Educational/dp/B07DNCDPHH/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=70mm+refractor&qid=1604935611&sr=8-5 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Telescopes-Beginners-Astronomy-Refractor-Adjustable/dp/B0811JK7W4/ref=sr_1_29?dchild=1&keywords=70mm+refractor&qid=1604935611&sr=8-29 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Celestron-21024-76-mm-Firstscope/dp/B001UQ6E4Y/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=76mm+dobsonian&qid=1604935732&sr=8-2 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zoomion-Dobsonian-astronomical-telescope-aperture/dp/B00PZLPEEG/ref=sr_1_8?dchild=1&keywords=76mm+dobsonian&qid=1604935732&sr=8-8 My mum is badgering me to get something now (think she's got the lockdown blues), and is getting frustrated that nothing is in stock, so not sure what to suggest to her...

Thanks - this is really useful as we're just down the road from your family (Bexleyheath) As you say tho, the Starsense Explorer doesnt seem to be in stock anywhere and is a bit out of budget too...

I think after browsing this afternoon the Skywatcher 76 Mini seems best for what we need right now. Maybe not the best or everything we want to see, but a good starting point Sadly, can't find in stock many places right now... Just wondering, is this made by the same people? Looks identical https://www.jessops.com/p/jessops/300x76-telescope-white-97001?gclid=Cj0KCQiAy579BRCPARIsAB6QoIY1Ggk6_HzzpVp_d5nMRUArTqFrlCT-A9lmUHcdDZBeYXL-b7s0ehAaAseHEALw_wcB

I actually have some binoculars but they're too big for the kids eyes

This is confusing me! I selected the heritage 100 and put Jupiter / Saturn / Moon and they're smaller than I see with the naked eye! Must be missing something but being mithered by kids and kittens right now so will look in a bit

Thanks for the FLO suggestion. They have a beginner telescope section and seems to tally with suggestions here. One they mention which isn't mentioned above is the Sky Watcher Mercury 707 - is there any reason to go for the dobsonians over this at this price point?

Thanks all for the suggestions, will take a look @Philip R you think the 130 or 150 are worth the extra over the 76? I don't mind spending more for more possibilities, but what I don't want it to overcomplicate either so my daughter is overwhelmed! Thanks!

My 5 year old is interested in looking at the sky and we've been spotting Jupiter and Saturn over the past few weeks. Would be great to see Saturn's rings My parents looking for Xmas present ideas and telescope seems a good idea Budget maybe £60ish but I can top up a bit, but would like something that will last a few years and grow a bit with her Any ideas? Been recommended https://www.firstlightoptics.com/beginner-telescopes/skywatcher-heritage-76-mini-dobsonian.html but my mum also spotted a national geographic one reduced at Robert Dyas which seems too cheap to be any good for much Ultimately would like to get something to keep and captute interest and be able to see enough to make it worthwhile over my binoculars