Telescope For Nine Year Old Grandson

[honda]

I wondered if anyone can point me to a very inexpensive first telescope for my nine year old grandson. A bit below all of your normal standards I'm sure, but I don't know the first thing about them. He'd be watching out to sea, birds, landscape and maybe the moon or an odd comet. I hope this doesn't sound stupid and that you can help. Thank you.

[DaveGarland]

The thing about a telescope is that the view will be upside down. Not a problem for seeing things in space but it will be if he will be looking out to sea and at birds. Maybe a nice set of binoculars would be a good idea? How much roughly would you like to spend?

[CJ77]

Hi Honda,

There is no such thing as a stupid question. I wonder if a pair of 10 x 50 binoculars would be more suitable than a scope - its how I started out, and they still get a good bit of use as well as my scope. My pair cost me less than £30, although you can certainly pay much more. They're by no means the best pair around, but they are plenty good enough for what I wanted them for. I have seen star clusters, the moons of Jupiter and much more with them. The other option would perhaps be a small spotting scope, but it may be better to contact your local astronomy store to see what their range is!

Regards,

CJ.

[ronin]

From what you describe I would suggest a spotting scope, not a telescope - the inversion of the image for land based objects would make it a bad idea.

Would do for things like the moon and general observing, depending on the scope Jupiter may display a band, however Saturn would be too much for one.

Orion Nebula should just be visible and a funny splodge. Orions belt good, some double stars (especially if different colours) and globular+open clusters.

Not sure whose spotting scope however.

I have a small Bushnell that is good, but have a search - look at the bird watching offerings.

P.S. Any particular budget ?

These may be close to you: http://www.binoculars-uk.co.uk

At least a place/site to look.

[Stu]

I would agree that for the uses you are suggesting, a small spotting scope would make sense. Astronomical scopes normal reverse or invert images depending on the scope type so are not so good for use on daytime targets.

Either a spotting scope of the type normally used by bird watchers, or a small Astro scope like an ST80 with a 45 degree prism in it, which will give images which are the correct way round and up.

Any idea of your budget?

Cheers,

Stu

[honda]

Thank you all. We don't have any telescopic outlets anywhere near us, I'm afraid. I did see a reference from the Independent mentioning - please sit down before you read - a Bunkerbound Telescope! Am I way off the mark for a little boy with immense curiosity? I'll look up spotter scopes and see what I can learn. Thank you.

[SnakeyJ]

whilst I agree with the points above about Binoculars, there are also some quite good small achromatic telescopes (with erect image diagonals) around that are worth considering.

I recently brought one of the Celestron Travelscope 70s - primarilly to use as a guide scope - however I have to say the views are very good for the money.

http://www.celestron.com/astronomy/celestron-travel-scope-70.html   these retail for around £ 49!

My own review and lots of pictures - http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/191968-unboxing-celestron-travelscope-70/?hl=%2Btravelscope+%2B70#entry2021202

Meant to add that this will give very presentable terrestrial views and can be much improved with standard EPs/accessories.