any star gazers out there?

[Dar]

My son has been talking about the stars and constellations for a few weeks now and i thought it may be good to get him a telescope ... WHOAAAAA

they can get expensive.. there is one on ebay for $80K ..

can you recommend a inexpensive one for him... he is 13... thanks

 

[Miltonchix]

All I can tell you is you get what you pay for with telescopes. Go cheap, you get cheap.

 

[Laurajean]

I don't know brands, etc., but my ex is big into that stuff and I do know for around $300 you can get some perfectly good quality ones suitable for his age. Less than that are cheap toys and pretty useless, but you don't need to spend thousands on a beginner hobby. See how he does with a starter one and you can always upgrade it he proves to be serious about it. I think it's an excellent hobby idea for a teen, and you can enjoy it too!

 

[redhen]

Quote:
$80k?? As in $80 THOUSAND??!

 

[PineappleMama]

Ours has an inexpensive one, a Christmas gift when he showed interest.

It's been nice to have during some events, but is NOT anything fancy.

Good for exploring the stars/planets nearest Earth.

Figured if he wanted to do more after that we'd splurge on the $300 one, but he lost interest so we were glad we went with the inexpensive one.

 

[Dar]

Quote:
$80k?? As in $80 THOUSAND??!

yes $80,000 thats more then both my car and hubby's car put together

 

[ivan3]

Get a multipurpose device, e.g., binoculars (a 6" reflector will sit collecting dust if the interest fades with the dawn of a more compelling avocation, a pair of binoculars is for the birds, etc.). Bushnell makes relatively good, inexpensive, `nocs (either 8x40 or 10x50 - both have exit pupils of 5mm - most bang for the buck).

Use of `nocs for astronomy: http://www.jodrellbank.manchester.ac.uk/astronomy/nightsky/binoculars.html

A pair of Bushnell 8x40's and a shareware program like Cybersky (free for 30 days): http://www.cybersky.com/ will run less than $100.00.

 

[gogoalie]

I second usin' binos...you can get a tripod too & bino attachments & get some good quality outta them, if you want, get some Leupolds, a bit more spendy, but they're guranteed for life...can't beat that!