hjffkj Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 Ds almost 9, wants a telescope for Christmas or his bday and I need suggestions on a good starter one. Not a cheap toy. I know nothing about telescopes. I haven't considered price range because I don't know what a good quality starter telescope should cost. Points for being able to get on Amazon because that is where fil like to shop off of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rachel Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 Following. Thinking about one as a Christmas present for my kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama Geek Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GUKTDM/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I1EQ4K6ZGJPZEA&colid=1VXPBRZYH0XAX I don't remember all the details, but this is the one we will get when we get one. Not sure if you are looking for one in this price range or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I talk to the trees Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 We got dd the original Astroscan for her 5th birthday with a couple of extra eyepieces that year for Christmas, and she loved it. (We replaced it with a new 8-inch newtonian- I can't recall the name right now- for her 10th.)They don't make the Astroscan any longer, but they do make something very similar. Check out the Astroscan Millennium on Amazon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nixpix5 Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00D12U1IK/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1507933311&sr=8-5&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=orion+telescope&dpPl=1&dpID=41H8mMc-PTL&ref=plSrch I have heard good things about this one for a start microscope. My stargazing guru friend raves about it and says she likes it sometimes more than her more expensive ones. I haven't used it though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gstharr Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 No specific recommendation for you. But, Celestron is having a 2-day sale. https://celestron.factoryoutletstore.com/details/179474/celestron-21035.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 (edited) https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00D12U1IK/ref=mp_s_a_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1507933311&sr=8-5&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=orion+telescope&dpPl=1&dpID=41H8mMc-PTL&ref=plSrch I have heard good things about this one for a start microscope. My stargazing guru friend raves about it and says she likes it sometimes more than her more expensive ones. I haven't used it though. This is absolutely what I would recommend. Great telescope. I have a slightly smaller version (a 4.0) and we love it. Wished we could have spent just a little more to get the 4.5, though. eta: Here is the one we have, minus the tripod (which is really cool ... think I'll look for the tripod to add to mine) Both this model and the one previously linked are really amazing starter scopes -- definitely not toys. The 4.5 model is a little better, but both are really good quality. Edited October 13, 2017 by amsunshine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanny Posted October 13, 2017 Share Posted October 13, 2017 IMO "the best bang for the buck" is a Dobsonian telescope. We bought a Celestron Dobsonian for my wife in 1997. They have a newer Dobsonian model now, with a fancier mount, but I believe you get a much better scope, than if you buy one with a fancy mount and are putting half of your money into the mount. Good luck with what you buy and don't buy a toy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 14, 2017 Share Posted October 14, 2017 IMO "the best bang for the buck" is a Dobsonian telescope. We bought a Celestron Dobsonian for my wife in 1997. They have a newer Dobsonian model now, with a fancier mount, but I believe you get a much better scope, than if you buy one with a fancy mount and are putting half of your money into the mount. Good luck with what you buy and don't buy a toy. Just to clarify for the OP, the Orions that are linked above are both Dobsonian telescopes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amyinva Posted October 14, 2017 Share Posted October 14, 2017 Look on Craigslist! We got the Orion one really cheap a few years ago, and our daughter has loved it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjffkj Posted October 14, 2017 Author Share Posted October 14, 2017 My advice each time this comes up is to spend the money on a good pair of binoculars first. He does have a good pair of binoculars and uses them often. It is one of those gifts where I have told him he has to ask for money to go towards it or expect multiple people to go in on it. The kid also asked for a microscope and we have actually been blessed with a phenomenal free one from my sister who received 2 from her sil who just finished homeschooling her kids. Dh and I surely can't afford to purchase that for him but some of them could be in his grandparents price range especially since it can be a combined gift as his bday is dec 19th 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjffkj Posted October 14, 2017 Author Share Posted October 14, 2017 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GUKTDM/_encoding=UTF8?coliid=I1EQ4K6ZGJPZEA&colid=1VXPBRZYH0XAX I don't remember all the details, but this is the one we will get when we get one. Not sure if you are looking for one in this price range or not. That one is so far out of our price range. Thank you for the suggestion though. Maybe farther down the road if his interest continues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjffkj Posted October 14, 2017 Author Share Posted October 14, 2017 Thank you all for the recommendations. I will do research on the ones suggested. It looks like they our in the price range for a grandparent to combine bday and christmas gift. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I talk to the trees Posted October 14, 2017 Share Posted October 14, 2017 IMO "the best bang for the buck" is a Dobsonian telescope. We bought a Celestron Dobsonian for my wife in 1997. They have a newer Dobsonian model now, with a fancier mount, but I believe you get a much better scope, than if you buy one with a fancy mount and are putting half of your money into the mount. Good luck with what you buy and don't buy a toy. I agree that the $$ should go into the telescope and not the automated mount. Plans for making a fairly inexpensive Dobsonian mount are widely available. (The "Dobsonian" telescope is just a newtonian telescope on a specific type of mount.) Good luck with your search! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjffkj Posted October 14, 2017 Author Share Posted October 14, 2017 Look on Craigslist! We got the Orion one really cheap a few years ago, and our daughter has loved it! Yea I've checked out Craigslist just now and it looks like that is the way we'll go if dh and I decide that is what we'll get him or convince him to just ask for money for it. I'm always a fan of used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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