This morning I got an email forwarded to me that asked:
This is how I replied.:
"It’s hard to make a good choice and still
meet the expectations of a 9 year old…
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EXPECTATION:
It’s gotta “look” like a telescope…
Like this? >>
<<
but those are not the best use of $200.
Above is a “refractor”-style telecope (i.e. the “spyglass” type with a lens up-front);
The other kind, the “reflector” (below) is less familiar in appearance but typically gives
you much more telescope per dollar since they have a larger
diameter element
as the primary optical collector, in this case not a lens,
but rather, a mirror…
<< a “reflector” telescope = more scope per dollar...
-------------------------
EXPECTATION:
It’s gotta give HUNDREDS-“X” of
power…
Er, nope.
If it can do powers from 30x up to
around 90 or 100x –that’s all you really need.
((We advanced hobbyists do 90% of our observing time around 60x. Really!))
---------------------------------
EXPECTATION:
It’s gotta have all kinds of technical
doo-dads and computer controls…
Not really. The computer control options can make something
that’s a little
challenging, initially, into something that’s often a frustrating
dead-end for
many kids. Keep it simple and put your money into a scope of
a bigger-diameter
and having a solid, easy to use mounting without the
computer stuff.
While they can be fun for some technically inclined folks,
computer controlled
“Go-To” setups are absolutely unnecessary in a
general sense.
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--------- SUGGESTION ------------------------
Here’s the Orion Starblast (click here);
one of the most highly
recommended “beginner” scopes:
- Eric C.
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OH, and PS:
If you think this is a good "first scope" for your kid - - or for yourself...
OH, and PS:
If you think this is a good "first scope" for your kid - - or for yourself...
then consider if this would be a good "first car" for your kid - - or yourself...
