Re: Starter scope for 9 year old: StarBlast or SkyQuest?


LurfysMa wrote:
On Tue, 12 Dec 2006 03:44:11 -0600, "Fan (-) (o)" <synco@xxxxxxx>
wrote:

LurfysMa wrote:

You could buy him a telescope in the future. For now, a decent pair of
binoculars mounted on a lightweight tripod is an excellent way to start
backyard astronomy.

Would any binoculars compare to the XT6?

--

Not that he could lift and you could afford!.

It sounds like you agree that binoculars are not a good choice for my
grandson.

The xt6 is about the bottom of the barrel at inflated prices.

If you are talking about the barrel of telescopes that are at least
adequate for reasonable stargazing, we are in the same barrel. ;-) I
am looking to get him started. That is, an entry level scope. That
would usually be at the bottom of the barrel, no?

Or are you saying that the XT6 is a useless piece of junk?

There
are no other good choices open to the average person.

Then I should get the XT6, no?

Affordable
decent quality telescopes for the beginner do not exist any more.
They left with affordable health care and jobs.

Yes, well, I guess we are in the world we are in. That's a different
barrel. I'm just trying to get my grandson a decent telescope, not run
for congress.

You could just do
nothing and wait until he's 30 and can afford his own scope!

Then what do I get him for Christmas this year? He asked for a
telescope and my daughter asked me to help. Somehow a card saying
"Merry Christmas, now go buy your own when you are 30" won't go over
too well with anyone. ;-)

Buy
him some good astro software or a good book instead.

He already has the books and I do plan to get him some software, but
he asked for a telescope.

Then get
him to an area club where they do have telescopes he can experince.

I am not close enough to do that with him.

Save up and buy him a good used C8 with mount and electric drive
starting at $450 used on Astromart. Thats what I would do -

Aha. So there are "other good choices open to the average person".

The C8, if I am not mistaken, is on an equitorial mount, whatever that
is, right? This has been suggested to other in the past asking for
similar advice. The responses have almost always been that equitorial
mounts are too difficult for a beginner to manage. What say you?

--

I'd recommend the XT 4.5 for a child. If he was in high school, I'd say
go with the XT6, but I think the 6" is just too large and cumbersome
for a child in grammar school. It may be awkward for him to set up and
be somewhat frustrating. The little 4.5 will be easy for him to set up
and will show him craters on the moon, rings of Saturn, the ice caps on
Mars at opposition, etc.

Actually, a good quality refractor(80mm?) on an alt-az, of comparable
price to the XT 4.5 might appeal to him more and would allow daytime
use for terrestial objects, which kids find appealing. Orion has one
for the same price as the XT 4.5. I'd give it some consideration. He
could look at birds or far off scenery, all with an erect view. I
really think a child would find this more appealing than just a
telescope primarily for nighttime use, IMHO.

.

Relevant Pages

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