Telescope help - total newbie

[Little Dutch]

All right folks. I want to get a telescope so I can nurture my kids interest in the sky, They are too small to hold up my binoculars.
I?ve done some reading, and done some more reading. What I?ve decided is I need to just buy a cheap telescope for now. Get into it and get my kids into it.

I need you to tell me what to buy. A total amateur with 2 small children. I want to stay under $200, I need to stay under $400. There?s some wiggle room if that?s not realistic, it just will take some extra time to gather funds,

Thanks.

[Sawin]

I just let my kids look through my spotting scope, but it’s a good margin more than you’re hoping to spend. Just thought if you already have one, it’s worth a try for starters.

As for cheap ones for kids, a quick amazon search shows a lot of options with great reviews.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=telescope+for+kids&sprefix=telescope&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-ap-p_3_9

[bellavite1]

Started with my spotting scope, got me a telescope, returned it the day after...
At that price point not enough improvement over my spotting scope to justify the extra expense (and yes, the spotting scope does work well enough, I can see Saturn rings and some of Jupiter's moons).
Even my wife, a notorious Sci-Fi hater, is fascinated...

[O2HeN2]

Small kids? I'd suggest a table-top reflector. Portable, not too expensive and good resolution.

https://www.telescope.com/Telescopes/Reflector-Telescopes/TableTop-Reflector-Telescopes/Orion-StarBlast-45-Astro-Reflector-Telescope-MAX-Kit/pc/1/c/11/sc/340/p/130922.uts

O2

Ps. I'll warn you, the problem with buying a telescope is that in a short time you'll want to upgrade to the Hubble.

[O2HeN2]

....also if you want to pick some brains, go to the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society's dark sky night on September 18th:

Florissant Fossil Beds Dark Sky Program, Friday, Sept 18th, 7:30 ? 9:30 PM (https://csastro.org/events-calendar/event/florissant-fossil-beds-dark-sky-program-friday-sept-18th-730-930-pm/)

I've been meaning join CSAS again. I might be there that evening.

O2

[MrPrena]

Confession time: I studied many hours (to years) of astrophysics and I have zero interest looking at the space with visual light specturm.

That being said. When I was a kid, my dad had zero knowledge in astrophysics and he was fascinated with telescope, Hubble space telescope and one that is in Griffith park observatory in CA. Zzzzzzzzz



Going back to the topic:
That 200 to 400 range will get a telescope that will get the kids to enjoy the space and bring many excitement and curiosity of science.
I would also look at the used ones as well.
At that price range, I would get the one that kids likes more and not worry too much of chromatic aberration, optical clarity, etc.

[electronman1729]

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[Aloha_Shooter]

....also if you want to pick some brains, go to the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society's dark sky night on September 18th:

Florissant Fossil Beds Dark Sky Program, Friday, Sept 18th, 7:30 ? 9:30 PM (https://csastro.org/events-calendar/event/florissant-fossil-beds-dark-sky-program-friday-sept-18th-730-930-pm/)

I've been meaning join CSAS again. I might be there that evening.

O2

Event cancelled due to Wuhan Coronavirus concerns (of course they don't use the placename). I agree with MrPrena -- look at used telescopes. I picked up an old Celestron 8-inch for a little over $300 and that's more telescope than you need (or probably want) at this stage. There are a lot of people who pick up decent scopes then get bored or who decide to upgrade and then sell the scope just to get it out of the house.

[O2HeN2]

Event cancelled due to Wuhan Coronavirus concerns...

Darn. I thought that maybe that was going to be the first one to happen after the 'rona.

O2

[Little Dutch]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions everyone, I appreciate it.


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Replied!

[Bailey Guns]

Ps. I'll warn you, the problem with buying a telescope is that in a short time you'll want to upgrade to the Hubble.

That's exactly why I haven't bought one yet I've always wanted one. I know me...the first time I see something cool I'm gonna want more "power". Just like Tim Taylor.

[battlemidget]

There are augmented reality apps for phones that overlay the constellations on your screen based on the location of your phone and camera view. SkyView is one such app. It's pretty slick.

I suggest a good cheap telescope from Amazon and use the App. If the kids are into it, you'll know by Christmas. If not, you have plenty of dough left over for pizza.

[def90]

Get on an astronomers forum and find a good used telescope so that you can get a little more bang for your buck, it will be worth it. Like every other hobby there will be people always upgrading equipment selling off their old gear or selling stuff to get out of a hobby they have grown bored of.

[O2HeN2]

That's exactly why I haven't bought one yet I've always wanted one.

Not the Hubble but check these out... But hold onto your wallet.

https://www.obsessiontelescopes.com/

O2

[Little Dutch]

A generous member here gifted me a Celestron 114 eq newtonian telescope. I'll let him identify himself if he so chooses. We got it set up and were able to see Saturn's ring and 4 planets around Jupiter. My son thought it was awesome and wants to do it again.

Thanks a bunch! It's working out great for us.

[rondog]

Jeezus - what kind of spotting scopes do you guys have???

[def90]

Was up at a friends cabin in Summit County over the weekend and he had an Orion Starblast 6/6i up there and we could clearly see the moons around Jupiter and the rings around Saturn with it. He had the model without the computer controller on it so you have to manually aim it using a red dot scope mounted to it but he said he only paid $300 for it.

[Little Dutch]

It's cool being able to see some detail. The red dot finder scope on this one is missing the battery cover, but that's easily resolved. I called Celestron, but was directed to send an email, so I have an email out requesting a replacement cover, or guidance on how to proceed (what they recommend buying) if it's not available. New finderscopes are not expensive from Celestron if it comes to it.

It's hard to find anything without it, but I got pretty good at eyeball sighting down the scope tube and then walking it in the other night. I'll get that red dot fixed/replaced soon, and then start looking to see what else I need. Moon filters are likely to be first on the list. My kid would probably like that.