Entry level Telescope

Michael Batten

Michael Batten

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With Christmas around the corner, I'm thinking that my daughter would love a telescope, but what I know about telescopes could be written on a postage stamp. Would anyone be able to shed any light so to speak?
 
Something like this might be worth a look to test the water with regards passing or longer term interest.
Unlike the entry level refractors (which tend to use plastic lenses throughout), these can be upgraded in terms of image quality by replacing the supplied (standard 1.25") eyepieces with good quality ones, which can be kept and used if the 'scope itself is later replaced.
 
I assume you mean an astronomical scope, not a birdwatching scope? With respect, the ebay one is tiny (3") and cheap, probably meaning cheap and nasty. A decent scope costs, and a rubbish scope will put your daughter off by Boxing Day. Take a look at the SkyWatcher range and resign yourself to either selling it on or enjoying it yourself if the interest doesn't last. It'll still come with cheap eyepieces so it would pay to budget for one better one straight away (an ortho will do the job without breaking the bank, low magnification, something like 18mm for starters or she'll struggle). Then you'll have ready made present options. However if you opted for a GoTo mount, which tbh is best for a beginner, you'll have to power it, and so the costs start to mount.......... A lot depends on how old your daughter is, your budget, how serious you think she might be and you much you want to get involved (because you will be involved whether you like it or not). Oh and don't get anything on an equatorial mount. They're akin to witchcraft if you don't know what you're doing............ Bottom line is - cheap and nasty will put her off very quickly, decent quality costs........ unless you can find a good one sitting unused in the back of someone's cupboard, and there are plenty out there. It's the lack of clear skies.........:(
 
One question we've omitted to ask: "What is the OP's budget?" :facepalm:

@Jannyfox , That the Newtonian design has survived virtually unchanged for 350 years, and is still manufactured today by the likes of Celestron and SkyWatcher is a testament to it's success. Yes, the small ones are cheap, but (with a decent eyepiece) they're not nasty.
I'm afraid I must disagree on the recommendation of a GoTo for a complete beginner; you're looking at £200-£300 for just the mount, when you could pick up a 8" second hand Dobsonian for that, and still have cash for a planisphere, red light torch, and some fingerless gloves.
Many tubes can be adapted to fit a GoTo; it's an upgrade to consider later, if this is a serious hobby.
 
I don’t really want to spend much over £100 in case the interest doesn’t last.

Thanks for the advice so far.
 
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