Spotting Scope suggestions

[norm]

Hi All,

Thinking of getting a spotting scope for my 8yr boy. Price range around $100-$200 AU tops. It primary use will be nature/bird spotting etc.

Had a quick google on the choices, trying to work out which way to go:

1. refractor type or catadioptric

I like the idea that some that allow you to also interchange with 1.25 eyepieces as opposed to just the zoom only.

Other considerations is possibly doubling up for a quick dabble at looking at the moon and maybe some widefields of stars, eg, Pleaides

There is one at Andrews:
http://www.andrewscom.com.au/site-section-10.htm (Celestron $149)

I could possible stretch it to the one at Optcorp:
http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=8340&kw=spotting&st=2

but that doesn't include a tripod.

Alternatively what are peoples thoughts on the Celestron Mak-Cas
http://www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=10784&kw=spotting&st=2

Shipping cost is not an issue for me (free).

From what I can gather the refractor will probably have a wider field of view over the cat and brighter, however the 'cat' can 'see' further.

Suggestions/recommendations welcomed.


Thanks, Norm

[bmitchell82]

I think ill speak for most people here, something in the 1 - 200 range will be pretty much useless for most astronomy and in general anything! Get a pair of 1 - 200 dollar binoculars. they will serve 500% better than the corrosponding "telescope", and plus if your son looses interest you still have a good set of binos! you could also get a camera tripod to help keep it steady!

Brendan.

[dannat]

the celestron mak is okay - the longer f/l will let you get a bit bigger pic of the planets, the first one - 50mm is not a big apertutre, 60 or 65mm would be better imo. Do you have a good qaulity photo tripod - if you get a tripod with those spotting scopes they are genrally small and next to unusable -

[norm]

I should have mentioned I've got a set of binoc 10X50 and 15X70 and a smaller one as well.

Those larger binocs a tad to big for the boy and his hands/fingers. Hence the spotting scope idea.

I understand the tripod that come with them is only a table type, which I can upgrade later on.

I agree that $100-$200 is only the entry level for these and bear in mind its for an 8yr old. Leica or Fujinons are not in my league at the moment. I need to 'wet' his apetite 1st.

Keep the ideas coming - much appreciated.

PS: I've got a parellogram mount, however the premise was something quick, portable, plonk down, view, move from place to place.

[bmitchell82]

theres nothing like the 6 degree odd view that you can get from a pair of binos. Nothing will dry a young mans desire faster than looking at blurry images or dull images. You will see alot of open clusters, Omega centuri, 47 tuc Jewell box, saturn, jupiter, and the moon is spectacular all of these or even some have been the catalyst to our life long hobbies.! I know i have said it but if you boy is interested enough to look up im sure he will find a way to wrap his little hands and fingers around a pair of binos.

My boy is only 4 1/2 and hell he is a nutcase :) will stand out with me in the freezing cold just to look though the eye piece and mind you his eyes are like a eagle and being young he can see alot more than i can. I can see that for his 8th birthday/christmas ill have to buy him something like what i have now.

I belive that its all down to how you go about introducing things to him. If you know what your talking about well, then you can answer his questions in a way that he will understand, show him what you do, how to do it and when and foster his growing desire to look sit down and plan your nights viewing, or look into the coming months! you will have a astronut before you know it! This is how i have done it and the results speak for themself.!

[dannat]

I know its a bit more but AndrewsCom has a long perng spot scope for 249. They are the company who produce the william optics line of scopes, and the quality is usually pretty good.

[Andrew C]

Hi Norm,

I have been birdwatching for a long time and astronomising for a lot less.

Most experienced birdwatchers would say that 7 x 50 binoculars are ideal for an adult, and there are very few who can manage more than 8 x effectively for objects that are moving. Go for a larger aperture pair if your smaller pair has only 25mm or 30mm objectives.

A spotting scope is mainly useful for watching waders or waterbirds etc at longer distances over open beach or water (since they will not let people get close when they are easily visible).

For all other circumstances (including, I would say, introductory astronomy) binoculars around 6 x 40 or 7 x 50 are more versatile if he can manage them, and he can lug them around much more easily than a scope. Also as others have mentioned you would probably need to get a tripod for a spotting scope and a table one will be of very little use for birdwatching.

Has he got a good bird book??

Cheers,

Andrew

[Andrew C]

Hi Norm,

I have been birdwatching for a long time and astronomising for a lot less.

Most experienced birdwatchers would say that 7 x 50 binoculars are ideal for an adult, and there are very few who can manage more than 8 x effectively for objects that are moving. Go for a larger aperture pair if your smaller pair has only 25mm or 30mm objectives.

A spotting scope is mainly useful for watching waders or waterbirds etc at longer distances over open beach or water (since they will not let people get close when they are easily visible).

For all other circumstances (including, I would say, introductory astronomy) binoculars around 6 x 40 or 7 x 50 are more versatile if he can manage them, and he can lug them around much more easily than a scope. Also as others have mentioned you would probably need to get a tripod for a spotting scope and a table one will be of very little use for birdwatching.

Has he got a good bird book??

Cheers,

Andrew