Telescope for 6 yr old

[Andi]

Hello. I was hoping to get some recommendations for a telescope that would be suitable for a 6 yr old to use, and I guess it's also to rekindle my interest in astronomy (my heavy newtonian which needs a new mount has been sitting in a corner for 10 years). I had my heart set on an Orion starblast, but it seems the shipping cost is more than the telescope. I would like him to be able to carry it (happy to help him if need be) but I want him to be able to easily manouvre it. He is pretty clever and responsible, but it still needs to be kid proof. I don't want to spend any more than $300 (husband says $200 max... don't tell him). Not in any rush to get it as its rainy season starting, I just want to see what's out there and (finally) decide on something. Any recommendations would be great.

[Poita]

Do you want/need GOTO functionality, or are you happy to find the objects yourself?
There are a couple of excellent scopes in that price range in the classifieds here at the moment.

[that_guy]

You can build yourself a dob mount for your old newt no prob :P

[hickny]

Have a look here at what one member has made for his kids who are 5 and 6 I think. http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=81318

[mozzie]

hi andi
i bought my 7 year old a kson table dobbie at astro optical supplies sydney ..great little scope he enjoys using it easy to collimate i found comet garradd with it... just use a couple of better plossels it makes a diffence...

i was after an orion for him to but the postage was going to kill me !!!!!!!

ohh i think around $200

[brian nordstrom]

:eyepop: Hi Peter and Andi thats the way to go , !
I have a Saxon OTA ( optical tube assembley ) sitting in my scope room all forgotten , :sadeyes: It has no mount but if you want Andi I can post it to you , if you want .:D for free .
Brian.

[Darth Wader]

Hey there Andi and welcome,

If you can stretch the budget a teeny tiny bit further I'd heartily recommend this:

http://www.staroptics.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=24&products_id=34

Great price at ther moment due to Star Optics' closing down sale. Justify it as an educational purchase, show hubby the moon and he'll forget about the pilfered funds.;) Perfect size for the little guy and more than enough to rekindle your own astronomical fires. It's easy to use too. I should add that I'm not affiliated in any way, just an impressed customer.

Let us know what you go with and post any and all questions here - there are a ton of obliging stargazers who will gladly point you in the right direction (myself included).

And most importantly, have fun!

Cheers
Wade

[Andi]

Someone else recommended a 102mm tabletop Kson, but I can't find any information or reviews about them which worries me a bit ???

[Sammy]

Honestly for a 6yo I dont see why you'd need anything more than one of those little tabletop Dobsonians, for your self you'd be better of getting something a little beefier later.

My logic is, why should you spend 300 on a scope thats half way in between. I doubt your 6yo will be able to tell the difference. So what I'm saying is, get a cheap little scope for the 6yo, use the money use save plus anything else you save up later to get something more substantial. Especially if you wanna rekindle your interest in astronomy.

[Barrykgerdes]

Don't Forget a 6 year old will be 7, 8 etc before you know it. A cheap store telescope on a rickety mount won't last till he is 6 1/2.

The best cheap telescope will be a small Dobsonian and a couple of decent lenses. This will still be useable when he grows up. Those small table tops should be enough to get him excited!

Barry

[traveller]

I gave my 6 year old my old binoculars and he loved them. Sat many times under the moon just looking at it.
It's a compact Pentax, very ligth and easy on small hands.
Remember the first telescope should always be a pair of binos.
Bo (and welcome!)

[Julie1]

Have a look at the Skywatcher Heritage tabletop dobs. I have the 76mm version and with decent eyepieces it is a great little scope. The 5" one also looks good and both are very portable. They are so much better than those small refractors sold as "Great Beginner Scopes". They are true grab and go scopes and children love the small size.

[ausastronomer]

Hi Andi,

IMO these two posts sum up the right advise. A 6 yr old grows up very fast and you should be looking at getting a scope that your son grows into, not out of; and that you can use now.

That 6" dob represents excellent value for money and I would be giving it a lot of thought. While you will have to move it and set it up for him at the moment, he will be able to move it before he is 10 and you will both get at least 3 to 5 yrs out of this scope and a return on your money when you sell it to get something bigger, as it isn't a "toy". Being F8 with a parabolic mirror and a 2" focuser it is also a lot more "eyepiece friendly" than some of the smaller scopes with 1.25" focusers and faster F-Ratios.

When my son was 9yrs old he was able to use my 10" dob including the argo navis without my supervision, once I had plonked it down for him.

It is important to give them something that makes them go "wow"; to foster their interest, not a scope they will struggle to find and see anything with and ultimately lose interest.

Cheers,
John B

[Andi]

Just letting you know I decided on the Kson 102mm tabletop dob ($139 plus $43 for delivery to Darwin) from Australia Telescopes who were great to deal with. It seems the whole family is very excited about it. Thank you everyone for your help. I'll let you know how we go with it.