Lots of scopes out there to consider isn't there ... theres some good posts
stickied at the top of this forum you should have a read of .
The small reflectors your looking at in your first post up there do a job I guess in that hopefully they get people interested in astronomy .. but in corner of the lounge room is where they mostly finish up.
The 6 " and 8 " newt (type of telescope ) on a dobsonian mount the guys mention are a huge step up for not much more and are very easy and intuitive for kids to use .. I have had first time users (kids especially)pushing my scope around and finding objects easily in a couple of minutes.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newtonian_telescope
dob mount
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dobsonian_telescope
An 8 " for sale here across town from you and free delivery is worth a look
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=40160
cheers graham