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Hi Tracey,
For trouble free use, no colimnation, a refractor would be the better option as it does not require any maintenance - its point and shoot but at the cost of light gathering (what you can see) as it would be a smaller aperture.
A dobsonian would require colimnation once in a while at the very least which is relatively easy in any case.
Having said that, in my opinion the dobsonian would have more of a "wow" factor for a ten year old and more than likely easier to look into the eyepiece at that age.
Andrews sell a FLEX-DOB BD 8" 200mmx1200mm dob for $499 which collapses and would be easier to handle and store.
In my opinion this would be the ideal one as it has enough light gathering to give the "wow" factor to grab and hold attention.
Please remember that she will not see the glossy pictures that are in magazines.
Might be an idea to take her to a local astronomy club night in your area to see if she likes it first. This might give you a better idea of what to get if she likes it.
Peter
Last edited by Found; 22-09-2010 at 08:24 PM.
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