Thanks guys! Very helpful. I can definitely appreciate what you are saying, but I would really like to get him a scope this birthday though, we've been talking about it for at least 6 months!
I guess that's what I wanted to know, what is considered a 'toy' and what would be useful for a beginner, but someone who has a serious interest in the field.
So it seems like the 8' Dob is the way to go. Perhaps a friend can chip in and raise our budget a bit, does this look like a good one?
http://www.astronomyalive.com.au/adv...pe-system.html
How is the saxon brand in your opinion? The collapsable seems like it would be more manoeuvrable on expeditions, thoughts?
Has anyone seen any of this kind second hand?