Which Scope for my 8yr old daughter? - Page 2

GrampianStars (Rob) · #21 16-03-2006, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidpretorius

..............
So for an 8 yr old, I believe an 8" dob will be the scope,........

for a 10 yr old a 10" dob

for a 12 yr old a 12" dob

for a 14 yr old a 14" dob

etc. etc. etc.

wait till a 20 yr old

RAJAH235 · #22 16-03-2006, 11:14 PM

It all comes down to what the child is happy with, so compare @ a star party or club night.
Still reckon a 6" or 8" dob would be better.
How many of you/us have put on 'Scouts or Girl Guides' nights & had the most junior & smallest of children show up at your 10" or larger t'scope. I've had to lift them up to the E/Pc on many occasions, or had their parents do it.
Should be np for her with a smaller dob. (Make a small box to stand on)?

L.
ps. Take a tape measure....if it's a surprise present.

ving (David) · #23 17-03-2006, 03:34 PM

i am sure dad will keep it collimated, hey

ausastronomer (John Bambury) · #24 17-03-2006, 04:08 PM

My 9yr old had no trouble "driving" my 10"/F5 at Lostock IISAC. He was even able to use the Argo Navis once I set it up for him. Such a scope is really too big for an 8yr old to manouvre and set up. I may have mentioned to you that I plan to build my son a 6"/F5 truss dob which he will be able to move and use all by himself.

If you're not prepared to build one and are prepared to spend the money this is about as good a scope as you will get for a kid. The 6"/F5 Stargazer Steve truss dob:-

http://stargazer.isys.ca/6inch.html

It aint cheap but its top quality with excellent optics. Also a nice little travel scope for Dad I may add, with 6" of aperture.

CS-John B

ving (David) · #25 17-03-2006, 04:43 PM

looks ok john.

the little 6" f/5 is cute

RB (Andrew) · #26 17-03-2006, 06:33 PM

A very big thank you to all who replied, I've had a lot of work commitments these last few days which made it impossible to reply.

John B thank you, we have spoken about this guy and now I have the link you told me about, I'll check it out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miaplacidus

Andrew, have you thought this through? Wouldn't it be cheaper in the long run to encourage some other hobby. Buy her a horse.

This advice should have been given to my parents when they bought me my 40mm Tasco when I was 7.
It's too late now, I'm hooked.
If she looses interest I'll keep her scope. (Come to think of it I might by her a 3.5" Questar...

)

As you can see, this is my dilemma, I'm divided between dob and a small acro.
Thanks to all who suggested a 6"-8" DOB, I appreciate you're invaluable advice and ideas.

Also your advice makes perfect sense Steve and everyone who suggested a small acro refractor too.

David P again you're right too, "Any view she gets or finds and then says proudly "Dad, look what I have found" will bring you running over and sharing the experience, regardless of seeing or tube currents."

I'll be deciding next week and I'll let you guys know what I ended up getting her, meanwhile please feel free to add any suggestions.

Once again Cheers everyone.

RB

janoskiss (Steve H) · #27 17-03-2006, 06:56 PM

Andrew, have a read of this father-daughter observing experience on CN.

RB (Andrew) · #28 17-03-2006, 07:09 PM

See that's why I hang off every piece of advice you give me Steve.

Thanks mate, great story.
{Wipes tears from his eyes..}

davidpretorius · #29 17-03-2006, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janoskiss

Andrew, have a read of this father-daughter observing experience on CN.

i am so tuff, nothing will get me crying

... but i will go and have a look.

although that comedy father of the bride took on a new meaning, now that there is two weddings to pay for!!

davidpretorius · #30 17-03-2006, 08:37 PM

"Daddy, if it's clear tonight, can we look through the telescopes?" (Note the plural http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthrea...lins/smile.gif )

"Well, honey, it's kinda cold."

"Please daddy? I really want to see saturn."

In the face of a concerted attack, my defenses crumbled

How soft is this guy....actually no he isn't I would have crumbled after the first question!!!

lovely story!!

RB (Andrew) · #31 21-03-2006, 01:09 AM

Ok so I decided I'd go into Bintel (Sydney) today to see if I could make up my mind.
I was seriously considering an 80mm goto refractor, along the lines of what Steve suggested.
Or it was gonna be the 8" dob.
One or the other.

I walk in the door and here's Don trying out the new LightBridge.

Oh they look superb.

Came back empty handed .......

I can just imagine her using one of these.

iceman (Mike) · #32 21-03-2006, 06:02 AM

oh nice, can't wait to see the lightbridge at spsp.

33South (Chris) · #33 21-03-2006, 08:23 AM

Hey Andrew I dont think it matters, after finding and viewing the moon, saturn and jupes for the first time they will either be hooked

or not.

Back in '56 my first was an alt/az 2" refractor - hook, line and sinker.

RB (Andrew) · #34 21-03-2006, 09:03 AM

Oh yeah she's already hooked Chris, that's why I'm hunting around for a scope for her, she's been viewing for a fair while now using my scope.

janoskiss (Steve H) · #35 22-03-2006, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Astro Girl

I would like a dob beacose I like how they look.

You heard the girl, Andrew! Go get that dob! Skywatcher/Saxon 8" from Myastroshop looks nice.

I'll just have to learn to deal with being a kiddie scope owner.

RB (Andrew) · #36 22-03-2006, 06:40 PM

Well I bit the bullet, I'm an old softie.
Her birthday is on Friday so if you reply to her other thread please don't tell her what I got her.

First I want to thank everyone for your advice, it was really hard to decide.
I almost went for a small refractor/goto combo, then it was gonna be a dob.
She was saying how she likes the dobs.

In the end, I fell in love with the Lightbridge when I saw it at Bintel on Monday, so I went back yesterday and bought her an 8" Lightbridge deluxe.
If anyone is thinking of buying one, they are beautiful, check em out.
Don, Mike and Mick looked after me exceptionally well.
We set up the truss tube, they collimated it and gave me some tips.
Packed it all back up as it originally was, had a bit of a yarn and I was off.
What can I say about them, in my books they're the best.

I'll post some pics on Friday when she gets her surprise.

Cheers

asimov (John) · #37 22-03-2006, 06:46 PM

Excellent choice Andrew, she will love it!

Well done mate!

iceman (Mike) · #38 22-03-2006, 07:00 PM

ah nice surprise.. paint it pink and put a sticker of a bratz on the side! She'll love it!

Can't wait to check it out!

davidpretorius · #39 22-03-2006, 07:03 PM

hey ice can we hide this thread from astro girl, until friday at least!!

hate for her to find it and spoil the surprise!

well done tractor boy!!!

she will love it!

janoskiss (Steve H) · #40 22-03-2006, 07:12 PM

Wow! You spoil that girl rotten Andrew. If she does not like it I'll swap you my GS Dob for it. More room for stickers on a solid tube.