Quote:
Originally Posted by AEAJR
I do not think i would give a table top reflector to a 7 year old without some commitment from the parents.
First - you need a table where it will be used. Someone has to set that up.
Collimation issues have already been brought up.
Too much opportunity to drop something into the scope on to the primary or the secondary.
Not really intuitive as to how to point it.
I would recommend a 50 to 70 mm refractor. I did not see a budget stated so I don't know what the target is.
I think the Celstron Travel Scope would make a good starter for a 7 year old. Still will need some adult supervision.
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Actually, he will be 8 (yes, I said the wrong age).
His mother has had some exposure to telescopes and simple viewing when she was 9, as I lent her my Astroscan (long since departed) for a few months. She loved it; but I suspect more for the status of having a telescope than anything else.
Collimation is a worry, but I do visit them once a year, so I will be able to check it out then.
I have given another great-nephew (really is only 7) my old Skywatcher 70mm, 500mm FL refractor, which he with his Dad's help use occasionally to watch the Moon & Jupiter. However, my Niece wanted something that did not take up as much space.
If either of my great-nephews take a more serious liking to this hobby, I am sure that I will be providing them with better scopes.
I do have some reservations about the quality of the scope, and he and his younger brothers cannot be described as gentle so the scope may become damaged. I now can really only hope for the best.
PS- I have stressed the "Never to be used for looking at the Sun."