$250 budget

Suedvs · Guest

I am looking for some help. My son is 13 and looking for a telescope for Christmas. He wants to do deep sky viewing. What would anyone recommend. I would like to stay around $250 but I am not sure that this is even possible. Any recommendations??

Jne_K · Site Admin Joined: 24 Sep 2003 Posts: 5171

Hi

The first decision to make on a telescope is whether to buy a computerized model or a manual model.

A computer does make navigation easier for a beginner and most are relatively simple to get set up and aligned. This is the most practical option for a light polluted area, since learning to navigate manually is tough to do when you can't see a lot of guide stars. Meade and Celestron both make good computers. If you like computers and are technically inlcined, this is the way to go.

On the other hand, you can buy a bigger scope for your dollar with a manual scope, since you are not buying a computer. Learning to navigate the old fashioned way takes more initiative and effort and it is slower, but in many ways more enjoyable. It is also quite practical if you observe from a dark or mildly light polluted site.

Your next decision on a telescope is telescope size, since the size, in terms of the diameter of the main lens or mirror, is the primary factor in telescope performance. Be wary, however. Portability is also directly related to size and large telescopes are time consuming to set up and not easy to transport.

Related to telescope size, is telescope design - reflector, refractor, Maksutov, Schmidt-Cassegrain and so on. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages.

For a through discussion of the basics, be sure to review our article, first, at How to choose the right telescope (good info on what all the numbers mean)

For a computerized model, try the Meade DS2080. For a manual telescope, try the Celestron Astromaster 130
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