First proper telescope?

[redredwineub40]

My dd is 8, I fancy us doing some star gazing etc and a telescope for a christmas but Amazon has a dazzling array - needs to be fairly easy to use as I'm a bit dim with these things.

Anyone else getting one? What did you get?

What's your budget? My first telescope was a refracting Meade but you could barely spy the neighbours! Meade / Celestron are great. I'd recommend a Schmidt Cassegrain type, but the cheapest one must be above £500

They recommend binoculars for people starting out star glazing, it's far easier to find what you are looking for. Binoculars are also more versatile if this turns out to be a short lived hobby. I got my DS binoculars from www.firstlightoptics.com

Don’t get a cheap telescope!! You can’t see anything with them. I’ve got a 50 quid one and it is useless. The binoculars idea is a good shout. As PP said I think you are looking at a few hundred for something decent.

defo get a stargazing app, my kids love being able to see the planets and constellations etc on that.

Thanks @Freedomfromguilt - it's hard to say she could love it but £500 is chancery until I'm sure, I'd be ok with up to £150 for a main present. Perhaps binocs is the way to go as she loves animals too.

Ooooh star gazing app recs?

Stellarium plus is the best app that we have found.
These www.firstlightoptics.com/pentax-brand/pentax-sp-50mm-wp-binoculars.html are the binoculars that we got for DS, slightly over your budget, but brilliant.
Father Christmas always gets DS this www.theworks.co.uk/p/science-books/2023-guide-to-the-night-sky/9780008393540.html?CAWELAID=720011340002939077&gclid=CjwKCAjwqJSaBhBUEiwAg5W9p6xajs8BF1E2U-nDrEZjrxIw_lfnDoSb0V_VIDHiMInXaeW7jP07vhoC2osQAvD_BwE

We also have reclining chairs and a big flask for hot chocolate.

Thanks @Freedomfromguilt this has solved my Christmas dilemma, those are ideal!