First telescope for 9 year old DS

[Frazzlerock]

Hi there, DS has asked for a telescope for Christmas as he says he now wants to get into astronomy...

We don't want to part with much money if at all possible (as it might well be a passing phase) but also didn't want to buy him something rubbish.

Can anyone shed any light on this minefield please? Any suggestions?

No telescope enthusiasts in the geeky stuff topic then?

Or maybe I'm overthinking it and I should just get him any one

I got my son one from smyths last Christmas, £50 it's brilliant..
how old is ur son?

https://www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/toys/creativity-music-and-partyware/science-sets/fusion-science-700m-refractor-telescope-landandsky-/p/151850?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIbia-pz03gIV4ZztCh2A5wBuEAQYAyABEgJ1sPDD_BwE

I wouldn't say my son was an enthusiast.. he can see very far from this bedroom window as we live at the top of a hill so this was perfect, didn't want to spend too much on a phase

my sister is an astronomer and always suggests starting with a good pair of binoculars to get started and see if you like it. A lot of people get confused with telescopes and thinking that if they look down them they’ll suddenly see beautiful images like on the Hubble pictures (they put these pics on the telescope boxes which is confusing) but in reality it’s only very powerful ones that can see that level of detail. She definitely says don’t go with a very cheap kids style telescope as the lenses are often plastic and decent binoculars will be better. Maybe that with some good books on starting in astronomy would make a nice pressie. Good luck!

Ah thank you!

@Bigonesmallone3 thank you for the link. He is 9.

@Muddytoes1 that is good advice, thank you. I will look into getting him binoculars!

My son is 9 too and very happy with it