Telescope advice please!

Norma_Desmond

I would love to buy DH a telescope for Christmas - does anyone have the slightest knowledge of them?
It would be mainly used for star-gazing, so I suppose it would need to have good magnification above everything else, but it would be nice if it was quite decorative too - maybe brass/leather.
I've searched on Ebay but I don't have a clue what I'm looking at - prices range from a few quid to a few hundred but obviously being a money-saver it would help if it's not too expensive! Any ideas?

speedyjoe

Some guides that may be useful:


http://findascope.com/
http://www.rocklandastronomy.com/articles/firstscope.html
http://www.r-clarke.org.uk/starting_astro1.htm
http://www.scsastro.co.uk/library/beginners%20telescope%20guide.pdf

Norma_Desmond

Thankyou Joe!

speedyjoe

Just in case anyone is still interested in buying a loved one with an interest in astronomy a telescope for christmas I see Lidls have their annual bargain telescope deal. http://www.lidl.co.uk/uk/home.nsf/pages/c.o.20061218.p.Refractor_Telescope.ar3

At under £50 this is the cheapest way to get a "real" telescope. Of course you won't see images as good as the ones from the Hubble space telescope you see on the telly but the telecope can produce impressive views of the moon and the planets. It will certainly show anyone interested whether or not they want to pursue amateur telescope astronomy as a hobby.

I see they also have the Bresser microscope deal for £39.99 http://www.lidl.co.uk/uk/home.nsf/pages/c.o.20061218.p.Educational_Microscope_Set.ar3
This is also a remarkable quality instrument for the money. Quite incredible views for so little money.

mhutchuk

Last year I was looking for my lad we bought from here https://www.telescopehouse.co.uk give them a ring very helpful. Get one with an electronic star chat built in - once calibrated will find the night sky features for you !!!

All the best and happy stargazing

Mark