Buying a Telescope as a Gift

What Not to Get

Do not buy a telescope at a department store! It will destroy a budding astronomer's interest. Don't believe what you see on the box: These telescopes are overpriced, so they are trying to trick you into buying one! Home-shopping networks are just as bad, and so are bulk-mail catalogs. Buy from someone for whom telescopes are the main business.

The Truth About Automatic Scopes

Automatic, computerized, or go-to telescopes sound great, but they also have a couple problems. First, setting them up and aligning them is like programming a VCR—every time you use them. The first few times, you can expect to spend half an hour before you see anything at all. Second, they cost about five times as much as a non-computerized model of the same size. You will have to spend around $2000 to get anything decent. Below that price you are mainly paying for the marketing campaign. Trust us on this! Even for $1000 you will get plastic gears, a shaky mount, and a rotten finder. And the computer won't work well either.

The Most Important Feature

The diameter of a telescope, or aperture, is the most important number. The diameter determines how much detail you can see, how bright and clear the image is, and the maximum usable magnification. However, magnification is not very important! You will rarely need or want to use over 200 power, and almost any telescope can get to that. Four inches is the smallest aperture that works well for general astronomy, but we recommend at least six inches. Ten inches won't disappoint anyone. Take a look at what you will actually see!.

Our Recommendation

Buy a Dobsonian-style telescope. It won't look like what you expect, but it is by far what most astronomers use. There are no computers and no fancy tripod. The scope sits in on low, boxy mount, and you look through it near the front. The scope moves up and down, left and right. You just point and look! Not only is this the easiest and most fun telescope, it is also the least expensive!

How Much Will This Cost?

Not as much as you think. A six-inch version is only $249! And for just $495, you can get a ten-inch Dobsonian. A ten-inch will last a lifetime. It will show you glittering star clusters, glowing nebulae, and distant galaxies. The larger planets will be spectacular. There are other sizes of Dobsonians too.