Which Telescope for my 5 year old son?

Thanks Steve,
That all sounds very exciting. I'll try to pick up a copy too. We're in Dublin - unfortunately - so the visibility may not always be that great.
John

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After all the great advice you've given you'll probably want to shoot me but...

Lidl have a 'BRESSER Skylux' refractor soon. €70
www.lidl.ie/ie/home.nsf/pages/c.o.201012....Refractor_Telescope

If you think it's a false economy/not up to scratch please let me know. I think people on here have previously bought some reasonably good ones there.

Honestly think you'd be better off with Celestron Firstscope
$39.95
www.optcorp.com/product.aspx?pid=12821

It's designed for kids- he'll see everything you want him to seee - Jupiter n moons.

It just sits on a table / flat surface.

And if it/ when it gets knocked over - it won't break your heart.

Hi There,
A review on Amazon said of it:

"The build itself is good quality, however the lenses are appalling quality - very shoddy and feel like they are not even glass. The higher magnification ones are virtually useless, but the larger field of view ones are better. It's hard to keep things in focus. I would personally save up 2-3 times more money and buy a decent one... I was under the impression that this was a specially subsidised model for the year of astronomy to get folk looking at the night sky. I discovered as much fun simply from a good stargazing book and my eyes.

Perhaps I am being a little harsh, but you do get what you pay for in optics..."

Perhaps I should get my old crap one from the parents' house first and see how excited Johnny gets about it all. I'd like to find a way to mount the binoculars on our manfrotto tripod too.

John

To be completely honest, I agree that you should dig out the old one and see how it goes. If the telescope was for you as well, then things would be a bit simpler. But if it is just for your son, then it would be best to wait and see if he shows any long term interest before spending money. But if you have to get something, go along with tevez's recommendation and get the firstscope. There is a camera shop near the top of Grafton Street which might be able to help you out with a connector for your binoculars. They sell telescopes as well, so might be able to give you some advice. At least, the shop was there the last time I was in Dublin.