There are 42 answers to this question of the perfect scope for a new to
astronomy 70 year old.
A go-to scope might possibly be too complicated for him to set up and be
successful. A small apature is not going to show him much other than the
moon and the bright planets.
How about a small dob? Lightweight. Very easy to use...point and look.
Easy to find the moon and planets. There are newer used scopes out there
for cheap. He could get a 4 1/2" or better yet if he can handle the weight
a 6".
If he sticks with it he hasn't lost anything really because the smallish
dob can be sold or handed down to a youngster starting out.
I would be happy to help him locate a good dob on the used market.
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/ele/d/mesa-selling-telescope/6798466008.html
This 6" dob has been on the market for months now. He is asking $200 I bet
it could be had for $100 - $150.
https://tucson.craigslist.org/for/d/tucson-telescope/6819655282.html
$ 4 1/2" asking $100. I bet he would take less as well.
Ken C
On Mon, Mar 4, 2019 at 8:42 PM L Knauth <Knauth@xxxxxxx> wrote:
I have a friend (about age 70) who wants to buy a telescope for visual
observing and has asked me for recommendations. I have never been in the
market for small telescopes and don't know what would be best. He can
spend about $1,000. He obviously can't heft around anything too large, but
I suspect he'll lose interest fast with the limited views he could get with
small aperture refractors. I think he needs some aperture and GoTo ability
and certainly clock drive. Orion has this 8" reflector on a GoTo equatorial
mount which would probably give him good enough views to fulfill his
desires. I am a bit concerned about image quality at f 4.9 and have never
seen one of these in action. Any comments from you visual observers?
Paul Knauth
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