Reddit mentions of SVBONY Barlow Lens 2X 1.25 inch Metal Fully Blackened with M42x0.75 Thread Camera Connect Interface for Telescope Filters for Astrophotography

Hello :-)

Great advice so far!

Another vote for the compact AWB Onesky ($200, outside US: Heritage 130p) or Meade Lightbridge Mini 130 ($170, similar, closed tube)

For $200 you can get a "2nd"/refurbished XT6 or currently even the Skywatcher 6" new for $230 (better finder, focuser, two eyepieces).

The Dazzle 4.5 for $99 is the smallest that's somewhat recommendable. A lot of telescopes in this price-range are garbage, despite their "best seller" status on Amazon and such (Like the flawed 127eq, 114eq, 130eq- Reviews by beginners who simply don't know better).

> handle

Size links


 

> good enough

There's a clear jump in performance between $100 and $200 telescopes. Especially since kids are interested in planets, something like the 6" will outperform the dazzle funscope by FAR. If it's too bulky, the Mini/Onesky (5"=130mm) is a good compromise. The dazzle has a critical aperture ratio, resulting in some contrast issues.

For these shorties you'll need a decent planetary eyepiece or a barlow (lowers the contrast a bit).

 

> getting clear images

Links on what to expect in different telescope aperture sizes (especially the general overview link)

 

> upgrade

Of course it's difficult to plan ahead; A 6" or 8" dobsonian can last a life-time. A smalll Funscope might get borring and you can only upgrade with a larger aperture, not really with accessories. A refurbished XT6 might sell for $150 later, a used dazzle for only $50.


To probe the interest, the Dazzle is surely an option, but it's limitations also might prove to be an obstacle.

 


The 6" dobsonians are tall enough to observe standing, while the Onesky or Dazzle require something rigid to put them on. I use a Ikea Bekväm for my OneSky/Heritage.

As for eyepieces, the short table-tops require a good eyepiece as cheap short focal-length eyepieces suck due to horrible eye-relief; $30 (import) to $50. The XT6 can be used with a cheaper $18-$40 planetary eyepiece and provides a higher magnification out of the box. A "barlow" that doubles or triples magnification costs $10-$20 and is a budget alternative, lowers the contrast a bit though (chromatic aberration). This cheap 5x was more like 3x with my Onesky/Heritage's 10mm eyepiece. Quality OK for it's price. YMMV. For the 6", a 2x, but the 6mm "gold-line" eyepiece costs around the same while providing a better experience. (See links below)


Onesky/Mini130, graphic 1, graphic 2, graphic 3, eyepiece

XT6/SW6" and 8", graphic, 6mm gold-line

For the Dazzle, 3.2mm=156x^(check seller and description). Corvus has the 2.5mm HR Planetary clones, but 200x already is a bit much given this telescope's issues.

Eyepieces, apparent field of view, eye-relief

 

Another alternative might be something like a $50 spotting scope if he's really just interested in the moon, as it's also a lot of fun for day-time use (when traveling, watching animals). Better would be something like the Celestron 39-100x90mm as it can also do a bit of planetary, but the Maksutovs are as expensive as the above mentioned while providing a smaller aperture. Their very, very small size makes them ideal though regarding portability, and they can work on any camera tripod that's halfway rigid and has enough movement freedom.

 

> window

As the others mentioned, it's not a good idea. But of course it will work, especially for the moon.

 

More important than the telescope might be a good book, guidance. There's so much to explore, if you know where to look for it :-)

 


Clear skies! :-)

Suggestion: Get a good 25mm eyepiece. Unfortunately for me, I've discovered older ones tend to be better, in any sort of generic kit like that. I tend to use a MA25 (came with the Meade 6600), 9mm (also came with the Meade) and a 4mm (Celestron Omni)

For visual observing, I wasn't a believer until I compared the MA25 from my Meade 6600, with one from an ETX-70, and a Celestron 25mm from a 130SLT. Each was an easily observable step down. (I have some Tasco ones which are worse still.)

Alternatively, if you have a DSLR, get a t-ring and adapter. You'll be able to do a bunch of cool things. If you've got good tracking, you'll be able to get good images. https://imgur.com/a/1QGAI - Most are from a Meade 6600, which is almost exactly the same as yours. 152/760 f/5 in terms of optics, and if it's the sky view deluxe as your last post indicated, almost the same mount.

I can't recall if that Orion image in the album was with just a tracking system, or with Onstep. It's not Hubble, or even one of the big scopes, but you'll be surprised what you can find using a camera on a scope like that.

I've motorized mine with an Arduino using OnStep (https://groups.io/g/onstep/wiki/2D-RAMPS14) Which also gives me the capability to guide it for longer exposures. (Though I've almost gotten the tracking good enough, that when I use Ekos/kstars to help align it, I can often get 180 to 300 second exposures with minimal issues, without guiding.)

I have this barlow lens (https://smile.amazon.com/SVBONY-M42x0-75-Connect-Interface-Telescope/dp/B0169QR8OE/), and I have no complaints, and it has a T-ring built into it, which is great for me. (Their 5x barlow, I do have issues with, as well as every other barlow I have. An old Meade one was so bad, I removed the lens and use it as an extension tube only now.)

Oh, and with a 25mm, your FOV will be close to what the pictures have (but with a round perspective.)

If nothing else for imaging, get something like this: https://smile.amazon.com/SVBONY-Universal-Binocular-Monocular-Telescope/dp/B01K7M0JEM/ which holds your cell phone, if you've got one that allows for any control over the camera, as it will work through your eyepieces. It won't be great, but most people would probably be surprised.

Hope that helps, and gives you some ideas. (Or someone comes and corrects me!)