[Hot Tabasco]

Ping me if you get some good answers, I like telescopes........

[Alberta's Child]

What would he use it for? There’s a big difference between a telescope that would be used for amateur astronomy and one that would be used for terrestrial viewing (bird watching, etc.).

[Hot Tabasco]

Maybe swampsniper has some thoughts.......

[mkmensinger]

Edmund Scientific is good.

http://www.scientificsonline.com/

[Kirkwood]

A pair of binoculars would be better at that price point.
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/howto/howtoequipment/3389576.html

[henkster]

Anyone on the APOD list who can assist this nice freeper?

[w4women]

He will use it for astronomy - star and planet gazing. Thanks for all comments so far!

[Kirkwood]

This is perfect for stargazing as well as terrestrial use: http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10051_10051_172516_-1

Shop around and you can get it for less than the retail price.

[Bryanw92]

I bought an inexpensive telescope about 10 years ago. It had a lot of features, but the glass was not great. It could show me a lot of things, but never in focus or without distortion.

It got so frustrating that I just gave up the hobby before it was really born. Motor drives and computers and all the gadgets in the world aren’t worth as much as some good glass.

Unfortunately, glass is expensive.

[Chode]

anything from Celestron and you can't go wrong...

they make several in the $199-$300 range,

• 

  $260

  from 40 stores

  

  2 nearby stores

  LCM Computerized Telescope 114mm

  You +1'd this publicly. Undo

  Other size options: 60mm ($150)

  The Celestron 114LCM computerized telescope automatically locates stars, planets and other objects with its motorized system and on-board computer ...

  18 reviews -

  #3 in Reflector Telescopes »

  but if you can go to $570 this is a great entry/mid level scope that's pretty much all he could ever need/want

  Celestron 127mm Computer Controlled Advanced Cassegrain Telescope

  "Celestron designed this telescope to be the perfect entry level to mid-level telescope. The Celestron 127mm Computer Controlled Advanced Cassegrain Telescope is designed to give you a sophisticated telescope in an easy to use package. Celestron patented SkyAlign system makes aligning this telescope as easy as looking up into the night sky. Just point the telescope at any three bright objects and you're ready to go. And where are you going? Well, anywhere you want really. The built-in computer has an object database of 4000 space objects. That includes all the planets and popular deep-space celestial bodies, like galaxies and nebulae. You'll se more objects with this telescope in one night than Galileo saw in his lifetime."

  The Celestron 127mm Computer Controlled Advanced Cassegrain Telescope

• The NexStar Computer Controller with 4,000 Object Database
  
• One 25mm Celestron Eyepiece and One 9mm Celestron Eyepiece
• Fully Coated Optics
• Motorized Altazimuth Mount
  
• Heavy Duty Stainless Steel Tripod
• Quick Release Accessory Tray
  
• The Sky X Astronomy CD-ROM - Computer software with educational lessons and printable star maps.

[Tea Party Terrorist]

If you’re husband hasn’t first spent a fair amount of time stargazing with the naked eye, then with some 7 x 50 binoculars, a telescope is pretty useless.

[smokingfrog]

For astronomy, you'll get the best bang for your buck with a 6 or 8 inch reflector (Dobsonian) telescope. They start getting kind of big and more difficult to transport after that. To make it useful, you'll need a 2x barlow and a couple of other eyepieces.

[MachIV]

Do you want a refractor or reflector type telescope?

[Wissa]

Don't overspend.

I'd recommend this: http://www.telescope.com/Telescopes/Dobsonian-Telescopes/Classic-Dobsonians/Orion-XT45-Dobsonian-Telescope-amp-Beginner-Barlow-Kit/pc/1/c/12/sc/13/p/27159.uts?refineByCategoryId=13

and also buy a Celstron Skyscout.

The Skyscout is good for learning about what you're looking at, and at least you'll know for sure what that light in the sky IS that you're looking at.

A copy of the book "Turn Left at Orion" would also be good for finding interesting stuff to see in the telescope.

I've spent tens of thousands of dollars over the years on astronomy equipment, and I can honestly say that I get as much enjoyment out of the SkyScout and my smallest telescope as I do out of my most expensive equipment.

[reg45]

Where do you live, urban, suburban, rural? Will you be using it at home or in the field? Do you have a clear field of view? What about light pollution?

[BitWielder1]

Binoculars is a good start.
A small refracting (i.e. lenses not mirrors) 2 inch scope with a tripod is cheap, nice and easy to use.
Larger scopes need sturdier tripods and are more difficult to operate.
If he really gets the bug you can let him upgrade, but don't start a novice with a super-duper 8-inch reflector scope, they take skill to use and the work involved to set up and aim it can be discouraging.
You could try to find an astronomy club nearby and take him to one of their gatherings.
You'll get plenty of advice there and you both will be able to see what they are talking about.

[ataDude]

Parks Optical out of Simi Valley, CA. http://www.parksoptical.com/

[paintriot]

I am an avid amateur astronomer, and I would recommend for $500 or less, a Meade etx-90, etx-125, or a Celestron Nexstar 4se. These are great entry level go-to telescopes.(they have an electronic drive and database that will find your target for you.) and they have good optics yet compact design. It is easy to spend thousands, even tens of thousands on amateur telescopes. This is a good amateur site for info. http://www.cloudynights.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/Cat/0

There are also links to retailers there. They are hosted by http://www.astronomics.com who usually has some good deals.
Good luck and clear skies.

[KGeorge]

I don’t know anything about telescopes, but I can recommend checking with BH Camera- once you decide what you’re looking for.
Their website is bhphotovideo.com

We’ve bought 3 Macs from them & AppleCare over the years. They had the best price, great service, & fast (I think free each time) shipping.

[LachlanMinnesota]

Point straight - see far