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Focus on the magnification Many parents believe that the higher the magnification of the telescope, the better the observation effect. But in fact, the magnification is inversely proportional to the field of view. When the magnification is relatively low, the observation range is wider, and the image is brighter and more stable; while when the magnification is relatively high, the observation range is narrower, and the image will become darker. In addition, high-magnification requires the telescope to be highly stable. If the child cannot hold it steadily for a long time (or use a tripod), the image will shake violently, which is easy to cause eye fatigue or nausea. Therefore, a portable telescope with a magnification of less than 10x is the most suitable choice for children.
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Focus on the weight Since children are holding the telescope for observation, the weight of the telescope should not be too heavy, otherwise it will be inconvenient to carry, and the image will also be unstable. For binoculars used by children aged 5-10, it is best to control the weight within 500 grams.
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Focus on the eyepiece Generally speaking, the larger the diameter of the eyepiece, the larger the light-transmitting area, which helps the human eye to distinguish details and the resolution is higher. But large-diameter eyepieces will increase the weight of the telescope, which is not conducive to children’s use. In recent years, with the progress of manufacturing technology, many small-diameter eyepieces around 20mm can also provide good imaging effects.
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Focus on the price The quality of optical products is inevitably limited by the price, so we do not recommend using too cheap telescopes. However, we also do not recommend high-end products costing thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars, because the children’s usage needs have not yet reached the professional level, and once damaged, it will be more regrettable.
In summary, when purchasing a telescope for children, factors such as magnification, weight, eyepiece diameter, and price should be considered, and a medium-priced product with good performance and easy to carry should be selected, so that children can fully explore the mysteries of the starry sky.