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November 26, 2017

Which Telescope Should You Buy a Second Grader?

If you’re in the market to get your child a first telescope, and you don’t really know what you’re doing, welcome to the party! The good news is I’ve collected enough intel to make a decision. At the very least, my journey of telescope exploration should help you narrow down your own choices…

It feels like at least twice a year, there’s a once in a lifetime comet, meteor shower or eclipse that beckons the use of a telescope. My family comes rushing in wanting to see it up close… and I don’t have my telescope ready to go.

Actually, I have a bigger problem…
I don’t own a telescope.

And I’ve been meaning to fix this little glitch…
Because the next time there’s an amazing object in the sky that won’t return for decades, I want to be ready!

I’ve tried twice over the past year to do my research under the pressure of an upcoming celestial event. Both times, I failed to come up with a decision by the deadline.

Now, it’s time to try again.
And I’ve adjusted the equation a bit.

I’ve decided to buy the telescope for someone else…
My seven-year-old son!
The holidays are coming up, and I think he would love getting one.

Hello, Meade Instruments!
In doing my research, I looked for suggestions focused on the eight to ten-year-old crowd.
(My second grader will be there soon enough.)

There are still a dizzying number of choices at different price points. You can pick up a starter telescope for kids for only fifty bucks. You can also find telescopes for older children or adult beginners at the $200 and $400 price points.
(And you can certainly spend a whole lot more…)

On my last attempt to get the ‘family telescope,’ I zeroed in on a manufacturer named Meade Instruments. This company kept getting mentioned by many of the reviewers out there.
(There are others well-regarded names like Celestron and Orion.)

But my deadline was too tight to get to the finish line.

Narrowing Down the Choices
Now, let’s pick up where I left off.
Meade Instruments… check!

I want a ‘refractor’ model, which is more durable and able to handle a little rough use.
(Just being practical…)
And this design is also usually good for terrestrial viewing.

I will try to cap my spend to the sub $100 market, which is a tough one, because I don’t want to end up with a toy. The telescope needs to sufficiently handle the moon and planets…and whatever else might be passing by.
(Deep galaxy exploration will not be among my son’s first missions.)

But as a parent, I don’t want to buy an overly complicated and delicate device either!
Otherwise, it will just become a one-time-use non-starter for him.

And if his first telescope does work out, I can always get him a more advanced model down the line…

Infinity 70mm Altazimuth Refractor
So, I reinitiated my research again and guess what?
One Meade telescope keeps showing up:

 

 

 

 

 

This Infinity 70mm consistently gets called out on starter telescope lists for kids.
All right then. I’m done, right?
Well…
(There is where I start going down the research rabbit hole.)

Another Option
There’s also the step-up Polaris line to consider:

Huh?
So, it’s only thirty-five bucks more to upgrade to the next level telescope?
What’s the difference besides being heavier?

  • Infinity has an Altazimuth mount.
  • Polaris has a German Equatorial mount.
    (Yeah, I didn’t know what that meant either.)

I’m still not 100% positive, but I know enough to say this:
The equatorial mount design is better to more easily track the planets that are always moving through a telescope’s field of view, but it’s harder to set up and use. If you know what you’re doing, it’s the only way to go,
…but I expect a lot harder for kids who’ve never done this before.
So, I’m sticking with the Altazimuth mount for my son.

Please cancel the Polaris option and forget I mentioned it.
Let’s move on.

So, now, we’re really done, right?
I’m getting the Infinity 70mm.
Uhhhh…

Portability and Ease of Break Down
One reviewer mentioned that it was difficult to break down the Infinity 70 to put away, because of the accessory tray. So, I downloaded the assembly instructions and took a look…

The accessory tray screws into the center of the tripod legs, indeed making it somewhat inconvenient when you want to quickly break it down.
(There’s unscrewing to do.)

However…
The 80mm and 90mm models use a different accessory tray attachment design that just requires rotation to lock it in and then out of the tripod legs.
So, that makes it much easier to disassemble.

Infinity 80mm Vs Infinity 90mm
Okay, let’s spend a little more time with these two options that while more convenient to take apart are also more expensive…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Both the Infinity 80mm and 90mm telescopes come with three eyepieces as opposed to the two that come with the Infinity 70mm.

Sure, the Infinity 80mm and 90mm models are more powerful than the Infinity 70, but that’s not so important to me as a first telescope.

Ease of use is what matters…

Who Am I Really Buying the Telescope For?
I think the Infinity 70mm would be totally fine as a first telescope for my son.
But it’s not as easy to break down, because of the way the eyepiece tray screws into the tripod legs.

If you don’t mind leaving the Infinity 70mm set up in a corner of a room, then I’d say you’re done.

But what if you’re like me and want to disassemble the telescope after every use and place in neatly away in a closet?

Then, the Infinity 80mm would do the trick. It’s smaller and a tad lighter than the Infinity 90mm, which I think would both be relevant factors for my son.

So, I should buy the Infinity 80mm.
Right?

How to Upsell Yourself
With the Infinity 80mm, I would shatter my $100 price barrier by over 30%.

Is it worth blowing the budget for more convenience and ease of use by little hands?
Well…probably.
(We’re only talking $35.)

And parents…let’s be honest.
Wouldn’t it also be nice to also get a little better telescope for the whole family?
And by the whole family… I mean me.
(Not that my wife wouldn’t enjoy a clearer shot of Jupiter.)

I’m not going to give my kid the Infinity 80mm and then say, “Go have fun with it!”
I’m the guy who’s going to be there with him helping to set it up and operate. It’s going to be a group activity for a while.

So, for a ‘family telescope,’ I’m prepared to say that the Meade Instruments Infinity 80mm definitely hits the sweet spot…for my son…and me.

Hey, if I were shopping only for myself, I’d be looking at the
Meade Instruments StarNavigator 102.
(Recommended by David Brody on space.com.)
$400 on Amazon
(Drool)

Get the Bag
You should also consider getting the carry bag for this telescope so you’ll have something to store it in when you put it away:

  • Meade Instruments Carry Bag for Infinity 80/90/102 Telescopes
  • $39.95 on Amazon

Astronomy 101 Begins Now
Even though I’ve never owned a telescope… nor have I really operated one all by myself,
I’m ready to learn, and I’ve done my research.

And I’ve made a decision!
(Phew)

I’m happy to report that after a year of trying, I’ve finally landed on the Meade Instruments Infinity 80mm Refractor Telescope as our ‘family telescope.’
(That said, I’m still open to other thoughts. Any other recommendations out there?)

Happy planet and stargazing, and don’t forget your Tang!

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November 19, 2017

The Perfect Portable Night Light for Children

Putting your kids to sleep on the road can have its particular set of challenges. If being able to create dim lighting for the perfect sleeping conditions is important to you, then you no longer need to look beyond the moon for your solution…

My seven-year-old son is a great sleeper. One variable that’s contributed to this happy state (For him as well as my wife and me) has been the use of a night light in his room over the years. It just helps him go to sleep. We’ve used different night lights and currently have one from Pottery Barn Kids that’s constructed into the ‘Rowan Base’ of his bedroom lamp. So, the lamp has two light bulbs… one regular… the other a night light.
(Clever)

But as you might imagine, sleeping elsewhere can create something of a challenge to create the same dim-light ambiance for him.

Of course, you can always take the same night light with you on your travels, but that’s not always a practical choice.

More often than not, I’ve had to figure it out in the moment whenever we’ve entered a hotel room.
(It’s not been beyond me to do a little redecorating.)

I should also mention that the whole night-light equation has become less of a critical issue of late. A slightly cracked door to the bathroom with its light on is now just fine for him.

Of course, it is… now, that I’ve found the perfect solution.
So, for those of you parents out there who are still trying to figure out an ideal portable night light to take with you, here it is…

Moonbase Alpha
It’s called ‘Moonlight,’ and it’s a battery-driven illuminated plastic moon the size of large grapefruit.

It’s not exactly cylindrical since it’s got a flat bottom, but that allows you to safely place it anywhere.
(As you can see in the photo at the top of the page)

Made by a British company called Paladone, it’s constructed of a rubbery material that makes it a little squishy. And it quickly ‘reinflates’ after being squeezed by curious hands.
(My son has demonstrated this ‘trick’ to me several times.)

The Moonlight weighs almost nothing.
It runs on three LR44 button batteries.
It fits easily into a suitcase.
And It throws off just enough light.

It’s seemingly indestructible.
It’s perfect.

And It’s $13.63 on Amazon Prime.

Q.E.D.
(Quite easily done!)

Click.

Next Generation
My son’s Moonlight showed up as a gift, and as I marveled at the little orb, I decided to do a little more research on this great concept. Of course, I found some competitors on the market…

The primary difference is rechargeable technology that allows you to plug in your moon instead of having to replace the batteries. That’s obviously a more environmentally friendly choice.

These rechargeable models appear to all be created with ‘3D printing’ technology. So, they’re not going to be squishy like my son’s Moonlight.
Also, they’re completely cylindrical, which requires you to use the included stand if you don’t want them to roll off their night table.

And they have different brightness and color settings, which is nifty.

LOL is No Joke
All of those enhancements of course make them more expensive.

For example:

LOL claims you’ll get 4-20 hours of illumination on one charge depending on the brightness setting.

Goodnight Moon
So, for occasional use, I think that any of these wonderful little orbs will get the job done. But if it becomes an often-used item in the bedroom, you’re going to have to consider the convenience of having to regularly recharge or replacing the batteries.

Unless…
…Your child’s moon also goes to sleep during your check-in before you hit the sack.
(Turning the Moonlight off after my son has entered dreamland has worked just fine for me…and him, and it really cuts down on battery drain.)

But for one-off uses as a portable night light on the road… these glowing moons are perfect!

Happy ZZZs.

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November 12, 2017

What Went Wrong with Blade Runner 2049?

Sometimes you’ve got to experience a movie for yourself instead of just reading everyone else’s opinion. That said, here’s my take as to why “Blade Runner 2049” failed to succeed at the box office.

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away (Massachusetts)… I used to write the ‘occasional’ movie review. That was before social media gave the capability of influencing public opinion to most of the planet.

Then, my patterns of life shifted. Fast forward another few chapters, and BAM! I’m a parent. And then as you might expect, I found it something of a challenge to get to the movies during the first week when a particular flick came out.
(And sometimes during the first month!)

Those delays quickly stripped me of my ability to form a point of view on new movies.
(That said, I’m enjoying life’s other priorities.)

But of course, there are exceptions…

Coming Out of Retirement
A few weeks back… I watched in dismay from the sidelines as “Blade Runner 2049” went down in flames when it premiered at the box office.

To date, this 150-million-dollar flick hasn’t even made $90 million back yet at the U.S. box office after five weeks of wide release.

I wondered what went so wrong? This positively-reviewed sequel to the iconic 1982 “Blade Runner” seemed like it had blockbuster written all over it.

As a science fiction fan, I was bummed out… It just didn’t make any sense.

Then, when Warner Brothers decided to pull the film early from its theatrical run I made a point to catch it before it entirely disappeared.

I realized I had to have my own opinion on this one… however delayed it might be.
(Plus, I really wanted to experience it on the big screen.)

So, what did I think…?

Barrett’s Movie Review
Overall, I enjoyed “Blade Runner 2049.”
A lot.
It’s solid.

Directed by Denis Villeneuve, it’s definitely a ‘movie experience’ complete with rich visuals that extend the groundbreaking vision of the original.

Harrison Ford is super in his reprisal of the blade runner Deckard, now in retirement… and also missing. But this is really Ryan Gosling’s movie, and he rocks as a cool and steady replicant blade runner about to come unhinged.

If I were to oversimplify the plot of this sequel in one sentence… Gosling is in the middle of a mystery/conspiracy that eventually leads him to Ford.

The visuals. The oppressive music. The complexity of the story.
This is the way big movies are supposed to be like.
Right?

But yes… I also saw some problems.
Significant problems.

And it makes sense to me that these drawbacks kept people away.
(Unfortunately)

While this is not to be designed to be a standard movie review, I want to address what I believe kept “Blade Runner 2049” from really taking off…

The Length
It’s 164 minutes. With all of the movie trailers that get thrown at you before the main flick actually begins, you’ve got to commit almost three hours of your day to watch this.

That, by itself will keep busy folks away.

It’s Confusing
Yes, so was the original. And some of the confusing elements from the first one are intentionally retained here.
You’ve got to pay attention as the plot goes through its twists and turns.
But, honestly, I missed the rationale behind a couple of big moments.

The Pace
It’s slow. It’s moody. And it’s wonderful.
But I don’t know that many people have the attention span for that anymore.
Unfortunately, that’s not the way blockbusters are made.

It’s Best to be a Student of “Blade Runner”
While you don’t need to see “Blade Runner” first, it certainly helps to maximize your enjoyment of this one. If you know the differences between the original’s theatrical cut vs. the director’s cut, even better. The problem is that removes a huge swath of the movie-going population who weren’t even born yet when “Blade Runner” came out.

A Sequel 35 Years Later
So, when you talk about a sequel’s appeal being fueled by the original… again, much of the audience wouldn’t have this opportunity, unless they sought it out on DVD decades later.

The Music Gives It Away
To continue the theme of inside baseball, the music track joins the club. And apparently, if you pay close attention to the music, you’ll figure out major plot developments, because certain pieces of music mirror similar themes from the original at pivotal points.
(I missed this entirely.)

Thumbs Up Anyway
So, “Blade Runner 2049” isn’t perfect.
Or maybe it would be more perfect if you come really prepared to watch it.

Will it become a classic, like the original?
Hmmm… hard to say. “Blade Runner” created its groundbreaking world from scratch. This one has the advantage of building on that.

But the more I think about this movie, the better I feel about it… flaws and all. It’s ambitious and bold. It takes a lot of chances, the way many blockbusters don’t.

Perhaps the most important realization I’ve had is that “Blade Runner 2049” has stayed with me. It didn’t evaporate the way so many other lighter and inconsequential flicks have done right after watching.

That says a lot.

On a five-point scale… I‘d give it a solid four.
“Blade Runner 2049” is definitely worth seeing, and now I understand why it underperformed.

And there you have it… a few tardy insights on a flick that’s still worth the attention it never got…

Any other thoughts out there…?

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