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Guymon, OK | I want a telescope, too, but I'm too cheap to spend the money on a good one. I still have the one I got as part of my astronomy class in college - it's a cardboard tube with an aperture on one end and a magnifying lens in the middle.
I guess the big question is - does your son have more than a passing interesting in astronomy, or is there a chance that a telescope will be used once and left in the basement forever? Like Clay said, a good telescope is an investment that can provide a lifetime of enjoyment and education. A cheap scope will probably be disappointing and may turn your son off astronomy for good. If he really wants to learn about the night sky, it's best to start out with the Mk. 1 Eyeball and a star chart, learning all the constellations and major named stars and whatnot. Good 10x binoculars are also an easy and (relatively) inexpensive way to start seeing more detail in the sky, or on the moon.
Just remember that you get what you pay for, and don't set your viewing expectations too high. You won't see images like what WesterOne posted through a telescope by itself, that's a long-exposure photograph. Here is a guide that might be helpful:
http://www.space.com/7591-telescope-buying-guide-part-1.html
http://www.space.com/7592-telescope-buying-guide-part-2-select-tele...
http://www.space.com/7593-telescope-buying-guide-part-3-telescope.h...
Edited by okpanhandle 12/1/2011 14:08
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telescope
