looking for cheap/good telescope ...

[fatfingers]

... for the kids (ok, and me).

But, I don't know the first thing about them, except aperture is important.  I wanna see the moon, and if possible rings on Saturn and spots on Jupiter.  What should I get?  What should I avoid?  Where should I look for used?

Thanks!

[SteveJ34]

I am no expert by any means but family members surprised me with this one: 

http://www.celestron.com/c3/product.php?CatID=62&ProdID=503

last year for me and the kids to use after they heard me talk about for several months.

We have monitored the moon and mars....great detail for the moon craters etc. Have not sought out saturn yet.

My scope came with 2 eyepieces that yield 33x and 65x magnification. I could add others.

Here is a link that will let you know the relative size of saturn at various magnifications:

http://www.astronomics.com/main/category.asp/catalog_name/Astronomics/category_name/FTXGMWMUU3HM8KXKXVNJS5VDJ5/Page/1

I'm sure others may pipe in and say that there is something better out there but this has been a cool scope for me learn to use.

I have been anxiously awaiting spring as with all the cloud cover and cold of winter I have not had it out for some time.

[gnateye]

i was totally expecting you to say " the relative size of saturn to Uranus" sorry, i have hte mind of a 10 year old.