Could anybody tell me which would be better for a beginner, and what

would be the difference in what we could see. Thanks.

I would reccomend a nice pair of binoculars.  They will give a nice wide view which is useful when you're starting out. 

While you're using the binos to learn the sky, save up for a nice scope.  The starblast is ok, but it's a table top scope.  I'd reccomend saving up for at least a 6 inch dobsonian.

First DTA,

and what chuck81 said.

Start off with a good pair of binoculars, maybe something in the 7x50 or 10x50 range. Use the binoculars and a good starchart/planisphere to learn your way around the sky, which will make it much easier to find things when you do decide to get a scope. With binoculars you should be able to see open star clusters, globular clusters and some of the brightest of the faint fuzzy objects like the Andromeda Galaxy and the Orion Nebula. Planets may not look the best through binoculars though. Save your money for a larger scope, a Starblast 4.5 Astro is a good scope but in my opinion you'd quickly outgrow it. The larger the aperture of a scope the more light it can gather resulting in brighter images and more detail that can be seen in faint fuzzies, planets, moon, clusters, etc. 

With binoculars you might also want to consider a reclining lawn chair or something like that or your neck will get sore.

Hope this helps!

I don't know if you know this already, but I'll say it anyway: regarding the numbers 7X50, 10X50, 10X60, etc., the first number is the magnification and the second number is the diameter in millimeters of the primary lens.

If you do decide on binoculars... When I was making my binocular purchase, I thought to myself, the more magnification the better, right?  I bought 15X50's.  The problem I am having is that I can't hold these binoculars steady enough to get good views unless I prop against a wall or post.  Any slight shake is magnified by 15 times in the image.  Now I wish I had less magnification (like 10x or 7x).  However, I'm considering mounting the 15x binoculars on a light-weight camera tripod, which might be a good solution.

Also, please anyone correct me if I am wrong, the red coatings are designed for daytime use and are not good for astronomical use.  Can anyone corraborate this?

Just my

-StarNerd

The eternal question, binoculars or a small telescope?

It depends on you really.  If you have already learned the constellations and are yearning for a look at Jupiter, open star clusters, globulars, nebulae, and the shadows of the Moon then perhaps getting that 4.5 isn't such a bad idea.

Be aware though that someday you will want binoculars.  A 7x50 pair will be easy to hold as one reclines in an easy chair and scans the Milky Way.  There are actually many things that look better through binoculars.  The Pleiades and the Coathanger come to mind.  Held steady one can see the moons of Jupiter move about the tiny disc of the planet from day to day, large Lunar features, and many other asterisms and large clusters are available to view as well.

I started out with binoculars as did many others and saving up a bit more for a 6" scope is not bad advice.  But there is no wrong way to do this and if you just can't hold out a small scope will give you many hours of pleasure as well as being easy to manage.  Again though, someday you too will be hit with the overwhelming desire to see more and your trusty little scope will be left behind as you search for ever larger instruments to satisfy your hunger for more detail and dimmer objects.

Good luck on your future purchase,

L

Good luck

L