There are several different kinds of telescopes and all of them have some excellent features. Refractors and Reflectors, plus Schmidt-Cassegrain, APO refractors and more. There are also several mounts to chose from and the mounts are just as important as the scope is. All of the different scopes and mounts have some features that some people like and do not like.

There is no one scope that is “better” than another except for the junk scopes out there which are all just a waste of money. Never, ever buy from Walmart, Costco, Target, or any other discount store like that. Junk scopes are flooded into the market from those stores. You will be buying nothing but bad optics and plastic.
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Orion is the very best for value and for customer service too. I have 2 of their scopes and I will only buy from them from now on.

The Orion site has some excellent diagrams and explanations of all types of scopes and mounts.

Things to consider are size–can the user lift and transport the scope to the viewing site easily? If not, then it will gather dust in a closet. Can the viewer reach all the knobs and buttons? I have a long tube large manual refractor and it is very dificult for me to reach the knobs when I am pointed to Zenith. I am not a tall person.

Take your time in making your decision.

I would like to suggest that you join a local astronomy club or astronomical society BEFORE you spend your money on a scope. There are many different kinds of scopes and what is perfect for one person is not perfect for another. Everyone has their own set of eyeballs and no two are the same. If you join a club, you can attend a few of their star parties and try out members scopes to see what works best for YOU, before you buy a scope. The members can also help you when you get your scope and show you how to get the most out of your new scope as well as to help teach you where the treasures in the sky are located. Hint: they will be especially helpful if you take cookies to star parties. Most clubs have loaner scopes and extensive libraries that you can gather more information from too.

Some people will suggest that you purchase binnoculars. Not a bad idea but dont buy anything less than 10×50 and you must have a tripod too or you will not be happy with your astronomical views because they will be too shakey from your movements. Personally, I prefer a scope to binos because if binoculars are not aligned properly at the factory, then you get double images and distortions that cant be fixed.

But when you buy go Orion and you wont be disappointed. Don’t try to learn everything all at once or you will be overwhelmed and discouraged. Patience is the key to Astronomy.

You will also need a good star chart program.
This is great freeware that you can download. Just tell it where you are and it will tell you what you see.

I wish you all the best. Enjoy

Posted by B., on November 27th, 2008, at 10:21 am. #.

I really wouldn’t recommend a telescope with less than 6″ aperture for a beginner. By and large, beginners have more trouble _seeing_ things through their telescopes than finding things. A plain 6″ Dob will be a much more satisfying scope for most beginners than a smaller scope on a goto mount. I have an Orion XT6 IntelliScope (among many others) and it’s a very satisfying scope to use, showing enough detail in the Moon and planets, and enough faint deep sky objects to be a great all-around scope.

Posted by Geoff G, on November 28th, 2008, at 9:08 am. #.

the bigger the better.

tracking is irrelevant. a well-balanced dob (most are, nowadays) requires only a slight nudge to follow the target you’re looking at. they move when you push them, and stay put when you don’t. it becomes second nature in seconds. i rebuilt the bearings on an 18 inch dob (the mirror alone weighs 20 kilos) earlier this year and it moves with one finger.

if an 8 inch dob is too bulky (it’s a good scope for anybody), and you can’t afford an 8 inch sct (ultra portable), you need to reconsider your requirements.

Posted by Tina L, on November 28th, 2008, at 9:26 pm. #.