I started looking into astronomy as a hobby a few weeks ago when, thanks to Eden on Virgin Media, I came across "Wonders of the Solar System" by Prof. Brian Cox. What an eye opener... Everything was explained in simple and easy to understand ways, the visuals, the ideas, the theories, the impacts on life today, it all totally astounded me.

I started my journey on this new hobby by perusing some retailers I found via Google, but it didn't take very long for me to decide I was in way over my head... Reflectors, refractors, dobsonians, cassegrains, Schmidt, Maksutov... It was a jargon busters nightmare. Lot's to choose from, very little help in choosing.

It's then that I discovered the Stargazers Lounge forum and I eagerly posted my introduction. The welcomes made me feel right at home straight away and I began reading through some of the questions asked by other newbies (it's amazing how often somebody has posted "what's the difference between a refractor and reflector?"). I read some of the replies and became even more confused... Which one was the best?

I started posting in a board for my local area, the East Midlands Stargazers (thank you brantuk for the recommendation!), and the knowledge that was available was amazing. I was invited around to several members homes to check out their scope and have taken a few people up on those offers. Being able to see some of the kit first hand, ask questions face to face and get an idea of what the scopes are capable of, is the most valuable thing that I've done so far in selecting my first scope.

I've got a lot to learn for sure, and I will, but the most valuable lessons I've learned so far are these;

1. There is no single best scope. Every scope will have it's strengths and it's weaknesses.
   
2. A good mount is far more important than you'd think. Don't just blindly buy a scope without considering the mount.
   
3. Joining a local group is the best thing a beginner can ever do. I cannot praise the East Midlands Stargazers enough, the knowledge they have passed onto me has been invaluable.
   
4. Go and see the kit in action. The people you meet will only be too happy to let you have a go, giving you a feel for what the scope is capable of and an appreciation of the effort (how heavy is it, is it easily moved, etc).
   

I'm 99% certain on the scope I'll now be buying, but thanks only to doing all of the above. Meeting people, seeing the kit in action and learning about the differences between the different setups has been eye opening.

I'm getting a Skywatcher Dobsonian, likely the 250P or 300P, with Auto tracking. I've considered the cost, size, weight, storage, transportation, ease of use... It just seems to tick all the boxes. The 250P is my preference, but it seems they've been discontinued! :rolleyes:

Before I started speaking to people about my choice, I preferred to idea of an EQ mount. No longer. :)

This is gonna be an expensive month...