Mr Brownstone

I could add a little to the budget if I knew I would be satisfied. I could probably get some for my xt-8 that's only been used maybe 8 times so far.

You've all given me a lot to think about. I think I'll give my xt-8 another couple of tries before making decision. I like the views it gives but have barely used it because I hate using the red dot finder which I have left on accidentally and burned out the battery out twice(all those round adjustments dials. Why not just an on off switch ?) I don't like sitting down and trying to star hop with the xt-8 monster. I'm used to a spotting scope and managed to do well with a small reflector scope and a small refractor when I was a kid. Skies were darker then and I saw so much more than I've managed to see now. Planets are no problem with xt-8 as are the m42 and the one in the teapot asterism but trying to find other dso has been tough for me.. What I really might need is an assistant amateur astronomer to help me out! -thanks for all your input!

I'm looking for an easy to use refractor scope with viewfinder and tripod. I live in a bortle 4 area. I'm not interested in astrophotography. I just want it to view planets, brighter deep sky objects, and any comets that might pass through. I don't want to be bothered collimating anything and hope to transport to a darker site on occasion. Budget about $300-$800. Any suggestions? Thanks

Thanks for the suggestions. I am also hoping to transport the scope to a darker location as there is more light pollution where I am now than there was where I live when I had my first scopes. I like the idea of being able to view while standing.

I am interested in viewing only. I don't want to have to worry about collimation and want a quick and easy setup. I'm used to using a spotting scope for birding and prefer locating objects with tube pointing towards what I'm looking at not behind me like the Dobsonian style.

When I was a teenager I had a couple of different beginner scopes. One was a 60mm Meade Refractor. The other was a 3.5 inch? reflector scope. I was able to find a lot of fascinating things with those two but eventually lost interest. As an older adult now I recently purchased an Orion XT-8 in hopes of finding some galaxies that I have never seen and some planetary nebulas. The XT-8 did give me a nice view of planets and other easy to find objects but it is too bulky to move around on the limited night sky viewing opportunities I have. I also have a hard time with that red dot finder and I just have a harder time located objects with it in general. Is there a scope that would allow me to view some of the smaller galaxies outside of M33 and M31? that would be a major upgrade from a 60mm but be a lot easier to operate than the XT-8? My budget would be 500-1000. Thanks