Otoh

Really helpful, many thanks. I'm tempted, then, to get a modest barlow (eg Bresser to go with the OTA) and then - assuming things go well! - schedule in a zoom like the hyperflex for xmas

Many thanks for the reply - some good ideas for a mount there, along the lines I was thinking. Notably I did previously decide on a Zhumell Z130 - which arrived with the (chipboard) mount completely broken - so I'm pretty sure I can make something better! (Last in stock apparently, hence the change of plan) Also, being new to this, very helpful to get pointed in the right direction for eyepieces - much appreciated. Got it. The Mak is tempting because it's a bit neater, but I think this is only for astronomy and will likely largely stay at home. Also pushing the budget a little - I see Skywatcher StarQuest 102MC for approx £200 but I'm actually wary of including a mount/tripod at that price point - recipient (my wife) is a photographer so I'm well aware of what a decent tripod/head etc costs! Hence leaning toward making a dob for starters and then maybe upgrading somewhere along the way.

Many thanks for the reply, much appreciated - glad I seem to be on the right track! It's that or a 102mm Mak, but the general feeling seems to be that more aperture is better. But it's kind of at the top end of my budget so I'm trying to keep it to maybe just one extra accessory for now. I seem to see mixed opinions on zooms - are they as good as separate lengths? And/or is a good one very expensive? Any recommendations for eg an extra £30 ish - just so there is some viewing flexibility to start with?

Shopping for first telescope for a present, approx £200. Many obvious choices are not in stock so I'm leaning toward BRESSER Messier NT-130S/650 - I'm happy to hopefully pay for optics rather than a sub-par mount+tripod; and I'm confident I can rustle up a dobsonian mount for it. (Still open to suggestions in the price range...) Many telescopes seem to come with 2 eyepieces, bu this comes with just 26mm eyepiece, which I understand is quite wide angle. If I want something else for starters - for eg planets - should I supplement this with eg a 10mm eyepiece, or is a 3x barlow better?