Best beginner telescope

[Kvill8402]

I am looking to buy a beginner telescope, not too expensive, but not something of poor quality either. Any suggestions?

[happy-kat]

Welcome

As you are in the US I'm going to suggest the OneSky it is portable and a good 130mm mirror packs a punch way above it's appearance.

[Mak the Night]

I would normally have recommended an ST80, although I believe that since Orion don't distribute them anymore they aren't so easy to come by Stateside nowadays.

https://www.meade.com/infinity-80mm-altazimuth-refractor.html

 

 

[Stu]

What sort of budget do you consider not too expensive? It varies a lot so would help to know.

[Timebandit]

 

Hi. Welcome to SGL

I would go for the skywatcher 200p

These are reflector type scopes on a Dobson mount

A very capable and easy to operate scope.

Great bang for buck, and if you cannot afford a new one, then look out for a used one ,as they come up at very sensible money.

Hope this helps☺

 

[Geoff Lister]

+1 for the OneSky. This is essentially the same as my Skywatcher Heritage 130, also listed in the signatures of Stu and happy-kat, above. It has a Dobsonian base that sits nicely on a plastic patio stool or small patio table (mine is about 2 feet diameter and 2 feet high).

Geoff

[Louis D]

Howdy!  Answering a few questions would help narrow things down:

1. What is your total budget?
2. Will you be carrying it a long distance to your observing location?
3. Are you able to carry heavy loads?
4. Have you ever been to a public star party to check out scopes in person?
5. What objects interest you the most to observe?