Guide to Buying Your First Scope - My First Telescope & Second & Third...(2020)

Intro

Been asked a lot about getting telescope. 

Figured I  would Show what scopes I have and make buying guide for starting out.

Important to look at up-to-date videos
Rosewell Astronomy
Testing the new Celestron StarSense Explorer DX 130AZ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LAmx6Ict3M&t=552s

Wido Oerlemans
Best affordable telescope to start astrophotography in 2020?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmX0OkXHoSY&t=610s

Three Main Types

Refractor (1608)
1608 in the Netherlands, when a patent was submitted by Hans Lippershey.

Durable, Low Maintenance

Very expensive with higher aperture
chromatic aberration

Newtonian Reflector (1668)
Isaac Newton
Best bang for the buck 

Must collimate before use

Cassegrain Reflector (1672)
Laurent Cassegrain in 1672 described the design of a reflector with a small convex secondary mirror to reflect light through a central hole in the main mirror
Compact, in between price

Telescope	Specs	Includes	Price
Orion FunScope	Obj: 76mm FL: 300mm	-FunScope 76mm -20mm eyepiece -6mm eyepiece  -1.25" 2x Barlow lens -Red-dot reflex sight -Orion MoonMap 260	$69.99 Link
Celestron FirstScope	Obj: 76mm FL: 300mm	-FirstScope 76 mm  -20mm eyepiece -4mm eyepiece	54.99 Link
Orion SkyQuest XT8	Obj: 203mm FL: 1200mm	-25mm eyepiece -EZ Red Dot Finder  -2" Crayford focuser -2"-to-1.25" adapter	$399.99 Link
Sky-Watcher Classic 8”  Dobsonian	Obj: 203mm FL: 1200mm	-25mm eyepiece -10mm eyepiece -8x50 Finderscope  -2" Crayford focuser -2"-to-1.25" adapter	$405.00 Link
Orion ED80	Obj: 80mm FL: 600mm	-2" Crayford focuser -2"-to-1.25" adapter	$449.99 Link
Sky-Watcher Evostar  80ED	Obj: 80mm FL: 600mm	-8x50 Finderscope -2" Diagonal -25 mm eyepiece -5 mm eyepiece -Tube Rings  -Metal Carrying Case -2" Dual speed   focuser -2"-to-1.25" adapter	$825.00 Link
Orion CT80	Obj: 80mm FL: 400mm	-2" Crayford focuser -2"-to-1.25" adapter	$99.99 Link
Meade Infinity 80  Refractor	Obj: 80mm FL: 400mm	-Alt-Azimuth Mount -Red Dot Finder -2x 1.25" Barlow -26 mm eyepiece -9 mm eyepiece -6.3 mm eyepiece	$149.99 Link

Telescope	Specs	Includes	Price
Orion StarBlast 4.5” Reflector	Obj: 114mm FL: 450mm	-25mm eyepiece -10mm eyepiece -Orion MoonMap -Equatorial mount -EZ Red Dot Finder	$179.99 Link
Celestron AstroMaster 114 Reflector	Obj: 114mm FL: 450mm	-25mm eyepiece -10mm eyepiece -Orion MoonMap -Equatorial mount -EZ Red Dot Finder	$169.99 Link
Orion StarMax Table  Top Mak-Cass	Obj: 90mm FL: 1250mm	-90° diagonal -25mm eyepiece -10mm eyepiece -EZ Red Dot Finder -tripod attachment	$199.99 Link
Celestron NexStar 90  Computerized Scope	Obj: 90mm FL: 1250mm	-Computerized    Alt-Azimuth Mount -EZ Red Dot Finder -25mm eyepiece -9mm eyepiece -1.25" Star Diagonal -Hand Controller	$359.99 Link
Astro-Tech AT115  Refractor	Obj: 115mm FL: 805mm	-dual-speed 2.5"   focuser with 10:1  -hard sided case -rotatable focuser -camera angle     adjuster -retractable lens   shade/dew shield -dual hinged split   tube rings  -Vixen-style dovetail	$1399.99 Link