46 replies to this topic

[TDPerry]

Something I have seen time and time again is some of us that have been involved in this niche recommending equipment well outside the pocketbooks of a  beginner.

Not all of us can afford a TAK refractor (or whatever the latest/greatest telescope is), nor can they afford top end mounts.

I have noticed that some of us (and yes, even me) seem to forget that those just getting into this field may not have the budget allocated (which many of the older heads do) to play.

My question is.. do you actually take the time to consider what that new users position is, or do you look more at what your current position is when compared to them when answering.
I have honestly regularly observed folks advising equipment that is, when you take into account the original posters post and level of knowledge, well outside what they can afford or want to invest.

Yes, most all of us that have been in this niche awhile know what works well..... but it seems we sometimes forget what works good enough to feed the flame of the chase, and we tend to recommend equipment well outside of what a beginner can afford or may want to invest.  Granted, we do have here some that are more balanced and offer realistic input.  

 

But the question is... are you one that trends to make recommendations on your current level... or do you tailor your response to the level of those newly to the niche?

I will be the first to admit... sometimes I forget and will comment based upon on my current level of knowledge and actually not take into consideration that the person asking the questions doesn't know much more than "I am on Earth and the stars are up there".  

I have realized... especially running a site in this niche... that I need to concentrate more on the question(s) being asked and taking into consideration the knowledge level of the one(s) asking it.

 

Honestly... overall the members here do really well in that aspect... but I do regularly see folks talking levels upon levels above what a new pursuer of this niche is aware of. 

 

So, the ultimate question is.. how do we temper our responses more to what those asking need instead of what we know?

Edited by TDPerry, 15 June 2025 - 07:04 AM.

[Marcus1]

I agree totally and so many comments to newbees is to put the money into the mount, well one can’t see through a mount. There is no doubt in my mind that all experienced commentators would admit, on reflection, that they have been on a journey and a lot of the enjoyment was navigating the twists and turns of discovery.

[BQ Octantis]

I generally start with the user's budget…and I recommend a pair of binoculars before recommending a scope. The shortest path to disappointment is the purchase of a reasonable scope for the scant budget…only to discover how disappointing the views are when expectations were never managed (and unrealistically set by the marketing AP). But starting with a set of binoculars for the same price results in better optics and sets the expectation for eyeballing early…which eventually creates the desire for more reach.

 

BQ

Edited by BQ Octantis, 15 June 2025 - 07:31 AM.

[PirateMike]

I don't believe that I have much I can add to someone who has been doing astro for years, but I know that I can help the beginner.

 

When asked what first telescope to buy, I never answer C14.

[Tony Cifani]

It's important for the OP to state their budget and other basic needs. Quite often they don't do this. I don't blame them as they may not know how much money is needed to buy a first telescope. I didn't have a clue when I started out in this hobby. I see a lot of first posts about telescope purchases with no indication of budget, so I usually ask but also try to make a couple of suggestions based on lower price points. I've been in this hobby now for eight years, I still remember what it was like to be a beginner. I wanted a telescope and wanted one badly. I kept a small document of all my spending for the first year or so and it was very modest. My total spending for the first year was under $500 and that includes accessories like eyepieces.

 

I also recommend for beginners two things before purchasing a telescope (and many others often recommend the following as well):

 

1. Purchase a copy of Turn Left at Orion: Hundreds of Night Sky Objects to See in a Home Telescope – and How to Find Them, by Guy Consolmagno, Dan M. Davis.

 

2. Attend a local free public observing night at an astronomy club or college or university.

 

#1 is the best primer I know of for observing and telescope basics. #2 is the best way to experience real gear before purchasing, and get advice first hand.

 

I do think it's important for more experienced observers to lower the standards like you mention. But I also think it's important for the beginner to take some time before purchasing a telescope to explore the possibilities.

[Mike Q]

I think we all, to some degree or another,  base our recommendations on our experiences.   I try and end any recommendation with the advice of getting to a outreach program, preferably several, and see what actually works for their given situation. 

[vicentefox]

i'm at the "just past the beginning" phase. this hobby is similar to high end photography, of which i've been doing for decades, and amassed a lot of kit.

it's a balance... budget is a consideration, and there's ways around that , at least for photography the sources for getting used equipment is much greater than in astro. of course their goals is of equal importance? are they interested in the astro/ science angle , or more the astrophotography aspect.

i always get asked "what stuff should i buy" to do wildlife or landscape or whatever photography. the last thing u want to do is encourage the wrong set of stuff that would result in poor outcomes, thus resulting in leaving the hobby. at the same time, i wouldn't recommended a $10000 600mm lens for someone starting out. i do however tell them spend the $$ on glass first, not a body as glass matters most, as well as a solid tripod.

when i got started less than 9 months ago, my research suggested a tripod/mount was a good place to start, i don't spend $5K on that. i went down the path of a cem26, and for me it's been more than adequate.

i wholeheartedly agree with the OP that being sensitive to a beginner's intent and purpose is the starting point.

the more people we encourage to enter the hobby m, the better for all of us....imho.

[Takuan]

It's human nature to respond based on our experience, expectations, worldview, etc. The questioner also expects answers that are in line with their experience, expectations, worldview, etc. So I recommend (from my personal perspective) that you take what you find useful from the answers given by others in the hobby and don't judge those who give answers you don't like.

[arg0s]

There are members here with a good handle on that and others who do not. Part of it is people just not reading, part of it is beginners not stating a preference (naturally, as beginners, they may not have many!) and people inserting their own values.

 

Part of the strength of a forum format like this is you do hear a variety of perspectives. I don't like binoculars much beyond their utility as finders, and so my advice is usually the shortest path to a modest Newt/frac straightaway for someone starting out. I can appreciate that others will have a different perspective on this. On the whole, I think there's more usable advice here than complete nonsense (recommending a Tak on a budget, recommending a 12" Dob to someone living in a studio, etc). There are places on the Internet where the advice is algorithmically curated, and often worse as a result.

 

I have thought about creating resources for absolute beginners (people love flowcharts, for instance) for self directed help that cuts through the noise, though I have not done so.

[Starman1]

When Orion was around, there was the 4.5" f/8 dobsonian telescope for around $300 that was an excellent starter scope.

It could be transported by an 8-10 year old fairly easily from house to backyard or patio.

I was 12 when I bought my first scope, a 4.25" reflector, but I had no adult supervision.  Children can start a bit earlier in the care of adults.

 

The 4.5" scopes still out there are on junk mounts or too expensive.

That leaves 6" dobs, all over $500 now.

 

So, I see a 4" Mak on a decent mount from Explore Scientific at $329.  Excellent for Moon and planets.

And a 4" refractor on the same mount for $249.

And an 80mm refractor on the same mount for $159.

And a 4.5" f/4.3 reflector on the same mount for $179.

These are all scopes that could suffice for an excellent beginner's scope.  The last one might be less appropriate for lunar/planetary observing.

Additional Plössl eyepieces can be had for $20-$30, and the purchase of a couple won't add appreciably to the price of the scope.

 

And if low prices like these cannot be afforded (maybe the beginner is paying for the scope him/herself), binoculars and a good planisphere to learn the stars might be a first step.

Scopes below those prices will be BigBox hobby killers, I'm afraid.

[Sketcher]

So, the ultimate question is.. how do we temper our responses more to what those asking need instead of what we know?

Each beginner is an individual -- different from other beginners.  Similarly, each experienced hobbyist is an individual -- different from other experienced individuals.  No one is able to crawl into the heads of the people who come here seeking out advice.  As a result, much of the advice that gets dished out will inevitably be of little to no value to the specific individual who made the initial request.

 

Will any of the offered advice be of value to the asking party?  We hope so, but how often will that asking party be able to separate the "good" (appropriate and of relevance to them) advice from the "poor" (unsuitable and/or impractical for them) advice?  Just my opinion, but I would guess that more often than not the best advice gets ignored, and a big reason for that is that the asking party is more interested in what they think they need/want than in what they actually need in order to get a better start in this hobby.  They don't know what they need.  They only know what they think they need, and good luck in convincing most in changing their pre-conceived (and not so realistic -- more often than not) mental concepts.

 

In the end, it's not the equipment that determines whether or not a potential beginner becomes successful in making this a life-long hobby.  Success is far more dependent on what an individual has going on "upstairs".

 

The Galileoscope shown below originally cost me $15 -- brand new.  I added the tripod/mount for an additional $20 (Unfortunately, prices have changed dramatically in the subsequent years.)

 

The below linked thread shows what such an inexpensive instrument is capable of -- provided one is willing to seriously learn how to make use of such an instrument:

 

https://www.cloudyni...e-observations/

 

It's not so much what the telescope is capable of, than it is what the individual can accomplish with the telescope.  A more determined individual will be able to accomplish more than a less determined individual.

 

For some beginners, any telescope can be that first telescope that gets them hooked for the rest of their lives in this hobby.  Unfortunately, for other would-be beginners, no telescope will be good enough for them to gain that life-long foothold.

 

Consider how many have started out with better (in contrast to the Galileoscope) telescopes, and yes, even a typical 60mm department store refractor would be more capable than the 50mm Galileoscope -- only to toss out the telescope along with the hobby in order to move on to something else that they have more of an actual interest in.

 

A more capable 60mm refractor:

 

For those with the interest -- actual, genuine interest -- the equipment isn't going to matter.  The responses to their questions/concerns on CloudyNights would not deter them from going forward in this hobby.

 

Those who respond to beginner's questions should, of course, stick more with what they know and less with what they don't know.  Also, some of the older folk seem to have better memories of how they started out in this hobby than many of the younger folk -- and focus better on what's within the budgets of some of our potential beginners.

[vtornado]

My equipment is mostly in the economy class.  It's all I ever recommend.  

 

I usually recommend 

AWB Onesky.

Celestron 102 AZ costco.

6/8 inch dob.

eyepieces.  plossls in mid to long f.l.s, gold lines (extreme tight budget), at paradims.

Celestron 102 skysense.  (i wish they would offer an 80mm f/5).

 

Even if the beginner has deep-pockets, I still recommend this stuff.  Suppose they buy the perfect 80mm Tak refractor and two months later they realize they want more aperture?

Edited by vtornado, 15 June 2025 - 01:13 PM.

[Inkie]

One's personality, upbringing, and motivation are often what conspire to make even heavily misguided forays into any pursuit successful.  So, I agree that even poor equipment is not likely to deter the determined and keen new enthusiast. However, I do feel that most who post here are people of good will, with good intentions, who try to cover the bases not covered in the first four or five responses to queries from newcomers. I think we do a good job of that.  By the eighth post, someone has a contrary opinion, usually born of experience, and from there the thread can go on with several arguments about what works and what doesn't. 

 

I am one of the proponents of getting a good mount. It isn't strictly necessary, but it sure helps.  Sometimes just enough to keep the enthusiast plugging away, learning, trying, failing, and eventually becoming successful. So, I have adopted a middle ground of pointing out that the cheaper mounts will quite likely lash them across the face as if it were a cold and smelly dishcloth. Even mediocre optics these days deliver pretty decent images, but their supporting and manipulating hardware often work against full enjoyment of even good optics let alone mediocre ones.  To that end, I agree with some suggestions, including by the newcomer his/herself, and offer others that I think might be within their reach budgetwise and still deliver some decent goods. I also warn them that they will probably learn before long that they need a better tripod and mount to get the most out of their scope.

 

Last comment: The venerable Dobsonian is a no-brainer for most cases.  It requires learning still, but also about what's up there that they need to know to look for. Then, with some skill development in handling, their 8" Dob will provide many hours of great viewing, no electrics or slo-mo cables needed.

[Starman1]

A decent beginner's guide:

 

Attached Files

•  Beginner's advice.doc   49.5KB   19 downloads

[Jay_Reynolds_Freeman]

How I respond depends on just what information a beginner provides and what specific question is asked, but I often provide a combination of the following recommendations:

 

1) Join a local astronomy club, attend its star parties and other events to gain hands-on experience and personal interactive advice, then make a better-informed decision about what to purchase: "Try before you buy" -- if possible -- is good all-round advice.

 

2) If you have a binocular -- any binocular -- take it out and use it.

 

3) Unless you have a budget restriction, and if you are able to store, transport and set up the instrument, an 8-inch Dobson-mounted Newtonian is a good beginner telescope.

 

 

Clear sky ...

[vintageair]

I just got into this and I guess the first hurdle was figuring out what I really wanted to do because it turned out that there are different and distinct branches of the hobby. My biggest worry was that I would invest in something that I would quickly outgrow. As far as the "budget" goes it really needs to be a soft ceiling because if you really do take to this hobby it's probably going to turn into an ongoing expense as you expand. That was my other major worry because it seems that people come into the hobby and a year or two later they either have a telescope gathering dust in the garage or they are erecting a building to house a bigger one.

[TDPerry]

One of the bigger problems is with what I see regularly recommended... there are a LOT of areas that do not have groups to join or visit that are less than an hour plus drive away (one way).  Honestly, the nearest one to my home is about an hour away (one way) on the best day, and they don't just meet there but over areas up to 2 hours one way from my residence, so I am up to 4 hours round trip just to go.  Two hours is "do-able" for most adults... but for youth it is not so much, especially if they are dependent upon their parents for transportation.

That can be a "put-off" when you tell folks to "go visit their local astronomy club" like you expect those to be around everywhere.  They simply are not.  And my home city is not small.  About 20K people and two school systems.

And this is something that folks that have one or more area groups don't really think about because they are accustomed to having a place close at hand.  They forget that for many areas, you may have to take up what amounts to 1/2 a work day or more to just go.

 

That is one of the reasons I am slowly trying to piece together various scopes of different types and price points so I can start hosting viewing and also showing off astrophotography level (plan on getting into EAA live display with stacking).  I want to try to offer folks a realistic "entry level" view and then also show some more advanced pursuits.  I've just added a Meade ETX-125EC to the stable (which can be found cheap enough on FB marketplace in the USA and is decent scope quality) as well as having deals working on a ETX-90EC and trying to get a price I can justify on a 8" Dob and then my 72mm Apertura APO refractor.  I figure once I can get about 5 different scope types to use along with my 2 capture rigs... I can start seeing if there is any interest locally.  If there isn't... I can donate some of that equipment to folks that do show an interest.  And yes, I might be considered to be at the extreme... but I have ALWAYS believed it is societies core purpose to push our community (especially our youth) to better themselves.... and the hard sciences are one of the best ways to do so.

 

And it is one of the reasons I would try to encourage others of us in the field (especially those that may be telescope rich but local activity poor) to think about taking the time to perform outreach over your nightly pursuits.  There are many that cannot afford this pursuit... but feeding their knowledge may encourage them into the astrophysics fields.... something that is sadly (the hard sciences) becoming a thing of the past.

I am NOT a rich person... being disabled and on a government pension.  But I still have been able to squeeze funds loose to slowy fund the pursuit of advancing others knowledge.  Yes, it is a slow process for me.. but all good things come to he/she who has patience.  

One of my burning questions is.. why are there not more willing to do similar, especially when many are more financially sound than some of us?   My "pointy point of the day" is.. take a few seconds to look at where you are at, and how you could benefit others.

 

I know there are others better off financially than I am... several in this niche are in the area I live, as a few of them have equipment (observatory, etc) that exceed the cost of my 5 year old vehicles, my RV and a lot of travel gas.. the question is, why is it like pulling hens teeth to get folks that can be of benefit actually do so, especially when they can afford to?
Sadly, I really am not aware of many in my locale that are into this other than those few that have those expensive static setups (and they are older folks than me and don't want to transport stuff around),  and I don't expect folks living 45-90 miles away to be bringing their rigs in for use.

 

Granted.. this does not directly have anything to do with the initial question.. but, specifically in my locale, the fact that folks interested in this niche are so isolated is troubling.

 

Looking back at when I was in school (almost 5 decades ago), I would have dearly loved to been aware of something like a group that allowed live viewing and even getting deeper into collecting data.  Looking back it makes me realize that I very likely would have chosen to pursue further education and a career related to this field due to how much as I enjoy it and am challenged by it.  The only reason I did not was I was never exposed to it.  And I have always been one pushed by challenges.

 

To the core questions, it is  why I try to make my suggestions to people based upon a "want to play but not spend a lot of money" position.  And that generally means I  recommend starting out with a decent set of binoculars.  I then tell them once they start to learn where things are in the sky they may want to move up into a DSLR/decent lens for astrophotography or a 8" Dobsonian if wanting to do live viewing.  From there, their pocketbook is the only limiting factor.

But it is REALLY nice if those folks can actually get some hands on experience with various levels of equipment.

 

And yes.. I've been regularly accused of being wordy.  Sorry... it goes back to my Literature/English teachers in school!  

Edited by TDPerry, 17 June 2025 - 04:54 AM.

[BQ Octantis]

One of the bigger problems is with what I see regularly recommended... there are a LOT of areas that do not have groups to join or visit that are less than an hour plus drive away (one way).  Honestly, the nearest one to my home is about an hour away (one way).  And they don't just meet there but over areas up to 2 hours one way from my residence.

That can be a "put-off" when you tell folks to "go visit their local astronomy club" like you expect those to be around everywhere.  They simply are not.  And my home city is not small.  About 20K people and two school systems.

YES!

 

I tried out a club in Austin in the '90s and a club here in NoVA in the early '00s. For whatever reason, I didn't really connect with the folks in the group (I blame myself)…and similarly, meetups were hours away, either in the city or in remote locations. I found I preferred spend the time I'd be driving time just doing what I could in my backyard. While living in the Outback much later in life, I had the time and inclination to devote to such events…but there was no group. So I found myself doing public and private sky and AP tours—and I hosted handful of equipment fairs in my backyard! But forums like CN can readily fill much of the void in an astrocommunity desert.

 

BQ

[Starman1]

One of the bigger problems is with what I see regularly recommended... there are a LOT of areas that do not have groups to join or visit that are less than an hour plus drive away (one way).  Honestly, the nearest one to my home is about an hour away (one way) on the best day, and they don't just meet there but over areas up to 2 hours one way from my residence, so I am up to 4 hours round trip just to go.  Two hours is "do-able" for most adults... but for youth it is not so much, especially if they are dependent upon their parents for transportation.

That can be a "put-off" when you tell folks to "go visit their local astronomy club" like you expect those to be around everywhere.  They simply are not.  And my home city is not small.  About 20K people and two school systems.

And this is something that folks that have one or more area groups don't really think about because they are accustomed to having a place close at hand.  They forget that for many areas, you may have to take up what amounts to 1/2 a workday or more to just go.

 

That is one of the reasons I am slowly trying to piece together various scopes of different types and price points so I can start hosting viewing and also showing off astrophotography level (plan on getting into EAA live display with stacking).  I want to try to offer folks a realistic "entry level" view and then also show some more advanced pursuits.  I've just added a Meade ETX-125EC to the stable (which can be found cheap enough on FB marketplace in the USA and is decent scope quality) as well as having deals working on a ETX-90EC and trying to get a price I can justify on a 8" Dob and then my 72mm Apertura APO refractor.  I figure once I can get about 5 different scope types to use along with my 2 capture rigs... I can start seeing if there is any interest locally.  If there isn't... I can donate some of that equipment to folks that do show an interest.  And yes, I might be considered to be at the extreme... but I have ALWAYS believed it is societies core purpose to push our community (especially our youth) to better themselves.... and the hard sciences are one of the best ways to do so.

 

And it is one of the reasons I would try to encourage others of us in the field (especially those that may be telescope rich but local activity poor) to think about taking the time to perform outreach over your nightly pursuits.  There are many that cannot afford this pursuit... but feeding their knowledge may encourage them into the astrophysics fields.... something that is sadly (the hard sciences) becoming a thing of the past.

I am NOT a rich person... being disabled and on a government pension.  But I still have been able to squeeze funds loose to slowy fund the pursuit of advancing others knowledge.  Yes, it is a slow process for me... but all good things come to he/she who has patience.  

One of my burning questions is... why are there not more willing to do similar, especially when many are more financially sound than some of us?   My "pointy point of the day" is... take a few seconds to look at where you are at, and how you could benefit others.

 

I know there are others better off financially than I am... several in this niche are in the area I live, as a few of them have equipment (observatory, etc) that exceed the cost of my 5-year-old vehicles, my RV and a lot of travel gas. the question is, why is it like pulling hens teeth to get folks that can be of benefit actually do so, especially when they can afford to?
Sadly, I really am not aware of many in my locale that are into this other than those few that have those expensive static setups (and they are older folks than me and don't want to transport stuff around), and I don't expect folks living 45-90 miles away to be bringing their rigs in for use.

 

Granted... this does not directly have anything to do with the initial question. but, specifically in my locale, the fact that folks interested in this niche are so isolated is troubling.

 

Looking back at when I was in school (almost 5 decades ago), I would have dearly loved to have been aware of something like a group that allowed live viewing and even getting deeper into collecting data.  Looking back, it makes me realize that I very likely would have chosen to pursue further education and a career related to this field due to how much as I enjoy it and am challenged by it.  The only reason I did not was I was never exposed to it.  And I have always been one pushed by challenges.

 

To the core questions, it is why I try to make my suggestions to people based upon a "want to play but not spend a lot of money" position.  And that generally means I recommend starting out with a decent set of binoculars.  I then tell them once they start to learn where things are in the sky they may want to move up into a DSLR/decent lens for astrophotography or a 8" Dobsonian if wanting to do live viewing.  From there, their pocketbook is the only limiting factor.

But it is REALLY nice if those folks can actually get some hands-on experience with various levels of equipment.

 

And yes. I've been regularly accused of being wordy.  Sorry... it goes back to my Literature/English teachers in school!  

As a hobby, astronomy attracts loners and people who want to spend some time under the stars to unwind and recharge, not meet a lot of new people and do the hustle-bustle again.

For a lot of us, an outing that is alone or with one other friend is just fine and the idea of doing outreach is just not appealing.

 

It was ever thus--the great astronomers of the past were largely solitary observers or spent time with one other.

There was no astronomy club in the city of 80,000 in which I grew up, and I only met 2 other people who had ever used a telescope, so I had to be self-motivated to stay with the hobby 

for the last 62 years.  Without that motivation, people simply won't stay with the hobby.

 

I have been involved with a club for the last 23 years--it's called CloudyNights.com!

I meet lots of people with similar interests, and I have learned a lot from the people here.

 

If I were to make a suggestion to a newcomer who wanted to meet a lot of other hobbyists in order to be mentored in the hobby, first I'd read a ton of books about the hobby,

then find out where people in your area go to observe with their telescopes and go there near on a new moon weekend to visit with them.  You might have to travel a couple hours each way,

so plan to spend the night and drive home in the morning.  I discovered such a place 48 years ago, right after I moved to Los Angeles, and I try to make it there every month at new moon.

 

It keeps me involved with other amateur astronomers, but it isn't essential.  I'd go there anyway, even if no one else ever showed up.

At this point, astronomy is a part of me that will stay with me until I take the Long Sleep.  I think I knew that after that first summer under the stars in 1963.

[TheChosen]

But the question is... are you one that trends to make recommendations on your current level... or do you tailor your response to the level of those newly to the niche?

 

I always tailor my responses. In fact when I discovered that there is a sizeable population out there that doesn't want to start with an 8" DOB, I went and bought a used Sky-Watcher Heritage 130p and made a review on it, just so I can have a 'hands on' recommendation of the 'bare minimum real telescope', in my opinion, I can recommend to somebody who is interested in the hobby. 

 

Of course if somebody has had the 8" DOB for few years, I love sharing with them how much I love my 12" DOB and what a meaningful upgrade from the 8" DOB it has been .

 

The problem with the 'buy the premium stuff' in the beginning so you don't have to upgrade later approach is that a lot of beginners end up simply not buying anything at all... and those that do buy the premium stuff and leave the hobby can't speak later about it .. so we only have those that bought the premium stuff in the beginning, and managed to stay in the hobby and talk about it ... greatly distorting the actual picture of what the most sensible approach for a newcomer may be (statistically speaking).

[NinePlanets]

...That was my other major worry because it seems that people come into the hobby and a year or two later they either have a telescope gathering dust in the garage or they are erecting a building to house a bigger one.

HA! I almost laughed out loud when I read this because I witnessed this very scenerio!

 

In the early 80's I retailed telescopes/gear. One holiday season a lady came into the shop looking for an introductory telescope for husband as a Christmas present. After going over the options she purchased a little C90 (orange tube). A few days after Christmas her husband came in and said, "My wife bought me a C90 and I looked at some things in the sky and it changed my life!" He immediately purchased a C14 with all the goodies - and then he promptly built a new house with an observatory for the C14 in the center of it!

 

He went on to be a very good customer, what with all the eyepieces and stuff...

 

But yeah, you never know how someone might react to their first encounter with the night sky. Or even daytime astronomy! And there is always much to learn, equipment or not.

[NinePlanets]

 

The problem with the 'buy the premium stuff' in the beginning so you don't have to upgrade later approach is that a lot of beginners end up simply not buying anything at all... and those that do buy the premium stuff and leave the hobby can't speak later about it .. so we only have those that bought the premium stuff in the beginning, and managed to stay in the hobby and talk about it ... greatly distorting the actual picture of what the most sensible approach for a newcomer may be (statistically speaking).

I probably would not have appreciated my first 10" reflector I built if I had not first appreciated my first 3" refractor. I think if I would have started out with an 8" or larger telescope I would never had learned to "see" as well.

 

Yes, an 8" is a nice scope to have, but a first foray with a less expensive, smaller instrument (for some people, at least) might be a wiser way to start, in the long run.
 

[A Star Geezer]

I'm commenting as a new hobby astronomer. I bought my first telescope last November. I spent a while reading a lot of posts here and on line. After taking a few weeks off to clear my head of the info over load from the internet. I decided on a 8inch Apertura Dob. While in the process of ordering it I learned the 10 inch was on sale for a little more, so I own a 10 inch dob. After assembling it (piece of cake) I looked at it then thought now what? I imagine a lot of new comer's have the same question. There is a ton of helpful info  on Cloudy Nights, there is also a ton of confusing info for the beginners. Not on purpose but accidental. When I was looking at a new eyepiece and asked for info I read recommendations for every eye piece from a cheapy ones  to Naglers, for my next eyepiece. Granted we all have a budget and my budget is different than yours. A $900 eyepiece might work good for you but will my eyes see the difference between a $100 vrs the $900 one due to my lack of experience? I've seen several posts that evolve into who can espouse the most facts and figures, as a beginner this just causes me to skip the topic all together. ( I have been somewhat guilty of this in my last hobby Giant Scale RC airplanes) I guess it's part of our human nature and we hate to see some one buy junk, because that will ruin the hobby for the new people. Reminds me  of the new tool adage buy an expensive tool and cry once or by many junk tools and cry often. I've learned a lot on this forum and really enjoy read it, but get a bit discourage when some one askes for a recommendation for a starting astro camera and I see people saying buy this $1500 camera  to start with. I have a lot to learn about using my telescope and this is a  great place to learn. 

[Richie2shoes]

I generally consider the budget of the beginner, when it is reasonable.  But it goes both ways.  We've seen people blow thousands of dollars on top of the line gear that can be overwhelming for a beginner and too cumbersome to set up and tear down for an hour of viewing.  Also, people get an idea and sometimes can't be talked out of it.  I generally do not recommend binoculars to someone wanting a telescope.  I use them frequently and enjoy binocular astronomy, but it isn't the same as looking through a telescope.

[jrussell]

I haven't been able to make it to one of my club's outreach events in a long time, but I've thought when I can make one, in addition to one of my better scopes it would be a good idea to bring my Celestron Travelscope 70 with the stock eyepiece and diagonal so that people can get a better expectation of what they're going to get from the type of scope they're most likely going to invest in to start. Sure, there will be bigger, better scopes there to look through. But I think giving someone the opportunity to look through something that's going to cost them in the neighborhood of $100 allows them to see that they don't have to buy that $300 scope when they're probably going to spend most of their time looking at the moon anyway. I think it would also probably make them be able to ask more informed questions if they do have an interest in getting into the hobby.

 

That's my thoughts. But hey, I've been wrong before.