Question for any amateur stargazers

[wanderingaimles]

Looking at getting m'lady a telescope. Dont want to break the bank, looking for something which will be durable enough to travel with us full time next year and compact enough not to take over half the 5er.

Basics, Budget of about $500
Camera attachments
Computer controls that wont have her pulling her hair, or mine, out.
Any suggestions for a first scope?

[SidecarFlip]

I use a Celestron 100mm objective spotter with an industry standard 120mm eyepiece for game spotting and bird watching and stargazing when I have time. It's a nice scope and very clear. I use the Celestron tripod too.

All in, was around 700 bucks with a 60X zoom eyepiece but it takes any eyepiece available and PhoneSkope makes a cell phone adapter for it so you cn take pictures of what you see on your cell phone.

Very happy with it.

[GordonThree]

What do you want to look at? You don't need a computer for the moons of Jupiter or rings of Saturn. The Moon is breathtaking with a small reflector and a zoom eyepiece.

If you're thinking of seeing colorful nebula or galaxy clusters like they show on TV you need a big mirror and long exposure cryogenic camera.

The computer will help find things like binary systems, or get you a closer view of the Seven Sisters or Orion's Sword.

[wanderingaimles]

I was looking at this one, 130mm reflector
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0007UQNNQ/ref=psdc_499154_t3_B0007UQNKY

Had also looked at a couple without the onboard computer with larger mirror, figured the computerized controls were the way to go. But was worried about it getting bounced around if I went too big.

[jkwilson]

Orion 8ti is more than your budget, but is really sweet.

[GordonThree]

Reflector for the stars, refractor for land and sea... that's about all I remember from my stargazing days.

I had tiny Meade 114mm equatorial reflector with the basic Autostar computer tracking system.

It was too small to handle cameras of that day.

Years later the Autostar was greatly improved using GPS in addition to guide stars.

The smaller compound reflectors could be set up on a table top, and had more advanced computers.

Camera connection is mainly dependant on the focuser construction, which is an easy part for manufacturers to cheap out on. A lightweight plastic or pot metal focus tube and plastic gears can't support a camera very well, and is hard to precisely adjust.