[masraum]

Originally Posted by Hoots

The Meade ETX is a great starter scope for $600 if you live in a dark area. I know you listed $200 is your limit, but for just a few hundred more this series of scopes will hold her attention (and yours) for several years.

Celestron AstroMaster 130 EQ Reflector Telescope for $240.

Basically, that scope is a 5" Newtonian Optical tube mounted on a "GEM" (German Equatorial Mount). Compared to the Orion 6" dob, you're paying for a fancier mount and getting 1" less aperture. I'm sure it's a great scope, but personally, I'd much rather have the aperture. If you stick with astronomy and decide that you want to upgrade, you can always buy a nice GEM later and mount the tube from the Orion to it. One thing that a GEM will do is add quite a bit more weight to the scope. Another benefit of a dobsonian is relatively low weight. You also don't have to align a dobsonian mounted scope, but a GEM needs a polar alignment

Originally Posted by targa911S

I would start with a good pair of binoculars.

I would at the very least suggest that you get a decent binocular to go with the scope. I use my binocular to scan an area and help me find objects with my scope.