The best beginner telescope on the market is the AD8 from High Point Scientific. Dobsonian telescopes are often recommended for beginners as they are easy to use, high quality and give great views.
This telescope can be used for years and years to come. Many “beginner” telescopes are not worth the investment even at a smaller price tag. The mounts are unstable, the components are lower quality and they can be frustrating to use.
A high quality Dobsonian telescope like the AD8 can be your first and last telescope purchase.
I like this one because of the included accessories as well.
The AD8 comes with a laser collimator, moon filter, 35mm extension tube, 30mm and 9mm eyepieces and a finderscope (right angle finder). I like the 4 slot eyepiece tray that comes with the telescope.
The focuser is also very stable and good quality. This is important for making it easy to use.
This is also a completely manual telescope, there are no electronics. You will be learning the night sky and moving the telescope manually. This is a great way to explore the night sky.
What Else Do I Need To Get Started?
The best thing about this scope is how complete the set up is right out of the box.
To enjoy a night of observing you will need a chair. You have some options for a seat, you can certainly go with a simple folding chair, but I have never regretted getting a Starbound Observing Chair.
This very adjustable chair allows for more comfortable observing, which is important for me as I observe with chronic back pain.
The other thing I recommend buying with this telescope would be an eyepiece to replace the 9mm eyepiece. You can certainly start observing with the 30mm, but you will want the versatility that a second high quality eyepiece gives you.
You can check out our eyepiece recommendations in this article.
Finally, depending on the time of year and your weather conditions you may also need a dew heater. This does complicate your setup as they require electricity, but without dew heaters your scope may not be usable when the dew point is high.
When you bring your scope out you may notice that condensation is building up on the outside of your telescope. The moisture is also collecting on your mirrors making it difficult or impossible to see through your scope.
I recommend Thousand Oaks dew controller and Dew-Not dew heater straps. They will raise the temperature of your mirrors to prevent condensation from forming on the surfaces. In many areas you will need eyepiece warmers as well (these are the best value and work well). I like 2 inch instead of 1.25 as they can be used on the eyepieces and the mirror.
We use a simple car battery jumper to power these small electronics. We have been very happy with ours from Harbor Freight.
Why Do I Recommend This Telescope?
I find that the AD8 is your best buy for the price. When you compare it to other scopes it comes with much more in the box. When I bought my second telescope it did not come with everything I needed to use it right out of the box.
Usually when you buy a scope you usually don’t get any quality eyepieces, but the 30mm plossl is still in my setup today.
Having the collimator is also essential to getting started using this type of telescope, and with the AD8 from High Point you will get it right in the box.
I was very concerned about weight when I was shopping for my first telescope. I have trouble lifting sometimes, but this scope is very easy to transport.
How Do I Choose a Dobsonian Telescope?
Almost all beginners who have looked for recommendations have been told to buy an 8 inch Dobsonian. This is because it is such a great value.
The biggest reason Dobsonians are recommended so often is because you get a lot of aperture for your money. This means that you will be able to see more dim distant objects with this scope than a smaller one.
When it comes to which scope to choose, I say 8, 10 and 12 inch telescopes will all be pretty similar and easy to use and easy to transport.
If you are anything like me you may choose to go just a little bigger, the AD10 was my first telescope.
It fit well in my small car and I transported it often. It was not too heavy to set up, and it was easy to use.
Using a manual scope has some advantages for a beginner over a computerized or go to scope; you will learn the sky, you do not need electricity and your telescope will be easier to set up.
There are some advantages to a go to or computerized scope as well, but I am glad I started with a manual scope and I think it is a great choice for a first scope.
Cost
When choosing a telescope, aperture is king. This metric will determine what you can see, so buy as much aperture as you can afford.
The AD8 is a great value, you get so much aperture and so many accessories for the cost, but it is not cheap.
If you are unsure what you should purchase I recommend attending a local star party and seeing if the astronomy club has any telescopes that they lend. Most clubs have a few scopes in their inventory that can be loaned out for a few days or a few weeks.
You may also find that the used market is a great place to find your first telescope. This will also put you in contact with another astronomer who may be able to answer any questions about the new scope you are buying.
We have a few great resources for making sure you are getting a great scope when buying used, so be sure to read the two linked articles before you buy.
Weight
Be sure that you can lift all the components of your telescope. The AD8 will have two main components: the optical tube and the base.
The weights of these components are listed on manufacturers websites.
It does not break down into too many pieces, so you will have to be able to lift each of these pieces.
The larger Dobsonians are usually moved in more pieces or on wheels. I currently use a 16 inch Dobsonian and it come apart into more than 8 pieces making it much more manageable for transporting and setting up.
Features
If you are new to astronomy be sure that you have everything you need in the box.
Eyepieces
Focuser
Finderscope (and batteries)
Collimator
Fan
Without some of these components you will not be able to use your telescope and that is so frustrating.
This is a HUGE reason that I recommend the AD8, you can use it the same day it arrives in the mail.
If you already have a telescope and have been involved in the hobby for some time, you will not need all the bits and bobs that come with this scope.
Which Dobsonian Telescope Should I Buy?
The best Dobsonian telescope for a beginner is the AD8 from High Point Scientific. The telescope comes with everything you need to start observing, it is straightforward to use and will serve you well for years.
These telescopes are sturdy and hold their value well. They are a great investment for anyone trying to get into astronomy.
