Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8 SE Telescope
$1,199.00
I have a professional degree in astronomy before turning to medicine. I also have over 40 years of observing experience. This is a wonderful off-the-shelf telescope for the amateur observer who is mainly interested in visual observing. Optical and mechanical quality and image stability are excellent. I use a digital camera with it for planetary and lunar work, but I don't do deep-sky photography. This type of alt-azimuth drive/mount is not really designed for serious deep-sky photography, but it is terrific for visual observing. My only complaint is that it does not have an onboard memory clock, so the time, date, and location must be re-entered with each use. That is a crazy software design. The other complaint is that the unit I have does not know about the change in daylight savings time dates that was made last year. It is a small hassle, but a hassle nonetheless.

Celestron NexStar 130 SLT Computerized Telescope
$439.00
i have been watching the sky for a few months, and purchased this scope
through amazon, im in the middle of a large nieghborhood, with trees and fences all around my back yard, that said, i have not had much luck w the go to function,it has taken me to saturn and the moon, but some targets will make it point at the ground. so i was kinda disappointed, then i ordered the 2inch eyepiece kit by celestron also from amazon, it is a huge difference, i was using a galileo, the two scopes are not that much different, outside the motorized mount,and 2inch viewer.; so for watching the sky, this is a great scope, i must admit, i had thought maybe it would identify the stars im looking at, but now i realize that would be a tall order even for nasa, in new orleans, this scope shows the sky to be full of stars. i say this is a good deal and a good scope, not many scopes have the 2inch option, and celestron seems to get better and more reviews than ioptron, for beginners, telescopes like this will take sum time, but your patience will be rewarded(alton brown)
update, got the vixen 3856 3.5 eyepeice, ring of saturn was huge, and the moon was awesome, very cool eyepiece, makes my scope seem new again.
9-9-09, finally found juptier, with the vixen 3.5, it was very impressive, and its four moons were very bright, still enjoying the nexstar 130, looking into getting skyscout connect, which would connect my skyscout to the scope, making it gps, find a star with skyscout, and the scope w slew to the object w a touch of a button, for 99$ seems like the next step in my set up

Celestron 21061 AstroMaster 70 AZ Refractor Telescope
$129.95
This is my and my wife's first venture with a telescope so we sought something that would not require a big investment; would not "jiggle or shake" if bumped when in use; would be easy to handle and transport by hand; and allowed us some recreational fun. This item is sturdy and easy to set up but lacks a couple of minor conveniences that could inexpensively been added by the manufacturer to enhance the user's enjoyment. Without detracting from our feelings that there is inherent value in this item to introduce the beginner (especially kids) to astronomy, the changes would be: (1) although the tripod is nice and firm with a locking mechanism, the removable little tray that one snaps inside the legs to hold some of the extras is not easy to put into place or remove; (2) there is insufficient guidance on how to best utilize the infrared eye piece that is battery powered and it is easy to overlook that this eyepiece battery is in the on positon when folding up and storing it and a dead battery will ensue; (3) there is not a protective cap for the 10mm or 20mm lens inserted into the eyepiece if you do not always want to have to remove and store them when not in use; and (4) a carrying case (cloth or plastic) for storage for a few bucks more would have been a nice addition...we're still searching for something suitable. Again, overall it was worth

Galileo FS-80/K-800 800 x 80mm Yoke Mount Reflector Telescope
$159.95
I have this tendency to look for a cheaper product when I'm not sure if I'll be interested in something, then purchasing a better one later on to fulfill my original thought. The FS-80 was just such a purchase. The FS-80 is easy to set up and use for the beginner looking to see the moon close up, or see Jupiter as more than a dot in the sky. My only complaint is the mount. The slightest touch of any part of the mount or scope, and it shakes so much you have to step back and wait for it to calm down. While this seems bad, you learn to compensate for it. I'll be moving on to a better scope when I have the money to do so, but I will pass this down to the kids.