Ask HN: What entry-level telescope should I choose?
The most important thing to look for is the diameter of the aperture.
Your resolution is proportional to the diameter of the telescope (absent atmospheric conditions).
I would recommend a minimum of 6" in diameter. 8-12" is preferred.With this in mind, the best telescope you can get for the price is a Dobsonian.
Dobsonians are extremely mechanically and optically simple.
This makes them long, and bulky.
It also makes them cheap.
It also makes them rather easy to point.
They have a lot of mass and inertia, and a large moment of inertia.
This makes them easy to move and point slowly and carefully.Dobsonians are ideal beginner telescopes.
Easy to point, cheap, good resolution.This is the model I have (8" aperture, $450): https://www.amazon.com/Orion-8945-SkyQuest-Dobsonian-Telesco...They're also rather easy to construct, if you are of a DIY mind.
Here's a 90 minute youtube video on how to build one, with John Dobson himself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snz7JJlSZvw