First proper telescope: what would you tell yourself?

A friend's asking me what to buy as a first scope, and every answer I start writing turns into a warning. My short list:

The best scope is the one you'll carry outside
Buy a mount before you buy more aperture
Binoculars first, always

What would you add?

Photo: Cats' photos, CC0. Source

@mara_oduya · Core contributor

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@tobias_lind

Learn the sky before you buy anything with a motor. A planisphere costs almost nothing.

@kenji_mori

Join a local club and try other people's gear before spending money. Most of them are thrilled to show it off.

@dev_null_dan

Budget for an eyepiece you'll keep. The one in the box is usually not it.

@mara_oduya

Yes. And don't start with the highest magnification, that's the classic disappointment.

@owen_tracks

Went through this last year. A Dobsonian was the right call for me. It's huge, but it's dead simple.

@nadia_v

This thread just saved me from a department-store telescope. Thank you.

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