Good solid first scope - Celestron Firstscope 80 EQ Refractor Telescope - 21086

If you can get this on sale, it is an excellent value. This is much better built than my first 3" f/15 back in 1975. The f/11.25 ratio makes for a great wide-field view (Andromeda M-31 and its companion in the same FOV) with the 25 mm eyepiece. I would have liked a finderscope with an 90-deg star diagonal. Also, the German Equatorial mount is adjustable in all axes. Overall, you will get an enormous amount of use of of this optically good, protable and sturdy first scope.
Pros: Sturdy mount, good features, good optics

This review was written in the old system and had content requirements that are different than reviews written today.