Nothing excites me more than when someone asks for my advice on buying their first telescope. I often think about the characteristics that define the best beginner telescopes. Here are some quick thoughts:
1. A beginner telescope should have quality optics but be reasonably priced. Don't think you can spend $50 bucks on a telescope from Wallyworld and expect to not be disappointed in the views you're going to get. Does this mean that a first telescope is going to cost you $3000? No. But $200-$300 is a much more reasonable price range.
2. A beginner telescope should be easy to use. Unfortunately, I've seen first time telescope buyers frustrated by intricate electronics that sound great in advertisements, but in practical use can be challenging for a beginner to use. If you do decide to purchase a first time telescope with "goto" electronics, it will make your transition to using this scope much easier if an experienced amateur provides guidance on the basics. Often, a wise choice is to forego these types of electronics and stick with something much simpler, such as a dobsonian reflector like the Orion XT8. If your telescope takes 45 minutes or more to setup, chances are you will not use it often, and it will wind up collecting dust in a closet.
3. Set your expectations correctly. A telescope for beginners can provide stunning views of the craters on the moon, details on planets such as the belts of Jupiter and the rings of Saturn. It can also show beautiful deep sky objects like the Great Orion Nebula and the Andromeda Galaxy. But...don't expect views like the Hubble Space Telescope. Even in large amateur telescopes, deep sky objects won't reveal color other than a ghostly grey-green. Details can be picked out, but color is much more elusive.
4. The type of telescope you buy can dictate what kind of objects you'll have the best views of. Generally speaking, if you are mainly interested in viewing the moon and planets, a long focal length refractor or Cassegrain can provide the best views of these objects. If you are interested more in deep sky objects like star clusters and nebulae, a reflector may be a better purchase.
Most importantly, if you are interested enough in amateur astronomy to purchase a beginner's telescope, take the time to seek out your local amateur astronomy club. You can find a list of clubs here.
