Welcome to IIS, Dodge!
With all the new requests for 'best telescopes for a few hundred dollars' it must be nearly Christmas!
You're in the right section to ask your question, but it's the very place where much info has already been posted. Below are some links that may be of help to you.
Good luck and happy observing!
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=38437
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=38168
General principles for choosing your first telescope:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/index.p...63,260,0,0,1,0
A non-IIS simple guide on starting off:
http://www.jeremysdirectory.com/astronomy.html
Binocular guide:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/index.p...63,374,0,0,1,0