I have the 8" Bintel / GSO and have enjoyed it...
As mentioned here in other threads, there are a few modifications that make it even better (milk jug washers etc.)
While not perfect, it is a good beginners scope...for night time viewing...in particular visual viewing...in my opinion!
There are few "moving parts" it won't need batteries...in point of fact, even I understand how/why it works...it is fairly easy to move around too.
I let me 2 boys 7 and 3 1/2 push it around and peek at the mirror...they even occassionally look in the eyepiece too!
The moon looks spectacular as do many DSO's...I've not had a chance to take a peek at Saturn yet but, I understand it does a decent job on planets too. In short, I would call it a good all arounder for a new/ moderate user.
If you are going to buy a Dob, it is a good scope to start with...this opens up a whole series of questions...what do you want to do with your scope?
If your dream is to get into astrophotography, I would probably make a different scope choice, likewise if you also wanted to birdwatch or do other terrestial viewing I would choose differently...While others might disagree, I would also say if you wanted to hook it up to lots of electronics and wire it through a computer I would make a different choice...
Having said all of that, if you are looking for what I believe is good value for money in a respectable visual viewing package...I would buy an 8" GSO Dob...remember, the folks who started the science of astronomy were using gear much smaller in aperture and much lower in quality than this rig...several years and lots of nights will pass before I will have the capability and knowledge to need better base equipment than it is.
Good Luck in your selection!
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