I would encourage you to take your time. When I first got interested, there seemed to be all sorts of wild specials I HAD to have. After a while, I realised that not all were suitable for what I wanted to do (Astrophotography - damn expensive by the way...) so I can only repeat...
Take your time. and... Buy a quality mount, especially if your thinking of adding a camera to it one day.
None of this will run away, not even the "offers" you see, engage in the forums, read, read, read. I don't think a scope makes a good gift "surprise". Don't buy it for her, lovely thought that it is, of course..
