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The question of the best beginners scope is a vexed one. Every individual has different wants, abilities, pecuniary resources etc so there is probably no one right answer.
I have only been seriously observing for about 5 years and in that time my scopes have been,
130mm Newt on EQ2 Mount
8" dob (loaner from the ASV)
Meade ETX 80 Go To refractor
12" GSO dob
15 x 70 Orion binos
20" Obsession style dob
Given this progression I can state that all other factors being equal ( and I will get to what I mean by that in a moment) the 8" dob is the "best" beginners scope.
I am a typical male in my mid forties (or I was when I had the 8") and I would hazard a guess that I am pretty much the typical demographic for beginners today. Also we usually live in suburban or light polluted areas and we are time poor.
An 8" is a little bulky and heavy, but not so much that is a chore to set up. It is tolerant of average collimation (I never touched it on mine after I got it). It is big enough to be usuable with moderate light pollution. It can be transported easily to star parties and dark sky sites. It is not so bulky that the beginners better half is unlikely to complain about the monstrosity in the living room.
It is easy to use, point it at what you want to see and there it is.
No electronics to go haywire.
I agree with Robert that small aperture can help hone observing skills, but with light pollution, the lower boundary of small has moved since the 70s. My older brother was an ASV member who used the 25" Cassegrain the ASV had in Burwood back in the 70s. Back then, Burwood was still outer suburban and still had reasonably dark skies. I would hate to try observing there thses days!!
The worst beginners scope is a small newt on a wobbletronic EQ mount or a small go to ( I have had both and know all about them) When I look at the online telescope retailer around these day and see these things in the beginners section I get so irritated. It only serves to drive people away from our wonderful hobby.
Malcolm
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