Starhopper series a good starting scope?

[Shoemoodoshaloo]

I'm getting my first true telescope soon, and i'm locked in a budget around 600 dollars. Would a star hopper 8/star hopper 10 be a good starting scope. I'm not a noob when it comes to astronomy, but am novice when it comes to sky navigating. Portablity isn't a huge issue.

[Erimus]

This is a great site for telescope reviews, though the selection is understandably limited:

http://www.scopereviews.com/

The webmaster, by the way, is a respected amateur whose equipment reviews I (and probably many other enthusiasts) take quite seriously. Here is an entry with exactly the telescope you mention:

http://www.scopereviews.com/page1g.html

The reviews seem good. :)

Here is another good telescope review site:

http://www.cloudynights.com/