After taking some time to learn the sky with 8 x 45 binos I am now ready to buy my first scope. A local shop carries the SkyWatcher brand and I would like to know if the Blue Coloured Short-Tube Refractors 70mm/80mm/102/ would be okay as a way to enter the hobby and have scope that can be taken on short journeys to darker skies as well as being used in my backyard. If they are sutiable based on feedback will the comet Holmes ; moon, etc look much different that my binos. I am asking as if there isn't that much difference then a larger scope may the way to go. Also are there scopes that do not need much collimation.

I have to repeat my advice. NEVER NEVER buy a first scope without attending a few star parties thrown by a local astronomy club. There you will see and be able to use (yes they will let you use them) many different types of scopes. You'll likely learn more there than reading this list for 20 years. They can answer your questions and remove some false ideas most beginners have (like the fear of collimation). Only then will you know what various scopes can and can't do. Each is a compromise. Only you can determine where you are willing to make these compromises. 90% of our club members that buy a scope without first attending a few star parties later admit they bought the wrong scope for them. Sometimes they get lucky and it is the right one for another member and they get their money out of it. More often they take a substantial loss then buy the right scope for themselves. Sometimes it is far cheaper than the one they bought first adding to the pain.

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/community/organizations
The above is one of several sites that help you locate a local club.

For me, personally, I consider a shorty tube refractor a niche scope. One to add later, not a general puprose scope but others find their main interests are well served by such a scope. This is the problem asking others what to get, we tell you what we like or what others have gotten as a first scope that worked for them. Most today would start with a 6 or 8" Dob. Others would be poorly served by one. Maybe a 6" SCT would be more to your interest for high portability though Dobs are very portible as well. I doubt you even know what you really want other than something better than binoculars. You certainly don't know what a scope can and can't do in comparison to binoculars. Attend the star party and you will quickly learn this and much more. With new moon coming soon there should be one in your area if you move quickly on this.

Good luck.

Rick

There are a great many sources for beginner's advice. You definitely should read this: http://www.scopereviews.com/begin.html

There are quite a few 'what scope should I get' threads here on this forum well worth reading as well, and most of them have some great links you should check out.

You definitely need to get out to a star party and use the different types of scopes available. Most astro club members are more than happy to share their equipment and experiences.

I own several small, fast refractors including an 80mm f/5 Orion ShortTube 80, about which I wrote a chapter for Astronomy with Small Telescopes. Such telescopes, which are known as rich-field (originally richest-field) telescopes, are excellent for providing low power views. They are generally not well suited for observing the planets and the Moon at high magnifications and are more useful at dark sites.

Dave Mitsky

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I read these kinds of threads before, really a good info for beginners.
And recently I just got one Celestron Refractor Telescope for my brother
http://www.dealstudio.com/searchdeals.php?deal_id=68868
From reading other scope review sites and from my personal experience, this Celestron is a definitely winner. Everywhere I asked, "pro-amateurs" were telling me its the perfect scope for a beginner.