Orion StarBlast 6

A 6-inch tabletop Dobsonian that's perfect for families and beginners who want more than a toy telescope but aren't ready to commit to a full-sized rig. The compact reflector sits on any table or sturdy surface and delivers surprisingly sharp views of the Moon, planets, and brighter deep-sky objects. At around $300, it's one of the best value propositions in amateur astronomy. The wide-field views at low power make it excellent for scanning the Milky Way on dark summer nights.