Looking to get into Astronomy and not sure what telescope to buy?

The best advice for a beginner is "wait." It is too easy to buy something you will find disappointing. Here is the standard advice for people who are beginning to get interested in astronomy, frrom someone who is not interested is your money: 1. Get the best binoculars you can afford. 2. Join your local amatuer astronomy club. 3. Subscribe to Sky and Telescope magazine or Astronomy magazine.

You're right at the budget for the Skywatcher Skyliner 150P, a 6 inch Dobsonian telescope. It's worth getting the chance to look at and through various scopes first though. People who don't often get a shock at how big the scope is, and how small the planets look through it!

First of all know your sky first. Rule of thumb in starting astronomy is to know your sky and start with a binocular, meaning lear the constellations and object of your sky. Start out with a binocular first, ideally 10x50 you'll be surprise by how much stars you can see with the binocular. Second see if you can join a local astronomy club and attend their star parties, you'll be able to test drive diffrent type of telescope there and know which one you might like to decide on buying. I would also suggest to expand your knowledge if you really like to get started with the hobby because it's a very rewarding and eye opening hobby. Go to some astronomy forum such as www.astronomyforum.com or www.cloudynights.com you will meet very nice people there willing to help you answer you questions. Also listen to podcast like Astronony Cast by Fraser Cain and Dr Pamela Gay, they have very insightful episodes and also an episode on how to start the hobby. Lastly just take your time, don't rush this hobby because it can get you frustrated. Taking the steps gets you more knowledgeable and more intersted. By the way there's no such thing as a "future use" telescope once you get in to the hobby you'll always want to upgrade :) Good luck!