: Absolutly! That's a good starter scope. Question is: Does it have a aluminum frame tripod or wood. If it is aluminum, you're good to go. Does the polar mount work well? Is it tight. I was at Costco store the other day, and they were selling the same thing for $200. I checked it out and it was fair quality. I wouldn't mind buying one of those for my son. Good Luck!!

I have Resently Purchased this scope being a beginner myself, it has a aluminuim tripod along with a quite sturdy Equatorial mount. the motor drive with it is quite smooth although when it starts it sometimes goes WAY fast but that can be easily fixed by just moving the scope back along the R.A. Back down, Although I'd recommend turning the motor on before you do high mag or super precice aligning with the celestial object you looking at. the equatorial mount is all metal along with the worm gears. I don't think it's compatable with autostar, the manual didn't mention it, if it is you would have to add a motor on the Dec. axis which probably would be very easy. My only (Very Minor) Gripe is that it takes ~0.9" Eyepieces. I am definitely very happy with it and would recommend. Thunderbolt