Need help Buying a Telescope. (10pts)

[metalgearsolid]

I have 500 dollars and i want a telescope. what is a good telescope around this price range and since im new at this stuff i dont know what kind to look for so just go ahead and give me an idea of whats out there. I also really need image comparisons of different telescopes, cus i want to buy one with a 10" aperture but my neighbor says that an 8" is fine and there isnt much difference. Also if i dont buy one with a computer thingy "object locator" i think, will it really effect my viewing? I live 10miles out of town is that far enough to be away from city light? What telescopes are good for 500 dollars? should i save up a little more for an even better one. Have I asked too many questions? lol.
Can someone please just link me some pics of comparisons to 10" and 8" or of any other kinds of telescopes. Or of at least images of your telescope pics.

[Michael Steen]

Go to Meade or Orion and look at the specs. Both make great scopes.
Here's my rundown presented as a list:
1) Bigger is better in that it gathers more light, making dim objects brighter.
2) 10" is about the max you want to buy if you're not locating it in a permanent spot. Carrying and transporting a 12" or bigger is so much of a hassle that you won't use it.
3) 8" is fine and dandy for planets and the moon. 10" gathers about 40% more light for deep space objects.
4) 10" can handle a little more magnification because of the better light-gathering capability. Magnification decreases light transmission, so the higher the mag, the more light you need.
5) $500 will buy you an Orion XT10 without "computer thingy." Its absence won't affect your viewing at all, but you'll have to spend more time learning the night sky. That's a good thing. Get a Telrad sight for $40 to add to it--makes pointing at stuff incredibly easy.
6) You can't get a 'scope to take pictures for $500. That requires a good equatorial mount which can easily run twice that for the mount alone.
Now, please, to satisfy both me and Carlos, what does that "10 pts." added to your post refer to??