The basic Dobsonian telescope is not computer-automated, nor does it have a clock-drive that synchronizes with the turning of the Earth. We don't recommend that type of set-up, not only because of the higher cost, but because those gadgets require calibration. You'll spend all your time fussing with the calibration, not doing any actual observing, and you may decide that astronomy is a hobby that’s not for you.

Once you know your way around the sky, a manual Dobsonian is a two-minute set-up, and then you simply “point and shoot” at whatever you want to look at. You can always get a fancier telescope with bells and whistles later if you decide you really enjoy going outside at night hunting for deep sky splendors.