Thus, a telescope with a two-inch aperture can achieve a magnification of 100 times. Unfortunately, these telescopes often claim to be able to magnify at the ungodly rate of 500 times, violating the laws of physics and the credibility of those who don't want to get ripped off. Most advanced amateur astronomers own reflectors because they can get a large telescope for a reasonable price. Look carefully at the telescope's mounting. Many inexpensive telescopes are perched on mounts so wobbly that you will have trouble pointing them at a planet or star cluster.
Good mounts are heavy.
Gravity plants them firmly to the ground. Some mounts, called equatorials, will follow an astronomical object across the sky. They are only effective if they are solid enough to keep the object in view. Dobsonian mounts are well suited for visual observing of the stars and planets. Because they don't have the fancy motors, you'll have to push the telescope yourself.