Well...your choice will depend on what you and/or your wife find most interesting. Some things are bright but small (e.g. planets), while others are dim and large (e.g. nebulae & galaxies). Others are dim and small, so you're screwed! In terms of the mount, just worry about getting something that won't be wobbly. Don't worry about equatorial vs. alt-azimuth right now, because you won't be doing any photography with this kit anyhow (as Photon mentioned).
Here are a few examples of what I think would be good "beginner" scopes in your range. I personally think you'd be better off going through a reputable dealer than a dep't store, but if you can find something good then do what you will:
6" Dobsonian mounted reflector with 2 eyepieces.
Points to consider:
-With the reflector design, you'll have to periodically "collimate" -- align the optics. It's not that difficult, but if you don't do it, things will start to look fuzzy and assymetrical.
-The Dobsonian mount has no tripod...it just sits on the ground, and you aim it by hand. Very easy, and probably more stable than a rickety aluminum tripod.
-30 mm finderscope is the smallest that you'd want to be even remotely usable
-This has 1200 mm focal length. Longer focal length will translate into higher magnification but smaller fields of view, and vice versa. I think this is a nice compromise. I have a 2000 mm focal length and it's a little bit too long for a lot of things up there.
-With included eyepieces, will let you see the moon, double stars, Saturn's rings, globular clusters, some galaxies and nebulae (from dark skies), and the Pleiades. Good at everything. Master of nothing.
Another 6" Dobsonian
-Only 1 eyepiece included with this one. About the same otherwise. I can't speak to the quality of either one, but both are good names.
I can't recommend any tripod-mounted reflectors because they tend to be too wobbly to be a pleasant experience.
A refractor perhaps?
-Much smaller aperture will limit you to only the brightest objects--planets, globular clusters, double stars.
-Computer controlled...I consider it cheating, but it might work for you
-More stable than a reflector on tripod...probably acceptable
-Not sure if it includes any eyepieces?
-No alignment of optics ever necessary with refractors
Another refractor
-Starting to get a little big for its tripod, but still ok
-Better aperture than the above = dimmer objects
Very compact...
-...but has the least light gathering power of any of these
-No alignment ever necessary
Another possibility?
And another?
With the remainder of your budget, buy a lunar filter, perhaps a barlow lens...maybe a "unit power" finder. These finders are often easier to use than the small scopes.
And finally...if you do happen to decide on a Dob and decide you don't like it, give me a shout and I might be tempted to buy it off of you! I need a "grab-and-go" telescope for my front yard observing.
Telescopes - Buying them and where?
