Why is a solid, steady mount, such as an equatorial mount, often prioritized over high magnification claims for beginners?

Poor stability causes shaking with focus adjustments, frustrating visual observation even with good optics

For amateur astronomers starting out, investing in a solid, steady mount is often more critical than prioritizing the specifications of the optical tube assembly (OTA), especially regarding high magnification claims. High magnification requires the telescope to hold the image perfectly still relative to the observer. An unstable mount, such as a wobbly alt-azimuth mount, translates even the slightest touch—like turning the focus knob—into significant image movement. This constant shaking makes it nearly impossible to center or hold faint, high-power views steady, leading to frustration. An equatorial mount, by tracking the sky along a single axis, keeps the object centered, allowing the observer to focus on observing rather than constantly wrestling with mount stability.