One of the cheapest entry level telescope found on the market as of this writing would be this Dobsonian Reflector from Celestron and we don't think that the tube is made from metallic materials.

Retail price on the net as of this writing is 49.99 US Dollar per unit excluding delivery outside the United States and I am not sure IF delivery is still free in most major cities in Europe.

General Features are as follows:

• Named Official Product of International Year of Astronomy 2009, FirstScope pays tribute to the men and women who brought us one step closer to understanding the universe around us!
• High quality Dobsonian style stand with a 76 mm reflector optical tube make FirstScope an ideal entry level astronomical telescope
• Portable and light weight table-top design makes it easy to store, transport and setup your FirstScope Telescope
• FirstScope is very easy to observe with, the user simply navigates the night sky by moving the tube in the direction of their desired object
• Stylish and decorative design makes FirstScope a wonderful keepsake for anyone interested in astronomy

Optical Design   Dobsonian Reflector Aperture   76 mm (2.99 in) Focal Length   300 mm (11.81 in) Focal Ratio   3.95 Eyepiece 1   20 mm (0.79 in) Magnification 1   15 x Eyepiece 2   4 mm (0.16 in) Magnification 2    75 x Weight   69 oz (1956.12 g)

A Dobsonian telescope is the closest model to the Celestron FirstScope Telescope 21024, which is on the left column of this page and is also Celestron's new entry level for Astronomy.

This Dobsonian table-top reflector is from Guangdong China and from a company called KSON.

Specification are as follows:

Optical Design :  Reflector Aperture :  80mm Focal Length :  500mm Focal Ratio :  f/6.25 Tripod :  MDF Wood Finderscope :  Elec. Red Dot Limiting Magnitude :  11.6 Light gathering Power   131x Eyepiece Barlow   1.25" F20, F6mm Focuser   1.25" Rack & Pinion Dimensions   37 x 37 x 42cm

• These two(2) telescopes and few other small models are a few entry level for this season (as of this writing - July 1, 2009)
• The Celestron FirstScope Telescope 21024 is still the cheapest in the current market so far with a retail price of 49.99 US Dollar
• These telescope are surely not for the amateur astronomer, they have very low aperture which means it would be very difficult to see very far or very small celestial objects in the sky clearly
• these are excellent as gift for young kids who like to learn something about astronomy, but don't want to go deep with the subject matter
• Dobsonian Reflector telescope are fun to have around and easy to use and put together, from the two(2) models above only the Kson Dobsonian version would most likely have a metal type tube
• These 50.00 US Dollar telescope are available or have been spotted in Dubai (since - July 3, 2009), Bharain some time late 2010 as well too