Went to the dump recycling shop today looking for books and storage boxes, and for the first time spotted a not-so-toy-like telescope.
Closer inspection - Celestron Nexstar mount, complete with hand controller. Scope is a Celestron 80/900 achromat, and is actually dent free (some small paint chips. Focuser intact, finder missing (except foot, which remains for a red dot, which I have thanks to Matt). Someone simply folded the tripod without removing the accessory tray, so the spreader bars are mangled. Otherwise, dusty, dirty and I took a chance, fully expecting the electronics not to work.
$15...took the chance, brought it home, thinking at least the OTA is useable.
Cleaned off the objective. NICE! And it is actually glass! Focuser is smooth. No diagonal, so I need to get a cheap 1.25" diagonal.
Plugged power into the NexStar mount. Handset lit up! Started asking me about alignment...skipped that and pressed the directional keys...it slews correctly and properly in alt and az!
So, apart from a boogered up tripod spreader, I have a fully functional VERY quick grab n go for the kids and even myself for planetary/Lunar, for $15!
I may simply replace the spreaders with chain ala Unitron, but I SHOULD be able to flatten these sheet spreaders out enough.
Seriously chuffed for a change. Might even repaint it classic white rather than the Celestron grey-silver...and resell
From junk shop to junk room
I dream of finding a Canon 600mm F/4.L at a garage sale one day for maybe $100.00 bucks one day 
