[mental4astro (Alexander)]

This has turned into a brilliant thread! Well, for me at least.

Bob, great post. It, along with the PM I sent you has crystalised a term that I've been looking for. And it has brought me back to first principles I nearly forgot.

The term I've been looking for and have formed is "Gear Snobs". I dislike these with a passion. I would hate to be considered as one, and please, someone shoot me if I become one! PLEASE!

First principles for me is "any scope is better than no scope". My little 2" Tasco taught me that. I still have that little scope, and I've also updated its 0.965" eyepieces with 1.25" ones, and this little guy is now even more amazing to my eyes now 30 years later.

My entire argument in this thread has been to guide the original poster to their best options for the budget & circumstances they mentioned.

Now, if all someone can afford is that NG 6" dob, then I'd be doing that person a great disservice if I denied it being a viable option. The greatest SERVICE I could then do for that same person is advise them on how to get the most out of that scope - the very lessons that the little 2" Tasco taught me.

Brilliant thread! Ta Bob.