There is a difference between what I could/would spend in one go and the total spent over 45 years. The most I have dropped in one go was $5k but that is supposed to be the final big purchase. Back in the 70's I spent the princely sum of $300 on the optics and some eyepieces for my first scope (home-built, rather poorly). About 20 years ago it was $2k on a big frac then a 10" dobs a few years later. Between times there has been a set of nice eyepieces (through good research I've almost always bought 'keepers' and many second hand), argo navis for the dobs, observing chair, big binos, red torches, cleaning gear, cases, clothes, lots of fuel in the car, take away food etc etc. It all adds up, but I don't want to work out the total: best I don't know.
