Hi All,
Interesting thread. For me its 90% stars 10% gear -- I almost never buy gear on the basis that is is simply good/excellent _for the sake of the gear_. I might drool occasionally (okay, maybe more than occasionally) over new trinkets/toys but I wouldn't buy unless it would make my observing experience better.
Actually, I've never bought a complete telescope in my life (I'm almost 46), but neither am I a dyed in the wool ATM -- not by any stretch of the imagination. I'm just not good enough with my hands or motivated enough to be a good ATM. I make/build/assemble a 'scope if I need one and usually conscript help to do what I can't do easily/properly. I have therefore tended to buy quite a few components over the years and have enjoyed them, but only for what they do -- not for what they are/look like/feel like.
I only really buy gear only to make observing more pleasurable/producive. Take away all my gear and I'd still be a contented naked-eye observer.
I love the stars. Period.
Best,
Les D
Last edited by ngcles; 11-07-2008 at 05:42 PM.
|