[Screwdriverone (Chris)]

Hi There,

Here is my suggestion, go to Andrews site, click on the telescopes, go to the USED AND SURPLUS section and snap up the GS-500 6 inch (150mm) reflector on SV1 mount with motor drive (keeps tracking the object as the earth turns) for only $349!!!

This is a saving off the new price of $150! and is big enough to keep the hubby happy for a long while, satisfies most of everyone's points here, and is still not too much more than your original budget.

Absolute bargain in my opinion and a great starting point without being a rubbish size or quality such as the sub $200 mark.

See what you think, there is a picture in the Guan Sheng section of the website too, so you know what it is you are looking at. I have attached a pic of the scope I am talking about.

Cheers for now, and welcome to IIS. OH and dont forget a copy of Astronomy 2009 for only $20. Indispensable resource.

Chris.