Janos, The basic thing that we AA's should tell people starting out or have kids who show an interest and who attend meetings/open nights etc, is NOT to buy the TOY t'scopes that are readily avail. at camera stores and the like. A decent pair of 7 x 50's and a planisphere are ALL that are required to start. If a TOY t'scope is bought and interest is lost because of lousy images, sloppy mount, not focusing, tracking etc, there goes the ball game. (money included).
We W.A.A.C.ers and most AA's already take this view and invite them along to our/their observing nights, just to show what is avail. Any questions can be answered re; costs, etc. etc. Which buyer's guide/s are you referring to? Can you post quotes?
I totally agree with what has been said before re; the pictures on the t'scope boxes being overly exaggerated. This is supposed to induce an interest? That is where the problem lies!
Just the facts m'am!
