chunkylad, and others
I disagree, the poor performing optics and overall quality of these scopes
(mount included) can be very frustating to a beginer and can turn them
away from the hobby all together. There are better options out there than
these things. You'd get better optics for the same money buying a pair of
bino's. If you think these things have good optics then you probably
wouldn't know what was good if it hit you in the nose. It is NOT a scope I
would recommend to anyone, The reviews you posted in a link earlier dont
carry any weight and are mostly from people who are first time buyers of
any scope period and wouldn't know better.
Take my advice as I gave the original poster and pose the same question
on this group.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/telescopes/
Where you will find a more informed evaluation of these scopes and who's
members contain some of the top reviewers in the amateur community.
They are in reality nothing more than just department store trash.
Now that might hurt your feelings a little bit, but it is the plain truth.
And I do not wish to get into an argument over it either, it simply isn't
worth it.
regards,CS