there is a joke about a housewife who goes to the store and asks how much they are charging for apples. the storekeeper tells her - $1.50 a pound. the housewife replies, "but the store down the street is selling them for 50 cents a pound." the storekeeper says - "so buy them there." the housewife replies, "but they're all out." to which the storekeeper says, "if I were all out of apples, I could also sell them for 50 cents a pound."
I don't deny that the scope at Sam's Club was a real bargain. but, if they don't have it, then the price is irrelevant. that is why I sent the other info.
are they out of it at all branches of Sam's Club? maybe some have it and some don't. are they going to be getting in more stock?
now personally, I am not a fan of go-to scopes. I think they are anti-educational, and while it might be the quickest way to find a specific object, you totally lose out on the "scenic route". you might as well just buy a coffee-table book. astronomy is more than just looking at specific objects. sometimes, what you see on the "scenic route" is what makes the viewing more interesting! plus, you learn to find your way around. you don't get that with a go-to scope. a go-to scope is like taking a vacation, sitting in the back of the car with your eyes closed while someone else drives you there, and telling the driver, "just let me know when we get there." isn't the scenery along the way, part of the vacation?
I think that an ordinary beginner scope, plus a good star-hopping guidebook, is a lot better.
----- Original Message ----- From: "Tim Jones" <timj@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <pasmembers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2012 2:56 PM Subject: [pasmembers] Re: Sam's Club TelescopeGood input, but most are looking for low cost AND goto. The Sam's Club option was amazing!
Tim On Mar 28, 2012, at 1:54 PM, LPhxAZ wrote:
Sky & Telescope has an article about low-cost beginner scopes http://www.skyandtelescope.com/equipment/home/69745547.html the ones that they recommend most are: Orion XT4.5 Classic Dobsonian and Orion Starblast 4.5 Astro Reflector the Starblast comes with either a Dobsonian or equatorial mount current prices at www.telescope.com are around $200($210 for XT4.5, $180 for Starblast Dobsonian, and $200 for Starblast equatorial)shipping is estimated at $10you can compare specs at www.telescope.com and click on "beginner telescopes"I didn't check to see whether other dealers might have better prices ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tim Jones" <timj@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <pasmembers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2012 1:15 PM Subject: [pasmembers] Re: Sam's Club TelescopeOf course, now that we can present them, Sam's has "run out". I'm looking for alternatives. Woodland Hills (telescopes.net) has the similar Celestron LCM114, but it's $100 more.Since this is one of the top questions I get asked, and since we may have a lot of fresh minds and their parents, hopefully I can find something between now and tomorrow night.Tim On Mar 27, 2012, at 2:51 PM, Terri wrote:This is awesome Tim, yes please do it as handouts. Have a super day and see you and hopeful a bunch of other scopes Thursday! Did everyone reading this look at the list of RSVP's? I have 25 currently, but a school of 1st graders are due to come to PVCC with 80+ students, their parents, and siblings. We can use more scopes!
