[SJAAboard] Low-end scopes

[Craig Scull]

Lee, I had the same experience. I had a department store 50mm that was good enough to at least see craters on the moon the first time in my whole life,and that's a WHOLE LOT more than I could see naked eye, so I was really excited. I could also see the moons of Jupiter, which was a big leap for me as an 11 year old.

My 11 year old self considers a 60-80mm refractor a "big" telescope compared to my 50mm.

Perhaps we should give away the small refractors to children and as a test we first make sure they will show craters on the moon and show the moons of jupiter. That's a pretty simple test IMHO, and if can't pass that test then it should go in the trash, not even goodwill.

Craig




----- Original Message ----
From: "leebizz at aol.com" <leebizz at aol.com>
To: sjaaboard at sjaa.net
Sent: Tuesday, April 1, 2008 9:29:49 AM
Subject: Re: [SJAAboard] Low-end scopes


Hi all,

???? I think if a person has the curiousity and desire to look at the sky, I cheap telescope is better than no telescope.? I (and probably many of you) had our very first look at the sky and moon with a modest department store refractor.? It served to make me yearn for a better look.? As a result I started a quest (that still continues).? I have been building and buying telescopes ever since. ?So in my case the modest department store telescope served as a launching pad into the great hobby we all enjoy.? 
???? Maybe we should set minimum standards and evaluate the donations, and if the telescope exhibits the ability to show a newbie something he/she hasn't seen before, then it's a good thing.? Remember we are pretty jaded, and the uninitiated can be really wowed and fascinatedby a view of the moon that many of us consider lousy.? But even a mediocre view served it's purpose-now they want to come to Houge Park and get a view through Gary's or Rich's telescope and Viola!- we have a new SJAA member!? Anyway- it's possible.
If the telescope has no redeeming qualities then we can make it into a display for new members of what not to buy.
???? Just a thought,
??????????????????? Lee


-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Wagner <mark.wagner at resource-intl.com>
To: Business list for SJAA board of directors <sjaaboard at sjaa.net>
Sent: Tue, 1 Apr 2008 7:15 am
Subject: Re: [SJAAboard] Low-end scopes





> > Yes exactly!  When I say we should not be discouraging folks from
> buying it at the auction, this is the sort of thing that could be
> mentioned... that has limitations for folks starting out, but
> would be good for someone with experience.

OK, so some noob comes along, and you tell some noob that its probably not a 
scope for them
(gingerly dancing around the fact that its a PoS).  But they still decide that 
$25 is exactly what
they want to spend on a scope, and they buy it.  How are you going to feel when 
no matter what you
told them, they are disappointed and think the hobby stinks?

> We're trying to run an auction here.  That means selling stuff.  The
> last thing we should do is bad-mouth our own offerings.  It's easy
> enough to warn off beginners and be honest without saying "this is
> a PoS."

Its a matter of how the club is perceived.  Yes, it is an auction.  Sotheby runs 
auctions too, but
I bet they don't put PoS merchandise up... they have a reputation to uphold.  Is 
the $25 worth it?

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