[SJAAboard] Thoughts on requirements for scopes larger than 10"

[Mark Wagner]

On Wed, May 14, 2008 11:43 pm, Gary Mitchell wrote:

> When I hear that the loaner program should only be populated
> with currently available commercial scopes

LOL!   I don't recall saying that.  What I am in favor of is having scopes that are of designs
that are representative of commercially available scopes.  There is a difference.  To require they
be currently available from manufacturers would be nuts!  This criterion would certainly include
solid tube Dobs, as they are ubiquitous.  What I have stated I am opposed to are what I referred
to as boutique scopes.  Again (again), it gets down to what the purpose of the program is.  If it
is to provide the membership a range of scopes from basic to rare high-end designs, its one
thing... if it is to provide entry level scopes to allow people some experience with this or that
design, it is another thing.

> The point is to give people a chance to get aquatinted with
> scopes and astronomy.  Once they build up some experience,
> they'll have what they need to make an informed choice if they
> decide to buy a scope.

Well, Gary, you and I would argue the same position on that point...


> THAT should be the point of the loaner program, to provide the
> opportunity to get that experience.

Yep...

> It's like the difference between teaching someone how to drive
> a car (any car) versus teaching them to drive a particular make,
> model, and year.  If it's the latter, it seems to me like club
> is just being used.

Using the car analogy further, I'd prefer letting people learn in a Ford Focus (appropriate)
instead of a Ferrari.  It is more cost effective for the club, less risk the user will cause
damage, and would be more like what they could get commercially and quickly.

Mark