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After that, I'd probably have a 3" to 5" apo and something in the middle to large SCT line set up. That way the differences between the 3 major types of telescope could be illustrated.

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Tom, one of the things I like to do is set the Ranger up on a simple pan-tilt photo tripod alongside the newt and Dob. After folks have gotten a peak through all three, and after they've seen the differences that aperture makes, then we talk about retail pricing. When I point out that a ready to go, tripod equipped 70mm TV Ranger that gives a comparitively small, dim view actually costs more new, than either of the 8" scopes, the reaction I usually get is, "Why do you own it?" I have explanations for that. But, then I tell them that it's a much higher quality instrument than any refractor they're going to get in a department store. I often have people that say they've seen some cheap refractor in Walmart or Costco. This little demo, is my attempt to steer them far away.

Reflectors aren't right for everybody, but I do my part to steer them away from the really disappointing scopes.

Mike Swaim

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18" Starsplitter II f/4.5
8" Hardin Dob f/6
C5 workhorse mini SCT f/10 or f/6.3
70mm TV Ranger dual purpose birding/astro
77mm Leica Televid APO
16x70 Fujinons on UA Deluxe Mt.
12x50 Nikon SE
8x30 Nikon E2s
and many others

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