Outreach is such fun, and so important. I have only one scope, and found myself choking a bit when the inevitable question about it's cost came up (see sig line).
Here's what works for me. I provide handouts for anyone who shows interest beyond the casual. The handouts provide pointers to CN and a few other well-chosen sites, make a few recommendations for good starter scopes that won't break the bank, and identify local clubs.
The handouts don't replace responding individually to interested attendees, but serve as a way to memorialize typical conversations in a meaningful way. I always stress that the views through recommended starter scopes will often be as good as those through my setup, sometimes better, for the beginner.
I loved the suggestion about bringing Orion catalogs and the like to events - a great supplement for the interested.
-------------------- Jim
"And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: He made the stars also." Genesis 1:16
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