Re: Priced out of the hobby

In the late 1970's I bought my first scope: a 60mm Jason refractor on a shakey alt-az mount with crummy .965" eyepieces for $200! I'm no economist but $200 then is probably worth around at least $500 now.

I'd say that we are priced into the hobby now much more than ever before. Of course a lot of the super premium stuff wasn't even invented then but it wasn't missed or needed then and really are only luxuries now.

When Nagler came around with his super premium $55 TV plossls in 1980 I didn't think it could get any better! In certain ways it really hasn't; its just gotten a whole lot cheaper for the stuff then available and plus there is a lot more super premium stuff to indulge in. Clear skies!

Astronomy might be considered an expensive hobby, BUT I have friends who spend as much each summer on golf as I have spent equiping a HomeDome observatory with an LX 200 classic 12" with many of the desirable accessories. My "investment" in a hobby will last for years and the major expense will not have to be repeated annually. Also, have you ever thought about skying?

Our hobby is a bargin considering the long term benefits we can get for every penny spent.
Ted