[bokohut]

If you are just getting started my suggestion is likely outside of your budget considerations however I wanted to make you aware and share this option should your interest expand in the future. I consider this entry "Looking back I wish someone would have told me that sooner." With that stated I can highly suggest "Questar" as a product to research and consider both from the multiple decades of proven quality, they have been involved in manufacturing optics for the U.S. government for a very long time, as well as the 'investment' in a premium product which accrues in value. Having bought many scopes in my day Questar was the last scope I bought many years ago. Ymmv however as I have personal experience in visiting their facility in New Hope PA and meeting multiple people there which exude quality above all else. They serviced and modernized my previous single owner scope which they still held the full manufacturing and maintenance records on which preceded even my existence. I welcome you in joining those of us that find extreme value and relaxation in watching the original reality show without commercials that has been on 24/7 even before life as we know it existed. Stay Healthy!

[dreamcompiler]

I've had a 90mm Questar for decades and it's still the finest thing I've ever owned. Owning a Questar is kind of like owning an Aston-Martin or a Curta calculator; it seems like a product too miraculous to actually exist.

[bokohut]

I concur that it is built with quality above all else which in this day and age is a rarity to find AND they are still in business maintaining that quality. Certainly in this forum of technologists anyone visiting their website would balk at what they see and likely snicker too. However those of us that own a Questar are not using it to look at websites but we are known to occasionally sleep in late from 'spacing' out. ;)

[buescher]

If you are wondering whether you should buy a Rolex or a telescope this year, I recommend the 7" Questar. The classic 3.5" model is of course the well-heeled astronomer's travel scope. They are a very nice thing from a different era, for those that appreciate that.

Of course, quite good Chinese-made Maksutov-Cassegrains are available if that's your thing and a Questar is out of the budget. They are not beautiful, and they are not exquisitely machined, and they are probably not good to lambda/20, but they cost about what it will cost you to have a Questar collimated and otherwise serviced.

[bokohut]

Correct however in that "different era" the proprietors of Questar cared about what they built which seems to be lost in the many products manufactured today in this more "modern era". And yes, I do greatly appreciate quality when I spend my hard earned income but to each their own.