"Mike" wrote in message news:nIOAc.2723$7d2.174@clgrps13...

I have no
idea what the fluky mentality
with 80mm aperture is. 80 was good 15 years ago and I just don't
understand
the fixation.

I think it's because 80mm makes for a reasonable wide field scope.

That said, I don't exactly disagree with you. An 80mm scope is really in the
toy category for intermediate and avid amateurs. It's a play thing.
Something you take along on the family trip. You convince yourself that it's
for observing nature, but deep down in your heart you know it's just a
pacifier for when you start jones'ing for the scope you would have brought,
if you hadn't brought the family. g