Came across an old post from Chuck Gulker in which he stated that the
best $100 he had spent on the hobby (after 15 years+) was on a Highpower
Equatorial Platform, which he mated with a 7" Oak Classic.

Well, if Highpower still made those EP's and at that price, I'd grab one
in a flash and pair it with my 7" Starmaster, too. And probably make
the same statement as Chuck.

That got me thinking. What's the best $100 I ever spent on this hobby?

Well, it has to be the used Astroscan I bought this summer. It's been
wonderful. Was at a country lake, and saw Barnard's E dark nebula in
Aquila for the first time (what is that, B142/143?). I also simply
marveled at crusing the summer Milky Way.

One of the best things about the little red ball wonder is the wide
field of view. I'm now into DSO hopping. The triangle, e.g., from the
Coat-Hanger cluster (CR399) to M73 (globular) to M27 Dumbbell Nebula is
so easy to navigate and seeing the DSOs in miniature is just enchanting!

That coupled with the intuitive, stable movement makes for a great
experience! Although I've own one of those short tube 80s for several
years, it never really grabbed me. The 'Scan, by contrast, has
re-energized my observing.

In any event, what's the best $100 that YOU ever spent on this hobby?

And why?

Larry Stedman
Vestal