My first telescope (1969) was a Tasco 2.5" refractor. I ended up trading it for a go kart. My next scope was an 6" Criterion reflector in 1972. It cost $199! I sold it in 1978. I then bought a Meade 2080 SCT in 1994 which I sold in 1995 when the twins were born. My latest toy is a Meade LX90 8" SCT. Here are some pictures of the scopes and other astronomy things...   My first scope, a Tasco, was similar to this one, 1969. My 6" Criteion reflector, 1972. The moon via the telescope. A comet, 35 mm camera. A comet, 35 mm camera. The Meade 2080 scope I had in 1994. My LX 90 by Meade, 2001.     My luck with boats...we bought this boat in Oct 94 and found out in Jan 95 that we were going to have twins. Because we needed a vehicle that we could put 3 car seats, it was good bye boat, hello minivan.