If a computer has helped Debbie find things she would never have found otherwise then all I can say is I'm impressed by the GoTo computer. :) My first decent telescope was an ETX-90 with the Autostar. I highly doubt I would be involved in Astronomy nearly as much as I am today if I hadn't bought it. This was before I knew about any local astro-clubs and I had NO idea what I was looking for. Not to mention commericial scopes usually don't (do any??) sell new with some kind of telrad-like finder. Prior to the ETX all telescopes I had were met with disappointment. The only thing I could find were the moon, Saturn, Mars, & Jupiter. I also found it pretty remarkable to have the AutoStar explain in detail what I was seeing. Ok, now I admit at that point aperture-fever took over and I got a 10" Dob and haven't used the ETX or the GoTo since. But if it hadn't been for that experience, I would possibly never have known what I was missing. I can only imagine how many other people have been drawn into this hobby directly as the result of a GoTo enabled telescope. --Paul ---------- From: UTAHDEB@aol.com Sent: Monday, March 03, 2003 4:03 PM To: utah-astronomy@mailman.xmission.com Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] In Defense of GoTo mounts I frequently use NGC, IC, NonStellar, Messier, and the user object catalogues on my NGC-MAX. In the bowl of the big dipper on my Sky Atlas 2000 chart, I have all the Arp galaxies labeled with an A. Some of those Arp galaxies aren't plotted so it's good to write on a sheet of paper what NGC galaxies to look for. I've programmed several Minkowski, Abell, Kohotek, and IC planetaries in my user catalogue. My NGC-MAX has opened up a whole new world of objects I never dreamed of seeing. I also toured the Sculpter galaxies and the Fornax galaxy cluster last October. In the Virgo cluster it's easy to get lost without a computer. On the downside, I stepped on the cord last Dec and broke my encoder bracket (az). I always carry a spare 9 volt battery because the computer drains the battery. It's frustrating to be out in the field when the computer dies but I'm getting good at changing the batteries in the dark. I'm not sure if I want to set up the NGC-MAX at public star parties anymore. I don't need a computer for Messier objects. I'm glad I have a computer to look up things but I'm glad I paid my dues star hopping for three years. Debbie _______________________________________________ Utah-Astronomy mailing list Utah-Astronomy@mailman.xmission.com http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/utah-astronomy