I'd recommend pointing your newsgroup reader at sci.astro.amateur. A fun newsgroup, and if you just "float" you'll learn all kinds of things that will help you choose a good scope. An of course if you post you'll probably get all kinds of great info as well, lots of people there willing to help out. You can also get their Telescope Buying FAQ somewhere, it get's posted here and there and you can probably find it on dejanews. Hope this helps, and enjoy astronomy, its a lot of fun.

-Paul

: I'm a rookie who's just getting started. Have purchased : Dickenson's Nightwatch and am learning to locate by eye : and with binoculars. Am interested in getting the most : scope for my money. $500-1,000. Are there any boards : w/classified selling used scopes? Portability is a factor : as I live in a light polluted area and will do most of my : viewing away from home. Any suggestions. Thanks. Stacey