Thanks, Barney. The fact is, I would not use it in the SLC region except once in a while to show the family what's visibile from the backyard. What I want to do is tote it off to a dark-sky site like the Wedge (one of my favorites) and set it up there. But I almost always go alone and I am worried that it might be too unweildy and heavy for one guy to set up. The heaviest piece is 75 pounds, which I think I can handle OK just now -- but I'm 57 and not sure if I have another 10 years of being able to lift 75 pound onto a tripod if it's really ackward. I doubt I'll build an observatory. I just like to put my gear in the back of a vehicle and head out to the desert. Best wishes, Joe Joe Bauman science & military reporter Deseret News bau@desnews.com (801) 237-2169