All, Thanks for the responses. I think I will try to show up at a star party or 2, it looks like they occur quite often, and perhaps join the club also. Seeing what others are using sounds much better paying for a telescope having had no experience. I like the idea of building one, but that available time issue seems to get in the way. I already have: "retrofit my electric heated house to gas heat" on this fall's things-to-do-in-my-spare-time list. I did try out my third iteration of my Barn Door tracker last night, and it actually worked this time. I can get 10 second long steady shots most of the time, but 30 second shots remain steady only 1 time out of 5. I think Kim is right about my tripod being my (next) limiting factor. Turning the screw sometimes wiggles the tripod) I'm going to keep tinkering with the tracker, trying to improve it. Kim ... Did you add a motor to your Barn Door tracker? And what is the longest you have tracked for a single picture? I was even able last night to star hop to the Andromeda galaxy for a picture -- which my wife accused of looking like a water spot. I tried looking for Venus as the sun was setting tonight, but didn't see it. The Western sky was partly cloudy. My other committee member had a very positive reaction to the '...give the other committee member an equally expensive goodie...' suggestion, so we may move into the 'exchange of political favors' stage of these negotiations. The "forgiveness vs. permission" approach is more difficult to make use of in these long term committee appointments. Best Regards, Gary Logan.