Orion has its 130mm f/5 Parabolic Reflector & Accessories on sale for $72.50, and around $83 shipped (http://www.telescope.com/control/product?product_id=09130 ). I found out about it over at Cloudy Nights last week and ordered two for my school program figuring building two bases would be a good program for the kids in September (they arrive tomorrow). I'll probably make them into small dobs and one guy I saw made http://www.homebuiltastronomy.com/downbino/HomeBuiltAstronomyProjects-KidPee... this base for a 4.5 scope for his son. Anyway, I just thought if someone here was looking for a starter scope for their kids, themselves or whatever, these aren't too bad, especially for the price (just remember no tripod/platform/base to put them on).