Jamie ... I very long time ago I had a small Tasco refracting telescope. Gave it to a nephew way back.
Yep, I really pleased with my new little scope, even though it only mag 78x. My old refracter used to go to 150x. Like you and Star, Elaine and myself are fasinated with the cosmos and when winter comes, Orion comes right over the church at the back of the cottage and even in 10 x 50 bins you can just see the haze of m42 just below its belt. I cant wait for those cold crystal nights ... on the downside, we do get a little hew from the city lights.
Iechyd Da
Derek