bang for the buck and what does it means

Hi,
I constantly read "for the money it's a great scope". That always bothered me. At what point does a scope become good period end of subject. I mean a department store scope for a penny might be called "good for the money"
Anyway, since I had my EON 120 tested I asked the folks at OMI if it is safe to assune that a scope like mine which tested at .96 strehl and .031 rms would match a TAK DOUBLET in the same aperture range. I know that a TAK triplet will have a wider range of optimal correction and such and that is why I specifically asked about comparing the EON 120 to a TAK fs 128 or some of the older premium doublets (most "premium" makers make triplets these days) The answer I received was that YES!! one could expect and EON with those nimbers to perform similarly to a tak fs128. Of course not counting the extra 8mm of aperture.
So the mass produced scopes may be the "best bang for the buck" but they are also just plain good because they are good.
Now I'll let the bricks fly!!!!!!

So the mass produced scopes may be the "best bang for the buck" but they are also just plain good because they are good.
Now I'll let the bricks fly!!!!!!

Well, I would not group all mass produced scopes together as
the "best bang for the buck." There are clearly some (I've
owned some) that are inexpensive and also terrible. As you
know, ones that are both cheap and excellent are a joy to own.

The comment by OMI comparing EON and TAK is very nice. But it is
not the same as getting a dozen or two of each, and running them
all through an interferometer test. Maybe they ARE of the same
quality, but the evidence so far is limited. And then there
are mechical considerations, etc.

I guess I use the term "best bang for the buck" to mean excellent performance at a low price. A few years ago I bought a Cave 8" F/8 Model "B" Deluxe that is optically superb as were most Caves. It was $770 complete with mount, drives, finder, etc. and on casters so it rolls in and out of the garage in moments. While I usually prefer refractors for visual use, it will show more detail than most 6" APOs I have tried. The APOs still have a slight edge in sharpness as they are unobstructed, but you would be shocked at how much performance you get for such a little outlay. Hence "bang for the buck" or "fun for my viewing dollar."

From the sound of it, your scope is "good period" and what others say should have little impact on your enjoyment. Following the various threads on AM and "the other site" I am often fascinated at how much time folks spend trying to convice one another why such and such a scope is better when personal satisfaction is really the bottom line. Newtonians like the old Cave are often criticized for being too large, too heavy, etc. I seldom think of any of that when I am glued to a stunning image at the eyepiece of an out of date focuser on an out of date scope that cost less than many popular eyepieces.

Itz,
I think perhaps you should have your eon tested again for a 2nd opinion. I will be happy to test it for you. Be sure to pack it well and send along a money order for 250.00. I will put it through the tests and will be happy to give you my opinion of it.

Martin