I used to be a member of an astronomy club but I let that go for over a decade.
Where I live now the night sky is a lot more open.
The scope weighs a ton so I often use some good binoculars for quick viewing when it’s suitable.
Went to the Newark Planetarium when I was a kid and left stunned. I wanted to be an astronomer. Started a club called the Smith and Jones Space Academy Observatory that all my cousins and the neighborhood kids joined. (Names changed to protect those involved.) The lady next door had a rocket on her wall because they bought a Rocket Oldsmobile, and she gave me the rocket for my “clubhouse” (our basement).
Never went into it for real. But I’m still surprised that some people don’t know the basics.
Every kid should get taken to a good planetarium show for kids.
My refractor and mount together weigh about 70#. I have to put it all together in segments.
Our 10” at the observatory is easily hundreds of pounds. We’ve had it down twice over the years. Scaffold, block and tackle, and six of us with slings underneath, carrying it like pallbearers🙄 to the other room to do work on the clock drive.
Binoculars are great! A lot lighter than a scope, for sure!
I have a 10x50, a 10x42, and a 15x70. The last go on a tripod.
I use the 10x42 for bird watching.