Any Astronomers?

[Marcus K]

I would like to get into star gazing but not sure if I should buy or build a scope. My dad has a 8" lens that he used years ago that has been refinished. I would have to make a tube and mount plus buy an eye piece. How good are the telescopes in the thousand dollar range? I have had a chance to look through some 10-15 thousand dollar telescopes this summer and really enjoyed it. I'm not sure what the more enty level ones are like.

Marcus