Mars Magnification?

Some expert opinions please on appropriate magnification for Mars . . .

Generally, 180x - 220x seem to be the ideal magnification ranges for Jupiter and Saturn in average seeing from my Midwestern locale. From what I have read and observed, the expert opinions suggest that Saturn can bear a higher magnification because of the higher contrast of its limited features.

So, what about Mars? Until my recent increase in aperature to 6", I have never gone much more than 200x on Mars in the past. Do Mars' features bear magnifications higher than this in average seeing (some posts refer to using 300x - 400x), or am I best to stick within the same magnification range for other planetary observing?

Thanks for your feedback.

For the best view of the south polar cap in 1988, the last good Mars opposition, I used 480x with my 8 inch refractor. The polar cap is a high contrast feature and can tolerate lots of power. For the best view of the dark areas, I found 325x to be optimum. Of course the seeing must be reasonably good. Here in Iowa we occasionally have very good seeing. The minimum magnification I use on the planets (Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn) is 230x. If the image is fuzzy at this power, I close up the observatory.

Mike,

Mars does indeed look good at magnifications of 400x and above.

Dave Mitsky