Tak. Mewlon 180, and Mars Mania

My Takahashi Mewlon 180 rides on a Vixen Polaris mount vintage 1984. This photo was taken by Richard Gala of the Warren Astronomical Society on August 27, 2003 at The Cranbrook Institue of Science 18 miles Northwest of Detroit. A dozen members set up scopes for the public to view Mars on the night of it's peragee. The crowd 4K+,that showed up to view, chocked Woodward Ave. (an 8 lane road), and backed up traffic into the City of Pontiac for 4 hours. The police said they were not perpared for the traffic problems that resulted. The public was reported to be parking along the main road illegally, and crawling through the woods of the campus to get to the observing site. Word was there were at least 4 smash ups on the main road as a result of the masses trying to become part of Mars Mania! Not since Halley's Comet has this kind of response been seen.

I had to pretend to make sure that Mars was still in the eyepiece to get a chance to look. Otherwise I would not have gotten to see it on the best night. This is the price we pay for allowing the public to look through our scopes on special events.

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Jerry,
No color problem, and it's light weight makes the Mewlon my ideal "grab and go" scope. I couldn't justify paying thousand for a short 4" refractor just because it's an APO. I have a 4" Vixen refractor but it's f/15. She's a bit more to set up, and rides on a CI700 mount. The light weight tube of the Mewlon compared to my old C-8 is also a great advantage. The Polaris mount is at it's max with the mewlon, but she takes it like a champ. I understand the 210 is not much more weight then my 180. The first time I looked at the Moon with the TAK., I had to hang onto the tripod, the image was that stunning. Mars was very good but not quite the image the Vixen was giving. Uranus is resolvable as a green ball with a 9mm LV in the Mewlon. The 4" is best for the planets, and the Vixen for Deepsky, and less bright objects. I'm very happy with my two toys. If your ever in Michgan your welcome to take a peak. Alan

Is the 180 short enough to fly carry-on? (9x22)

I remember reading the mechanical design is very different from bigger Mewlons -- true? And does it make that much difference in use?

Thanks, -- William