FS128 and Mewlon 210

Since I love comparisons here it goes.

I recently acquired an FS128. However seeing has been horrendous. In a month and a half here in Northern KY I have seen two evenings that were 5/10 maybe.
However, I did catch a marvelous shot of the moon before the clouds rolled in about 7 weeks ago. With a Nag 12mm T4 my jaw hit the ground. When I inserted my 3-6 nag zoom, at 6mm I bit my tongue, at 5mm I drew blood. The next morning I saw Jupiter, and had to go to the emergency room. Anyway, as it has been said, it is a "Monster of a scope". However, I am already thinking of more apeture. But, I don't want a bigger refractor. This thing is already really long.

I want to hang on to this one for a good while, but what about a compliment. Something like the Mewlon 210? It fits my price range and really drives up the focal length. I have two serious concerns in my mind.

1. What about the collimation issue, is it difficult, and often necessary?

2. Is there any noticable aberration? ( I know we are NOT comparing apples to apples, but my first scope was an LX90, and I could see the aberration, therefore the move to a Tak FS102, before the 128.)

Thanks,

Steve

Steve,

If you have not already done so, you need to spend some search time on the Yahoo! UncensoredTakGroup:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/UncensoredTakGroup/

The FS and Mewlon have been compared extensively over the past year and there are several members who own one of each and feel that it gives them the best of both worlds. And many others who wish they could do so...

Good luck,
Milt

Steve,

My take on your question, a M210 vs. FS-128 re: aperture. I owned a M210 for a year when I also had a 5" AP 130. I used them side-by-side many times on separate mounts.

IMO, there is some gain in the M210 vs. a 5" refractor, but it wasn't enough for me. If you said you had a FS102 instead of a FS-128, I would tell you differently, a nice compliment to each other. (I have a FC-100.) You might ask "why?" as the light gathering ability as a function of area in the M210 is over 100% more than the FS-128. IMHO, its because an 8" M210 is just barely "there" as a DSO aperture.

From my perspective, if you plan to keep your FS-128, and you want more DSO detail, consider a 10" if you have the mount for it. FWIW, my aperture now is with a FS-152 & a C14, but I still use the FC-100. Why? Because it uses a lot less mount (and time), and both will be a consideration if you go to 10".

#1 plus of the M210 for me: ease & pleasure of use - light weight, compact, good finder, no corrector plate, OK on small mounts: EM-10, GM-8 or alt-az, fast cool-down, 8" is a versatile "one scope" aperture, and zenith viewing with the M210 is enjoyable. No collimation issues, but don't drop the hex wrench.

#2 plus: good planetary & lunar performance, but you already have a FS-128.

My $.02 FWIW,

Jay