New Direction Mewlon 300 to Custom Newt??

[issdaol (Phil)]

Hi All,

I have had my Mewlon 300 for a number of years now and it has been an absolute outstanding scope both optically and mechanically.

However with the construction of a permanent observatory at my dark site property I am considering other options.

I am not really interested in Astrophotography and I have both TOA150 and TSA120 if I need for that purpose.

What I am thinking ..... and please tell me if I have lost my mind...... is a custom Newtonian that will provide the following general outcomes:

• Optics of Higher Quality than Takahashis Mewlon 300
• Wider Field Views than Mewlon 300
• Excellent Mechanical Build equal to or Superior to Mewlon 300
• Fixed Primary Mirror Cell
• Excellent Quality Focuser with fine focus
• Minimum of 14inch Mirror

I love my EM400 mount and do not wish to change from that mount so whatever alternatives I look at should be mountable on the EM400.

I would appreciate any suggestion and comments especially suggestions on current mirror makers & custom builders as I don't think I have enough time to build this myself.

Of course my Excellent Mewlon 300 will come up for sale if this project/idea can proceed as envisioned so someone after a Mewlon 300 in pristine condition should feel free to contact me via PM to discuss.

Cheers

[SpaceNoob (Chris)]

I'm thinking no, Mewlon would be so much easier to look through. Not sure what a newt would give you over it other than being awkward to look through. If you were intending to use the newt for Astrophotography, that would be a completely different argument.

[glend (Glen)]

A 14" newt is going to be pretty heavy, are you thinking EQ or Dob mount? It maybe hard to use with your feet on the ground if on an EQ mount/pier. So think about the usability because the easier it is to use the more it will get used.

[issdaol (Phil)]

Thanks for the comments so far. Interesting things to think about.

Mount I will be using is Takahashi EM400 which already carries my 30kg + Mewlon 300 load pretty easily

Not really interested in a really large Dob as that is more hassle with ladders etc

Main outcome is to maintain or hopefully significantly improve quality of optics and mechanical components (and obviously views) and get a wider field.

In the end maybe the Mewlon 300 is still the best around compromise ?? which is why I initially went that way.

[LewisM]

Newt... you aren't young any more Phil...not so ROBUST any more (ya know I HAD to throw that in ). For visual, it's going to be a royal PITA.

I'd stay with something catadioptric at least. The Mewlon 300 is a DAMNED fine scope. Be hard to beat. Maybe one of Intes' really large Maksutov's?

[issdaol (Phil)]

Originally Posted by LewisM

Newt... you aren't young any more Phil...not so ROBUST any more (ya know I HAD to throw that in ). For visual, it's going to be a royal PITA.

I'd stay with something catadioptric at least. The Mewlon 300 is a DAMNED fine scope. Be hard to beat. Maybe one of Intes' really large Maksutov's?

Nice .... well Done !! lol

Hmmm had not really considered the Mak's before.

How do they compare in terms of Optical and Mechanical quality when up against a Mewlon 300 ??

Does a Mak offer a wider field of view?

Cheers :-)

[LewisM]

Maks are usually DEEP, not wide. High focal length.

[UniPol]

Just get an 8" Dob

[ariefm71 (Arief)]

Keep the Mewlon...

[gregbradley]

I think your list of requirements is going to be hard put to beat the Mewlon. I have never looked through a Mewlon but I know the 300 has an outstanding reputation.

Plus Tak had or has a master mirror maker (I think his name is Rockie).

Anyway, a Newt is going to be long and the viewing spot difficult to reach easily. Perhaps those light weight Newts Paul linked to last week.I think it was Hercules Optics.

An AP 305 Maksutov may do it but they are not being made yet.

I think you are close to the visual instrument pinnacle with what you have.

Perhaps a 200mm TEC ED if you can find one. Or an APM 203mm triplet.

Greg.

[LewisM]

Though Steve has a nice RARE Tak Cat-Newt for sale: http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...d.php?t=135435

Be perfect really Phil. Best of both worlds in one scope.

Steve's good to deal with too - not that I have ever bought anything from him

[issdaol (Phil)]

Originally Posted by UniPol

Just get an 8" Dob

You just want my M300 and will say anything to get it lol

[issdaol (Phil)]

Originally Posted by LewisM

Though Steve has a nice RARE Tak Cat-Newt for sale: http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...d.php?t=135435

Be perfect really Phil. Best of both worlds in one scope.

Steve's good to deal with too - not that I have ever bought anything from him

Yep dealt with Steve before and can agree on that :-)

If I was coming from a 8inch SCT or Mewlon 210 I would probably have considered that scope because it was actually one that I had long been interested in and to see an immaculate unit come up second hand is rare.

Unfortunately it was a lot of years of using other scopes, practical comparisons and testing that led me to the Mewlon 300 and I don't think I could drop back to anything smaller or lesser quality.

I have my 2 smaller refractors but I have half convinced myself I want everything that the Mewlon 300 offers but just wider field and don't want to sacrifice any quality.

[LewisM]

OK, you want BIG Newt? http://www.telescopeshercules.com/#!htn500/c1tg4

There is even a 600mm one.

It's just money, but your wallet is fairly robust (oh, stop me!)

[glend (Glen)]

Originally Posted by issdaol

I want everything that the Mewlon 300 offers but just wider field and don't want to sacrifice any quality.

Assuming your willing to make the investment in another quality scope.

How about the Planewave 14" CDK, can't argue about the quality and you would get a wider field of view and a faster scope.

http://www.optcorp.com/planewave-14-...ory-price.html

[Hans Tucker (Hans)]

Originally Posted by issdaol

......
What I am thinking ..... and please tell me if I have lost my mind...... is a custom Newtonian that will provide the following general outcomes:

• Optics of Higher Quality than Takahashis Mewlon 300
• Wider Field Views than Mewlon 300
• Excellent Mechanical Build equal to or Superior to Mewlon 300
• Fixed Primary Mirror Cell
• Excellent Quality Focuser with fine focus
• Minimum of 14inch Mirror

.

Sorry to be blunt..but I think you are mad selling the Mewlon 300. This is one scope I would love to own...well the 300CRS.

The only suggestions as a potential replacement would be a custom scope with Royce Optics mirror. Maybe look at the Parallax Instruments range.

http://www.parallaxinstruments.com/

or

I hear Orion Optical UK make some high quality mirrors.

http://www.orionoptics.co.uk/home.html

[LewisM]

I agree Hans - absolutely nuts! The BEST of the best.

Bigger does not always equal better. QUALITY counts over quantity.

[issdaol (Phil)]

Originally Posted by glend

Assuming your willing to make the investment in another quality scope.

How about the Planewave 14" CDK, can't argue about the quality and you would get a wider field of view and a faster scope.

http://www.optcorp.com/planewave-14-...ory-price.html

The Planewave certainly seems to fit the bill but it would be interesting to see its visual performance or get feed back about its visual performance firsthand.

It seems to be more optimised as an Astrograph rather than visual platform and I wonder how the 48% Central Obstruction would affect visual use compared to the Mewlon 32% Central Obstruction??

[Kunama]

Keep the Mewlon 300 for travel and get a 24" F3.3 dob for the home obsy Phil.

Newts on Eq mounts for visual were conceived by sadists and masochists !!!

[LewisM]

Hell yes to the sadist comment.

At least you Matt at 9 ft tall can get away with it comfortably