HollyHound

Welcome to the Mewlon club @JeremyS, and what a Mewlon that is 😮

Good move going straight to getting Baader Clicklock fittings for the back end, that does make life easier... if I'd have known you were doing that, I could have saved you a few pennies, as I ended up with a spare M72/M68 adaptor sitting around here somewhere 😁

I forgot this one comes with the 50mm finder too. Very nice, and indeed you'll love how easy it is to manoeuvre these around using that finder/handle 👍

Eagerly await first light, although cloud seems to be stopping play a bit at the moment 🤞 Still gives you time to sit lovingly gazing at Melanie for a few days anyway 🤣

15 minutes ago, JeremyS said:

Hmmm…this will have to wait till tomorrow as just got in from Brussels, so pretty tired.

Seems to be from Japan via Exeter…and took nearly a year to get here. So another few hours won’t matter 🤔

I know what this is 😄

Look forward to the BIG reveal 👍

1 hour ago, Astro_Dad said:

It’s gone from bad to worse … was hoping for at least an early evening session tonight…

Same here, was rather hoping to get even a few minutes with the new binoculars, but wall to wall cloud 😬

Ho hum 🤣

1 hour ago, F15Rules said:

It was Roger Vine's excellent review of the Tak FS128 that first got me interested in that particular model..

http://scopeviews.co.uk/TakFS128.htm

Looking forward to seeing your fleet of Taks soon👍😊

Dave

Likewise it was all his reviews that started me back into this... I bought some binoculars three years ago, just out of interest and found his binocular reviews very helpful 👍 That led me to reading his telescope section and the rest is history 😁

Sobering to think I now own seven of the scopes on his site 😬

On 31/08/2022 at 11:38, dweller25 said:

And here is my latest acquisition, a Mewlon 180 previously owned by Roger Vine who did a review on it.

Nice… you have an “ex” Roger Vine review scope too… I’ve got his FC-100DZ 😃

Photos will follow… promise, need to get them all together, as it’s a fairly large family now 😬

21 minutes ago, JeremyS said:

Whoa! And I thought my 12 x 32’s were good, but these are in a different league 😊👍🏻

I don't know about that....  I wanted to get something with a good bit of aperture. I'll put them up against my Lunt 16x70 and see how they fare... If they're anywhere near as good, and I don't have to mess with the Neweer tripod mount (which is a bit cumbersome), then they'll replace them 🤔

I was hovering offer the buy button for the 12x32s you have, but I just don't see myself travelling with these (I have my Monarch 8x30 for walking/holiday usage) so changed my mind. The 18x50 seem to just be a step too far according to most reviews, so these are (hopefully) good compromise between aperture and magnification 🤞

Thanks for popping up your thread, as they started the decision process, which I think had been latent for a good while anyway 😁

These have just arrived… Canon IS 15x50 😮

Quick testing outside confirms that they do indeed give a super steady view, compared to normal hand held binoculars 👍

I’m going to enjoy using methinks 😃

This arrived from our very own @FLO 👍

Rowan Vixen saddle for my recently acquired AZ75 😃

4 hours ago, Alan White said:

Have to share 'First Light' of the roughly set up, new to me, yet quite old
Vixen GP (manual only) at present and my most trusty Vixen ED103 in White Light mode.
Oh and a 12mm Vixen SLV for good measure.

 

That's a gorgeous setup 😀

24 minutes ago, MalcolmM said:

I'm sure you'll love it for DSOs. I've seen it billed often as a lunar/planetry scope but for me, it's a cracking DSO scope too, as long as the target isn't huge!

Malcolm 

I've seen a few of the "usual" suspects... M42 was about as memorable as through anything, except (just) the 10" Dob... looking forward to some dark clear nights and some time to enjoy them 🤞😀

Lovely report and great to see what the Mewlon is really capable off. I have mostly used it so far on the moon, but not that the busy last months are (almost) behind me, I'm hoping to get out with it more and attack the planets and DSOs... you're post is great inspiration 😀

Thanks to all for the information and positive affirmation regarding the suitability of Canon IS binoculars for astronomy 👍

I’ve just ordered a pair of the 15x50, to add my arsenal 😀

Will be interesting to see how they compare with my Lunt 16x70, which I use mounted on a Neweer job camera crane🤞

10 minutes ago, JeremyS said:

Excellent. Interested to hear how you find it compared to the ScopeTech (especially without the X-Y movey things 😊)

Indeed, and I will advise. It's double the weight (approximately) of the ScopeTech, but still significantly lighter than the AZ100 (which is a rock solid beast, mounted on the iOptron Tri-Pier). I'm really looking to see if I will get on without the "you know what" (sorry @Stu) things , and whether I might even pop the FS-60CB on in a "grab and go" dual scope setup 🤔🤞

3 hours ago, moonsafari said:

@Nicola Fletcher@SthBohemia@Stu@dweller25@badhex@HollyHound@MalcolmM @JeremyS@BGazing

Hey all,

Given that I'm starting off with the following rig, does anyone have any recommendations in regards to a Barlow or the Tak extender for my FC-100DF, or would it be worthwhile just adding one more high powered eyepiece to my rig below?

– 1.25" Tak prism diagonal
– Pentax XW 10mm and 20mm
– TeleVue Nagler 13mm Type 6
– 1.25" Celestron variable polarising filter

Thanks so much, you've all been incredibly helpful. Still waiting to finalise my tripod and mount setup this week, but was able to grab a sneaky look at Jupiter last night!

The extender advise from @JeremyS is good 👍 

I tend not to use anything other then higher powered eyepieces, but do have ES focal extenders (similar to TV Powermate) for when needed, but it’s rare 🤔

First major astro purchase for a while… thought I’d try this as my “grab and go” mount 😃

Not sure it would replace the ScopeTech Zero, but probably supplement it 🤔

First impression… it’s super light compared to the AZ100… almost effortless to pickup by comparison 👍

13 hours ago, JeremyS said:

I can see exactly where this is going 👍😁

I’ve had a few Naglers, all were very good, but I discovered Ethos (for the Dob) and XWs (for the rest) and so these form my two main sets 👍

However, I tried a Nagler 22 alongside the Ethos 21, and subsequently sold that Ethos, so yes, still excellent and relevant 😀

34 minutes ago, moonsafari said:

I'm just wanting to know if anyone has run into this issue before and if they've used a longer thread to make this combination work.

Ah ok, understood... I've only got experience of the AZ100 unfortunately, so will need to defer this to others... good luck 🤞

4 minutes ago, moonsafari said:

Look what just arrived today! Thanks for your help, @Nicola Fletcher, @SthBohemia, @Stu, @dweller25, @badhex, @HollyHound, @MalcolmM and @JeremyS!

I've ordered the following:
– 1.25" Tak prism diagonal
– Pentax XW 10mm and 20mm
– TeleVue Nagler 13mm Type 6
– 7" ADM vixen-type dovetail bar
– 1.25" Celestron variable polarising filter

Just need to finalise the tripod and mount setup. Pretty keen on the Berlebach UNI 28 and Rowan AZ75 mount. Just wondering if anyone has had any experience aligning the mount to the tripod and if anyone has used the encoders with the AZ75. Wondering if it's worthwhile spending the extra dosh.. 

Excellent choice, and those items will more than get you going 😀

There shouldn't be any "alignment" on the mount to the tripod, as an alt/az mount. If you have the budget I would get the encoders, as it will give you the option to fit a Nexus or similar later, without having to send the mount back... admittedly, although I had mine fitted with encoders, I haven't (yet) got round to fitting a Nexus, but will do soon 🤔

3 hours ago, JeremyS said:

And just to prove it has actually been used (on arrival day), rather than being a collector’s item

Oh wow, that's a very impressive addition to your collection, I bet it's a great with your Taks 😀

Lovely to see it actually being used too... in the watch collecting world (which I also frequent), there are far too many "limited editions" that get bought as "investments" and never worn 😬 I only buy what I'm going to use/wear, so good on @JeremyS 👍

Oh and yes please... we all want an observing report as soon as the weather obliges 🤞

6 hours ago, Stu said:

I’ve not used a DZ, but @mikeDnighthas had both (currently has a DZ) so may be able to advise whether the difference in performance is worth the cost. I think I may be tempted by the shorter wait for the DF and the extra cash to go towards some of these other goodies.

I've had both and there is very little to choose between them. I'm neither experienced enough (yet) as an observer, or had a night of good enough seeing, to see the real difference 🤔

I prefer my DZ more for it's ergonomics, in that it has a retractable dewshield and an (arguably) better focuser (certainly longer travel at least). I think, for me, there is some comfort in knowing that it represents the pinnacle of what is possible in the 100mm Tak doublet scopes 😀

There is a great review here, which highlights the slight improvements... http://scopeviews.co.uk/TakFC-100DZ.htm

The main issue will be availability... there is a massive lead time for the DZ and even the DC or DF can be tricky to get hold of. I delayed getting my DZ and then it went out of stock, and not sure it's ever come back in to stock here in the UK. Fortunately I was able to get a superb used example... in fact mine is the very same exact one, that is in that review, by cheer random chance 😁

7 minutes ago, moonsafari said:

I've been hearing a lot about the Pentax XW EPs with the Taks, so this is probably the direction I'll head here. If I was to buy three, what would you recommend?

I've got the whole set (3.5, 5, 7, 10, 14, 20, 30 & 40), but there is a (little) field curvature on the 14, 20 & 30 on refractors of this class, so I tend to only use the longer focal lengths on my Mewlon.

If you can, I would get the 10, 7 and 5, and if you can stretch to the 3.5 that's great too... they all work brilliantly in Takahashi (or indeed any) refractor 👍

4 minutes ago, badhex said:

Hello mate, 

What they said 😅

One other mount to consider might be the Scopetech Mount Zero (the one I brought to the LNDA). I use it with my 100mm refractor, but not sure if the FC100 is a bit heavier and maybe pushing it a bit - @Stu @JeremyS @HollyHound I think you all use an FC100 with a Zero?  Anyway, the main benefits are that it gives you manual control so you can pan the scope using your hand, as well as slow motion controls i.e. manual tracking adjustment, and it's very lightweight and compact. 

I do indeed have the ScopeTech Zero, and in two years of ownership it’s been my most used mount and superb for “grab and go” visual. 
 

I’ve not used either my FC-100DZ or (now sold) FC-100DC on this mount actively, but did try them and I think it’s “just” usable with these. Far better is the FC-76DCU, which is left permanently mounted on mine now.

However, as a “one scope” for visual, then any of the FC-100 Taks, would be perfect and shouldn’t leave you wanting for. I would recommend a slightly heavier duty mount for it though… I use the AZ100, but from what @Stu has said (and others), the AZ75 would be ideal 👍

Berlebach tripods are lovely… solid, reliable and they feel nice too on cold nights (wood not steel 😃).

Don’t forget (as @Nicola Fletcher has said) to allow for eyepieces, diagonals, finders etc. There are eyepieces for all budgets, but you may find yourself gravitating to certain recommend brands. I mostly use Pentax XW with my Taks, but there are loads of other excellent makes.

Enjoy, and of course feel free to continue to ask for guidance on here 😃

These would be great for taking on holiday 😃

I took my little Monarch 8x30 with us to Rhodes and they were lovely for both casual observing from the balcony and also sightseeing, but having stabilisation would take it to next level 👍

Thanks for the reports and long term usage updates, they’re all helping to move my decision to consider these 🤔

Nice bit of kit @JeremyS 👍

Will be interested to hear more about you get on with these, I’ve read all those reviews and been considering the same for a good while 🤔