Posts Made By: Rob Mackie

For use as a portable finder, I suggest you go with 10x50, certainly no more than 10x. Stay away from binocs requiring a tripod. 10x is usable without a tripod, and they won't weigh you down. 16x80's will definitely be uncomfortable hanging from your neck. For a long time I used Canon 10x30 image stabilized binocs, and they were excellent "finders". Image stabilization made them seem like much more than 30mm aperture, and the optics were outstanding...sharp to the edge.
Rob

Here's a picture of my Mewlon 210 aboard a Giro alt-az mount. My poodle, Milo, was preparing for an evening viewing session when I snapped this photo. He's almost done with the Messier list.
Rob Mackie

Here's photo of my Mewlon 210 (Dall Kirkham Cassegrain) aboard a Giro Alt-Az mount. The excellent Tak 7x50 finder is built into the Mewlon and doubles as a carrying handle. Results thus far have been encouraging.

Rob Mackie

Designed for smaller breeds, the Starmaster shorty is especially suitable for my vertically challenged miniature poodle, Milo.
Rob Mackie

This is a good combination...the wide fields of the Sky 90 and its 500mm focal length coupled with the Mewlon 210 (Dall Kirkham Cassegrain design), a 2410mm focal length instrument. Each scope does something the other is incapable of. The 90 goes wide and the 210 goes deep. It's a pleasure using them together.
Rob Mackie

Yet another photo of my dog's favorite OTA.
Rob Mackie

I snapped this with a Nikon 990 digital camera.
Rob Mackie

I used a Nikon 990 held above the eyepiece of a 4" achromat refractor. Magnification was about 40x. Snapped in the back yard of my brother's home in Orleans,MA near the Cape Cod National Seashore. This quail spent hours perched on the fence post every day, saying his name over and over. Very soothing.
Rob Mackie

Recently I've been comparing my Mewlon 210 to a Celestron 9.25. Here are a few of my not very scientific thoughts:

1. The C9.25 is very slightly brighter, no doubt because of its 1" aperture advantage.

2. The Mewlon has a darker background, an advantage when hunting dso's.

3. Stars seem tighter/smaller in Mewlon.

4. Dew is often a problem with the C-9.25, even with a dew shield. I've never had any dew problems while using the Mewlon.

5. Lack of corrector plate and open tube makes for faster cool down with the Mewlon.

6. Both ota's have mirror shift, but not a lot. The mewlon focuser is stiffer than that of the celestron.

7. Collimation is important on the C9.25 and HUGELY important on the Mewlon 210. With help of Bob Knob's, who is developing a set of Knobs for the Mewlon 210, I finally nailed collimation on my Mewlon. Now it displays a "snap to focus" quality heretofore lacking. But there is little room for error. Saturn views last night at 270x were very sharp. Binoviewer at 250x was hypnotic. I couldn't take my eyes away from the bv. But there is little room for error. The Mewlon has to be right on the money, collimation wise.

8. In summary, I find I prefer the Mewlon to the C9.25. There isn't that much difference in views, but I like its darker background and absence of dew problems. And of course it has that bulletproof Tak construction quality.

9. Needless to say, the M210 is much more expensive than a C9.25. Anyone opting for the C9.25 will not be disappointed at all. It's an excellent value with fine optics, tons of accessories, and a large user base. Strictly in dollar terms, it's the better choice. Eliminating price as a consideration, I'd go with the Mewlon 210.

10. Bob's Knobs sent me a set of M180 Knobs. They didn't work well with the M210 but they got me started. So I made a number of trips to the hardware store and developed a set that works extremely well. Bobs Knobs will incorporate my changes into a set he'll be selling for the M210. They greatly facilitate accurate collimation, and are a "must have" as far as I'm concerned. If you want to know how to make your own, let me know. It's very easy.

Rob Mackie

I'm sure many of you want to see what the well-dressed poodle is wearing this Christmas. Milo is guarding the TMB 4" F/8 from marauding APO thieves. I swear, the sweater (it has an embroidered Bugs Bunny figure on the back!)was my wife's idea.

Rob Mackie