TheSkySearchers

As you know astronomy vendors experiencing major supply chain issues with lead time for most of good quality scopes approaching one year. On top of that it seems that manufactures discontinuing or halting production of some scopes due to supply issues. For instance Orion seems to discontinued their 180mm Maks. Vendors who still got 180mm Maks in stock jacking up prices. $2,400 for used to be $1,200 Mak anyone?



Which brings us to an interesting situation. Takahashi America has "many scopes in stock" for Mewlon 180mm for $2,040.

https://www.takahashiamerica.com/takaha ... plate.html



Any Mewlons owners here to comment on their performance?

Wow...
I have this SW skymax...that HAS gone UP !
DANG...
Does "the sky's the limit" apply here Andrey ?

John Donne wrote: ↑Wed Nov 17, 2021 9:59 pm Wow...
I have this SW skymax...that HAS gone UP !
DANG...
Does "the sky's the limit" apply here Andrey ?

Yep, just like stocks, but you can enjoy it to. I keep telling my wife that my astro equipment is a solid investment, I think after COVID it could be for real.

Look at the ES APO scope prices. I feel dumb selling my 127mm carbon fiber triplet.

https://explorescientificusa.com/collec ... po-triplet

According to people on CN who recently ordered Mewlons the lead time is also a few months, Takahashi just does not keep the site updated. Oh well, no Mewlons for me for now then.

Explore Scientific has had to pay high tariffs since their products are shipped from China, if people are going to pay the higher prices other manufacturers are going to raise their pricing as well.
With the currency exchange the ES 127 is still $200-$250 less in Europe.

180mm Maksutovs are still the same price here, at the bottom of the ad it shows pricing with different mounts as well.
https://www.astroshop.eu/telescopes/sky ... ota/p,4927

I can't give you a comparion between the two scopes. I've heard good things about the SW Mak but never seen through one. That said, two of my friends own Mewlon 180C OTA's and I have looked through them in dark skies when they have brought them here or when we have been at another friends property where we sometimes gather.

Pro's
Compact
Light
truly outstanding optics
great mechanical construction
6x30mm finder is in a solid machined collar, permanently aligned, does not need adjustment
finder is also tube handle

Con's
Scope is 180mm f12.5. FL=2250
A dedicated reducer is available but only reduces f ratio to f9.8
Two versions of visual backs for the scope 1.25" and 2". You will need to use some longer FL eyepieces 40-50mm range so make sure you get the 2" visual back.

Budget for an LE50 eyepiece. Works well with this scope.

At the scope. The optics are truly superb. Views are similar to those through a TOA150 or my optically excellent 6"f7 visually optimised newt but a little brighter. The Mewlon 180 has almost double the focal length so when comparing, we can't use the same eyepieces.

Obviously excellent on planets, Moon. In the city, like any scope, DSO's are not much fun. In a dark sky, the contrast and sharpness of the optics make it a joy to use on DSO's.

If the SW Mak and the Tak Mewlon 180c are similarly priced, I'd have no reservation recommending the Tak because quality control of the Tak's are legendary whereas SW, though good, can be hit and miss.

Hope this helps

Joe