William Optics Megrez 110 Doublet ED APO

5.0 Williams Optics Megrez 110 ED Doublet

Excellent mechanics; Sharp "snap-to" images; Very portable

The 2" extender, to reach photographic focus, should be standard and not an option

Already owning a 10" Dobsonian, I wanted something for "quicker" looks. I was spending too much time moving and setting up the "water heater" only to have the clouds quickly move in to ruin my observing sessions. I also wanted to try my hand at astrophotography again. I had done a bit of the AP thing years ago but that was trying to guide for 1/2 hour at a time while shivering, only to have the film come back in two weeks...unrecognizable!

The Williams Optics Megrez 110 ED Doublet seemed like the perfect choice at a price that wouldn't require a second mortgage. My particular unit came with a set of quality rings, dovetail, and a sturdy foam-lined case.

The mechanics of this refractor are top-notch! The 2-speed crayford-style focuser performs flawlessly and the locking mechanism holds it firmly in place even with a substantial load. The focuser also rotates very smoothly, enabling a comfortable view without constanly adjusting your observing chair. For astrophotography, the rotating focuser is a real plus.

I'm certainly no expert when it come to judging the optics of a telescope but I would dare to say that the views through the M110 are excellent! I see no CA in focus and only a very slight false color (green /purple) out of focus. This doesn't bother me at all because I do my observing "in focus".

I have used the Megrez 110 on an Orion SVP mount occasionally for quick views, but it has migrated to a semi-permanent spot on my GM8 for astrophotography work. The photographic results have been very pleasing.

When I purchased the scope, I was under the impression that it would come to focus both visually and photographically. My DSLR would not come to focus and I had to purchase a $40 2" extension. You may want to keep this in mind if you're thinking of doing AP with this fine instrument.

In my opinion, the W.O. Megrez 110 (4.3") refractor, with its superb mechanics and excellent optics, is a real joy to use.