Barlow recommendations

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JJLoke
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Barlow recommendations

Post by JJLoke »

hi guys, im looking for a barlow lens to include into my collection. which brand of barlow is value for money/performance ? such as low abberrations and sharp image

thanks
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Meng Lee
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Post by Meng Lee »

Hi, personally I am using a Takahashi 2x barlow. I also use televue 3x barlow. They are good. Images don't break down, no scattered light. Get one of these top barlows and you don't need anymore upgrading of barlow. Televue Powermate is also in the top ranks. (Let's not go into the Zeiss version which is legendary.)
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VinSnr
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Re: Barlow recommendations

Post by VinSnr »

JJLoke wrote:hi guys, im looking for a barlow lens to include into my collection. which brand of barlow is value for money/performance ? such as low abberrations and sharp image

thanks
Ultima 2X. best value and performance.
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vhuang168
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Post by vhuang168 »

If you can swing it, the Televue Powermates are top notch. Parfocal and very very little distortion in the final image.

Vincent
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Post by Fuzzball »

Televue Powemate is is one of the best I have used. I have used both the 2 x and the 4 x and and the image is very sharp and parfocal. Btw, if you are considering, need to warn you it does cost a bomb to get TV products!
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acc
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Re: Barlow recommendations

Post by acc »

VinSnr wrote:
Ultima 2X. best value and performance.
I second that! Sometimes the best need not be the most expensive :)
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zong
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Post by zong »

true. ultima is good. I own an Antares 2x, which still serves me well too. Also, unless you have other equipment of similar standard, it makes not much sense to bomb your money on a superb barlow. A televue 2x on a simple c5 setup would not yield a WOW! when compared with an an ultima 2x on the same setup.
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Clifford60
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Post by Clifford60 »

It depends on your objective, if you are looking for it for astrofoto, then a higher end unit will be better. If you are using for visual ob and wanted value for money than Ultima will be the choice. What we can't see with our eyes, a CCD will be able to. so it all depends on your objective.
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acc
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Post by acc »

Yup in many instances you may for what you get. But in this particular case of celestron vs televue, paying more for the televue brings negligible benefits, if any at all... :)
We do it in the dark...
Portaball 12.5"
Takahashi Mewlon 210
William Optics 110ED
...and all night long!
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VinSnr
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Post by VinSnr »

acc wrote:Yup in many instances you may for what you get. But in this particular case of celestron vs televue, paying more for the televue brings negligible benefits, if any at all... :)
I have all these barlows. Ultima 2X, Televue 2X, 3X, Powermate 2.5X, TMB 1.8X ED, Klee 2.8X.

My best advice : Ultima 2X and Klee 2.8x for best value and performance.

You can try all the TVs, Powermate and TMB and you see damn little differences (or maybe not at all) compared to Ultima 2X and Klee 2.8X. That little differences for damn lot more money.....not a wise choice if you ask me. Those expensive ones probably excel only if you have steady good seeing all the time, but how often we have that? I already sold all my expensive barlows and just stick with the Ultima and Klee.

So those who wanna get barlow, save your money for better eyepieces. Unless of course you don't mind spending money to boost your ego by having expensive brands.
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