any experience with... the Vixen deluxe 1.25" barlow?

[robagar]

specifically, does the deluxe-ness justify the price?

[RAJAH235]

Hi Rob. No can't say as I have, but have you seen this site? >>>
http://www.buytelescopes.com/product_list.asp?t=55
I have the Meade #140 Apo, n it's just fine.. (I bought locally, many yrs ago & paid $139.95 AU for it).
Why not 'Google' for prices etc etc??
:D L.

[janoskiss]

:shrug: Do you mean the Vixen apo barlow?

[robagar]

guess it must be the apo one... the only things marked on it was "deluxe 1.25" barlow" and "$210"

[janoskiss]

MyAstroshop have the Vixen apo barlow for considerably less than that.

[stringscope]

I wonder if the Vixen unit and the 1.25" Celestron Ultima 2X Barlow (used to be advertised as an APO) are one in the same with the Celestron being a rebadged Vixen??

[janoskiss]

Not at all likely. But the Orion Shorty-Plus is virtually identical to the Ultima (except for coatings) and significantly cheaper. Apo or achro seems to make little or no difference. The barlows I use now are both two-element designs (i.e., achro) and perform better than my Shorty Plus used to. They are also better than the Meade #140 3-element apo barlow. - UO 2" 2x and Antares 2" 1.6x. Great barlows but big and heavy, esp. the UO.

Browsing AEC's website (http://www.astronomy-electronics-centre.com.au/) the other day, I saw Televue 1.8x barlows on their specials page for $130. If they still have them they would be a great buy.