Quality 2x Barlow

[mook]

Hi all,

I'm after a 2" quality barlow. I've narrowed it down to the VIP Baader Hyperion 2x or the 2" Televue Powermate 2x.:confused2:

It will be going on a Skywatcher ED 120 apo refractor with a Hyperion 8-24 zoom eyepiece.

Don't mind spending some dollars, any suggestions?

Cheers.:thumbsup:

[multiweb]

If you don't mind paying a bit more while the USD is down you might want to consider the Baader FFC (http://www.astro-physics.com/index.htm?products/accessories/baader/ffc). Gives you a range of magnifications. Also very good for imaging.

[ausastronomer]

Hi Paul,

I would be going with the 2" 2X Televue Powermate. For visual use the powermates are superb. If anything, the TV powermate is a grade above your zoom eyepiece.

Cheers,
John B

[mook]

Hey John,

Can you suggest an eyepiece or two that would compliment the TV powermate? Thought the zoom would cover all my bases, that's all. And I don't mind if the FOV shrinks at the low power, but I don't have the zoom lens yet, so I'm all ears:D Would like it to be 2" though. And will probably be doing imaging once I've learned the scope.

Cheers
Mook

[mook]

I think this might be out of my reach for now.

Wonderful bit of kit, though.

But looks I'm restricted to $300 or so.

Cheers for the info.

Mook

[PlanetMan]

Just a minor point (and hopefully I haven't got my wires crossed here either and you are not talking about 2" barlows).

Televue produces a 1.25 2x and 3x barlow (achromatic)
Roughly $100 each

and

1.25 2.5x and 5x powermates (4 lens).

These are excellent value at the moment at Bintel for just under $200

[ausastronomer]

Hi Paul,

There is nothing wrong with the Baader zoom if that's what floats your boat.

You need to be aware that a zoom anything in optics will never perform as well as a fixed focal length anything, at the equivalent focal length. This applies to whatever you like, be it zoom eyepieces, zoom binoculars or zoom camera lenses. The difference is "usually" more pronounced at the extremities of the zoom range. Designers and manufacturers have narrowed the gap and dramatically improved the performance of zoom optics in the last 20 years, but they are still not quite the equal of their fixed focal length equivalents. The top quality zooms are now very close to fixed focal length equivalents. The Leica zoom eyepieces have been made in varying focal length ranges in recent years and are outstanding. They cost about $1,000. The TV zoom eyepieces are good. Many claim they are just as good as a fixed focal length equivalent, I disagree and in a good scope under good conditions can easily pick the difference. The Baader zoom is a notch down from that. What you get with the Baader zoom is flexibility.

All the above having been said you then need to question the sanity of spending an arm and a leg on eyepieces for a 120mm telescope. A 150mm telescope with cheap eyepieces will show you more than a 120mm telescope with the very best eyepieces. It then becomes a trade off between cost and portability of the telescope and aperture.

Personally If you dont wish to go and buy 3 or 4 top quality eyepieces which will cost you $2,000 I think the 2X TV Powermate combined with the 8 -24mm Baader zoom is probably a very good option. I would however be adding a low power wide field good quality eyepiece down the track for rich field views of clusters which is where this type of telescope excels.

Cheers,
John B

[asimov]

As John said:thumbsup:

[wavelandscott]

As Asimov and John said...

[PlanetMan]

Again - as a minor point and to go against other opinions I have the TV 3-6mm Nagler zoom and I have yet come across a better planetary EP. I have both Tak and Vixen refractors and EPs (ie LV's and LE's) and in the past had a Pentax XL, Hyperions and WO SPL's and the Nagler zoom has given me the best view. However, I haven't compared a zeis or TMB ortho or the Pentax XOs yet

[dannat]

You might also consider the astro physics barca Barlow, 2.5x in the ppwermates case was too much mag fir me, the TV Barlow is still a good choice, celestrom ultimate is good also, though it is about 2.2x mag even though it is advert says 2.ox

[mook]

Thanks for all the info guys.

I could get two hyperions, the tuning rings, and the TV powermate. That would basically give me all the combinations of the zoom and more, but a bit more fiddly changing them, but I could live with that. :thumbsup:

Cheers