Hi Ken and Mombat, All I can say is that I have the Meade #140 Barlow which is a long series. It is a top performer as far as I'm concerned.
The cheshire E/P,(about $60), has a large hole(25mm) in the side near the top and an eliptical alum. reflector inside,set at 45deg, with a 10mm hole in it. There is a 2mm hole in the top face which you look thru. By shining a torch into the side, you can see ALL the reflections. If your t'scope is correctly collimated, then your eye ends up in the CENTRE OF ALL THE CONCENTRIC CIRCLES.(with a little bit of 2ndary offset).
eg. Like a dart board.
As for the laser coll., they are prone to going out of collimation themselves. (Don't drop). They work by projecting the beam onto all the surfaces and finally disappearing up itself! If it doesn't, your t'scope isn't collimated. Not sure of pricing.
Cheshire can be dropped,(done), stood on,(done), and generally knocked around, but don't do this with a laser.
Maybe the others can comment on the diff. between long and short barlows, and their prefs. I never bothered. I looked for the most efficient and L.proof.
HTH. Regards, L.
ps. I think the short tube is mainly used on t'scopes with limited focuser travel.