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Hey there,
Yes, a cheap barlow is less expensive than a new eyepiece, but if your highest power EP is 12.5mm, you would still be better off with a shorter focal length EP than a barlow. It will only put more glass between you and the object, and if your 12.5mm is of modest quality too, you will only be going backwards. If, however, you choose both a really good 6mm, & the barlow, you will be set up for those special atmospheric occasions that really allow for some real high power observing, say 300X and over.
I have the inexpensive GSO 1.25" 2X barlow. It is ok for my needs. Do I really use it regularly? NO. My eyepiece compliment gives me all the magnification range I need, so I keep it to use on my 8" f/4 reflector whose short focal length then allows me to kick up the power as my EPs alone won't test its resolving capability. Horses for courses. Would I use it on my 17.5"? I really doubt it, as my 6mm gives me 333X, and I rarely ever get to push things that far as the atmosphere rarely allows for it.
Still, the choice is yours.
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