Televue Barlows

Darth Wader (Wade) · #1 30-09-2009, 01:39 PM

I've got a 2x Barlow which came with my Skywatcher refractor and it's pretty ordinary to say the least. I'm looking at upgrading to a better quality one and came across the Televue 2x on the Bintel website. There is also a Televue 3x on the site but I'm not sure which one I should go for to use on the planets. I have the 70mm refractor, an 8" dob, 10 and 25mm plossls, a Long Perng 6mm planetary eyepiece and a William Optics SWAN 15mm. Help!

Cheers
Wade

dpastern (Dave Pastern) · #2 30-09-2009, 03:12 PM

I'd go the 2x myself, but...others will probably disagree.

Dave

anj026 · #3 30-09-2009, 04:56 PM

I have the 2x Tele Vue and it is a great barlow, haven't tried the 3x but I have heard it is just as good. It just depends on how much magnification you want. I think the 2x is generally more versatile and easy to sell on if you decide to try something else later.

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #4 30-09-2009, 05:21 PM

I've got the Televue 2x Big Barlow.
A fantastic piece of kit.
I highly recommend it.

bobson (Bob) · #5 30-09-2009, 07:00 PM

I've got 3x TV Barlow. Its great but can't use it only when seeing is very good. I use 2" Japanese Barlow much more often.

I would recommend 2" 2x TV Big Barlow, like Jeanette's. You can use it for both 1.25 and 2" eyepieces. All you do is put the 1.25 adopter that comes with all scopes in 2" Barlow and all together in the focuser

cheers

mswhin63 (Malcolm) · #6 30-09-2009, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobson

I've got 3x TV Barlow. Its great but can't use it only when seeing is very good.

I agree, I also have a 3 x 5-element barlow and need good seeing conditions, although I have not used it extensively to give it a proper test but had some good planetary viewing but altimately it is used to give me a higher selection of eyepieces while I save for more eyepieces.

Darth Wader (Wade) · #7 01-10-2009, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobson

I've got 3x TV Barlow. Its great but can't use it only when seeing is very good.

Yep, that was my main concern with getting a 3x.

The 2" Big Barlow sounds great but is a little out of my price range. Looks like I will go for the 2x then progress to the Big Barlow down the line. Thanks everyone for the info.

Cheers
Wade

goober (Doug) · #8 01-10-2009, 10:21 AM

Wade, I have a Televue 1.8x barlow as well as a 2.5x Powermate. I probably don't need both. Both are excellent.

I could let the 1.8x go if you're interested.