GSO 2" Barlow

Ket (Hung) · #1 12-05-2010, 01:57 PM

Hi,

I'm a newly proud owner of my first telescope, a meade 10" lightbridge:
http://www.meade.com/lightbridge/index.html

Using the provided 26mm QX Wide Angle 2" Eyepiece at Saturn, I wanted to get a closer view then the current 50x magnification the EP gives me.

I don't have any plans do to astrophotography, just visual.

I'm thinking of getting a barlow and then shop on the 2nd hand market for addition EP's

I'm thinking of the Guan Sheng 2" barlow. Andrew's (I have not connection which this company) list then for $49 or with "ED" $79. Is the "ED" (extra low dispersion) worth the extra $30? Is this a good barlow to get? Will it work on my telescope?

Please help!

regards,
excited 1 week owner of a dob

erick (Eric) · #2 12-05-2010, 02:08 PM

Hi Ket and welcome!

Yes, a few more eyepieces is the way to go. Something down around 10-12mm focal length would give you a better range.

But a good 2" 2x barlow never goes astray. I have the ED version and am happy with it for visual. I haven't tried the non-ED (cheaper) version. They will be sourced from GSO (Guan Sheng Optical). I would be confident that it is worth spending the extra $30.

But ask here first in the wanted listing - someone might like to sell you one.

Happy observing
Eric

Ket (Hung) · #3 12-05-2010, 03:06 PM

" But ask here first in the wanted listing - someone might like to sell you one."

That is great advice. Thanks Erick.

bmitchell82 (Brendan) · #4 13-05-2010, 10:41 AM

hey there mate,

I have the Bintel (rebranded GSO) version of the ED barlow, and im quite happy with it. with the 10" SW + 10mm EP and the ED 2x Barlow i was able to view things like M1 (crab nebula) also venus/jups/saturn which was very nice. If you are doing visual, you might want to get some nice good quality collimating tools this will make your life a breeze and give you that extra 10% where the details really start popping out.!

Shiraz (Ray) · #5 15-05-2010, 12:55 AM

Hi Ket
I have the GSO ED version and its very good. A big advantage is that a Barlow really improves the performance of some of the cheaper Plossl eyepieces - reduces astigmatism by reducing the cone angle - so you could possibly save a bit if you buy some additional EPs. Heartily recommend for a Newtonian scope - I use mine whenever doing visual observing with my GSO EPs. Would be very surprised if it did not just drop into your scope and work.