I was using a Televue 3-6mm zoom set at 3mm, giving about 180x at 45x per inch of (unobstructed APO) aperture. The image was smallish, but quite detailed at times.
I also tried a 5mm Radian in my Televue 2x big barlow, but went back to the slightly sharper image with the zoom ep.
I tried barlowing the 3mm at 2x, but my Televue Panoramic mount was just too shaky to be of any use at that magnification. I'm sure the scope and seeing would have supported more magnification and am now considering obtaining an alternative mount for this OTA (when finances allow). A portable EQ mount for tracking at high mag. and digital photography is required methinks (EQ5/6??)
As I said, there were moments of exceptional clarity, I have not seen the sky that still since buying my scope years ago. Hopefully it's partly due to the location - a friends farm 30min out of the city - as I plan to make the site my regular dark sky site for use with the 16".
I had set up the scope outside (in the very cool air) an hour or so before and that helped too.
