Review: University Optics 2" 2x Barlow - Page 2

Dave47tuc (David) · #21 27-09-2005, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunkylad

Hi guys'n'gals

My UO 2" barlow saw first light this morning. Saturn. Mars and Luna were the targets, just before dawn.

Thi barlow allowed me to step up my GSO 6mm and 4mm eps to 500x and 750x respectively. Talk about up close and personal. Excellent results. Crisp and clear to the edge of fov. Awesome also in combination with the 30mm 2" GSO Superview.

I did find it needed some extension in the Crayford focusser to achieve focus, but this is no prob.

Very happy with this unit, so far. Planning try it out on DSOs tonight.

Cheers

Well done Dave

Glad you like the UO Barlow

500x & 750x

Must of had good seeing

Enjoy your sky

chunkylad (David) · #22 27-09-2005, 06:24 PM

Hi Daves

To answer David p first: No, I didn't have to use any additional counter balance weights. It seems that the spring tensioners are adequate.

No, I haven't seen the GS UW eps. I have read in this forum that they tend to have only around 80% useable fov, that is, there are seagulls filling the edge of the fov. How have found them?

The UO 2" is a 2X barlow. See Frontier Optics accessories page for other barlows. They have this as well:William Optics 2.5x 2" APO barlow.See thier webpage. http://www.frontieroptics.com/Barlow%20Lens.html

Yes, Saturn took up a fair chunk of the fov!!! Have fun at the star camp mate. Wish I could be there!!!

Dave Tuc, the seeing early this morning was exceptional.

My wife was blown away by the intimate close-up view of some of the Lunar mountains at high mag.

Dave W

gaa_ian (Ian) · #23 27-09-2005, 09:50 PM

Hmm ... one of these would go well with my UO Konik 2" 40mm EP.
I made the mistake of ordering a "Shorty" barlow & not the "shorty plus"
There must be a big difference, as I almost never use the shorty as it looses to much light !

davidpretorius · #24 27-09-2005, 10:07 PM

Thanks Dave, for helping us daves out!

chunkylad (David) · #25 30-09-2005, 04:04 PM

Bad news

Just had an email from Daniel at Frontier Optics. UO are no longer going to supply their 2" Barlow.

Dave #17

Dave47tuc (David) · #26 30-09-2005, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chunkylad

Bad news

Just had an email from Daniel at Frontier Optics. UO are no longer going to supply their 2" Barlow.

Dave #17

Wonder why

Geez glad I got mine before the no more sale

davidpretorius · #27 30-09-2005, 05:09 PM

bugga, now off to edit my signature

gaa_ian (Ian) · #28 26-01-2006, 06:49 PM

This thread has been Idle for a while now but ...
Are the Daves stilll happy with their UO 2x barlows ?
Seems they are still available direct from UO in the USA

Dave47tuc (David) · #29 26-01-2006, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaa_ian

This thread has been Idle for a while now but ...
Are the Daves stilll happy with their UO 2x barlows ?
Seems they are still available direct from UO in the USA

I sold mine to geoff (Starkler)

gaa_ian (Ian) · #30 26-01-2006, 07:05 PM

Hmm .... So Dave, were you happy with it ?
If not, where did you find it underperformed ?

Dave47tuc (David) · #31 26-01-2006, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaa_ian

Hmm .... So Dave, were you happy with it ?
If not, where did you find it underperformed ?

Great barlow IMO one of the best around.

I sold it because I now have a Maksutov at FL 1800. I don't need a barlow like that one.

janoskiss (Steve H) · #32 26-01-2006, 08:36 PM

I've got one of them barlows now, and it is a beauty. My old Shorty Plus got the sack the day I tried the 2" barlow. You want negatives, here: There is noticeable light scatter when barlowing high contrast eyepieces like TV Plossls and UO HD orthos. The views are still awesome just a little diffuse scattering of light is noticeable. That's about it.

On the + side, my 19mm Panoptic in the barlow makes for a fantastic 9mm wide view EP, very sharp on-axis and good sharpness to the very edge (and beyond

, 6 stars in trapezium edge-to-edge no sweat).

gaa_ian (Ian) · #33 26-01-2006, 09:56 PM

OK ...that pretty much settles it.
I'm getting one

chunkylad (David) · #34 26-01-2006, 11:37 PM

I'm in love with mine!!!!

As Steve has mentioned, Outstanding performance with both my 19mm Panoptic, and UO HD Ortho.

Good luck in procuring one

Dave

gaa_ian (Ian) · #35 26-01-2006, 11:44 PM

I have just put in an order with UO in the States

janoskiss (Steve H) · #36 27-01-2006, 12:33 AM

I still want to see how a Televue barlow and powermate would perform in comparison. The Powermate is described as an apparently "nothing there" barlow, so I might expect the throughput, sharpness and contrast of the EP being powermated to be preserved...

Would love to see one in action. 4 elements though, so there's got to be significant light loss even with the best multi-coatings...

gaa_ian (Ian) · #37 05-02-2006, 03:30 PM

Well, I am

to report that it is true, the UO 2" is no longer made.
Despite it being on the UO website, when I enquired about it they confirmed it was no longer manufactured.
So I am still without a 2" barlow

, back to the drawing board.

janoskiss (Steve H) · #38 05-02-2006, 03:48 PM

This is one diehard thread!

Pity about the UO 2", Ian. Maybe they are still made just not sold as UO products. Mine is not actually a UO branded one. Maybe the new GS ED barlows are worth a look.

gaa_ian (Ian) · #39 05-02-2006, 04:09 PM

Thanks for the Tip Steve, BD (Ken) is very happy with his GS 2" barlow
Apparently it works well with the GS 32mm? Superview, taking away all the nasty seagulls at the edge of the FOV !
I will look out for the new ED version, I guess Bintel & Andrew would have it ?

gaa_ian (Ian) · #40 05-02-2006, 04:11 PM

We will have to start a new thread "review of 2" GS ED barlow"