GSO 3x ED Barlow????

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

Hi all,
thinking of buying this cheap GSO ($69) 3x ED barlow from Andrews.com.au to use with 32/25/20/15mm plossls so as to retain the more comfortable eye relief of these EPs. This would give magnifications of 47x, 60x, 75x, 100x, 141x, 180x, 225x, 300x in my 12" f5 Dob which seems like a nice comprehensive range for most targets.

re the 3x ED barlow:
Has anyone used one? Are they any good?
The 2" 2x ED gets good reports - do they apply to the 3x too?

Cheers in advance for any advice.
Doug

[astrogeek (Leon)]

Don't know about the 3x ED barlow but I have the 2" 2x ED and I am quite impressed with it. No ghosting/reflections even on a bright object like jupiter. One would assume that if one product is of good quality then the other products from the same manufacturer would also be good, but this doesn't seem to apply to GSO. Some of their things are great (ie. Scopes) and others are not so great (ie. 2" superviews). Hopefully someone will have the 3x and will be able to tell you something about it

Leon

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

Doesn't anyone have a GSO 3x ED Barlow?!

Does the lack of input/reviews mean that this product is a dud?

Cheers
Doug

[casstony]

I bought an eyepiece from Andrews once that I didn't like and they took it back. I imagine they'd do the same for a barlow. Someone needs to be the guinea pig, Doug?

Tony

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

Actually, the overtime fairy has smiled on me and perhaps a TV Powermate or EP might be on the go.
But my wife's always calling me a pig - so if the {misspelt naughty word was ere but now it's gone} fits!!!!!
Maybe I'll take a punt!
Cheers
Doug

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

It's probably a decent product for the price, but still in the 'you get what you pay for' rather than 'exceptional value for money' category. That's just my guess anyway. I never used one. Depends on what you want it for I guess, what eyepieces you're putting in it, and how much of your observing is going to be done with a barlow in the lightpath.

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

Doug, Why don't you grab that 2.5x televue barlow for sale on the buy & sell forum?

[dugnsuz (Doug)]

Originally Posted by janoskiss

It's probably a decent product for the price, but still in the 'you get what you pay for' rather than 'exceptional value for money' category. That's just my guess anyway. I never used one. Depends on what you want it for I guess, what eyepieces you're putting in it, and how much of your observing is going to be done with a barlow in the lightpath.

Currently using a fistfull of longer FL GSO plossls -32,25,20,15.
A 3x or 2.5x would provide a decent magnification range (approx 50x to 300x). I'm worried though, that a cheap barlow would introduce some vignetting in the 32 and 25mm EPs. Perhaps the ED glass would help there - I don't know for sure. As stated so many times - you get what you pay for!

One plan might be to buy a 2.5x Powermate now and introduce a Pan and a Nag as funds appear - optically I can't lose with the Powermate!.

Plan B (which is Plan A depending on my mood) was to just say "to hang with it" and fork out for a 24mm Pan or a 13mm Nag for the immediate WOW factor as I have the funds available..
Main interest is deep sky so both those EPs are really attractive especially the 24mm - checked with Bintel, it doesn't require the barlow interface.

I'm inclined to go for the Powermate as any premium EPs purchased down the track will automatically have 2 useable magnifications.

QUALITY PURCHASE ALERT

All thought/comments appreciated.
Cheers
Doug

[wavelandscott (Scott)]

While many different people have their own views, I prefer to get fewer of better quality (eyepieces, Barlow/Powermate etc.)...that way my family can salvage at least something from my estate when I kick...

I've not used the 3x ED GSO Barlow...I do have a 2.5 Powermate and like it!...

Depending on your eyepiece spread and equipment, you might consider the 2x 2inch Powermate...I beleive it comes with a 1.25 inch adaptor...this would enable you to use 2 inch eyepieces in the future if you so desired...just my 2 cents...