The best Telescope Barlow Lenses: Reddit reviews

From 3.5 billion Reddit comments

https://www.amazon.com/Celestron-93428-X-Cel-1-25-Inch-Barlow/dp/B00810N364

I just bought this one, I have a similar telescope but it’s a Newtonian, so less magnified than yours, so I got a 3x, but I think the 2x will do nicely for you. There’s also cheaper options, which will probably sacrifice some clarity or brightness or smt (not an expert by any means) but if you look on amazon for a brand like SVBONY or find a similar brand I’m sure you’d find cheaper, just pay attention to the diameter, a 1.25” would be best for you, and make sure to read reviews, best of luck

Thanks for the suggestion, would this one be it?

This is the one I bought (mostly because it could come same day and looked to fit)

Gosky 1.25 Inch 2X Fully Blackened Metal Barlow Lens and Camera T Adapter for Telescopes Eyepiece - Accept 1.25inch Filters-Also Can Be Used for Astronomical Photography - Coated https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0159KORTU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_P9T0280S50N3VZTCCMN0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

To take planetary images you'll need an app that lets you lower the iso and shutter speed. Here's a tutorial that uses the z130 and the same barlow I have: https://youtu.be/tQ-iGD7lG7A.

The barlow I used costs 32$ on Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00008Y0TM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_B84KQ09DQZC2QE1S1EM1.

SVBONY makes good stuff that's cheap.

https://www.amazon.com/SVBONY-Blackened-Interface-Telescope-Astrophotography/dp/B0169QR8OE/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=svbony+barlow&qid=1608736474&sr=8-1

Are you referring to these two?:

Amazon.com : SVBONY 2X Barlow Lens 1.25 inch Doubles The Magnification Multi Coated Broadband Green Film with M42 Thread for Standard Telescope Eyepiece : Camera & Photo

Amazon.com : SVBONY Telescopes Eyepieces 1.25 inches Eyepiece 68 Degree Ultra Wide Angle (6mm) : Camera & Photo

I think that image is without a barlow and just the T-adapter imaging back on on the scope. I do have some I did take with the Barlow, which is this one https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0159KORTU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and for $13 I totally got what I paid for, but I got it mainly because I wanted to try photos with my old and terrible Tesco newtonian, but focus is a real challenge.

I am in south central WI. This time of year Jupiter and Saturn are starting to set pretty early after sunset, but Mars is nice and high in the sky. However, it is dropping down into the 20s at night so sitting out by the scope is becoming Not Fun. Might be a few warm nights here and there to grab yet (hell, it was 60 on Christmas last year), so we'll see. Location wise its...sort of ok. I'm in a small town, so light pollution isn't super awful (I can make out a bit of the milky way if I stare hard enough) but i have Madison just to the south which can be problematic.

I am able to get really good focus through the eyepiece on stars, which has been great, and the T4i does have live view AND I have it hooked up to my laptop when I am trying to dial it in. I was thinking about hauling a 1080p monitor out on the nights I plan to do more imaging, but a mask may be a better/easier way to get better focus.

Thanks for all the assistance! I know I am not going to get to the level of some of the awesome shots here without an Eq mount, star align, etc, but for the level I am willing to invest in I think I can get to Good Enough with some tweaks, practice, and experimentation.

Yo, here’s a triplet APO that deliver faster! https://www.amazon.com/SVBONY-Blackened-Interface-Telescope-Astrophotography/dp/B0169QR8OE/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1ZF3PQYDJVYT4&dchild=1&keywords=svbony+barlow&qid=1602600502&sprefix=Svbony%2Caps%2C225&sr=8-2

This Barlow good?

https://www.amazon.com/SVBONY-Blackened-Interface-Telescope-Astrophotography/dp/B0169QR8OE/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2ZP9N623YHTOK&dchild=1&keywords=2x+barlow+lens+1.25&qid=1602595948&sprefix=2x+barlow%2Caps%2C171&sr=8-5

(Note: the 5x is actually a 3x)

How about this?

https://www.amazon.com.au/SVBONY-Broadband-Standard-Telescope-Eyepiece/dp/B00WW0TC32

Noticed it has good reviews

I’ve got two Orion’s, one 10 inch dob and a 5 inch reflector. I’m relatively new to the hobby so I’d like to keep it at or below 175.

I’ve got a few meade series 5000 eye pieces (5.5 and 14mm) which I use both for deep space objects and planets. I also have the 25mm that came with my Orion 5 inch.

I’m not sure I need another eyepiece(but am open to hearing), I only had one Barlow which I was just looking to replace, I tried to purchase the same one but it isn’t available. The Barlow I’m replacing is the following: current Barlow (broken)

I’ve seen some Barlow’s that I’m not familiar with the brand and wonder if they are worth the price: SVBONY Acouto To name a few

Thanks!

how would this look in my cheap scope? https://www.amazon.com/Gosky-Blackened-Adapter-Telescopes-Eyepiece/dp/B0159KORTU/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=barlow+lens+1.25&qid=1594881556&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExNVNWWUdBVzY3OFVXJmVuY3J5cHRl...

how would this look in my cheap scope? https://www.amazon.com/Gosky-Blackened-Adapter-Telescopes-Eyepiece/dp/B0159KORTU/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=barlow+lens+1.25&qid=1594881556&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExNVNWWUdBVzY3OFVXJmVuY3J5cHRl...

I would probably go with the meade barlow. It is cheaper and the quality may even be better.

https://www.amazon.com/Meade-Instruments-1-25-Inch-Short-Focus-Barlow/dp/B00000K3RG/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1546050328&sr=8-7&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=2x+barlow&dpPl=1&dpID=41nqCY9uAaL&ref=plSrch

Edit: Never mind. If you notice the first picture it is metal then the next pics are plastic. Go with that celestron.

Thanks for the help! I had no idea the mirrors were so delicate.

For now I'm probably going to pick up the 6 and 15mm eyepieces that Schorhr and GreenNinja139 mentioned, but I'm definitely going to want a light pollution filter later on. Obviously dark skies are preferable, but getting anywhere with low light pollution for me is going to mean a two hour drive each way, so I'll be stuck at home for most of my gazing.

As for the Barlow, does this look like a decent one?

Please help me!

I have an Orion XT8 and right now I'm just trying to use it with my DSLR to take pictures of the moon and planets.

I have a Pentax K100D and at first I tried this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0159KORTU with the proper lens to T adapter, but I couldn't get my sensor close enough to focus. I found that if I took out the 2" lens adapter thingy on my telescope and manually made the barlow go deeper that I was able to focus on Jupiter, but I had to hold it manually and it was, of course, shaky.

Then I got to thinking, what if I just got an adapter for the 2" eyepiece mount? So I did that and I got the official Orion 2" camera prime focus adapter https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008N66XMW but after trying it tonight, I am unable to get my camera sensor close enough to focus on the moon (didn't try anything else).

So, please help me! What do I need to use my camera with my telescope?

Thanks for the long writeup! Very helpful. I see I have a lot of information I need to digest about scopes before I dive in. The scope has a finder and diagonal. Just missing the eyepiece. Seeing as it is already free, and I could use it to get a taste of higher magnification stargazing, I can pick up a few cheaper eyepieces. Are these? acceptable? Funnily enough I found ANOTHER small telescope today (much smaller). It is some Discovery Channel explorer telescope, but seems to be really cheap and worse than the fixer upper.

Like I said I wanted to give this a try before dropping a large amount of cash for it (if I do enjoy it enough and really get into it I can easily budget around 300$ for a scope in a month or so). Also I may pick binoculars anyways, seeing as I do not have any around the house for some reason....swear I used to have a couple decent ones for camping...

And thanks for the book recommendations, definitely about to look into getting some kind of paper guide so I don't bring my phone out and ruin my night vision.

I would like to buy this: VITE Metal T-Adapter/2x Barlow Lens 1.25-Inch Fully Multi-Coated APO (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WW0TC32/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_ctgtxbZXRRZ26 to mount a camera onto my telescope. At this point, I just need to buy a ring that fits that specific camera, correct?

Is there anything else I need to buy?

I am wondering if we got the same barlow. It was cheaper than the 2x barlow that I got. The 2x is the one I really wanted, but the 5X being so cheap I had to get it. Although I don't think my scope is good enough for it, the 2X is only one that works well.

I just ordered a barlow lens and T-ring yesterday. I can't wait to try them out!

I've got the same scope and you'll be able to get much better views after collimating. It's also really hard to get enough back focus with the 114EQ at prime focus, so you may want to consider getting a T-adapter with a built in Barlow. I got this one, its cheap and works just as well as the Orion or Celestron ones.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00OXKHYM0?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

Can anyone recommend a barlow for an Orion 8" (if I want to do some planetary viewing/imaging)? I was thinking about going with something like this. I don't want to spend $300 on a barlow. I can get a telescope for that price (even though I'm sure more expensive barlows are better).

How much does the glass quality affect planetary photos. I have an 8" SCT that should be great for viewing Jupiter, and it looks alright through my Celestron 25mm Plossl (It says its from Celestron model number 93333, but it apparenly doesn't exist online), but when I put it through my 2x Barlow, I cant seem to focus, and get little more than a fuzzy blob

I bought the 9mm lens which provides 133x magnification. It's better, but not spectacularly better, for viewing things like Jupiter. You can see cloud bands clearly, and on a good night maybe 4 of Jupiter's moons.

I want a ~4mm lens but it's several hundred bucks for a good one. That might have to wait a while.

Have you checked out Barlow lenses? It fits on your eyepiece and gives you extra magnification. I haven't tried mine yet but I read it works well with the kit I bought to attach my DSLR. Hopefully I'll get some cool photos.