Apollo_95

I am looking for advice on Barlows please. I currently have Skywatcher 130p Heritage with the 2 stock EPs 10mm & 25mm. Ive also added the starguider 8mm EP. Im now considering getting the starguider shorty Barlow. My understanding of Barlows is that they double or treble the magnification of the EP & make the images bigger but not necessarily any sharper. Is this correct? My main interest is planetary observation although I do also like looking at fainter objects. If I was to add the Barlow to my 8mm would the image be as sharp compared to say the 3.2mm or the 5mm? Im basically weighing up whether I am better spending my money on a Barlow or the 3.2/5mm eyepieces. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Many thanks for all the advice. Upon closer inspection the RDF had in fact been bumped off its runner. Its now been re-positioned & screws tightened. Problem solved!!

Ive had my Skywatcher 130p Heritage Dobsonian for abt 4-5 years now so not really a beginners question but I think this is a common issue when some people get a new scope. Everything has worked perfectly since I got the scope until recently. I had it out the other night for the first time since a house move last year. The problem is that the red dot finder is now no longer in sync with the eyepiece. I was initially trying to see Venus but the red dot was way off the mark. I also tried to vuew the moon & had the same issue. I know there are adjustment dials on the red dot finder but when I try to get it aligned the red dot is still too high for the object I have in the centre of the eyepiece. This is even when its on its lowest setting ie I cant make the red dot go any lower. The scope is well protected in its original box & I am not aware of it receiving any bumps. I suspect though that the mirrors are now slightly out of alignment, hence why I am asking about getting a collimator. Ive read reviews on collimators & watched the process on youtube for laser collimators but Collimators seem to be very hit & miss. Some seem to work for some but not for others. from what Ive read some collimators need to be collimated first. Ive called the camera shop I bought the scope from to see if they would collimate it for me but they dont & Im struggling to find somewhere that would do it for me as I would prefer a professional take a look at it before I start tinkering. Has anyone else had this issue? Any suggestions or assistance would be very much appreciated. Thanks Andrew

Thumbs up from me for the Skywatcher 130P. Set up time is 5-10 mins max. Im quite happy with the 2 stock EP’s that come with it but now looking to upgrade with some BST Starguiders that get great reviews & at a reasonable price.