5x Barlow

[jayjt29]

Would a 5x barlow be to much for my SW 150P? I want to view saturn and other planets larger than what i can with the EP's and x2 SW Barlow i already have.

Thanks

Jay

[solarwallace]

Hi.

If you have the standard 10mm and 25mm that came with your scope then a 10mm with a 5x barlow is going to take you up to 375x which would be too much for that scope. Theoretical max for your scope would be 300x but I always found that planets became quite blurry at anything over 200x with my 150 when I had it.

You might be better off getting some better eyepieces instead.

Regards

Steve

[jayjt29]

Thanks Steve, might settle for a 3x. What about imaging with the SPC 900 and a 5x Barlow?

Thinking about it, getting better detail of Saturn in images is on the top of the list

Jay

[lukebl]

Imaging with a 5x barlow and an SPC900 is just about do-able (I do it), but attempting visual observing with a 5x is complete madness (in my opinion, of course).

[Andy79]

Would a 5x barlow be to much for my SW 150P? I want to view saturn and other planets larger than what i can with the EP's and x2 SW Barlow i already have.

Thanks

Jay

Would this be any more useful for a 150pl bearing in mind like jay i have the sw25 and sw10?

[jayjt29]

Thanks for the replies guys. Might give one ago for imaging... I have been looking at the images taken on the 12string.me.uk site for reference of what can be done with time and effort with the kit i have.

Jay

[solarwallace]

Space Cowboy has used a 2x and a 3x stacked on the same scope as mine so it should be possible. The problem is finding what you're looking at that mag. Good luck and I'll look forward to seeing the images

[solarwallace]

Would this be any more useful for a 150pl bearing in mind like jay i have the sw25 and sw10?

I would have thought that for visual the supplied 10mm with a 2x barlow would be optimum. Having said that, the supplied 10mm and barlow could both be improved on which might be a better option for you. I'm having some luck with my 9mm ortho which was cheap from lyraoptic.co.uk (£55). Ortho's are good for planetary and I've not found the 9mm too difficult to use - its volcano topped. I had a more traditional 5mm ortho before and it was like trying to see through a pinhead.

Maybe a 9mm ortho with a 2x tal barlow would be your limit with good seeing? Tals are out of stock everywhere at the moment though. The televue barlows are great, but much more expensive

Do your research before you buy though otherwise you may end up with eyepieces that don't suit you and don't suit your scope (often overlooked) - orthos aren't great for those with glasses for example.

Best of luck and I hope I've helped with my limited knowledge

Steve

[jayjt29]

Cheers again for the detailed reply I've often wondered what difference with the volcano tops v 'normal' ep's tops

Jay