Better Barlow!

[up2nogood]

Guys can you tell me which is the better barlow plz.

Revelation 2inch Barlow | Telescope Accessories | Rother Valley Optics

Skywatcher Deluxe 2x Barlow

Thanks

[FrankieValley]

Generally, the quality is reflected in the price, but you have given a 2" and a 1.25" barlow to compare. I would 'guess' from the price of the different sized items that they are of similar optical quality. I have the SW deluxe 2x barlow that came with a SW Startravel 80T. It is made of plastic (with glass lens) and won't be of great quality optically, but for a budget barlow it is fine.

[John]

Both are of decent quality. As David says the Revelation is a 2" barlow though. Another 1.25" barlow worth considering is the TAL 2x:

First Light Optics - Tal 2x and 3x Barlows

TAL are Russian and though they don't look as "glossy", optically they are very good for their cost.

[Mr Spock]

In the 1.25" size you can get a Tal x2 Barlow for about £35. That would be a better option.

The SW Barlows are very variable in quality - some good, some bad.

The Revelation would be ok if you needed 2".

[John]

I'm thinking along the same lines as a Vulcan - that must be good

[FrankieValley]

Both are of decent quality. As David says the Revelation is a 2" barlow though. Another 1.25" barlow worth considering is the TAL 2x:

First Light Optics - Tal 2x and 3x Barlows

TAL are Russian and though they don't look as "glossy", optically they are very good for their cost.

I agree with John. I use an older Tal 3x and that is optically good and solidly made. I expect the latest ones will be the same.

[Mr Spock]

Both posts at 11:45 - you must have got there by seconds!

The Tal was the logical choice of course

[Gina]

I have a Revelation 2.5x Barlow 1.25" size which is poor IMO. I have a 2x Celestron and a "no name" x3 which are much better. Maybe I was unlucky but it's put me off Revelation.

[up2nogood]

I orderd the Tal 2x

Thanks guys very helpfull as always

[Patbloke]

Hi Team I was bought a Celestron Ultima 2x Barlow as it had received good reviews on this site... I have to say that it appears to darken my viewing quite a lot... do you think this could be due to the fact I have a small fast scope (at the moment)

[FrankieValley]

Hi Team I was bought a Celestron Ultima 2x Barlow as it had received good reviews on this site... I have to say that it appears to darken my viewing quite a lot... do you think this could be due to the fact I have a small fast scope (at the moment)

All barlows will dim the view, so to speak. A 2x barlow will approximately double the f ratio of the scope and effectively make it slower.

On a camera doubling the f ratio means reducing the size of the aperture whilst maintaining the same field of view, but with a scope you cannot change the aperture size and so the field of view shrinks instead. I think that is how it works......