BC&F AC555 Magnimax

[azrabella]

Hi folks,

Has anyone had any experience with the BC&F AC555 Magnimax barlow/multiplier??? I believe they offer something like a x1.6 amplification. Useful for getting those "in between" powers with my eyepieces. I  am also of the belief that they are fairly rare nowadays. Any info would be appreciated. I've just managed to grab one for a tenner on AstroBoot UK - I thought at that price it must be at least worth a punt.

[Ricochet]

15 hours ago, azrabella said:

I believe they offer something like a x1.6 amplification

This can be done with any barlow where the lens cell can be unscrewed from the body and screwed to the eyepiece threads. The actual multiplication factor depends on the distance between the barlow and eyepiece lenses so the actual amount will vary from eyepiece to eyepiece. I have both the AC555 and the AC666(?), which seems to be the AC555 with an additional body to make it a "2x" barlow. I use the AC555 with my (Starguider) binoviewers where it functions as a 2.1x barlow and requires ~30mm of in focus compared to monoviewing. 

[Merlin66]

I mounted the AC555 Barlow in a T thread housing to give me full disk coverage with my ASI1600MM camera and ED80 for solar imaging.

works well for me.