Barlow Problems

[quantumpanda]

I'm still having problems finding a sensibly priced 3x Barlow, and I'm extremely disappointed that I just missed the last Tals in stock!

Tonight I discovered the GSO 3 element 1.25" 2.5x Barlow lens. Has anyone had experience with one? From what I hear, GSO is a quality brand.

How much difference should I expect planetary viewing with my Startravel 150 using a 10mm? I calculate the mags of 2.5x and 3x barlows to be 188x and 225x. Will this be a huge difference?

Should I just go with the 2.5?

Thank you

[JamesF]

Do you already have a 2x barlow? If so, you could combine that with a shorter focal length EP in the 6mm to 8mm range?

James

[quantumpanda]

I could, but I've bought a 10mm now, and my only other EP is a 20mm.

[Moonshane]

you can insert a 2x barlow into the drawtube before the diagonal to turn it into a 3x barlow. make sure you have good connections though (and you need a 2" 2x barlow if you use a 2" diagonal of course).

[quantumpanda]

That sounds like quite an awkward way of doing it. I'll need to remove it for imaging, because I use a Vixen Flip.

[Moonshane]

ah, sorry. you said viewing.

[quantumpanda]

I do mean viewing, but I forgot to mention my awkward setup. I just wondered if anyone has used a GSO Barlow.