which barlow

Hi,
Any advice on which barlow to get?
I'm looking at a klee 2.8 or the celestron ultima.
What are the pros and cons of each. Also, if anyone has another suggestion please tell me about it. I can't spend more than $80.
Also, any reason why a shorty over a regular barlow?
Thanx
clear skies

>>>Also, any reason why a shorty over a regular barlow?
----

A couple of possible reasons..

1. A long barlow may not mate well with a diagonal, requiring too much inward focuser travel, otherwise it might contact the diagonal surface.

2. A long barlow puts more leverage on the focuser and the rest of the optical train, magnifying any slop there might be.

3. A long barlow means that the eyepiece position will change significantly as you swap it in an out. With an adjustable observing chair, this is not a problem but a nusiance.

Jon

Both the Klee and the Ultima have excellent reputations. But they are different magnification factors (2x vs. 2.8x) (and probably more like 2.25x and 2.9x depending on eyepiece). So you should pick one on the basis of your current or anticipated eyepiece spacing. (Avoid duplications... if you have 25mm and 12mm, there's little reason to get the Ultima.)

I've owned both... the Ultima I had produced too dark views for my tastes... now that could have been the sample, or the small scope I had, or that it was being compared to a Meade #126 whose magn was more like 1.75x or 2x. But I'm in the minority on the Ultima... note: many say that the Orion shorty PLUS is equivalent. Some regarded observers have even found that the regular Orion shorty or Celestron 2x shorty are just as good.

Some report mild vignetting (darkening at the edge) with the Klee and certain eyepieces... I've never noticed it.

Short barlows are much easier to handle, have much less impact on balance... but note: every barlow produces its own change in eyepiece position, some requiring much in focus others out focus.

My favorite 2x barlow turned out to be the Orion fully multi-coated baffled barlow (not ultrascopic) which gave me the best planetary views, better than a 2x Televue, the Ultima, the Meade, etc.

Hi Itz,
If you ask three astronomers, you'll get four opinions! Here's mine: I've got both of them, and I use them both regularly. Which one is best for you probably depends on your current eyepiece selection, and the magnifications you want to achieve. I don't think you would be disappointed with either of them.
Larry Seguin
Taos, New Mexico

Itz, as you can see, you've opened a can of worms! 8)
I personally have the Celestron Ultima barlow, and a Televue 3x barlow, and like their performance very much...

The only thing I dislike about the Televue particularly is its size, as it is very long, and sometimes if feels like it gets in the way... but others might like it that way... it is in the end a "personal" thing...

What do you plan on doing with it? using it for planetary viewing?

I have always regretted selling my Klee. One of these days...