barlow help!

I now own a Orion XT10 Intelliscope. I just picked up (2) eyepieces. 13mm & 21mm Baader 68° Hyperions. Now, I need some suggestions on Barlows. I'm looking at the Orion Shorty-Plux 2x, and the University Optics Klee 2.8x. Plans are to purchase more wide angle EP's.

I welcome any feedback. Scope is f/4.7, 1200mm, 254mm Primary.

Clear Skies!

Hi Sreven,I have'nt ever used the shorty plus or the university optic barlows,their probably just fine.I just purchased the Meade series 4000 2X barlow.It is the apochromatic with triplet and air space and gives great views with no distortion at higher magnification,and made in Japan for $49.00 through any Meade dealer.I've tried cheaper but have started learning its best to just to have to buy a good one the first time.I also have a really good celestron barlow that was given to me that I have enjoyed using until I bought my new Meade.I think you should get the type with triplet lens whatever brand you buy,you'll be glad you did.Clear skies,Darrell

Steven
I would suggest that you consider a 2X 2" barlow. The reason is that with a 2" barlow your Hyperions can be inserted as a 2" EP which will give you a magnification that will likely be approximately 2X. Also, when used with a 2" to 1.25" adapter, the magnification will be increased. I found that for my 13mm Hyperion, I got approximately 2.35X with my UO 2X 2" when used with a 2" to 1.25" adapter. That would put your 13mm Hyperion at about 5.5mm which would be a normal practical limit for your scope short of excellent seeing conditions.

>>>Now, I need some suggestions on Barlows. I'm looking at the Orion Shorty-Plux 2x, and the University Optics Klee 2.8x. Plans are to purchase more wide angle EP's.
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The Orion Shorty Plus/Celestron Ultima Barlow gets many good reviews and is quite popular. This barlow seems to normally provide at 2.2x-2.3x magnification but this depends on the configuration.

I have an Ultima and it is a good eyepiece but... For whatever reason, when I grab a barlow, it is always the Celestron standard Shorty that rests next the Ultima in my eyepiece case.

Note too... This APO barlow thing seems to be hype rather than reality, at least that is what I have gathered from Roland Christen's (Astro-Physics) posts here. A 2 element barlow shouldn't show color either.

Jon