Explore Scientific 1.25" 5x Focal Extender / Barlow # FE05-125
Brand | Explore Scientific |
Part Number | FE05-125 |
Availability | available |
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Product Info
Manufacturer Description
Increase Your Magnification Without Sacrificing Magnification Factor or Eye Relief
A Focal Extender does exactly what the name implies; it extends the effective focal length of the lens that it is used in conjunction with, thus producing higher magnifications for imaging and visual applications.
Focal extenders are similar to a Barlow or tele-negative lens, but there is one important difference between the two that you will want to take into consideration, especially if you plan to use the Explore Scientific Focal Extender for imaging and astro-photography.
When you use a standard Barlow or tele-negative lens to increase the magnification of your optical system, your results will be dependent on where you place the Barlow in the optical chain. For instance, if you put a 2x Barlow lens in front of your diagonal instead of behind it (Barlow-Diagonal-Eyepiece as opposed to Diagonal-Barlow-Eyepiece), you won't get 2x magnification in both set-ups. The magnification varies with placement. However, with an Explore Scientific Focal Extender, even if the distance is changed, the magnification remains the same. You can place your Focal Extender anywhere along the optical chain between an eyepiece or a camera, and if you are supposed to get 2x magnification, you will get 2x magnification.
When it comes to imaging, this is a critical difference, because you may want to introduce an accessory like a flip mirror or filter wheel in between the Focal Extender and a CCD camera, which would increase the distance to the focused image. This difference in design allows users to rest easy, whether they are pumping up the magnification of a lower power eyepiece for visual observations or using their Explore Focal Extender in imaging applications.
Explore Scientific Focal Extender Highlights
- More Magnification Choices without Sacrificing Eye Relief: A good Focal Extender adds some real versatility to your telescope accessory line-up. First of all, it allows you to increase the magnification of any eyepiece with the same barrel size that you already own. In other words, 3 eyepieces offer 6 magnification choices with the addition of a focal extender. Secondly, most of the time, lower magnification eyepieces have better eye relief than higher power models. When using a focal extender to increase your magnification, you get to enjoy the generous eye relief of the lower power eyepiece, and that's quite a bonus, especially for eyeglass wearers or for those with fast telescopes who can really push high magnification eyepieces. Remember, we make focal extenders in 2X, 3X and 5x models, so there is something for every style of telescope.
- Optimized Optical Design: Explore Focal Extenders are optimized through each design, fabrication, and testing process to produce high contrast, high resolution images.
- Durable EMD Coatings & Finishing Touches: Each of the four elements in your Explore Scientific Focal Extender is fully multi-coated with EMD (Enhanced Multi-Layer Deposition) enhanced coatings, resulting in bright, sharp images. And like Explore Scientific eyepieces, the lenses are edge-blackened to eliminate internal light scatter. When you add a high quality focal extender to your optical chain, the entire optical package is optimized for the highest light transmission and contrast, and will deliver crisp, clean images to your eyepiece or imaging system.
- Tapered Barrel for Extra Security: The insert barrel of each extender is double-tapered to allow smooth insertion to, and removal from, a telescope's eyepiece holder, focuser or diagonal, however the wide dimension of the taper helps prevent the focal extender from falling out of the telescope should the set-screw holding it in place become loose.
Producing optics for amateur astronomers that can be relied upon to deliver research-quality images requires a solid design, careful fabrication, multiple tests, and continued diligence to make sure we are always doing everything we can to produce a cutting edge, quality product. This is what we do at our facilities at Explore Scientific, and to insure your satisfaction, we back each eyepiece with the Explore STAR Transferrable, Extended Life of the Product Warranty, so you can keep exploring!
Key Specifications:
- Total height = 4.05" / 102.8mm
- Length of 1.25" nosepiece = 1.22" / 31.0mm
- Weight = 9.2oz / 261g
- Clear lens aperture = 0.30" / 7.6mm
- Made in China
Reviews
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Jul 22, 2019
Makes a real difference
Pros: Cons: Comments:Bought this for a Explore Scientific ED102-FCD100 for the purposes of astrophotography and specifically planets such as Saturn & Jupiter. A major difference in imaging over a 2x barlow that has been used in the past. Image is magnified and still clean for both my DSLR and CCD.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
May 27, 2019Lightweight, clear focal extender
Pros: Cons: Comments:This focal extender is somewhat smaller and lighter that I would have guessed for a 5x. I see no obvious problems with the light being passed through it.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? Yes
This extender is too powerful for my telescope (130 mm reflector) with most eyepieces, but is extremely useful to put in front of my camera when I am shooting planetary targets or the moon.This review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Ronald Zincone New Member
- Skill Level
- Unknown
- Time with Product
- Unknown
- User Notes:
- Review by Ronnie Z.
Dec 16, 2014Works great with my fast f/4 reflector
Pros:Strong Construction,Accurate,Quality Lenses,Easy to Use
Cons:Heavy
Comments:Works great with my f/4 Starblast 4.5 inch reflector with a 450mm focal length mirror. Now I can use longer focal length eyepieces with longer eye relief for higher magnification. No more squinting through tiny eye lenses with less than 8mm eye relief for me. I had great views of Jupiter at 125x with an 18mm eyepiece and Saturn at 180x with a 12.5mm eyepiece using this focal extender. Now I never go over 100x without it!
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
Feb 7, 2014Quality
Pros:Accurate,Quality Lenses,Strong Construction,Easy to Use,Compact
Cons: Comments:Explore Scientific quality is outstanding, do not hesitate to purchase any of their products.
Bottom Line: Would you recommend this item? YesThis review was provided courtesy of AgenaAstro.com
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Manufacturer Explore Scientific