Sky-Watcher Illuminated Reticle 12.5mm Eyepiece

The Sky-Watcher 2x Barlow Lens with T-Adaptor is a budget-friendly, versatile tool designed for both visual observation and entry-level astrophotography. This lens effectively doubles the magnification of any 1.25-inch eyepiece, providing closer, more intricate views of the Moon, planets, and deep-sky objects like nebulae. Built with multi-coated optics to improve light transmission and image quality, it offers an affordable way to expand your viewing options without a major investment in dedicated equipment. Its lightweight and portable design makes it a perfect choice for beginner and intermediate astronomers looking to enhance their astronomical exploration with ease.

Beyond visual use, this Barlow lens features an integrated camera adapter that allows you to securely attach a DSLR or mirrorless camera to your telescope. This threaded adapter enables you to capture stunning images of the night sky using your existing camera gear. While the additional optical elements may require slight focusing adjustments or introduce minor image quality changes, the lens provides a streamlined and secure setup for capturing breathtaking astrophotographs. It is a highly efficient solution for those wanting to dive into the world of celestial imaging while maintaining a simple and portable kit.

Product Features in Detail

Precision Go-To Alignment

Standard eyepieces make it difficult to guess the exact center of the field. This reticle eyepiece provides a visual "target" that ensures your alignment stars are perfectly centered. This results in significantly more accurate Go-To slewing for the rest of your observing session.

Professional Autoguider Calibration

For astrophotographers, this eyepiece is invaluable for calibrating the movement of an autoguider. By watching a star move along the crosshairs, you can verify that your mount's tracking corrections are moving in the correct directions and at the right speeds.

Preservation of Dark Adaptation

The use of red LED technology is intentional; red light does not trigger the "bleaching" of rhodopsin in the human eye. This means you can use the illuminated reticle as often as needed without losing your ability to see faint deep-sky objects afterward.

Plossl Optical Clarity

Unlike cheap "finderscope" eyepieces, this uses a true 4-element Plossl design. This ensures that the stars you are using for alignment are pin-sharp points rather than blurry blobs, making it much easier to place them exactly in the center of the double crosshairs.

Variable Intensity Control

Every observer’s eyes are different. The integrated dimming knob allows you to find the "sweet spot" where the lines are just visible enough to be useful but not so bright that they wash out the star you are trying to center.

Robust 1.25-Inch Fit

The eyepiece is designed to be a standard part of your kit. With its 1.25-inch barrel, it can be used in your main telescope or in a large-aperture guidescope, providing a high degree of flexibility for different optical setups.