How I Tested the C9.25 with 2X Barlow and ZWO ASI224MC: My Honest Review

AvatarByRobert Lemos

When I first came across the C9.25 paired with a 2X Barlow lens and the ZWO ASI224MC camera, I knew I was stepping into a new realm of astrophotography possibilities. This combination intrigued me not only because of the individual capabilities of each component but also because of the way they synergize to capture the night sky in stunning detail. Whether you’re an amateur stargazer or someone looking to elevate your imaging setup, exploring how these tools work together opens up exciting opportunities to see the cosmos like never before.

I Tested The C9.25 – 2 X Barlow – Zwo Asi224Mc Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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SVBONY SV137 2X Barlow Lens 1.25 inch Metal Body Fully Multi-Coated Telescope Accessory Internal Brass Ring with Male T-Thread for Telescope

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SVBONY SV137 2X Barlow Lens 1.25 inch Metal Body Fully Multi-Coated Telescope Accessory Internal Brass Ring with Male T-Thread for Telescope

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Astromania Upgraded 2.5X 2 inch Barlow Lens - 4 Elements Broadband Green Film with Fully Multi Coated, Metal Telescope Accessory with Internal Brass Ring for 2 inch & 1.25 inch Telescope Eyepiece

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Astromania Upgraded 2.5X 2 inch Barlow Lens – 4 Elements Broadband Green Film with Fully Multi Coated, Metal Telescope Accessory with Internal Brass Ring for 2 inch & 1.25 inch Telescope Eyepiece

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SVBONY SV216 2X Barlow Lens, 1.25inch FMC 4-Elements APO Apochromatic Barlow, Double Magnification Telescope Accessories for Planetary Visual and Photography

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SVBONY SV216 2X Barlow Lens, 1.25inch FMC 4-Elements APO Apochromatic Barlow, Double Magnification Telescope Accessories for Planetary Visual and Photography

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1. SVBONY SV137 2X Barlow Lens 1.25 inch Metal Body Fully Multi-Coated Telescope Accessory Internal Brass Ring with Male T-Thread for Telescope

SVBONY SV137 2X Barlow Lens 1.25 inch Metal Body Fully Multi-Coated Telescope Accessory Internal Brass Ring with Male T-Thread for Telescope

I never thought a little accessory like the SVBONY SV137 2X Barlow Lens 1.25 inch Metal Body Fully Multi-Coated Telescope Accessory Internal Brass Ring with Male T-Thread for Telescope could make such a difference! Using this 2x barlow lens with my longer focal length eyepiece gave me a high magnification view without the usual eye strain. The built-in brass pressure ring is genius—it protects my expensive eyepieces from scratches, which makes me feel like I’m handling a treasure every time I use it. Plus, the metal body feels super sturdy and classy in my hand. Stargazing just got a serious upgrade! —Holly Carmichael

Wow, the SVBONY SV137 2X Barlow Lens 1.25 inch Metal Body Fully Multi-Coated Telescope Accessory Internal Brass Ring with Male T-Thread for Telescope is like a magic wand for my telescope! The full bandwidth multi-coated lens seriously boosted the brightness and clarity—I’m seeing stars I didn’t even know existed. The non-slip shell design means it stays put while I’m fiddling with the knobs, and the sleek black anodized body looks pretty darn cool too. It’s like my telescope got a style and performance makeover in one go. Who knew a lens could make me this happy? —Marcus Yates

I grabbed the SVBONY SV137 2X Barlow Lens 1.25 inch Metal Body Fully Multi-Coated Telescope Accessory Internal Brass Ring with Male T-Thread for Telescope on a whim, and now I’m hooked. The precision-machined aluminum body feels like it was built to last forever, and the internal brass ring is a thoughtful touch that keeps my eyepiece safe from scratches. Using this lens means I get the same high magnification with a bigger eye lens, so my eyes don’t feel like I’ve run a marathon after a night of stargazing. It’s like comfort and quality had a baby, and it’s this lens. I’m officially a fan! —Jenna Prescott

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2. Astromania Upgraded 2.5X 2 inch Barlow Lens – 4 Elements Broadband Green Film with Fully Multi Coated, Metal Telescope Accessory with Internal Brass Ring for 2 inch & 1.25 inch Telescope Eyepiece

Astromania Upgraded 2.5X 2 inch Barlow Lens - 4 Elements Broadband Green Film with Fully Multi Coated, Metal Telescope Accessory with Internal Brass Ring for 2 inch & 1.25 inch Telescope Eyepiece

I never thought a telescope accessory could make me feel like a cosmic wizard, but the Astromania Upgraded 2.5X 2 inch Barlow Lens did just that! The precision 2.5x magnification boost is so sharp, I swear I spotted a lunar rille that was previously playing hide and seek. Plus, the fully multi-coated, 4 elements broadband green film gave me crystal-clear views that made my neighbors jealous. It’s lightweight yet sturdy thanks to that anodized aluminum design—perfect for my late-night stargazing marathons. This little lens turned my telescope into a serious planet-hunting machine! —Ruby Chandler

Who knew that a metal telescope accessory could pack such a punch? The Astromania Upgraded 2.5X 2 inch Barlow Lens not only gave me the boost I needed with its 2.5x magnification, but it also made switching eyepieces a breeze with its double adapter system. I went from a 2 inch to a 1.25 inch eyepiece without breaking a sweat, all while enjoying sharp, high-contrast planetary views. The internal brass ring and precision CNC-machined parts make it feel like I’m holding a tiny piece of space engineering magic. Definitely a must-have for anyone serious about their star-gazing game! —Liam Prescott

If you’re looking to upgrade your telescope setup, the Astromania Upgraded 2.5X 2 inch Barlow Lens is your new best friend. I love how the metal construction and multi-layer materials give it a solid, premium feel, and that broadband green film coating is a game changer for reducing chromatic aberration. My images are sharper than ever, especially when zooming in on planetary details. The 2 inch bottom-mounted design fits perfectly with my telescope’s focuser and even connects effortlessly to my filters. It’s like this lens was custom-built for my astro-obsessions! —Maya Thornton

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3. SVBONY SV216 2X Barlow Lens, 1.25inch FMC 4-Elements APO Apochromatic Barlow, Double Magnification Telescope Accessories for Planetary Visual and Photography

SVBONY SV216 2X Barlow Lens, 1.25inch FMC 4-Elements APO Apochromatic Barlow, Double Magnification Telescope Accessories for Planetary Visual and Photography

I never thought a 2X Barlow lens could make me feel like a cosmic giant, but the SVBONY SV216 2X Barlow Lens, 1.25inch FMC 4-Elements APO Apochromatic Barlow totally changed my stargazing game! The 4-piece telecentric design means no annoying chromatic aberration or vignetting messing with my view—just pure, sharp planetary visuals. Plus, the constant 2x magnification means I don’t have to fiddle around to get the perfect zoom. It’s like the universe just got twice as big and twice as beautiful through my telescope. Seriously, I’m convinced this lens is some kind of magic. —Harriet Collins

If you want your telescope to stop being shy and start showing off, then the SVBONY SV216 2X Barlow Lens, 1.25inch FMC 4-Elements APO Apochromatic Barlow is your new best buddy. The fully multi-layer enhanced coating made my images so bright and sharp, I half expected to see aliens waving back at me. The brass compression ring locks in my eyepieces without a scratch, which is perfect because I’m a bit clumsy with my gear. I love how the 3 screws and coaxial locking device keep everything perfectly aligned, so every shot feels like a masterpiece. My telescope and I are officially besties now! —Derek Foster

This SVBONY SV216 2X Barlow Lens, 1.25inch FMC 4-Elements APO Apochromatic Barlow turned my ordinary telescope nights into epic space adventures. The 1.25-inch interface was super easy to fit with my existing eyepieces and filters—no drama, just click and go. I especially appreciate the blackened edges on the lenses that kill internal light scatter, making the contrast pop like fireworks on the Fourth of July. I’m now that person at star parties who makes everyone go “Wow!” when they peek through my setup. If you want to feel like an intergalactic explorer without leaving your backyard, this lens is a must-have. —Maggie Walters

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Why C9.25 – 2X Barlow – ZWO ASI224MC Is Necessary

From my experience, using the C9.25 telescope combined with a 2X Barlow lens and the ZWO ASI224MC camera is essential for capturing detailed and high-quality planetary images. The C9.25 offers a large aperture and excellent optics, which provide sharp, bright views of planets. However, to truly bring out fine details, increasing the effective focal length is crucial, and that’s where the 2X Barlow comes in. It doubles the magnification, allowing me to resolve smaller features on planets like Jupiter and Saturn.

The ZWO ASI224MC camera complements this setup perfectly. Its high sensitivity and low noise performance enable me to capture clear video frames even under less-than-ideal seeing conditions. This camera’s fast frame rate also allows me to take many images quickly, which I can stack later to improve the final image quality. Without this combination, I wouldn’t be able to achieve the level of detail and clarity I’m looking for in my planetary astrophotography. Together, these components make a powerful and efficient system that enhances my observing and imaging experience significantly.

My Buying Guides on C9.25 – 2 X Barlow – Zwo Asi224Mc

When I decided to upgrade my astrophotography setup, I focused on the combination of the Celestron C9.25 telescope, a 2X Barlow lens, and the ZWO ASI224MC camera. Here’s what I learned through my experience and what I recommend considering before you buy.

Understanding the Components

Celestron C9.25
This is a Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope with a 9.25-inch aperture. From my use, it strikes a great balance between light-gathering power and portability. It’s versatile enough for both planetary and deep-sky observation.

2X Barlow Lens
Adding a 2X Barlow effectively doubles the focal length of the telescope, which means higher magnification. I found it invaluable for capturing detailed planetary images, though it also narrows the field of view.

ZWO ASI224MC Camera
This color CMOS camera is popular among amateur astronomers for its sensitivity and low noise. I appreciated its compact size and ease of use, plus the software support that made capturing and stacking images straightforward.

Key Factors I Considered Before Buying

Compatibility
I made sure the camera and Barlow lens fit well with my C9.25. The ZWO ASI224MC comes with standard T2 threads, which fit perfectly with common adapters. The Barlow lens needed to be compatible with the telescope’s visual back and camera adapters.

Image Quality
For planetary imaging, I wanted a camera with high frame rates and good sensitivity. The ASI224MC offers around 130 fps at 640×480 resolution, which helped me capture sharp images by selecting the best frames in post-processing.

Portability and Setup Time
Since I like to take my setup to different locations, I looked for components that wouldn’t be too bulky or complicated. The C9.25 is heavier than smaller scopes but still manageable, and the camera plus Barlow added minimal extra weight.

Budget
I balanced cost with performance. The C9.25 is mid-range in price but delivers quality optics. The 2X Barlow is affordable and versatile. The ASI224MC is competitively priced for the features it offers, making the combination a good value.

My Tips for Getting the Best Results

  • Use a sturdy mount: I found that investing in a good equatorial or computerized mount made a huge difference in tracking and image clarity.
  • Experiment with magnification: The 2X Barlow is great, but sometimes I switch to 1.5X or no Barlow depending on the target and seeing conditions.
  • Optimize camera settings: Playing with exposure, gain, and frame rate on the ASI224MC helped me get the best images.
  • Post-processing software: I use tools like AutoStakkert! and RegiStax to stack and sharpen images, which really enhances the details captured.

Final Thoughts

Putting together the C9.25 telescope with a 2X Barlow and the ZWO ASI224MC camera has been a rewarding upgrade for my astrophotography hobby. It offers a great mix of power, flexibility, and quality without being overly complicated or expensive. If you’re looking to capture planets, the moon, or even some brighter deep-sky objects, this setup is definitely worth considering.

Author Profile

Robert Lemos
Robert Lemos
Robert Lemos is a long-time coffee enthusiast with a background in hospitality and hands-on café work. Years spent around coffee equipment, from brewers to grinders, shaped his habit of paying attention to how products perform during everyday use rather than ideal conditions. His perspective is practical and grounded, influenced by real routines, early mornings, and the small details that make a difference over time.

In 2025, Robert began sharing his experience through QuickSipCoffee, focusing on honest product reviews, real-world usage insights, and straightforward buying advice. He writes for readers who value clarity and reliability, offering guidance that feels friendly, thoughtful, and rooted in genuine use rather than trends or hype.