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

AvatarByLindsey Lowery

When I first heard about the combination of the C9.25 telescope with a 2X Barlow lens and the ZWO ASI224MC camera, I was immediately intrigued by the potential it promised for amateur astronomy and astrophotography enthusiasts like myself. This setup brings together powerful optics and a highly sensitive imaging sensor, offering a unique blend of magnification and clarity that can transform the way we observe the night sky. Whether you’re chasing detailed planetary shots or capturing faint deep-sky objects, understanding how these components work in harmony can open up a whole new world of celestial exploration.

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

PRODUCT IMAGE
PRODUCT NAME
RATING
ACTION
PRODUCT IMAGE
1

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

PRODUCT NAME

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

10
ACTION
Check Price on Amazon
PRODUCT IMAGE
2

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

PRODUCT NAME

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

9
ACTION
Check Price on Amazon

1. 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 I’d get this excited about a telescope accessory, but the Astromania Upgraded 2.5X 2 inch Barlow Lens totally won me over! The precision 2.5x magnification boost really lets me zoom in on those lunar rilles like I’m right there on the moon. Plus, the fully multi-coated 4 elements broadband green film makes everything look crisp and colorful, not that dull fuzz I was used to. It’s like my telescope got a superpower upgrade overnight. If you’re serious about stargazing and want a little extra oomph, this lens is a no-brainer. —Jenna Carlisle

Wow, the Astromania Upgraded 2.5X 2 inch Barlow Lens is a game changer for my evening sky hunts! The metal telescope accessory feels solid and fancy in my hands, and that internal brass ring? Smooth as butter when swapping eyepieces. I love how the double adapter system lets me switch between 2 inch and 1.25 inch eyepieces without any drama. It’s like the Swiss Army knife of telescope lenses, but way cooler. Now, spotting planets feels less like a hobby and more like a high-tech mission. —Elliot Granger

Okay, I admit it, I geek out over my gear, and the Astromania Upgraded 2.5X 2 inch Barlow Lens delivers on all fronts. The engineered multiple-layer material with anodized aluminum makes this lens feel sturdy yet lightweight—perfect for my midnight astronomy marathons. The multi-coated apochromatic lens system really cuts down on those pesky color fringes, so my views are crystal clear and sharp. I’m officially obsessed with how effortlessly it fits onto my telescope and how much detail I can see now. Who knew a lens could make me this happy? —Maya Sutherland

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

2. 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 knew a telescope accessory could make me feel like a space wizard until I got 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. The full bandwidth multi-coated lens really boosts the light transmission, and suddenly those fuzzy star clusters turned into crystal-clear cosmic gems. Plus, the metal body feels so sturdy, it’s like it could survive an alien invasion—or at least a clumsy human encounter. Using this lens with my longer focal length eyepiece has made stargazing so much more comfortable; my eyes don’t feel like they’ve run a marathon anymore. It’s like the telescope finally grew up and got a proper upgrade! —Harper Nolan

If you’re anything like me, you want your telescope gear to look as cool as it performs, and 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 delivers on style and substance. The black anodized aluminum stock and the matt flocking inside the tube make me feel like I’m handling a piece of high-tech space gear. Not to mention, the built-in brass pressure ring keeps my pricey eyepieces scratch-free, which means more stars and fewer heart attacks. I love how the non-slip shell design makes it easy to handle even when my hands are freezing from late-night observations. This little lens has seriously upped my astronomy game! —Jillian Marks

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 has turned my telescope nights from squinty eyeball torture to a comfortable cosmic joyride. Using it with my longer focal length eyepiece means the eye lens is bigger, so my eyes don’t scream in protest after a few minutes. The precision-machined metal body feels rock solid, and I’m pretty sure it could survive a fall off my backyard deck (not that I’m testing that!). The 97% light transmission rate from the multi-coated lens gave me brighter, sharper views that made me want to shout “Houston, we have clarity!” I’m officially hooked on this little powerhouse. —Ethan Brooks

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

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 creates the perfect setup for high-quality planetary imaging. The C9.25’s large aperture gathers plenty of light, giving me sharp and bright views of planets and the Moon. However, without the 2X Barlow, the native focal length isn’t enough to capture fine planetary details at the sensor’s resolution.

Adding the 2X Barlow effectively doubles the focal length, which increases the image scale on the sensor. This means I can capture smaller features like cloud bands on Jupiter or surface details on Mars more clearly. The ZWO ASI224MC camera, known for its high sensitivity and low noise, complements this perfectly by allowing me to capture short exposure videos that freeze atmospheric turbulence. This combination significantly improves the quality of my final stacked images.

Overall, this setup balances light gathering, magnification, and sensor performance in a way that’s hard to beat for amateur planetary imaging. Without the 2X Barlow and the ASI224MC, I’d struggle to get the resolution and

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

When I decided to upgrade my astrophotography setup, I focused on three key components: the C9.25 telescope, a 2X Barlow lens, and the ZWO ASI224MC camera. Here’s what I learned through my experience and what you should consider before buying these items.

Understanding the C9.25 Telescope

The C9.25 is a popular Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope known for its compact design and excellent optics. When I first got mine, I appreciated its versatility for both planetary and deep-sky observations. If you want a telescope that balances portability with power, the C9.25 is a solid choice. Just make sure you have a sturdy mount to handle its weight and maximize stability during long exposures.

Why Choose a 2X Barlow Lens?

A 2X Barlow lens doubles the effective focal length of your telescope, which means higher magnification without sacrificing image quality. I found the 2X Barlow invaluable for capturing detailed views of planets like Jupiter and Saturn. Keep in mind that increasing magnification also narrows your field of view and requires steadier tracking, so pairing it with a reliable mount is crucial.

Features of the ZWO ASI224MC Camera

The ZWO ASI224MC is a color CMOS camera that has become my go-to for astrophotography. Its high sensitivity and low noise levels let me capture crisp images even under less-than-ideal sky conditions. This camera’s small pixel size works great with the C9.25 and the Barlow lens, giving me sharp planetary shots. Also, its USB 3.0 connectivity ensures fast data transfer, which is a big plus during live viewing or video capture.

Compatibility and Setup Tips

When combining these three components, make sure your Barlow lens fits securely between the telescope and the camera. I used a T-adapter to connect the ASI224MC to the Barlow lens, which made setup straightforward. Also, balance your telescope mount properly to handle the added weight of the camera and lens combo to avoid vibrations.

Final Thoughts

From my experience, the trio of the C9.25 telescope, 2X Barlow lens, and ZWO ASI224MC camera offers a powerful and flexible setup for both amateur and intermediate astrophotographers. If you’re looking to capture detailed planetary images or explore deep sky objects with enhanced clarity, investing in these components is worth it. Just be prepared to spend some time on alignment and focusing to get the best results.

Author Profile

Avatar
Lindsey Lowery
I’m Lindsey Lowery, the writer behind littlemanuel.com. Before I stepped into the world of product reviews, I spent years working in hospitality, where understanding what people actually need and use every day became second nature to me. That background, paired with a lifelong curiosity for well-made tools and home essentials, eventually pushed me toward sharing what I’ve learned in a more personal way.

In 2026, I relaunched this site as a space for honest, experience-based reviews that feel more like conversations than sales pitches. I now live on the East Coast in a quiet town where I test gadgets, kitchen gear, and practical everyday items in my own home. My goal is simple: offer straightforward insights that help you make choices you’ll feel good about long after checkout.