Tele Vue 2X Powermate image amplifier for 2" eyepieces, with 1.25" eyepiece adapter

$342.01

Availability: More on the way

If you need a very high quality 2x Barlow for 2" eyepieces, look no further than this TeleVue Powermate. While not technically a Barlow, this unique new 4-lens image amplifier performs the same functions, but at a higher level of optical correction. Barlow lenses have a negative power that diverges field rays, lengthening the effective focal length of the telescope and increasing the magnification . . .
Our Product #: 9122
TeleVue Product #: PMT-2200
 

Product Description

If you need a very high quality 2x Barlow for 2" eyepieces, look no further than this TeleVue Powermate. While not technically a Barlow, this unique new 4-lens image amplifier performs the same functions, but at a higher level of optical correction. Barlow lenses have a negative power that diverges field rays, lengthening the effective focal length of the telescope and increasing the magnification. If Barlows are made too short or with too much magnification, the diverging rays can cause severe vignetting and image degradation in eyepieces due to mismatched pupils.

The Powermate is a 4-element parfocal compact amplifying lens system that consists of a negative achromatic doublet (a Barlow) plus a positive "pupil-correcting" doublet. While it looks and functions like a Barlow, your eyepieces will operate with pupil locations where the eyepiece designer intended, avoiding vignetting and mismatch problems with wide field eyepieces. The Powermate optimally mates its power to your eyepieces. No additional "interface lens" is needed, since the Powermate already has it built-in.

This new model is nearly parfocal (unlike the 2" Big Barlow/Interface Lens combination), so it can be effectively used in TeleVue 2" diagonals. Its performance is excellent with every 1.25" or 2" TeleVue eyepiece made, even the 31mm Nagler Type 5, so you won't have to do any major refocusing as you change from an eyepiece alone to an eyepiece/Powermate combination.

It is fully multicoated, with blackened lens edges and internal antireflection threading for excellent contrast. Both the 2" eyepiece holder and the supplied low-profile 2" to 1.25" eyepiece adapter use brass clamp rings for secure, non-marring operation. A captive thumbscrew on the Powermate (that can't be lost in the field) operates its clamp ring. There's an undercut safety groove in the barrel of the 1.25" adapter that helps hold it and the eyepiece in place should the Powermate thumbscrew accidentally loosen. The Powermate is optically corrected down to f/4 for use with fast f/ratio reflectors, but will provide excellent performance with any telescope type or focal ratio.

An optional T-ring adapter, #9122T, is available to allow the 2x Powermate to be used for lunar and terrestrial photography with short focal length refractors.

Tech Details

Barrel Size 2"
Number of optical elements 4
Power 2x
Weight 22 oz
Warranty 5 years

Reviews

Review by:
I love my TeleVue eyepieces. I started with a 55mm Plossl and then purchased a 17mm Ethos, 10mm Ethos, and 4.7mm Ethos. I also added a 2" 2x TeleVue Barlow. All I can really say is if you want a good eyepiece you can not go wrong with TeleVue. They are the absolute best in my opinion! I will eventually own the entire Ethos set, I just don't have words for how much I love them. (Posted on 10/17/2019)
Review by:
You can't go wrong wiht a PowerMate. Works perfectly, doesn't distort the image. (Posted on 10/4/2019)
Review by:
I have used the 2x powermate with my Celestron HD1100 for a few years now, and have never been able to detect any sort of distortion caused by it. As long as I keep it clean (I have dust issues at my dark sky site) I can't tell at all that it's in the optical path (except for the magnification, of course.) Last year I finally took my 2x Barlow out of my eyepiece case because I never use it anymore, only the Powermate. (Posted on 9/9/2019)
Review by:
You, like myself, are probably seeing the cost of these relative to the other Barlows in the market and are asking "now why would I do that? " Let me answer it. The eyepiece you stick on the end of this Powermate could quite possible cost as much as a small APO refractor.

This is an heirloom quality piece of gear. The first time I picked one up on a table at a swap meet I instantly thought "Jeesh how many pieces of glass are in this thing ?" It feels like a big 2" Nagler. I mean these are stout. The 1-1/4" reducer sits so freakishly precise in the 2" body it feels like something built by NASA.

I was fortunate enough to receive this as a gift, after putting it on my "if you think I have been REALLY good this year" list. I won't ever part with it.

Worth noting is that these as all TV adapters are guaranteed Parfocal. Meaning as you swap out eye pieces to really drill into detail on Saturn or Jupiter, you're not going to be dramatically fiddling with the focuser. For SCTs this is a big deal because not all of us have invested in expensive Fine-Focusers or Motors.

In short, I cannot say enough about the products from TV, in particular this 2x Powermate. I only wish I had the liquidity to start meticulously replacing my other EPs with their wide-field units to mate up with this Barlow.

NOTE: You can frequently find these on sale, and many times if you're buying a big "setup" from Astronomics you can call and maybe get a few % off. (Posted on 9/8/2019)
Review by:
The 2X 2" Powermate is a wonder. Much clearer and brighter than any Barlow I have used. Precision instrument! (Posted on 7/29/2019)
Review by:
Solid build quality, the only barlow I use now. Have used with the t-thread adapter and an SCT for imaging both planetary targets and planetary nebulae with great results. (Posted on 7/24/2019)
Review by:
Tele Vue is my go to for all eyepieces. I especially use my Powermates when observing or imaging the sun or moon. I will first start with the 2X and work my way up to my 5X. Excellent product! (Posted on 7/22/2019)
Review by:
Excellent performance and build quality. The 2x PowerMate was the first TeleVue product I purchased. It delivers crisp amplified views fair better than a standard barlow lens. Well worth the cost! (Posted on 12/31/2018)
Review by:
The TeleVue Powermate was one of the best purchases I have ever made in this hobby. Excellent for high-power planetary viewing. Amazing optics. Much better than a standard barlow. On good nights this was indispensable for planetary viewing thru a refractor or a cassegrain. No matter what scope you have, if you need that extra ooomph, this will be a fine addition to your arsenal. A must have in my opinion. (Posted on 12/3/2018)
Review by:
This is and an amazing Barlow. I have has this since 2009 and use it all the time. I was amazed by the fact that it will correct aberrations in sub par eyepieces. So even my inexpensive William's wide fields look like Televue's wide fields. You wont be disappointed. (Posted on 10/10/2018)
Review by:
Top quality! Great for visual and works great for planetary photography as well. (Posted on 10/7/2018)
Review by:
If you need a barlow and don't want to sacrifice performance, a PowerMate is a great choice. I frequently use a 2x PowerMate with my 9mm T1 Nagler an on AP155 F7 refractor for planetary viewing and it's a wonderful combination. Like all Televue products, this pretty much oozes quality from the box to the machining to the optics. Comes with a top quality 2" to 1.25" adapter and you can get a T-Thread adapter as well, for example if you want to use the PowerMate with a camera. The Televue warranty is also fantastic, as I discovered when my 2x PowerMate developed a weird ring on the bottom optic. I called Televue and they asked me to send it in. A few days later I had it back good as new, no charge, with a personal phone call to explain what had happened (my fault, by the way). (Posted on 8/4/2017)
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