Which Celestron 2x Barlow is this?

The X-Cel LX 2x, model 93529: a 1.25 inch Barlow with three elements in two groups, fully multi-coated. Mine was the X-Cel LX, in its yellow box, at 3:29 in the video.

Do you need a Barlow for planets on an SCT?

Not always. My favourite Jupiter, with the Great Red Spot and all four Galilean moons, came from my 8 inch EdgeHD with a 533 sensor and no Barlow at all (10:08 in the video). On my C5 I did add a 3x Barlow for Mars, to resolve the planet without reducing the video resolution.

Can I keep a filter on it?

Yes. Celestron threads the barrel for 1.25 inch filters, so a filter can stay on the Barlow while you change eyepieces.

How much does the Celestron X-Cel LX 2x Barlow cost?

The prices I recorded: £135 at First Light Optics (UK), in stock; $110 at Agena Astro (US), in stock; $78 at AliExpress (STARRYSEA Official Store), Global, listed.

What have I not tested on the X-Cel LX 2x Barlow?

I have not measured its amplification, and none of my images through it is on this page.

Celestron X-Cel LX 2x Barlow review: from my EdgeHD bundle

Where does it rank on our leaderboard

Nine of the 46 accessories on my board, against price
Rank	Accessory	Stars for Your Buck	Recorded UK price
1	GEMINI EAF	100 out of 100	£42
2	Generic Dew Heater	93 out of 100	£9
3	SVBONY Guide Scope 30mm f/5	93 out of 100	£57
16	White light solar filter	78 out of 100	£17
29	Star Analyser 200	63 out of 100	£137
36	Celestron 2x Barlow	46 out of 100	£135
38	Celestron 3x Barlow	45 out of 100	£145
45	SKY ROVER 2x54 Binoculars	28 out of 100	£139
46	365 Solar Telescope Cover	5 out of 100	£73

Contents

01 Where does it rank on our leaderboard
02 Specifications and features
03 On camera
04 Jupiter through a 2x Barlow
05 Watch it in my videos
06 Should you buy it?
07 Questions and more about this review

In 30 seconds

Stars for Your Buck 46/100

Reviewed 12 Jul 2025 Updated 26 Sep 2026

Rank: #36 of 46 accessories
Verdict: With reservations

Written by Damon Scotting 2 min read

Buy it if

You observe with 1.25 inch eyepieces and want to double the power of each one without buying more.
You use 1.25 inch filters: the barrel is threaded, so a filter can stay on the Barlow while you swap eyepieces.

Skip it if

You image planets through an f/10 SCT: its native focal length can be enough without a Barlow.
You use 2 inch eyepieces: it takes 1.25 inch only.

My X-Cel LX 2x came in my used 8 inch EdgeHD bundle, and I have used it outside that video too: a three-element, fully multi-coated 1.25 inch Barlow with a brass compression ring and a barrel threaded for filters.

Specifications and features

Celestron 2x Barlow reviewed #36 of 46
Recorded UK price	£135
Model	Celestron X-Cel LX 2x Barlow (93529)
Amplification	2x
Barrel	1.25 in (31.75 mm)
Optics	3 elements in 2 groups, fully multi-coated
Filter thread	1.25 in
Eyepiece hold	Brass compression ring
Size	76 x 56 x 56 mm
Weight	150 g (5.3 oz)
Waterproof	No

On camera

The X-Cel LX Barlow box

The X-Cel LX Barlow box, side on

Mine, on camera

Jupiter through a 2x Barlow

My video labels this Jupiter a 2x Barlow shot; I assume it was this one.

The planets and the Moon

Jupiter

Date: not recorded
Gear: Askar 140APO, ZWO ASI533MC and a 2x Barlow

Watch it in my videos

What YOU can SEE with a £2000 "USED" Telescope setup?! · published 12 July 2025 · 12:12 · Watch on YouTube · 9,098 views, 506 likes on 2 Oct 2026

Jump to

2:37 Unboxing the used bundle
3:29 The X-Cel LX 2x Barlow
10:08 Jupiter with no Barlow at all

Should you buy it?

46/100 Stars for Your Buck

Pros

2x from three elements in two groups, fully multi-coated.
A brass compression ring grips the eyepiece gently but firmly.
The barrel is threaded for 1.25 inch filters.
Compact: 76 mm long and 150 g.

Cons

Takes 1.25 inch eyepieces only.
Not waterproof, by Celestron's own specification.
£135 at First Light Optics, where Celestron's Omni 2x Barlow is £75 and its Universal 2x £45.

It gives a really clear image, though my favourite Jupiter through an 8 inch SCT needed no Barlow at all.

Three alternatives I have reviewed

Questions and more about this review

Reviewed by

Damon Scotting

The Telescope Man Verified

BSc (Hons) Physics with Astrophysics and Cosmology, Loughborough University PGCE / QTS, University of Nottingham

About Damon About Damon Damon Scotting is The Telescope Man. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Physics with Astrophysics and Cosmology from Loughborough University and a PGCE with QTS from the University of Nottingham, and taught physics in secondary schools before becoming an astronomy creator. He is a contributing writer for BBC Sky at Night Magazine and the author of 42 Wonders of Our Night Sky, and his photograph of the galaxy M100 with the dwarf planet Ceres was Highly Commended in the Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2024 competition run by Royal Observatory Greenwich. He has appeared on the BBC's Blue Peter. More than 750,000 people follow his astronomy channels on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, and he has reviewed more than 140 telescopes, mounts, cameras, filters and accessories hands-on for this site. More about Damon · How I test · Damon's book

I review all kinds of gear: most of it I buy, some is gifted and some is loaned, and all of it is reviewed the same way. How this site is funded

Five questions, answered

Questions about the Celestron 2x Barlow

Reviewed 12 July 2025 ·Updated 26 September 2026

I review all kinds of gear. Most of it I buy, some is gifted and some is loaned, and all of it is reviewed the same way: no company sees or approves a review before it is published. Shop links marked Ad are affiliate links: I earn a commission when you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. How this site is funded

Which Celestron 2x Barlow is this? The X-Cel LX 2x, model 93529: a 1.25 inch Barlow with three elements in two groups, fully multi-coated. Mine was the X-Cel LX, in its yellow box, at 3:29 in the video. On camera ↓
Do you need a Barlow for planets on an SCT? Not always. My favourite Jupiter, with the Great Red Spot and all four Galilean moons, came from my 8 inch EdgeHD with a 533 sensor and no Barlow at all (10:08 in the video). On my C5 I did add a 3x Barlow for Mars, to resolve the planet without reducing the video resolution. Watch it in my videos ↓
Can I keep a filter on it? Yes. Celestron threads the barrel for 1.25 inch filters, so a filter can stay on the Barlow while you change eyepieces. The specifications ↓
How much does the Celestron X-Cel LX 2x Barlow cost? The prices I recorded: £135 at First Light Optics (UK), in stock; $110 at Agena Astro (US), in stock; $78 at AliExpress (STARRYSEA Official Store), Global, listed. A record, not a live price The verdict, the readers and the sellers ↓
What have I not tested on the X-Cel LX 2x Barlow? I have not measured its amplification, and none of my images through it is on this page.