It multiplies the focal length, and the eye relief survives · review
Celestron's X-Cel LX 3x: a three-element apochromatic, fully multi-coated 1.25-inch Barlow with a brass compression ring, a filter thread and a rubber grip, sold for fast short-focus telescopes.
Celestron says it in the first bullet: the X-Cel LX 3x is for owners of fast, short focal length telescopes. On those, a 2x Barlow does not reach planetary power with ordinary eyepieces, and a 3x does.
On a 500 mm telescope, a 10 mm eyepiece gives 50x; with this Barlow, 150x. On a 1000 mm telescope the same pairing gives 300x, which only large apertures on steady nights can use. Celestron also points to the Moon and planets “under good seeing conditions”, which is the honest condition for high power.
Three apochromatic elements, every air-to-glass surface fully multi-coated, a brass compression ring instead of setscrews, a central rubber grip and a 1.25-inch filter thread. It is the 3x of the range whose 2x costs ten dollars more.
A setscrew presses one point of an eyepiece barrel and can leave a mark. The brass ring tightens around the whole circumference, so expensive eyepieces come out as they went in.
No camera thread, length or weight; Amazon’s item data gives 150 g (5.3 oz). Celestron states a 2-year US warranty.
On November 7, 2026, Amazon.com sold it directly at $89.90.
Figures as Keepa reported them on the day this page was last updated. Stock and pricing shift without warning.
Prices quoted in this text were read on November 7, 2026. The live price is at the top of the page.
Same aisle, closest price — what the same spend else shows.
| Amplification factor | 3x, triples the magnification of any 1.25 in eyepiece, stated |
|---|---|
| Element count | Three-element apochromatic optics, stated |
| Barrel size | 1.25 in |
| Camera thread | Not published by the maker. |
| Effect on eye relief | Not published by the maker. |
| Coatings | All air-to-glass surfaces fully multi-coated, stated |
| Body | Black anodized with orange highlights matching the X-Cel LX eyepieces · brass compression ring instead of setscrews · central rubber grip · threaded for 1.25 in filters |
| Weight | Not published in the listing text · Amazon's item data gives 150 g (5.3 oz) |
| Amazon reference | B00810N364 |
| EAN | 0050234934282 |
Fast, short ones, as Celestron's listing says. On a 400 to 650 mm focal-length telescope, a 3x turns a 10 mm eyepiece into a 120x to 195x planetary eyepiece. On a 1000 mm telescope it would give 300x, beyond what most apertures can use.
A brass ring inside the top of the Barlow that tightens around the eyepiece barrel when the thumbscrew is turned. It grips the whole circumference instead of one point, so it does not scratch or mark the eyepiece.
A filter screwed into the bottom of the Barlow filters every eyepiece put into it, so a Moon or color filter does not have to move from one eyepiece to the next.
This model is listed on Amazon.com, at ≈ $90 at the last reading. Listed is not the same as in stock: availability changes daily, and the buy box shows the live price.
Details checked on November 7, 2026.
A fast, short-focus telescope where a 2x does not reach planetary magnification
Specifications: the manufacturer sheet for telescopes and observing optics and the matching Amazon product page. Prices and availability: Keepa. Every figure on this page names its source.
2x Barlow · 2 in barrel · ED glass · multi-coated · 2 in filter thread · 1.25 in adapter included
A 2-inch 2x Barlow in ED glass with multi-coated surfaces, a 2-inch filter thread and a 2-to-1.25-inch adapter, so both eyepiece sizes can be doubled.
Best for: A 2-inch focuser and wide-field 2-inch eyepieces that no 1.25-inch Barlow can take
≈ $63
3x Barlow · 1.25 in · apochromatic glass · M42 × 0.75 male thread · 1.25 in filter thread
A short 1.25-inch 3x Barlow in CNC-machined aluminum with apochromatic glass, multi-coated optics, a 1.25-inch filter thread and an M42 × 0.75 thread that takes a camera T-ring.
Best for: A short-focus telescope that needs planetary magnification, or a camera that cannot otherwise reach focus
≈ $24
2x Barlow · 1.25 in · apochromatic glass · M42 × 0.75 male thread · 1.25 in filter thread
A short 1.25-inch 2x Barlow in CNC-machined aluminum with apochromatic glass, multi-coating, a filter thread and an M42 × 0.75 thread for a camera T-ring.
Best for: A first Barlow that will also carry a camera, on a telescope that struggles to reach focus
≈ $19
