On Sun, Nov 17, 2024 at 12:07 PM, Allan Der wrote:
I am new to this stuff. I got an ADM Losmandy dovetail for my 10" deforked Meade for use on my EQ6R Pro. I find getting on my mount a little harder than the Vixen dovetail. The section it clamps onto is shallow compared to the Vixen and it takes me a while to line up with my heavy telescope. The vixens are narrower and deeper and they seem very solid. If I could go back, I think Vixen or another brand of Losmandy next time, something that has more to grab onto.
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Allan Der
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HI Allan,
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You should use the best part for the job to stay happy in the long run.? The Vixen dovetails were developed back when Vixen sold lightweight tiny refractors and these days they are just too small which is why most SCTs larger than 8" and many higher quality refractors usually come with the larger Losmandy D dovetail.??
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Maybe this will help you, do you know the trick where you open up the saddle enough to just drop the dovetail into the saddle sideways without having to slide the dovetail down the full length of the dovetail?? You should test your saddles first to see if there are enough extra threads to allow opening the saddle jaws without the coming apart.??I do this with all of my newer dual D/V Losmandy saddles as well as older dual D/V ADM saddles.?
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Years ago I also installed longer threaded bits to my older Orion Sirius and Atlas saddles to allow this same trick.? But many better, newer mounts have dual D/V saddles with tapered or beveled entry to the saddle to make it easier to load the larger dovetails.? If not the side-loading trick is one to try but be aware that not all saddles designs can accommodate this without adding longer threaded parts to them.? If you do modify your saddle be sure to use only stainless steel threaded bits to avoid rust which will happen.? ? ? ??
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HTH
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Chip Louie Chief Daydreamer Imagination Hardware?
Astrospheric Forecast - South Pasadena, CA?
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Chip Louie