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Well then, for sliding, an alternative is the ADM saddle for Tak clamps that @FLO sell. Fitted by 2 bolts to the bottom of a clamshell, the saddle slides fastens & can slide when slightly loosened, along the ridged side of a dovetail bar. How much depends on the length of bar, which would need to be attached to a mount flat side facing. Photos of my clamshell on a saddle below.

No gaffa or any other tape. Just 2-extra-rings, for an expensive long OTA. DLs now cost a lot more than they started off doing, and always more than the F7.5 models. Irreplacable funds as well as common sense dictate adequate security & protection of my outlay. My heavier scope, the 120 Equinox does indeed go on the side. Balances out nicely thanks.

Shorter focal length the reason perhaps? Or a typo possibly, maybe it's 64 mis-typed. I think there is a Gary Seronik page about secondary sizes. At least less worry about losing light from slight misalignment. In reality does about 1cm make much difference for visual use. The benefit of that Bresser is, as for OO UK dobs, their OTAs can be removed from the rocker assemblies completely, allowing mounting on equatorial etc.

No pix at present but the only things I did were replace the puny 6x30 finder with a Telrad sight & an Altair RACI 60mm finder. I also bought a couple of Astrozap 10 inch tube covers from FLO.

Peace of mind is what counts for happy carefree use. Whatever you personally feel is adequate to secure and protect your scope regardless of any other person's choice. It was your money that bought it! Manufacturers provide what is the bare minimum. 1 cylindrical clamp with 1 bolt or 2 narrow rings with a bolt each. Adding to, upgrading, modifying is often done on other astro kit. There should be no stigma attached to an individual's choice. And that includes chopping off 55mm of OTA!

I simply feel that for securing anything valuable, one lock, however strong may not be enough because it is the only one. Whether by user, or mechanical error, or both, a failsafe secondary independent securing mechanism is never ever a bad idea. As for aesthetics, beautiful OTAs retained by a crude industrial device. Beauty & the beast.

If only rings were sold singly. Anyone want to go 50/50 on a pair? Or maybe @FLO could split boxes. Dropping my Tak is a nightmare scenario which is why she is armoured-up.

Those are more for holding a homemade dewshield extension in place. Jubilee clips can scratch nice paintwork. Cable ties need cutting off & replacing each time so impractical. However users of the OE clamshell clamp, with its single bolt lock might wish to consider your suggestion as a secondary fastening, which 2 (or more) rings provides.

Reduced to €420 the Messier is a bargain!

I have not seen such a clamshell. Certainly not the bathroom green plumber's pipe clamp that came with my DL, or in the Takahashi catalogue. I have a couple of the former in my garage as garden hose conduits. But if your taste does not run to pretty Primaluce lovely red anodised hardware, there are bog standard black Parallax rings that Ian King sells, white Vixen rings that FLO does not sell, or very expensive silver rings from Japan you need to Google for.

I have the Bresser in that link. It has the best Dobsonian mount, big rockers, easy assembly and good optics for F5. The focuser takes heavy eye pieces. I bought mine from Telescope House. @FLO sell the 8 inch & I am sure get the 10 if you asked them. Carbon tubes are nice & don't dent. Teleskop Express sell Newts with them.

What shop is that Alan?

Bino viewers colour compliment what remains of the green nicely. Very neat altogether. ?

I expect more to do with ease of manufacture and assembly than genius, but sometimes that is genius in the rough.

DCs & DFs do look like a DL with a chunk sawn off. ?

My second run DL had the same pale green focuser as DFs, but thankfully still a black extension tube.

Clamshell when FLO sell 95mm rings now ?

Vixen LV 5mm (pre-owned) & 8-24mm zoom (new) eps. For my Equinox 80 case. With a Eudiascopic 35mm, now complete.

If its just pod & head photo gear, you could buy it when you get to Australia. Plenty of photo shops I expect. Less weight and bulk to take.

For your journey to Oz John

My Equinox 80 in SW case. Eps to be added Vixen LV 10mm, 5mm, 8-24 zoom & a Baader Eudiascopic 35mm. WO RACI diagonal so use as terrestrial spotter possible. Pod & mount undecided. But I have decided to budget in weight surcharge for peace of mind in strong packing.

Interesting tripod head. Not seen those before.

Just decided not to sell my XW 7mm. Only needed a daylight look-through.

Very nice. Good to complete sets.

The SW man on CN said the 150 will be only in standard ED PRO trim . This pre-owned 80 Equinox was sold by ENS, so at least its from a reputable dealer i.e. who will take returns. Optics look clean. Focuser fine. Retractable hood a bit loose in travel but no trouble otherwise. Came with the RDF. Most of my travel is surface, so weight not an issue, but I may paint the case or put it in a larger darker one.