What are my options for fitting a Losmandy to an EQ6?

[Johnboy2011]

Can anyone advise what options I have for connecting a Losmandy dovetail to an EQ6 please?

I have seen this one but like everything I need it seems pricey!

Geoptik Universal Saddle Plate & EQ6 Puck package :: Mounting hardware :: Altair Astro

Are there other options?

Thanks,

John

[johninderby]

Telescope Service does this adaptor at 49 Euro.

http://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/language/de/info/p3624_Losmandy-Level-3--Schnellkupplung-fuer-EQ6---Orion-Atlas--weiss-.html

John

[Johnboy2011]

Thanks John!

Am I missing something that makes the other one worth £150 more?!

John

[johninderby]

The Geoptik is nicer and shinier I must admit, but this one seems to be a SkyWatcher part as well and if it does the job for that money, well..... About £54.00 delivered I'd guess.

John

[Helen]

Or this one that sits between the 2 First Light Optics - ADM Dual Saddle upgrade for HEq5 and EQ6 series mounts and also has the advantage of giving flexibility of vixen/losmandy.

Helen

[Johnboy2011]

Thanks Helen. I've been offered a Geoptik at £120 s/h. I'm told it is more stable and less prone to flexure. If this is true then I think it's worth it at that price although I've not heard others compaining if this on an EQ6?

John

[iwatkins]

The latest NEQ6 ships with two saddles, standard Skywatcher one plus the one shown above from TS.

So you may find there are plenty of recent NEQ6 owners with the Losmandy version sat in a drawer gathering dust. Might be worth a post to Wanted section? I do understand though that the newer version doesn't fit the older EQ6 mount though, something to check.

Cheers

Ian

[steppenwolf]

I have both the TS style one (actually a dual Vixen/Losmandy version supplied with a brand new NEQ6) and the ADM version. Both do the job just fine but the ADM version is just so well engineered. The SkyWatcher/TS version is cast rather than machined.

[Deneb]

Another vote for the ADM Dual Vixen/Losmandy Saddle..

Nadeem.

[beetlejuice]

And another vote for the ADM Losmandy saddle plate. Superb bit of kit. I use it to mount my C9.25. It's rock solid and easy to manipulate in the dark.

[Johnboy2011]

Here is my dilema:

I have an option for an EQ6 £650, delivery approx £40 and a second hand Geoptik saddle at £120, total £810. A brand new NEQ6 Pro from FLO £927.

What would you do?!!!!

[Merlin66]

A hard decision that only you can make.....

I use the Geoptik dual saddle for my various telescopes - a combination of Vixen rails (ED80 etc) and the Losmandy (C9.25)

The Geoptik is a fully CNC machined anodise piece of beauty....works 100% for me.

[Johnboy2011]

Thanks Merlin, I guess if it is a good and versatile bit of kit then the value is always there.....

[carastro]

If it was me, I'd pay the comparitively slight bit more and get a new one, that way you have a guarantee.

Just my opinion.

Carole

[Rossco72]

The losmandy saddles are available from Telescope House for around £27 but probably in Black only!!!

Orion EQ6 Wide Saddle Plate 2009 Onwards

[LDUNN1]

.......is the EQ6 for £650 the pro version? ie is it truely comparable to a new nEQ6? If it is, then that is a good price for one.......but, like Carole, I think I'd pay the extra & get a new nEQ6 - especially if you want the losmandy head as that would probably be extra on the 2nd hand EQ6 bumping the cost up.

For info, I have this saddle & I'm happy with it (apart from nearly dropping my camera & lens off it on Saturday night when i did not tighten the lock up enough! - I now insert a screw through one the the plates holes to avoid a repeat):-

Altair TMS Dual Losmandy Saddle Plate Kit :: Mounting hardware :: Altair Astro

[Johnboy2011]

Yes it is a PRO so apart from the saddle I guess it is comparible to the new NEQ6. It is a 2009 so not too old, I guess the choice is go s'h, save £130 and have a better saddle or buy new, spend more but have peace of mind. As always there are lots of things I want to buy so the £130 would definatley be handy!

Still, at least after waiting so long for an EQ6 to come up for sale I have the choice!