Did i mess up my shopping list?

[Magnus_e]

Hi.

Need some help to figure out a possible bad purchase.

I bought some bits and peaces for Christmas, and might have messed up a bit. I got new clamps for my scope, new guide rings, and some clampshells to fasten the rings to a dovetail bar.

The setup would be like this.

I got everything from Telescop-Express. The demo on their site was with one clamp on the clampshell and the rings fastened to a dovetail, but i figured i would get a longer dovetail and mount it like the picture above.

From TS

The clamp i got that was linked to in the TS article was this one: http://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p2734_TS-Optics-finder-shoe--for-Vixen--Skywatcher-----with-flat-base.html

I have spent several hours today looking for a dovetail that fits, but i cannot find any of a decent length. Cannot even find the one on the image from TS.

What i have found is https://www.astromarket.org/monteringen-en-toebehoren/dovetail---clamps/finder-shoe/dovetail-for-findershoe---42mm and http://agenaastro.com/tele-vue-dovetail-for-quick-release-bracket-qrd-1006.html but they are way to short. I did find something on Aliexpress http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/19-5CM-dovetail-plate-plus-two-dovetail/1371081_32256036908.html (i did find it with the dovetail only), but it seams beefier and i dont know if it will fit.

Does anyone know of a dovetail that can fit those clamps. Preferably 6-9" long?

Would help a lot

I'm very pleased with the build quality and the other bits i got, so really hope i can figure out the missing link.

[Tinker1947]

FLO have a selection

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/adm-mini-dovetail-series.html

[Magnus_e]

Hi Tinker.

I did see those products at one point, but was under the impression that they only worked with products of the same line. The dovetails looks to have a very low profile on V part.

Are you sure they fit?

[Steve Ward]

http://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p233_TS-Dovetail-Plate---Vixen-Style---length-200mm---solid-aluminium.html

[Magnus_e]

http://www.teleskop-express.de/shop/product_info.php/info/p233_TS-Dovetail-Plate---Vixen-Style---length-200mm---solid-aluminium.html

I had a look at it, but i'm not sure. (dont know why sellers dont supply the dimensions)

It was compatible with celestron AVX, Skywatcher EQ5 mounts and others. I use a skywatcher dovetail with my AVX and its about 44mm on the widest part. The clamp i got is only 35mm on the widest.

[Stu]

I think the problem is the clamp you bought is a finder shoe, not for taking vixen/syntax dovetails so you probably won't find anything longer that fits.

I think you need to get something like this:

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/adm-vixen-type-v-series/adm_vdpa_adaptor.html

With a Vixen dovetail bar of the length you require:

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/adm-vixen-type-v-series/adm-vixen-style-universal-dovetail-bars.html

This should get you where you want to be. You could do the same thing with the MDS range (Mini Dovetail System), possibly lighter but not sure of other advantages

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/adm-mini-dovetail-series/adm-mds-dovetail-plate-adapter.html

http://www.firstlightoptics.com/adm-mini-dovetail-series/adm-mini-dovetail-bar-universal-7.html

Does that help?

Stu

[Magnus_e]

It does help me realize i did mess up my shopping list

Ill have a look to see if there is a good diy fix. Maby i can get something at a hardware store that will work.

Or just get new ones.....

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[Steve Ward]

Why not just talk to TS as everything came from them , they must be able to sort you out ... 

[Magnus_e]

I have sendt them a mail. Hopefully i get an answer and a sollution tomorrow.

Returning the finder shoes is not an option as international shipping from Norway is expensive.

Good that it was not anything really expensive that i messed up

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[Magnus_e]

Just got an answer on my mail to TS. "Thank you for your email. A longer finder dovetail is unfortunately not available"

They advised me to get a TS dovetail clamp . I would have to get two, and at that price i went for the cheaper "no-brand" Aliexpress item

At 50USD for two clamps and a dovetail it beats the price of the TS clamp, at 54EUR for one clamp.

I'm only going to use it to hold my 9x50 finder, so don't believe it will be any difference in flex, as its light weight.

Note to self. "Carefully review specs when ordering online!".

The motorfocus and dew strips + controller i got from TS, looks to be the part.

The TS clampshells and guiderings are also spot on. Cannot really see any difference between the TS clampshells and the William optics