Baader Clicklock - any good?

[Uranium235]

I've ordered a 2" clicklock for my steeltrack as despite the focuser being quite good, im still not a fan of compression rings. Will it do the business and hold my imaging train squarely?

I opted for the clicklock becuase as it stands, using the internal M55 thread on the focuser looks like a royal (and expensive) pain when it comes to getting the right adaptors (talking almost 100 quid just to step down from M55 to an adaptor with a scopeside M48 thread).

[Roy Challen]

Baader clicklock- probably the best astro accessory ever. Far better than any compression ring, IMO.

[michaelmorris]

I love 'em.  Expensive, but worth it.

Holds the camera really firmly and (although I've never actually run any tests to confirm this) it appears to hold the camera very evenly.

[iPeace]

I don't do any imaging, but I would not be without my Baader Clicklock diagonal, holds my big eyepieces solidly in place. Quality kit.

[Uranium235]

Thanks chaps!

I'll probably be getting it tomorrow, and it should be coinciding with some clear sky (!) so it will get an immediate test. Looks a bit fiddly to fit though because the diamond steeltrack uses the S58 dovetail system for attaching adaptors.... lots of tiny, tiny screws (so I'd better not drop one!).

Surely it should be better than the compression ring - as they only grip a small section of your corrector (or EP) - where the clicklock should grip it along its entire length, thereby preventing any rocking within the focuser.

[martin_h]

New scope - adaptor nightmare!

 

[Chris]

My opinion is somewhat compromised/biased due me selling one, but they are the best thing since sliced bread

[D33P]

They are hugely overpriced in my opinion.

BUT, they are brilliant. I use one attached to an SCT thread so that I can easily adjust the angle of my diagonal, and use one to hold eyepieces to the diagonal.

Holds everything firmly and no more fiddling with those fiddly little fiddle screws, in the dark, in the cold, with gloves on!

Pricey, but wouldn't want to be without them.

[Neil27]

Another thumbs up from me, use one on my Edge C8, very secure and very strong.

One of the best upgrades for any scope / imaging train.

[Owmuchonomy]

I too use one but some of my 2" accessories are right at the limit of the locking mechanism. I haven't had one fall out yet though. It's very useful to have on a cold winters night.

[Uranium235]

Well, its now installed - and as predicted by you guys it does indeed have a very strong grip!

But, the weather hasnt played ball - its the complete opposite to what was forecast yesterday... now 100% cloud and chucking down with rain   I'll poke my head out the back door again in 15min and if it hasnt cleared up I think its going to be an early night for me!

 

[Uranium235]

Ohhh yes.... it works

Lost nearly all of my in-focus, but that can be tweaked if I sink the corrector further in the drawtube with a spare 10mm 2" extension tube.

[cs1cjc]

I have mixed feelings about the Clicklock and similar twist fit eyepiece clamps.  They are good for security, but both my APM and Baader 1.25" adaptors have too much friction to ensure keeping the view when changing to a high magnification eyepiece on a low friction balanced set up, like a Dobsonian.  The Takahashi diagonal clamp does not have this problem but it does take a lot of turning. 

Although set screws, with or without a brass ring, are mechanically flawed in principle, I currently prefer them for  accessories that I change when viewing.  However with more practice this opinion may change...

[BGazing]

Hated screws, hated compression rings, love clicklock stuff.