Tube rings for small MAK

[andy435]

I plan to get an az mount for my 90mm Skymax MAK. The placement of the finderscope is a challenge. Do you know where I can find tube rings for this telescope? Thanks!

[Putaendo Patrick]

Quite a lot of astronomy suppliers carry 90mm tube rings, for example https://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-mounts/skywatcher-telescope-tube-rings.html  You will want to check that the precise diameter is compatible - but shouldn't be a problem.

However, I'm not quite sure what you are trying to do. Doesn't your scope have a dovetail fixed directly to the tube? I would have thought this would fit most Alt-az mounts, and allow you to keep the existing finderscope bracket.

[andy435]

5 minutes ago, Putaendo Patrick said:

Quite a lot of astronomy suppliers carry 90mm tube rings, for example https://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-mounts/skywatcher-telescope-tube-rings.html  You will want to check that the precise diameter is compatible - but shouldn't be a problem.

However, I'm not quite sure what you are trying to do. Doesn't your scope have a dovetail fixed directly to the tube? I would have thought this would fit most Alt-az mounts, and allow you to keep the existing finderscope bracket.

Yes it has a dovetail but the on az mount the scope mounts 90 degrees to the az arm causing the finderscope to be placed a little awkward.

[Cornelius Varley]

Using a finder mount like this one may solve your problems.

[andy435]

43 minutes ago, Putaendo Patrick said:

Quite a lot of astronomy suppliers carry 90mm tube rings, for example https://www.firstlightoptics.com/skywatcher-mounts/skywatcher-telescope-tube-rings.html  You will want to check that the precise diameter is compatible - but shouldn't be a problem.

However, I'm not quite sure what you are trying to do. Doesn't your scope have a dovetail fixed directly to the tube? I would have thought this would fit most Alt-az mounts, and allow you to keep the existing finderscope bracket.

Even if it's a 90mm the tube may be larger in diamenter than 90mm.

do anyone have tje Skymax 90 to measure diameter? Thanks

[Putaendo Patrick]

Rotating the scope 90° looks like it will also mean the eyepiece will be directly in front of the focuser knob - don't know if this will be a problem.

I think the dovetail has a hole to take a standard photographic mount - so you might be able to also use a "L" bracket which fits into the saddle of the mount and will keep the telescope "the right way up" https://www.firstlightoptics.com/alt-azimuth/skywatcher-l-bracket-dovetail.html

[andy435]

38 minutes ago, Putaendo Patrick said:

Rotating the scope 90° looks like it will also mean the eyepiece will be directly in front of the focuser knob - don't know if this will be a problem.

I think the dovetail has a hole to take a standard photographic mount - so you might be able to also use a "L" bracket which fits into the saddle of the mount and will keep the telescope "the right way up" https://www.firstlightoptics.com/alt-azimuth/skywatcher-l-bracket-dovetail.html

Probably but I think tube rings would be the best solution