180 Mak losmandy bar

[Robindonne]

Are there any users of the 180 Skymax who swapped the vixen style dovetail for the larger losmandy style bar thats attached to the Celestron version of the 180 Mak? I know the mounting holes are probably not aligned but im curious if someone changed the bar without using tube rings? And if so, did you buy the bar from Celestron or another brand? 
 

Thx

Edited May 19, 2021 by Robindonne

[johninderby]

A regular Losmandy bar is flat on top so can’t just be fastened straight onto the tube of a Skymax180. You need to use radius blocks. You could fasten the radius blocks to the tube but would have to drill four holes in the tube.

I used a oair of Orion Optics UK tube tings and radius blocks to fit a Losmandy bar and a carry handle when I had. Skymax180.

Edited May 19, 2021 by johninderby

[Robindonne]

Yes i saw them one of your pictures a while ago.  If there is no other solution than i have to go for the tube rings.  The Celestron losmandy bar looks like its made not for a specific curve.  Looks a bit like the finderscope brackets.  So much room in between the edges that it will fit multiple curve sizes.  But im not sure if someone can confirm, or point me into another brand losmandybar.  
 

The new holes in the tube are probably heartbraking to make

[johninderby]

I wonder if ADM has a suitable radius block that could be attached with a single bolt? 

Maybe worth contacting ADM directly and seeing if they might have a solution.

[nfotis]

The diameter of the Skymax 180 tube is 216mm, AFAIK. That's not a typical tube diameter, very few companies offer to create suitable rings, like Orion Optics UK.

N.F.

 

[Robindonne]

2 hours ago, nfotis said:

The diameter of the Skymax 180 tube is 216mm, AFAIK. That's not a typical tube diameter, very few companies offer to create suitable rings, like Orion Optics UK.

N.F.

 

Hm ok. So that would be a c8 losmandy bar. Or something that fits a c8.   

I think im going to try this one:

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dovetails-saddles-clamps/celestron-cge-dovetail-bars.html

 

thx for all the help both 

 

Edited May 19, 2021 by Robindonne

[nfotis]

You may want to check this video about upgrading the Skymax 180 (flocking, rings, etc.). The price of the Orion UK rings aren't out of line compared with standard rings at this size, you just have to wait a bit more.

From what I know, the Celestron 180 Mak has a suitable Losmandy bar, but I don't know how you can order this separately as a spare.  Probably ask FLO?

The C8 has 238mm outside diameter, so a Losmandy bar won't fit it exactly.

N.F.

 

 

 

[johninderby]

Have flocked a Skymax180.

 

[nfotis]

58 minutes ago, johninderby said:

Have flocked a Skymax180.

 

 

It would be nice if somebody did a before/after comparison.

I suspect that the practical difference will be quite small, since there's a tube (baffle?) between the secondary mirror and the visual back, which should take care of stray reflections. Or the manufacturers may consider the results "good enough for government work"...

 

N.F.

 

[johninderby]

The biggest improvement is in controlling off axis light entering the tube. Really helps if looking at something with a streetlight close by.

[nfotis]

I thought that a dew shield helps with stray light already?

 

N.F.