Dovetail Bar Mount Advice

[Martyn A E]

I have a 1m long 10" Newton on order (OOUK) which will be mated to a EQ6R-Pro tripod.

I'm looking for some advice as I intend to use a Losmandy style dovetail plate.

There are quite a few options out there so firstly what length would you suggest would be most suitable and secondly what make/model should should I avoid.

There seems to be extruded versions and solid bar versions and also metric and imperial options on one I've seen.

Just don't want to make a mistake with this vital piece of the system by getting something too short or too flimsy.

Many thanks in advance

[PeterCPC]

I would check with OOUK whether you need an imperial or metric version then get an ADM Universal from FLO - maybe 15"?

[johninderby]

FLOs StellaMira 15” losmandy is an excellent bit pf kit. Very solid. Have a couple of them. Think they are better finished than the ADM.

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/dovetails-saddles-clamps/stellamira-universal-losmandy-style-dovetail-bar.html

[Carbon Brush]

When I first started to use Losmandy dovetails (2008?) on heavy copes, I discovered there were small, but sometimes important, differences in the profiles.
Brand A rail being a tight fit on brand B mount, etc.

Obviously I wanted to avoid trimming/filing that would cause problems elsewhere. Surely a standard should exist? Things moved forward in 2010.

 

I have since tended to buy ADM parts when buying new, and regard anything secondhand that doesn't fit too well as being wrong.
If other manufacurers can't be bothered to publish dimensions, how do we know they will make the same size from one year to the next?
As I have not bought any new Losmandy kit for a while, I cannot comment on the StellaMira fit.

Enjoy the new scope.

David.

 

[johninderby]

The StellaMira fits a genuine Losmandy saddle just fine so that’s good enough for me.

 

Edited January 24, 2022 by johninderby