Modifying an old mount with a vixen style base and rail

[Elrond1998]

I was hoping to get some advise regarding adapting/converting an older Orion 120mm AstroView combination scope/mount/tripod to a vixen style base and rail system. This may seem basic but I really don't know where to start.

Edited March 6, 2023 by Elrond1998

[mikeDnight]

Hi Elrond,

 I have an old Vixen Polaris mount that has a similar design as your mount. ADM make a V shaped plate that will bolt to your mount while a dovetail clamp bolts to the V shaped plate.  I'll try to remember to post a detailed  view over the next couple of days.

 

[mikeDnight]

As promised. Here's a picture of my Polaris mount. It has a similar design to your mount head, but has the V shaped plate and ADM Vixen dovetail clamp attached. 

A cheaper option might be to use a strong wooden or metal block bolted to a dovetail connector, and bolted to your mount head using the ring holes. 

[Carbon Brush]

I did something like this a few years back. Sorry no photos.
I used a piece of aluminium bar about 20mm thick so it would take screw threads.
To me it was a near enough zero cost solution as I had the bar and tools to drill/tap.
HTH, David.

[mikeDnight]

Heres a relatively cheap option. You could use a camera adapter plate which isnt too expensive, remove the screw from the slot, and bolt it to your mount. The dovetail connector will bolt easily to the slotted bar. And you don't need a long expensive ADM dovetail connector. There are plenty of shorter yet strong options on the market.

 

Although I didn't use a dovetail connector in the pic's below, you can see the camera adapter plate is plenty strong enough to hold a quite heavy Genesis SDF refractor. In this instance the tube clamp was bolted directly to the adapter plate, but a dovetail connector could easily be attached. First Light Optics sell the camera adapter plate and smaller dovetail connectors.