{"title":"Farpoint Dovetails, Plates \u0026 Saddles","description":"\u003cp\u003eFarpoint dovetail plates, tube rings, saddles and clamps. Goods ship factory-sealed. If you're unsure what fits your setup, ask us before you order and we'll confirm it.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"farpoint-dovetail-plate-celestron-8-inch-sct","title":"Farpoint Dovetail Plate - Celestron 8 Inch SCT","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint FDC8 is a complete mounting kit that puts a Celestron 8″ SCT onto any D-size (Losmandy-style) saddle. It pairs a 13.5″ dovetail bar with radius blocks machined to the curve of the 8″ tube, and the mounting screws are included. The same kit also fits the HD8. Everything is CNC-machined in the USA from black anodized aluminum, and the kit weighs 2.375 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It’s For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you…\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOwn a Celestron 8″ SCT or an HD8 and are moving it onto a mount with a D-size saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWant the wider D standard under the tube rather than the narrower Vixen rail.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAre replacing a factory rail that flexes with a camera and diagonal hanging off the back.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrefer a single kit with bar, blocks and screws rather than sourcing the parts separately.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e13.5″ dovetail bar:\u003c\/strong\u003e the bar length matched to the Celestron 8″ tube, giving the saddle a long clamping span.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMatched radius blocks:\u003c\/strong\u003e machined to the curve of the 8″ optical tube so the bar sits flush against the round body.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eD-size (Losmandy-style) standard:\u003c\/strong\u003e the wider of the two common dovetail formats, for saddles that accept a D bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFits the HD8 as well:\u003c\/strong\u003e the same kit covers both the standard Celestron 8″ SCT and the HD8.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack anodized aluminum:\u003c\/strong\u003e a hard, non-reflective finish that resists handling marks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMounting screws included:\u003c\/strong\u003e the kit arrives complete, with the hardware needed to attach the bar to the tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn SCT tube is round and a dovetail bar is flat, so bolting one straight to the other concentrates the load at the bolt holes. The radius blocks in this kit are cut to the exact curve of the Celestron 8″ tube and sit between the two, spreading the clamping force across the contact surface instead of pinching it at two points. The result is a stiffer connection between tube and saddle, with less stress placed on the optical tube itself — which matters most when a long imaging train adds leverage at the back of the scope.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMounting a Celestron 8″ SCT or HD8 on a Losmandy or other D-size saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLong-exposure imaging where a stiffer tube-to-mount joint reduces flexure between frames.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarrying the tube by the bar when setting up and tearing down, with a dovetail handle fitted.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStandardising an equipment set on D-size bars so tubes swap between mounts without re-rigging.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe kit fits the Celestron 8″ SCT optical tube assembly and the HD8. The bar is a D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail, so it drops into any saddle cut for the D standard; a mount with only a narrow Vixen saddle needs a D-size saddle or a saddle conversion to accept it. Celestron tubes in other sizes take their own bar lengths — 17.25″ for the 9.25″ and 11″, 23.75″ for the 14″. If a D-size bar is already on hand, the Celestron 8″ radius blocks are available on their own. Tell us your telescope model and saddle and we’ll confirm the fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe telescope is sold separately.\u003c\/strong\u003e This is the mounting kit only — bar, radius blocks and screws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe radius blocks are tube-specific.\u003c\/strong\u003e They are cut for the Celestron 8″ tube diameter and the HD8, not for other sizes in the range.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe bar is D-size, not Vixen.\u003c\/strong\u003e A mount with a Vixen-only saddle needs a D-size saddle or conversion to take this bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHole pattern varies by tube.\u003c\/strong\u003e The product drawing on the manufacturer page shows the hole pattern and measurements for this bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKit weight is 2.375 lb.\u003c\/strong\u003e That figure adds to the tube’s own weight when working out the load on the mount.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eInstallation is a bolt-on job: the radius blocks locate against the tube, the bar sits on the blocks, and the supplied screws pass through into the existing threaded holes on the optical tube. No drilling or machining is involved.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is included in the kit?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 13.5″ D-size dovetail bar, radius blocks machined to the Celestron 8″ tube, and the mounting screws.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it fit the Celestron HD8?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. The same kit covers the standard Celestron 8″ SCT and the HD8.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat mounts will this work with?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAny mount whose saddle accepts a D-size (Losmandy-style) bar. Mounts supplied with a narrow Vixen saddle can be upgraded with a D-size saddle or conversion.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy does the kit use radius blocks rather than bolting the bar to the tube?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe blocks match the curve of the round tube, so the clamping load spreads across the contact surface instead of concentrating at the bolt holes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn short: a complete 13.5″ D-size dovetail kit — bar, matched radius blocks and screws — that puts a Celestron 8″ SCT or HD8 onto a Losmandy-style saddle.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297406476399,"sku":"FDC8","price":160.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781721935348.jpg?v=1781721937"},{"product_id":"farpoint-dovetail-radius-block-meade-16-inch-sct","title":"Farpoint Dovetail Radius Block - Meade 16 Inch SCT","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese Farpoint radius blocks are machined to the curve of the Meade 16″ SCT optical tube and are used with a D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail bar already on hand. They are the part that moves an existing bar from one tube to another: the bar stays, the blocks change. CNC-machined in the USA from black anodized aluminum, the set weighs 1.563 lb. The blocks fit the Meade 16″ SCT only.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It’s For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you…\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlready own a D-size dovetail bar and are moving it onto a Meade 16″ SCT.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAre rebuilding a tube’s mounting hardware and only the tube-side blocks are missing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRun more than one optical tube and rotate a single bar between them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWant the bar to sit against the tube curve rather than on two bolt points.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMachined to the Meade 16″ curve:\u003c\/strong\u003e the block radius matches that tube diameter specifically.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWorks with your existing bar:\u003c\/strong\u003e the blocks install between a D-size (Losmandy-style) bar and the optical tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack anodized aluminum:\u003c\/strong\u003e a hard, non-reflective finish over machined aluminum.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCNC-machined in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e cut to a repeatable profile rather than formed or cast.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e1.563 lb set weight:\u003c\/strong\u003e a small addition to the load the mount carries.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eA dovetail bar has a flat underside and an SCT tube is round, so the two meet along a line rather than a surface. The radius blocks bridge that gap: each is cut to the exact curve of the Meade 16″ tube, so when the bar is drawn down the clamping load spreads across the whole contact area instead of concentrating at the bolt holes. That makes the joint between tube and bar stiffer, and it keeps the fastening from working against a single spot on the tube wall — which is the point of interest on a tube this size, where the leverage from a long bar and a heavy back end is substantial.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFitting a D-size bar you already own to a Meade 16″ SCT.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReplacing worn or mismatched blocks under an existing dovetail installation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeeping one bar and a set of blocks per tube across a multi-scope setup.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStiffening the tube-to-saddle joint ahead of long-exposure imaging.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese blocks are cut for the Meade 16″ SCT and that tube alone; other Meade and Celestron diameters take their own matched sets. They pair with a D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail bar, not with a narrow V-size (Vixen-style) bar. If no bar is on hand yet, the complete Farpoint Meade 16″ kit supplies the bar, blocks and mounting screws together. Tell us your telescope model and the bar you are using and we’ll confirm the fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlocks only.\u003c\/strong\u003e The dovetail bar and the telescope are not included in this listing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSingle tube fitment.\u003c\/strong\u003e The radius is machined for the Meade 16″ SCT and does not carry over to other tube diameters.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eD-size bars only.\u003c\/strong\u003e The blocks are sized for the D (Losmandy-style) standard rather than the narrower Vixen bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSet weight is 1.563 lb.\u003c\/strong\u003e That figure sits on top of the bar and tube weight when sizing the mount load.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA full kit is the alternative.\u003c\/strong\u003e Buyers without a bar generally start from the complete Meade 16″ SCT kit instead.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe blocks sit between the optical tube and the dovetail bar and are drawn down with the bar’s own mounting screws. It is a bolt-on operation with no drilling or fitting work.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat do radius blocks actually do?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThey bridge a flat dovetail bar to a round optical tube, spreading the clamping load across the contact surface instead of concentrating it at the bolt holes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill these fit my telescope?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThey are machined for the Meade 16″ SCT only. Other tube sizes take blocks cut to their own diameter — send us your model and we’ll point to the matching set.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need anything else?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail bar. The blocks install between that bar and the tube.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the dovetail bar included?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo. This listing is the radius blocks; the complete Meade 16″ kit is the version that includes the bar and screws.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn short: a 1.563 lb set of black anodized radius blocks cut to the Meade 16″ SCT curve, turning a D-size dovetail bar you already own into a mounting solution for that tube.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297410146415,"sku":"FDM16R","price":211.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781721970286.jpg?v=1781721973"},{"product_id":"carrying-handle-and-farpoint-dovetail-accessory-adapter","title":"Carrying Handle and Farpoint Dovetail Accessory Adapter","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis kit pairs an open L-shaped carry handle with the Farpoint Dovetail Accessory Adapter (FDA), the quick-release base that clamps onto a D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail bar. Together they give a telescope a proper handhold, so the tube is lifted by the bar rather than by the focuser, the corrector plate or whatever else offers a grip. The clamp tightens with a knob, so the handle goes on and comes off without tools and sits anywhere along the bar. CNC-machined in the USA; the complete kit weighs 0.688 lb (312 g).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It’s For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you…\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarry a tube to and from a setup spot and want a handle placed at its balance point.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRun a D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail and have no FDA base yet.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrefer an open hook-style grip that the hand drops into from above.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWant a handle that comes off in seconds so it does not foul the saddle when the tube is mounted.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComplete kit:\u003c\/strong\u003e both the L-handle and the FDA quick-release adapter are included.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQuick-release knob:\u003c\/strong\u003e tool-free on and off, with no hex keys involved in fitting or removing the handle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePositions anywhere along the bar:\u003c\/strong\u003e the clamp is not tied to a hole pattern, so the handle can be set over the balance point.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOpen L-shaped grip:\u003c\/strong\u003e a hook profile that the hand enters from the side rather than through a closed loop.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e0.688 lb complete:\u003c\/strong\u003e light enough to leave fitted during transport without changing the load picture.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCNC-machined in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e aluminum construction cut to a repeatable profile.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe FDA is the working part of this kit. Its body straddles a D-size bar and a knob draws a clamping jaw up against the dovetail’s angled edges, so the adapter grips the taper of the bar rather than relying on a set screw pressed into one face. Because the grip comes from the dovetail profile itself, the adapter holds anywhere along the bar’s length and can be slid to the tube’s balance point by feel. The L-handle then bolts to the FDA’s accessory face, and that same face accepts the other FDA accessories — the D-handle, or a ball head camera adapter for piggyback work — so the base carries over if the accessory on top changes later.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLifting an SCT or refractor tube out of a case and onto the mount saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarrying a tube across a field or down stairs with one hand free for a light.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMoving a tube between a garage and an observing pad at the start and end of a session.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeeping an FDA base on the bar permanently and swapping between a handle and a ball head camera adapter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe FDA base clamps to D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail bars only; the narrower V-size (Vixen-style) bar is a different profile and the adapter does not span it. The handle attaches to the FDA accessory face, which is shared across the Farpoint FDA range — the D-handle kit is the closed suitcase-style equivalent of this one, and the L-handle is also sold on its own for anyone who already owns an FDA. Tell us your telescope and the dovetail bar on it and we’ll confirm the fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eD-size bars only.\u003c\/strong\u003e The FDA base spans the D (Losmandy-style) profile and does not clamp the narrower V-size Vixen bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe FDA is included here.\u003c\/strong\u003e Owners of an existing FDA generally buy the L-handle on its own instead of this kit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe handle occupies space on the bar.\u003c\/strong\u003e Where the saddle clamps over the same stretch of bar, the handle is removed by the knob and refitted afterwards.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eL-grip or D-grip.\u003c\/strong\u003e This is the open L profile; the closed suitcase-style loop is the D-handle version of the same kit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKit weight is 0.688 lb (312 g).\u003c\/strong\u003e Left fitted, that weight rides on the tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe FDA clamps over the dovetail bar and tightens with a knob, so fitting takes seconds and needs no tools. The handle arrives bolted to the adapter, or attaches to its accessory face with the supplied hardware.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the dovetail adapter included?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. This kit includes both the L-handle and the Farpoint Dovetail Accessory Adapter.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it fit my dovetail bar?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe FDA base clamps to D-size (Losmandy-style) bars. Narrower V-size (Vixen-style) bars use a different profile.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eL-handle or D-handle — what is the difference?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBoth attach to the FDA. The L-handle is an open hook that the hand enters from the side; the D-handle is a closed loop, like a suitcase handle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan the handle be moved along the bar?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. The clamp holds on the dovetail taper rather than in a hole, so the handle can sit anywhere along the bar, including over the balance point.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn short: an open L-grip carry handle and the FDA quick-release adapter in one 0.688 lb kit, clamping anywhere along a D-size dovetail bar and coming off without tools.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297411260527,"sku":"FDA+Handle","price":135.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781721957256.jpg?v=1781721959"},{"product_id":"farpoint-vixen-dovetail-plate-meade-8-inch-sct","title":"Farpoint Vixen Dovetail Plate - Meade 8 Inch SCT","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint FVM8 is a 13.5″ V-size (Vixen-style) dovetail bar cut for the Meade 8″ Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube assembly. It gives the tube a Vixen dovetail interface, so it drops into any mount with a V-size saddle. The bar is CNC-machined in the USA from aluminum and finished in black anodize, and it weighs 1.938 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It’s For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you…\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOwn a Meade 8″ SCT and are putting it on a mount with a Vixen-style saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAre replacing a factory rail that is worn, damaged or the wrong standard for your mount.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWant one dovetail standard across a set of tubes so they interchange on the same saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAre moving an 8″ SCT onto a lighter mount where the narrower V bar is the native fit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e13.5″ bar length:\u003c\/strong\u003e the length matched to the Meade 8″ tube, giving the saddle a usable clamping span and room to shift the balance point.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eV-size (Vixen-style) profile:\u003c\/strong\u003e the narrower of the two common dovetail standards, and the one most small and mid-size mounts ship with.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack anodized aluminum:\u003c\/strong\u003e a hard, non-reflective surface over the machined bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCNC-machined in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e cut to a consistent profile so the taper seats evenly in the saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e1.938 lb:\u003c\/strong\u003e the published bar weight, which adds to the tube load the mount carries.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMounting a Meade 8″ SCT on a Vixen-saddle equatorial or alt-azimuth mount.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVisual sessions where the tube moves between a grab-and-go mount and a heavier one.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReplacing a bent or marred factory rail on an older 8″ tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSetting up a tube so it can slide fore and aft in the saddle to balance a diagonal and heavy eyepiece.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe FVM8 fits the Meade 8″ Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube assembly and works with any mount whose saddle takes a V-size (Vixen-style) bar. Other tubes in the Meade Vixen range use their own bar lengths — 17.25″ for the Meade 7″ Maksutov and the Meade 10″ SCT. An armored-strip version of this bar is also made, which carries a stainless steel strip along the dovetail edge; it is the version chosen where a saddle clamps with a set screw that would otherwise mark the aluminum over time. The manufacturer publishes a product drawing showing the hole pattern and measurements. Tell us your telescope model and saddle type and we’ll confirm the fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe telescope is sold separately.\u003c\/strong\u003e This listing is the dovetail bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHole pattern is tube-specific.\u003c\/strong\u003e The bar is drilled for the Meade 8″ SCT pattern, and the manufacturer drawing shows the spacing and measurements.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eV-size, not D-size.\u003c\/strong\u003e This is the narrower Vixen profile; a mount with a Losmandy-style D saddle takes a D-size bar instead.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSet-screw saddles mark bare aluminum.\u003c\/strong\u003e The armored-strip version of this bar adds a stainless steel edge strip for that case.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBar weight is 1.938 lb.\u003c\/strong\u003e That figure adds to the optical tube weight when working out the mount load.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe bar bolts to the existing threaded holes on the underside of the Meade 8″ tube. It is a screwdriver-and-hex-key job with no drilling, and the drawing shows the hole pattern it is cut for.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does this bar do?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt gives the optical tube a Vixen-style dovetail interface, taking the place of the factory rail so the tube seats in any V-size saddle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat mounts will this work with?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAny mount with a Vixen-style (V-size) saddle — the smaller of the two common dovetail standards.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the armored-strip version?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt is the same bar with a stainless steel strip along the dovetail edge, made for saddles that clamp with a set screw, which over time marks a bare aluminum edge.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow long is the bar?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e13.5″.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn short: a 13.5″ black anodized Vixen dovetail bar, machined in the USA for the Meade 8″ SCT and weighing 1.938 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297411981423,"sku":"FVM8","price":126.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781721957260.jpg?v=1781721959"},{"product_id":"d-handle-with-included-farpoint-dovetail-adapter","title":"D-Handle with included Farpoint Dovetail Adapter","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis kit pairs a closed D-shaped carry handle with the Farpoint Dovetail Accessory Adapter (FDA), the quick-release base that clamps onto a D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail bar. The grip is a closed loop, much like a suitcase handle, so the hand passes through it and the tube’s weight is taken by the bar instead of by the focuser or the corrector cell. The clamp tightens with a knob, so the handle goes on and comes off without tools and sits anywhere along the bar. CNC-machined in the USA; the complete kit weighs 0.69 lb (313 g).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It’s For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you…\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarry a tube any distance and want a closed grip the hand cannot slip out of.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRun a D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail and have no FDA base yet.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrefer a suitcase-style loop to the open hook profile of the L-handle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWant a handle that unclamps in seconds so it clears the saddle once the tube is mounted.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComplete kit:\u003c\/strong\u003e both the D handle and the FDA quick-release adapter are included.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClosed D loop:\u003c\/strong\u003e a full hoop grip, so the hand is enclosed rather than resting in an open hook.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQuick-release knob:\u003c\/strong\u003e tool-free on and off, with no hex keys needed to fit or remove the handle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePositions anywhere along the bar:\u003c\/strong\u003e the clamp holds on the dovetail taper rather than in a hole, so the handle can sit over the balance point.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e0.69 lb complete:\u003c\/strong\u003e light enough to leave fitted during transport.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCNC-machined in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e aluminum construction cut to a repeatable profile.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe FDA does the holding. Its body straddles a D-size bar and a knob draws a clamping jaw against the dovetail’s angled edges, so the grip comes from the taper of the bar itself rather than from a set screw pressed into one flat face. That is why the adapter holds at any point along the bar’s length and can be slid to the tube’s balance point by feel. The D handle then bolts to the FDA’s accessory face, and the same face takes the other accessories in the range — the open L-handle, or a ball head camera adapter for piggyback imaging — so the base stays on the bar even when what sits on top changes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLifting an SCT or refractor tube from its case onto the mount saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarrying a tube across a field or down stairs, where a closed grip keeps the hand captive.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMoving a tube between storage and an observing pad at each end of a session.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLeaving an FDA base on the bar and swapping between a handle and a ball head camera adapter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe FDA base clamps to D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail bars only; the narrower V-size (Vixen-style) bar is a different profile and the adapter does not span it. The handle mounts to the FDA accessory face, which is shared across the Farpoint FDA range — the L-handle kit is the open-hook equivalent of this one, and the D handle is also sold on its own for anyone who already owns an FDA. Tell us your telescope and the dovetail bar on it and we’ll confirm the fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eD-size bars only.\u003c\/strong\u003e The FDA base spans the D (Losmandy-style) profile and does not clamp the narrower V-size Vixen bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe FDA is included here.\u003c\/strong\u003e Owners of an existing FDA generally buy the D handle on its own rather than this kit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe handle occupies space on the bar.\u003c\/strong\u003e Where the saddle clamps over the same stretch, the handle comes off by the knob and refits afterwards.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eD-grip or L-grip.\u003c\/strong\u003e This is the closed suitcase-style loop; the open hook profile is the L-handle version of the same kit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKit weight is 0.69 lb (313 g).\u003c\/strong\u003e Left fitted, that weight rides on the tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe FDA clamps over the dovetail bar and tightens with a knob, so fitting takes seconds and needs no tools. The handle arrives on the adapter, or attaches to its accessory face with the supplied hardware.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the dovetail adapter included?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. This kit includes both the D handle and the Farpoint Dovetail Accessory Adapter.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it fit my dovetail bar?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe FDA base clamps to D-size (Losmandy-style) bars. Narrower V-size (Vixen-style) bars use a different profile.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eD-handle or L-handle — what is the difference?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBoth attach to the FDA. The D handle is a closed loop, like a suitcase handle; the L-handle is an open hook the hand enters from the side.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan the handle be moved along the bar?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. The clamp holds on the dovetail taper rather than in a hole, so it can sit anywhere along the bar, including over the balance point.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn short: a closed suitcase-style carry handle and the FDA quick-release adapter in one 0.69 lb kit, clamping anywhere along a D-size dovetail bar and coming off without tools.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297415848047,"sku":"FDA+HandleD","price":135.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781722090083.jpg?v=1781722092"},{"product_id":"farpoint-dovetail-plate-celestron-8-inch-rasa","title":"Farpoint Dovetail Plate - Celestron 8 Inch RASA","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint FDC8-RASA is a complete mounting kit that carries a Celestron 8″ RASA astrograph on any D-size (Losmandy-style) saddle. It is built around a 19″ dovetail bar paired with radius blocks machined to the curve of the 8″ RASA tube, and the mounting screws come with it. The parts are CNC-machined in the USA from aluminum with a black anodized finish, and the kit weighs 2.375 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you own a Celestron 8″ RASA and a mount with a D-size (Losmandy-style) saddle, and you would rather buy the bar, the tube interface and the hardware as one kit than source them separately. It also suits you if you move the RASA between several mounts that share the D-size standard and want one bar that drops into all of them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e19″ dovetail bar:\u003c\/strong\u003e The full 19″ length gives the saddle a long clamping run and leaves room to slide the tube fore and aft for balance once a camera and filter drawer are hanging off the back.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRadius blocks matched to the tube:\u003c\/strong\u003e The blocks are machined to the curve of the 8″ RASA specifically, so they sit flush on the tube rather than touching at an edge.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eD-size (Losmandy-style) profile:\u003c\/strong\u003e The bar follows the wider D-size dovetail standard used by Losmandy-style saddles.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMounting screws included:\u003c\/strong\u003e The screws that join the blocks to the tube's existing mounting points ship in the box.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack anodized aluminum:\u003c\/strong\u003e The anodized finish keeps the bar non-reflective next to the optical path and resists handling marks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCNC-machined in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e Every part in the kit is machined rather than cast or extruded to profile.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe RASA tube is round and a dovetail bar is flat, so on their own the two meet along a narrow line. The radius blocks bridge that gap. Each block is machined to the exact curve of the 8″ RASA tube, which spreads the clamping load across the whole contact surface instead of concentrating it at the bolt holes. The connection between tube and saddle comes out stiffer, and the tube carries less local stress — something that shows up on a fast wide-field astrograph, where any flexure in the mounting chain lands in the corners of the frame.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMounting a Celestron 8″ RASA on a Losmandy-style German equatorial for wide-field imaging runs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRebalancing the RASA after adding a camera, filter drawer or off-axis guider, using the length of the 19″ bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMoving one RASA between a portable D-size mount and a permanent pier setup without changing the tube hardware.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReplacing an original short bar that leaves the tube nose-heavy at the saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe radius blocks in this kit are cut for the Celestron 8″ RASA optical tube assembly, and the block curve is specific to that tube diameter — the 11″ and 14″ RASA models take their own kits. The 19″ bar is a D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail, so it seats in Losmandy saddles and in the D-size saddles used by mounts such as the Celestron CGEM and CGX families, iOptron and Sky-Watcher D-size heads, and any third-party D saddle cut to the same standard. A V-size (Vixen) saddle takes a narrower bar and is a different fit. The kit bolts to the tube's own mounting points using the screws supplied. If you are unsure which RASA you have or which saddle standard your mount uses, let us know the model and we'll confirm the fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe telescope is not included.\u003c\/strong\u003e This kit covers the bar, radius blocks and mounting screws only.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe blocks are tube-specific.\u003c\/strong\u003e They are machined to the 8″ RASA curve and will not sit flush on a tube of a different diameter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe bar is D-size only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Fitting it to a Vixen-size saddle would call for a saddle change or an adapter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKit weight is 2.375 lb.\u003c\/strong\u003e That mass rides on the mount alongside the tube and counts toward the mount's payload figure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe 19″ bar extends past the tube at both ends on some configurations.\u003c\/strong\u003e That overhang is what gives the balance range, and it can sit close to the mount head at extreme declinations.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a straightforward bolt-on. The radius blocks fasten to the RASA's existing mounting points with the supplied screws, then the bar attaches to the blocks. A hex key and a few minutes on a bench are the whole job.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this fit the 11″ or 14″ RASA?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo — the radius blocks here are machined to the 8″ RASA tube curve. The larger RASA models use kits cut to their own diameters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it fit a Vixen-style saddle?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bar is a D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail, which is wider than the Vixen V-size profile. It seats in D-size saddles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre the mounting screws included?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. The kit ships with the 19″ bar, the matched radius blocks and the mounting screws.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy use radius blocks instead of bolting the bar straight to the tube?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tube is curved and the bar is flat. The blocks fill that curve so the clamping force spreads over the contact area rather than loading the bolt holes, which keeps the tube from being stressed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a 19″ D-size bar with radius blocks cut to the Celestron 8″ RASA tube and the screws to fit them, CNC-machined in the USA and weighing 2.375 lb — the complete interface between that astrograph and a Losmandy-style saddle in one box.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297415913583,"sku":"FDC8-RASA","price":177.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781722040214.jpg?v=1781722042"},{"product_id":"farpoint-6-inch-dovetail-saddle-takahashi","title":"Farpoint 6 Inch Dovetail Saddle - Takahashi","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint FDTSA is a 6″ D-size (Losmandy-style) saddle that adapts a Takahashi EM-style mount to Losmandy-style dovetail bars. It arrives with the mounting puck needed to attach it to the Takahashi head, and it clamps with a full non-marring bar rather than a bare screw tip. The saddle is CNC-machined in the USA from aluminum with a black anodized finish and weighs 2 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you run a Takahashi EM-style mount and your optical tubes already sit on D-size (Losmandy-style) bars, so the mount head is the one piece still speaking a different language. It also suits you if your current saddle leaves marks in the anodizing on your dovetails every time you tighten it down, and you want a clamp that spreads its grip over the bar face instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e6″ clamping length:\u003c\/strong\u003e Six inches of saddle gives the dovetail a long seat, which resists the tube rocking under an off-centre load.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNon-marring clamping bar:\u003c\/strong\u003e A full bar presses flat against the dovetail face, so the grip is spread rather than driven through a single point.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTakahashi mounting puck included:\u003c\/strong\u003e The puck that mates the saddle to the Takahashi EM-style head ships with the saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eD-size (Losmandy-style) interface:\u003c\/strong\u003e The saddle accepts the wider Losmandy-style dovetail standard.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack anodized aluminum:\u003c\/strong\u003e The finish stays non-reflective beside the optical path and takes handling without showing wear quickly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCNC-machined in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e The saddle body and clamping bar are machined parts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost saddles clamp with a screw that bears directly on the side of the dovetail. All of the holding force runs through the tip of that screw, which is why dovetails end up with a row of divots along one face after a few seasons. The FDTSA puts a full clamping bar between the screw and the dovetail: the screw loads the bar, and the bar presses flat along the dovetail face. The contact patch grows from a point to a surface, so the saddle grips at least as hard while leaving no divots or scratches in the anodizing. Because the bar retracts as one piece, a D-size dovetail clicks into a Takahashi head and releases just as fast as it would on a native Losmandy saddle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRunning a Losmandy-style dovetail tube on a Takahashi EM-style equatorial without re-barring the telescope.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStandardising a mixed setup so every tube in the collection carries one bar type and swaps between mounts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProtecting the finish on dovetails that get clamped and unclamped at every session.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReplacing a short original saddle that only grips a few inches of a long imaging bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe saddle side of the FDTSA takes D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail bars — the wider standard used by Losmandy plates, Farpoint D bars and the D-size bars supplied with larger Celestron, Sky-Watcher and iOptron tubes. The mount side is cut for Takahashi EM-style mounts and the mounting puck for that interface is in the box. A V-size (Vixen) bar is narrower than this saddle's jaws and is a different fit; tubes on Vixen bars would need a D-size bar or a V-to-D adapter plate to use this saddle. The saddle carries the tube, so the payload it will support is set by the Takahashi mount underneath it rather than by the saddle. If you are unsure which Takahashi head you have or which dovetail standard is on your tube, let us know the models and we'll confirm the fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe mount and telescope are not included.\u003c\/strong\u003e This is the saddle and its Takahashi mounting puck.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe saddle accepts D-size bars only.\u003c\/strong\u003e A Vixen-size dovetail is narrower than the clamping jaws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe mount interface is Takahashi EM-style.\u003c\/strong\u003e Other mount heads use their own saddle patterns.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe saddle weighs 2 lb.\u003c\/strong\u003e That mass sits above the mount head and counts against the mount's payload figure alongside the tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClamping length is 6″.\u003c\/strong\u003e A dovetail bar shorter than that seats on part of the saddle rather than its full run.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo — the included puck mates the saddle to the Takahashi head, and the saddle bolts to the puck. It is a hex-key job that takes a few minutes on the bench.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the mounting puck come with it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. The puck for the Takahashi EM-style interface ships with the saddle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it take a Vixen-size dovetail?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe clamping jaws are cut for the D-size (Losmandy-style) standard, which is the wider of the two. A Vixen bar would sit loose in them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does \"non-marring\" mean here?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe clamping screw loads a full bar rather than touching the dovetail itself, so the pressure lands on a flat surface and the anodizing comes away without divots or scratches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow much weight can it hold?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe saddle passes the tube's load straight to the Takahashi mount, so the limit is the mount's own payload rating rather than a figure for the saddle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a 6″ D-size saddle with a non-marring full clamping bar and the Takahashi mounting puck included, CNC-machined in the USA and weighing 2 lb — the piece that lets a Takahashi EM-style mount carry Losmandy-style dovetails.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297415979119,"sku":"FDTSA","price":211.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781722081635.jpg?v=1781722083"},{"product_id":"farpoint-vixen-dovetail-plate-meade-10-inch-sct","title":"Farpoint Vixen Dovetail Plate - Meade 10 Inch SCT","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint FVM10 is a 17.25″ V-size (Vixen-style) dovetail bar cut for the Meade 10″ Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube assembly. It bolts to the tube's own mounting holes and gives it a Vixen dovetail foot, so the telescope drops straight into any V-size saddle. The bar is machined from aluminum with a black anodized finish, CNC-machined in the USA, and weighs 1.813 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you have a Meade 10″ SCT and a mount whose saddle takes the narrower Vixen-style dovetail, and you want the tube on a bar cut for its hole pattern rather than a generic strip. It also suits you if you are replacing a short factory bar that leaves little room to slide the tube for balance once a diagonal, camera or heavy eyepiece is on the back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e17.25″ bar length:\u003c\/strong\u003e The long run gives the saddle a wide clamping span and leaves fore-and-aft travel for balancing a rear-heavy SCT.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eV-size (Vixen-style) profile:\u003c\/strong\u003e Machined to the narrower Vixen dovetail standard, the most widely fitted saddle type on small and mid-size equatorials.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCut for the Meade 10″ SCT:\u003c\/strong\u003e The hole pattern matches that tube's existing mounting points, so no drilling is involved.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMachined aluminum:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sturdy aluminum holds the dovetail profile to tolerance along the full length rather than flexing between bolts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack anodized finish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Non-reflective beside the optical path and resistant to handling marks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCNC-machined in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e The dovetail faces are machined rather than rolled or extruded to shape.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePutting a Meade 10″ SCT onto a Vixen-saddle equatorial for visual observing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRebalancing the tube after adding a diagonal, binoviewer or camera at the rear cell.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMoving one 10″ SCT between a Vixen-saddle mount at home and a travel mount that shares the standard.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReplacing a short or damaged original dovetail with a full-length machined bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bar is drilled for the Meade 10″ Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube assembly and bolts to that tube's existing mounting points. The dovetail itself is the V-size (Vixen-style) standard, which seats in the Vixen saddles fitted to mounts such as the Sky-Watcher EQ series, iOptron and Celestron Vixen-compatible heads, and in any dual-fit saddle that accepts both V and D profiles. A D-size (Losmandy-style) saddle takes the wider bar and is a different fit. Farpoint also publishes an armored-strip version of this bar, which adds a stainless steel strip along the clamping face so saddle set screws bear on steel rather than on the anodizing — worth considering if your saddle clamps with bare screw tips. If you are unsure which Meade 10″ variant you have or which saddle standard is on your mount, let us know the models and we'll confirm the fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe telescope is not included.\u003c\/strong\u003e This is the dovetail bar on its own.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe hole pattern is Meade 10″ SCT specific.\u003c\/strong\u003e Other tube sizes use bars drilled to their own spacing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe profile is V-size only.\u003c\/strong\u003e A Losmandy D-size saddle would call for a D bar or a V-to-D adapter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe bar weighs 1.813 lb.\u003c\/strong\u003e That mass rides with the tube and counts toward the mount's payload figure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSaddle set screws bear on the anodized face.\u003c\/strong\u003e The armored-strip version of this bar adds a steel strip at that contact point for setups where that matters.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo — the bar lines up with the mounting holes already in the Meade 10″ tube. It is a hex-key job, and no drilling is involved.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill this fit a Losmandy-style saddle?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bar is cut to the V-size (Vixen) profile, which is narrower than the D-size standard. It seats in Vixen saddles and in dual-fit saddles that accept both.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow long is the bar?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e17.25″, which gives a long clamping span and room to slide the tube for balance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the difference between this and the armored strip version?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe armored version carries a stainless steel strip along the face the saddle screws press against, so the clamping load lands on steel instead of the anodized aluminum.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it fit other Meade tubes?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is drilled for the Meade 10″ Schmidt-Cassegrain. Other apertures in the range have their own hole spacing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a 17.25″ Vixen-standard dovetail bar drilled for the Meade 10″ SCT, CNC-machined in the USA from black anodized aluminum and weighing 1.813 lb — a direct bolt-on foot for any V-size saddle.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297416142959,"sku":"FVM10","price":126.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781722107518.jpg?v=1781722109"},{"product_id":"carrying-handle-for-farpoint-dovetail-accessory-adapter","title":"Carrying Handle for Farpoint Dovetail Accessory Adapter","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the open L-shaped carrying handle that bolts onto the Farpoint Dovetail Accessory Adapter (FDA). The FDA clamps anywhere along a D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail bar, and this handle turns that clamp into a lifting point, so a tube assembly can be picked up and carried by something designed for a hand rather than by the focuser or the rear cell. The handle is CNC-machined in the USA and weighs 0.688 lb. It is the handle on its own — the FDA adapter is sold separately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you already own a Farpoint Dovetail Accessory Adapter and want a grip on it, or if you are replacing a D-handle with the open L shape. It also suits you if you carry a tube to and from a setup spot each session and would rather have a defined lifting point on the dovetail than improvise a hold on the optical tube.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOpen L-shaped grip:\u003c\/strong\u003e The open form leaves the hand free to slide along the grip and to release quickly, unlike a closed D loop.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBolts to the FDA:\u003c\/strong\u003e It uses the Farpoint Dovetail Accessory Adapter's existing accessory interface, so no new holes are involved.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePositionable along the bar:\u003c\/strong\u003e Because the FDA clamps anywhere on a D-size dovetail, the handle can be set at the tube's balance point rather than at a fixed station.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight at 0.688 lb:\u003c\/strong\u003e The handle adds well under a pound to whatever is riding on the mount.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCNC-machined in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e The grip is a machined part rather than a bent or cast fitting.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarrying an optical tube from storage to the mount by its dovetail instead of by the tube body.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdding a lifting point at the balance point of a long D-size imaging bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSteadying a tube with one hand while the saddle clamp is loosened with the other.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSwapping an existing D-handle on an FDA for the open L profile.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis handle mounts to the Farpoint Dovetail Accessory Adapter (FDA) and reaches a telescope only through it — the FDA is the part that clamps to the dovetail, and it is sold separately. The FDA in turn fits D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail bars, which is the wider of the two common standards, so tubes carried on Losmandy plates, Farpoint D bars and the D-size bars supplied with larger SCTs and Newtonians are within scope. A V-size (Vixen) bar is a different profile. Farpoint also publishes this handle bundled together with the FDA, and a D-handle in both bundled and handle-only forms, if you want the closed loop or the complete assembly instead. If you are unsure whether you already have an FDA on your bar, or which dovetail standard your tube uses, let us know what you are running and we'll confirm the fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe FDA adapter is not included.\u003c\/strong\u003e This listing covers the L-shaped handle only; the adapter it bolts to is a separate purchase.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt reaches the dovetail only through the FDA.\u003c\/strong\u003e On its own the handle has no clamp and no dovetail interface.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe FDA is a D-size fitting.\u003c\/strong\u003e Vixen-size bars use a different profile.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe handle weighs 0.688 lb.\u003c\/strong\u003e Under a pound on its own, though the FDA adds its own mass on top of that.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShipping rounds up to 1 lb.\u003c\/strong\u003e The true weight is under a pound, so on a multi-item order the rounded figure can overstate the combined shipping weight.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe grip is open rather than closed.\u003c\/strong\u003e A D-handle is the closed-loop alternative if a fully enclosed hold is preferred.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo — the handle bolts to the accessory interface already machined into the FDA. It is a hex-key job and takes a minute.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the Farpoint Dovetail Accessory Adapter come with it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. This listing is the handle alone. Farpoint also publishes a version that ships the handle and the FDA together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan it clamp straight onto my dovetail bar?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe clamping is done by the FDA. The handle attaches to the FDA, and the FDA is what grips the D-size bar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the difference between the L-handle and the D-handle?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe L-handle is an open grip; the D-handle is a closed loop. Both attach to the same FDA interface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere along the bar does it sit?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWherever the FDA is clamped. Setting it near the tube's balance point makes the load easiest to carry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: the open L-shaped grip for the Farpoint Dovetail Accessory Adapter, CNC-machined in the USA and weighing 0.688 lb, giving a D-size dovetail a proper lifting point — supplied as the handle alone, with the FDA sold separately.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297418076271,"sku":"Handle-FDA","price":91.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781722202737.jpg?v=1781722204"},{"product_id":"farpoint-dovetail-plate-celestron-9-25-inch-sct","title":"Farpoint Dovetail Plate - Celestron 9.25 Inch SCT","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint FDC9.25S is a complete mounting kit that carries a 2008-or-newer Celestron 9.25″ SCT on any D-size (Losmandy-style) saddle. It comprises a 17.25″ dovetail bar, a pair of radius blocks machined to match the 9.25″ tube, and the mounting screws to join them. The parts are CNC-machined in the USA from aluminum with a black anodized finish, and the kit weighs 2.6 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you own a Celestron 9.25″ SCT of 2008 or later and a mount with a D-size (Losmandy-style) saddle, and you want the bar, the tube interface and the hardware as one kit. It also suits you if the tube currently sits on a narrower Vixen bar and you are moving it to the wider D standard for a stiffer hold under imaging loads.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e17.25″ dovetail bar:\u003c\/strong\u003e The long run gives the saddle a wide clamping span and leaves travel for balancing a rear-heavy SCT.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRadius blocks matched to the tube:\u003c\/strong\u003e The blocks are machined to the curve of the 9.25″ tube, so they sit flush rather than touching along an edge.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eD-size (Losmandy-style) profile:\u003c\/strong\u003e The wider dovetail standard, which gives a larger clamping face than a Vixen bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMounting screws included:\u003c\/strong\u003e The screws that join the blocks to the tube's existing mounting points ship in the box.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack anodized aluminum:\u003c\/strong\u003e Non-reflective next to the optical path and resistant to handling marks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCNC-machined in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bar and blocks alike are machined parts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn SCT tube is round and a dovetail bar is flat, so bolted straight together the two touch along a narrow line and the clamping force concentrates at the bolt holes. The radius blocks in this kit fill that curve. Each is machined to the 9.25″ tube diameter, which spreads the load across the whole contact surface rather than pinching the tube at two points. The chain from tube to saddle comes out stiffer, and the tube carries less local stress — which matters most on long exposures, where any flex in the mounting path turns into elongated stars.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMounting a Celestron 9.25″ SCT on a Losmandy-style German equatorial for imaging.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMoving a 9.25″ tube up from a Vixen bar to the wider D-size standard.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRebalancing the tube after adding a focuser, camera train or off-axis guider at the rear cell.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarrying one tube between a permanent pier mount and a portable mount that shares the D-size saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe radius blocks are cut for the 2008-and-newer Celestron 9.25″ SCT optical tube assembly. Celestron changed the tube and mounting arrangement on that model, so an earlier 9.25″ is outside the fit, as are the 8″ and 11″ tubes, which take blocks machined to their own diameters. The 17.25″ bar is a D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail and seats in Losmandy saddles as well as the D-size saddles on mounts such as the Celestron CGEM and CGX families, iOptron and Sky-Watcher D heads, and any dual-fit saddle that accepts both V and D profiles. A V-size (Vixen) saddle takes the narrower bar and is a different fit. The kit bolts to the tube's own mounting points with the screws supplied. If you are unsure of your tube's year or which saddle standard your mount uses, let us know the models and we'll confirm the fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe telescope is not included.\u003c\/strong\u003e This kit is the bar, the radius blocks and the mounting screws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe fit is 2008-and-newer only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Earlier Celestron 9.25″ tubes use a different arrangement.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe blocks are diameter-specific.\u003c\/strong\u003e They are machined to the 9.25″ tube curve and sit flush on that tube alone.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe bar is D-size only.\u003c\/strong\u003e A Vixen-size saddle would call for a saddle change or an adapter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKit weight is 2.6 lb.\u003c\/strong\u003e That mass rides on the mount with the tube and counts toward the mount's payload figure; the packed shipping weight is 3.563 lb.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a bolt-on. The radius blocks fasten to the mounting points already in the 9.25″ tube with the supplied screws, then the bar attaches to the blocks. A hex key and a few minutes on a bench cover it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it fit a pre-2008 Celestron 9.25″?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo — the kit is cut for the 2008-and-newer tube. Earlier examples use a different mounting arrangement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it fit the 8″ or 11″ SCT?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe radius blocks are machined to the 9.25″ diameter. The other apertures have kits cut to their own curves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow much does the kit weigh?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2.6 lb as a kit. The packed shipping weight is 3.563 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy radius blocks rather than bolting the bar straight to the tube?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tube is curved and the bar is flat. The blocks fill the curve so the clamping load spreads across the contact surface instead of loading the bolt holes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a 17.25″ D-size bar with radius blocks cut to the 2008-and-newer Celestron 9.25″ SCT and the screws to fit them, CNC-machined in the USA and weighing 2.6 lb — the full interface between that tube and a Losmandy-style saddle.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297418174575,"sku":"FDC9.25S","price":177.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781722201692.jpg?v=1781722203"},{"product_id":"farpoint-7-inch-dovetail-saddle","title":"Farpoint 7 Inch Dovetail Saddle","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint FDS7 is a 7″ D-size (Losmandy-style) saddle that replaces the Vixen-size saddle on an equatorial mount head, so the mount will take the wider Losmandy-style dovetail bars. Several hole patterns are machined into its underside to cover a range of mounts made over the years, and it clamps with a full non-marring bar rather than a bare screw tip. The saddle is CNC-machined in the USA from aluminum with a black anodized finish and weighs 2.125 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if your mount head came with a Vixen-size saddle but your tubes ride on D-size bars, and you would rather change the saddle once than re-bar every telescope. It also suits you if your current saddle leaves screw marks in your dovetails, or if a short factory saddle grips only a few inches of a long imaging bar and you want a seven-inch seat instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e7″ clamping length:\u003c\/strong\u003e Seven inches of seat spreads the tube's load along the dovetail and resists rocking under an off-centre camera train.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNon-marring clamping bar:\u003c\/strong\u003e A full bar presses flat against the dovetail face, so the grip is a surface rather than a point.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMultiple machined hole patterns:\u003c\/strong\u003e More than one bolt pattern is cut into the base to suit equatorial mounts made across different generations.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVixen-to-D conversion:\u003c\/strong\u003e It turns a Vixen-size mount head into a Losmandy-standard saddle without touching the telescopes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack anodized aluminum:\u003c\/strong\u003e Non-reflective beside the optical path and durable under repeated handling.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCNC-machined in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e Saddle body and clamping bar are both machined parts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA conventional saddle clamps with a screw that bears directly on the flank of the dovetail. Every bit of holding force passes through that screw tip, which is why a well-used bar ends up with a line of divots along one face. The FDS7 interposes a full clamping bar: the screw loads the bar, and the bar presses flat along the dovetail face. Contact grows from a point to a surface, so the saddle grips at least as hard while leaving no divots or scratches in the anodizing. The seven-inch run means that grip is distributed rather than concentrated, and because the bar withdraws as a single piece the tube seats and releases in one motion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConverting a Vixen-saddle equatorial head so it accepts Losmandy-style D bars.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStandardising a collection on one dovetail size so any tube goes on any mount.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarrying a long imaging bar that needs more clamping length than a short factory saddle offers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProtecting the anodized finish on dovetails that are clamped and released at every session.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe saddle side takes D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail bars — the wider standard used by Losmandy plates, Farpoint D bars and the bars supplied with larger SCTs and Newtonians. The mount side carries several machined hole patterns intended to fit Vixen-style equatorial mount heads made across a number of generations; the EQ6 and Orion Atlas are named among them. Because the pattern set covers a range rather than one specific model, the practical check is the bolt spacing on your own mount head. A V-size (Vixen) bar is narrower than this saddle's jaws and is a different fit, so tubes on Vixen bars would need a D bar or a V-to-D adapter plate. Farpoint publishes a separate 6″ saddle with a Takahashi mounting puck for Takahashi EM-style heads. If you are unsure whether your mount head matches one of the patterns, let us know which mount you have and we'll confirm the fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe mount and telescope are not included.\u003c\/strong\u003e This is the saddle on its own.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt accepts D-size bars only.\u003c\/strong\u003e A Vixen-size dovetail sits loose in the clamping jaws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe hole patterns cover a range, not every mount.\u003c\/strong\u003e Farpoint publishes the pattern set as fitting Vixen-style heads made over the years rather than a closed model list, so the bolt spacing on a given head is the deciding detail.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTakahashi EM-style heads use a different saddle.\u003c\/strong\u003e That interface is served by Farpoint's 6″ Takahashi saddle with its own mounting puck.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe saddle weighs 2.125 lb.\u003c\/strong\u003e That mass sits above the mount head and counts against the mount's payload figure alongside the tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a saddle swap: the original Vixen-size saddle comes off the mount head and the FDS7 bolts down in its place using whichever of the machined hole patterns matches. A hex key and a few minutes cover it on most heads.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it fit my EQ6 or Orion Atlas?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThose are among the mounts Farpoint names for the hole patterns machined into this saddle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan it take a Vixen-size dovetail?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe jaws are cut for the D-size (Losmandy-style) standard, which is the wider profile. A Vixen bar would not clamp securely in them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does the non-marring clamping bar do?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe clamping screw loads a full bar instead of touching the dovetail, so the pressure lands on a flat face and the anodizing comes away without divots or scratches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow much weight will it carry?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe saddle hands the tube's load to the mount beneath it, so the limit is the mount's own payload rating rather than a figure for the saddle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a 7″ D-size saddle with a non-marring full clamping bar and multiple machined hole patterns for Vixen-style mount heads, CNC-machined in the USA and weighing 2.125 lb — the one part that moves a mount from Vixen to Losmandy dovetails.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297418895471,"sku":"FDS7","price":211.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781722201729.jpg?v=1781722203"},{"product_id":"farpoint-vixen-dovetail-plate-armored-strip-celestron-8-inch-sct","title":"Farpoint Vixen Dovetail Plate - Armored Strip - Celestron 8 Inch SCT","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint FVC8-AS is a Vixen-style (V-size) dovetail plate kit for the Celestron 8″ SCT. The bar is machined from aluminum with a black anodized finish and carries a stainless steel armored strip along the edge where saddle set screws bear. Radius blocks cut to the curve of the 8″ tube and the mounting screws ship with it. Farpoint gives the shipping weight as 1.938 lb, and the parts are CNC-machined in the United States.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It’s For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThis is a good match if you carry a Celestron 8″ SCT on a Vixen-style saddle and want the dovetail edge protected where the set screws clamp.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThis is a good match if you move the tube between mounts often, so the bar is clamped and released repeatedly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThis is a good match if you are replacing an original bar whose dovetail edge has already been grooved.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStainless steel armored strip:\u003c\/strong\u003e runs along the dovetail where set screws bear, so the point load lands on hardened steel rather than anodized aluminum.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eV-size dovetail profile:\u003c\/strong\u003e the bar is cut to the Vixen standard and seats in any Vixen saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRadius blocks included:\u003c\/strong\u003e shaped to the curve of the Celestron 8″ tube so the bar beds against the OTA rather than bridging it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack anodized aluminum:\u003c\/strong\u003e the bar and blocks are machined from aluminum and anodized black.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMounting screws supplied:\u003c\/strong\u003e the hardware needed to attach the bar to the tube is in the box.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublished weight 1.938 lb:\u003c\/strong\u003e light enough to leave on the tube between sessions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCNC-machined in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e Farpoint machines the bar and blocks in the United States.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA flat dovetail bar bolted straight to a round SCT tube touches it only at the bolt holes. The radius blocks in this kit are cut to the curve of the 8″ tube and sit between bar and OTA, so the clamping load spreads across a curved contact face instead of concentrating at two points. The armored strip addresses a separate wear path. Saddles and accessories that hold the bar with a set screw press a small point load into the dovetail edge, and on bare aluminum that contact pits and grooves the surface over time, which lets the clamped joint go slack. The stainless strip takes that contact in place of the aluminum.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMounting a Celestron 8″ SCT on a Vixen-style equatorial or alt-azimuth saddle for visual sessions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMoving the same 8″ OTA between a portable mount and a permanent setup, where the dovetail is clamped and released often.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAstrophotography runs where a marked, loose-fitting dovetail would let the tube settle under the saddle mid-sequence.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReplacing a Vixen bar whose clamping edge has already been cut up by set screws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTelescope:\u003c\/strong\u003e Celestron 8″ SCT optical tube assembly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDovetail standard:\u003c\/strong\u003e V-size (Vixen). It seats in Vixen saddles; a D-size (Losmandy) saddle takes the wider D profile, and an adapter bridges the two standards.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKit contents:\u003c\/strong\u003e dovetail bar, radius blocks matched to the 8″ tube, mounting screws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClamping edge:\u003c\/strong\u003e stainless steel armored strip.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial and finish:\u003c\/strong\u003e black anodized aluminum.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e CNC-machined in the United States.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTell us your scope and mount and we’ll confirm the fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe armored strip earns its keep only where a set screw clamps.\u003c\/strong\u003e Saddles that hold the bar with a flat clamping bar press across the face rather than into it, and they leave a plain aluminum dovetail unmarked — the standard FVC8 covers that case.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThis is a V-size bar.\u003c\/strong\u003e A mount with a D-size (Losmandy) saddle takes the wider profile, so a D bar or a Vixen-to-D adapter is the route there.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe telescope is not included.\u003c\/strong\u003e The kit is the bar, the radius blocks and the screws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublished weight is 1.938 lb.\u003c\/strong\u003e Shipping is calculated on a rounded 2 lb.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFarpoint publishes no bar length for this model.\u003c\/strong\u003e We can measure a unit from stock if the exact length matters to your setup.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a bolt-on part. The radius blocks locate against the curve of the tube, the bar sits on top of them, and the supplied screws pull the assembly together with a hex key.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does the armored strip actually do?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt gives set screws a hardened steel surface to bear against. On a bare aluminum dovetail, set screws mar and pit the edge, cutting grooves that make the clamped connection progressively sloppier. The stainless strip absorbs that contact instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does this differ from the plain Vixen bar?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe profile, the radius blocks and the screws are the same. The armored version adds the stainless strip along the clamping edge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich mounts take this bar?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAny mount with a Vixen-style (V-size) saddle — the narrower of the two common dovetail standards, found on most small and mid-size equatorial and alt-azimuth mounts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a Celestron 8″ SCT Vixen dovetail kit — bar, radius blocks and screws, 1.938 lb as published — with a stainless armored strip on the clamping edge so set screws bear on steel rather than anodized aluminum.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297418928239,"sku":"FVC8-AS","price":154.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781722228642.jpg?v=1781722231"},{"product_id":"farpoint-dovetail-plate-celestron-11-inch-sct","title":"Farpoint Dovetail Plate - Celestron 11 Inch SCT","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint FDC11 is a complete D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail kit for the Celestron 11″ SCT. A 17.25″ bar pairs with radius blocks machined to the curve of the 11″ tube, and the mounting screws are supplied. Everything is machined from aluminum with a black anodized finish. Farpoint gives the shipping weight as 3.533 lb, and the parts are CNC-machined in the United States.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It’s For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThis is a good match if you are putting a Celestron 11″ SCT onto a mount with a D-size saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThis is a good match if you want the bar, the matched radius blocks and the hardware in one kit rather than sourcing blocks separately.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThis is a good match if you are moving up from a Vixen bar and want the wider D profile carrying the tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e17.25″ D-size bar:\u003c\/strong\u003e the full Losmandy dovetail profile, long enough to give the saddle a wide clamping span along the tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRadius blocks matched to the 11″ tube:\u003c\/strong\u003e machined to the tube’s curve so the bar beds against the OTA instead of bridging it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMounting screws included:\u003c\/strong\u003e the kit ships with the hardware that attaches the assembly to the tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack anodized aluminum:\u003c\/strong\u003e bar and blocks are machined from aluminum and anodized black.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublished weight 3.533 lb:\u003c\/strong\u003e a figure worth carrying into your payload budget alongside the OTA and imaging train.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCNC-machined in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e Farpoint machines the bar and blocks in the United States.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bar is flat and the SCT tube is round, so bolting one straight to the other leaves contact only at the fastener holes, and every bit of the tube’s weight travels through those two points. The radius blocks are cut to the exact curve of the Celestron 11″ tube and sit in between, so the load spreads across a curved bearing surface along the length of the bar. At 17.25″ the bar also gives a D-size saddle a long clamping span, which is what keeps an 11″ tube from rocking fore and aft under its own moment when the mount slews.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarrying a Celestron 11″ SCT on a Losmandy, or on any equatorial mount with a D-size saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLong-exposure imaging where a stiff tube-to-saddle connection keeps guiding corrections small.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVisual sessions where the tube is balanced fore and aft by sliding the bar in the saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReplacing a stock Vixen bar that is undersized for the mass of an 11″ OTA.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTelescope:\u003c\/strong\u003e Celestron 11″ SCT optical tube assembly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDovetail standard:\u003c\/strong\u003e D-size (Losmandy). It seats in D-size saddles; a narrower V-size (Vixen) saddle takes the Vixen profile instead.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBar length:\u003c\/strong\u003e 17.25″.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKit contents:\u003c\/strong\u003e 17.25″ dovetail bar, radius blocks matched to the 11″ tube, mounting screws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial and finish:\u003c\/strong\u003e black anodized aluminum.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e CNC-machined in the United States.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTell us your scope and mount and we’ll confirm the fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe telescope is not included.\u003c\/strong\u003e The kit is the 17.25″ bar, the radius blocks and the mounting screws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThis is a D-size bar.\u003c\/strong\u003e A mount whose saddle is V-size (Vixen) takes the narrower profile, so a Vixen bar or a saddle conversion is the route there — Farpoint makes both.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublished weight is 3.533 lb.\u003c\/strong\u003e Shipping is calculated on a rounded 4 lb, and the bar itself adds that mass to what the mount carries.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe radius blocks are specific to the 11″ tube diameter.\u003c\/strong\u003e They are cut for the C11 and are not the blocks used on the 8″, 9.25″ or 14″ kits.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFarpoint publishes no hole spacing for this kit.\u003c\/strong\u003e The bar drawing on the product page shows the pattern, and we can send measurements if your tube has been modified.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a bolt-on job. The radius blocks locate against the curve of the tube, the bar lies across them, and the supplied screws draw the stack together with a hex key. No machining or drilling is part of it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is in the kit?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 17.25″ D-size dovetail bar, the radius blocks machined to match the Celestron 11″ tube, and the mounting screws — everything needed to attach the bar to the optical tube.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy radius blocks rather than bolting the bar straight on?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tube is round and the bar is flat. The blocks are cut to the tube’s curve so the clamping load spreads across the contact surface rather than concentrating at the bolt holes, which makes for a stiffer connection and less local stress on the tube.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich mounts take this bar?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAny mount with a D-size (Losmandy-style) saddle — Losmandy’s own mounts and the many others that accept the wider D standard. Where a mount still carries a small Vixen saddle, a D-size saddle conversion opens it up to this bar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: the complete Losmandy D-size mounting kit for a Celestron 11″ SCT — a 17.25″ anodized aluminum bar, radius blocks cut to the 11″ tube, and the screws to bolt it all down, at a published 3.533 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297424924783,"sku":"FDC11","price":177.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781722306554.jpg?v=1781722308"},{"product_id":"d-handle-only-for-farpoint-dovetail-adapter","title":"D-Handle Only for Farpoint Dovetail Adapter","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint HandleD-FDA is a closed-grip carry handle that bolts onto the Farpoint Dovetail Accessory Adapter (FDA). With the handle fitted, the FDA clamps to a D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail bar and turns that bar into a lifting point for the optical tube. This listing is the handle on its own at a published 0.688 lb; the FDA is a separate part. CNC-machined in the United States.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It’s For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThis is a good match if you already own an FDA and want a closed-loop grip on it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThis is a good match if you prefer a suitcase-style handle to the open hook of the L-handle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThis is a good match if you carry a tube from storage to the mount by hand and would rather lift by a handle than by the dovetail edge.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClosed D loop:\u003c\/strong\u003e the grip is a closed shape, so your hand stays captured on the handle the way it does on a suitcase.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBolts to the FDA:\u003c\/strong\u003e it mounts to the Farpoint Dovetail Accessory Adapter, which is what actually clamps the dovetail bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWorks on D-size bars:\u003c\/strong\u003e through the FDA, the handle ends up on any Losmandy-standard dovetail.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublished weight 0.688 lb:\u003c\/strong\u003e a small addition to what the mount carries if the assembly stays on the tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHandle only:\u003c\/strong\u003e this listing covers the handle; the FDA base is bought separately or as part of the D-Handle Kit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCNC-machined in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e Farpoint machines the handle in the United States.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdding a carry point to an FDA that is already clamped to a tube’s D-size bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLifting a Schmidt-Cassegrain or Newtonian tube in and out of a case by a fixed grip rather than by the corrector cell or the tube rings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSetting up and tearing down at a dark site, where the tube is handled in the dark.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSwapping a previously fitted L-handle for a closed-loop grip on the same FDA.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAttaches to:\u003c\/strong\u003e Farpoint Dovetail Accessory Adapter (FDA).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReaches:\u003c\/strong\u003e D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail bars, by way of the FDA’s clamp.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDovetail standard:\u003c\/strong\u003e D-size. The FDA base clamps the wider D profile, not the narrower V-size (Vixen) bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn the box:\u003c\/strong\u003e the closed-grip D handle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAlternative grip:\u003c\/strong\u003e the L-handle fits the same FDA and gives an open, hook-style grip.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e CNC-machined in the United States.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTell us your scope and the dovetail bar on it and we’ll confirm the fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe FDA is not included.\u003c\/strong\u003e This is the handle alone; it needs an FDA to clamp to a dovetail. The D-Handle Kit bundles both pieces for anyone starting from scratch.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe FDA clamps D-size bars only.\u003c\/strong\u003e A telescope carrying a V-size (Vixen) bar would need a D bar first for this combination to reach it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublished weight is 0.688 lb.\u003c\/strong\u003e Shipping is calculated on a rounded 1 lb.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eD-handle and L-handle do the same job.\u003c\/strong\u003e Both bolt to the FDA; the difference is a closed loop against an open hook, and it comes down to what suits your hand.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFarpoint publishes no dimensions for the handle.\u003c\/strong\u003e We can measure one from stock if the grip opening matters for gloved handling.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. The handle bolts to the FDA with its fasteners, and the FDA in turn clamps onto the dovetail bar. It is a hand-tool job with no machining.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes anything else need to be bought with it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint Dovetail Accessory Adapter (FDA), which is sold separately. The handle mounts to the FDA rather than to the telescope or the bar directly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does it compare with the L-handle?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBoth attach to the FDA and both give a carrying grip on the dovetail bar. The D-handle is a closed loop, like a suitcase handle; the L-handle is an open, hook-style grip.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it work with my dovetail bar?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe FDA base clamps D-size (Losmandy-style) bars, which are the wider of the two common standards. Send us a photo of your bar and we’ll tell you which standard you have.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a 0.688 lb closed-grip D handle, CNC-machined in the USA, that bolts to a Farpoint FDA and gives a D-size dovetail bar a proper lifting point — handle only, with the FDA bought separately.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297425023087,"sku":"HandleD-FDA","price":91.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781722315291.jpg?v=1781722317"},{"product_id":"farpoint-d-size-saddle-conversion-for-sky-watcher-eq6-orion-atlas","title":"Farpoint D-Size Saddle Conversion for Sky-Watcher EQ6 \/ Orion Atlas","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint FDSEQ replaces the small Vixen-style saddle fitted to older Sky-Watcher EQ6 and Orion Atlas mounts with a complete 7″ D-size (Losmandy-style) saddle. It is a drop-in unit: the three screws already holding the stock puck are what hold the Farpoint saddle. Machined from aluminum with a black anodized finish, published weight 1.063 lb, CNC-machined in the United States.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It’s For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThis is a good match if your EQ6 or Atlas came with the narrow Vixen puck and the tube you want to carry rides on a D-size bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThis is a good match if you are loading the mount closer to its capacity and want a longer clamping span under the dovetail.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThis is a good match if you would rather change the saddle than keep an adapter stacked on top of the stock one.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFull 7″ D-size saddle:\u003c\/strong\u003e the complete Losmandy-standard profile, not a plate bolted over the original.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDrop-in fit:\u003c\/strong\u003e it mounts on the screws that already hold the stock saddle puck, so no new holes are involved.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReversible:\u003c\/strong\u003e the original saddle goes back on the same screws whenever it is wanted.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack anodized aluminum:\u003c\/strong\u003e machined from aluminum and anodized black to match the mount.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublished weight 1.063 lb:\u003c\/strong\u003e close to what the stock puck weighs, so the mount’s balance behaviour changes little.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCNC-machined in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e Farpoint machines the saddle in the United States.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stock EQ6 and Atlas saddle is a short Vixen puck, and a short puck grips a dovetail over a small span. With a heavy tube that span becomes the weak link: the bar can rock in the saddle, and any play there shows up at the eyepiece and in guiding. The Farpoint unit swaps the whole puck for a 7″ D-size saddle, which does two things at once. It lengthens the clamped span along the dovetail, and it moves the joint to the wider Losmandy profile, where the dovetail walls are further apart and better placed to resist the tube’s twisting moment. The mounting interface is unchanged — the same screw pattern on the declination axis carries the new saddle — so the conversion is mechanical rather than structural, and it undoes as easily as it goes on.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePutting an SCT or refractor that already wears a D-size bar onto an older EQ6 or Atlas.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eImaging rigs on an EQ6-class mount, where the saddle joint is one of the last remaining sources of flexure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConsolidating a mixed setup onto one dovetail standard so tubes swap between mounts without adapters.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRefreshing a used EQ6 or Atlas whose stock puck is worn or marked.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMounts:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sky-Watcher EQ6 and Orion Atlas carrying the standard (older) saddle profile.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDovetail standard accepted:\u003c\/strong\u003e D-size (Losmandy-style) bars.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSaddle length:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7″.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInstallation:\u003c\/strong\u003e loosen the stock puck screws, fit the complete unit, re-tighten. No machining or drilling.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial and finish:\u003c\/strong\u003e black anodized aluminum.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e CNC-machined in the United States.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTell us your scope and mount — a photo of the stock saddle is enough — and we’ll confirm the fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe EQ6 family shipped with more than one saddle profile.\u003c\/strong\u003e This unit fits the standard, older profile; Farpoint publishes a profile diagram, and a photo of your mount’s puck lets us match it against that drawing for you.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo dovetail bar is included.\u003c\/strong\u003e This is the saddle conversion alone, and it pairs with a D bar already on the tube or with a universal D-size bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe saddle accepts D-size bars.\u003c\/strong\u003e A tube still carrying a V-size (Vixen) bar would move to a D bar to use this saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublished weight is 1.063 lb.\u003c\/strong\u003e Shipping is calculated on a rounded 2 lb.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe change is reversible.\u003c\/strong\u003e The stock puck refits on the same screws, which matters if the mount is later sold on with its original parts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. The screws holding the original saddle puck come loose, the stock saddle lifts off, the Farpoint unit goes on in its place, and the same screws are re-tightened. There is no machining, no drilling, and the job reverses just as easily.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it fit my mount?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt fits Sky-Watcher EQ6 and Orion Atlas mounts with the standard, older saddle profile. The EQ6 family was built with more than one profile over the years, so the stock puck is worth comparing against Farpoint’s profile diagram — or send us a photo of your saddle and we’ll do the comparison.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs a dovetail bar included?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. This is the saddle conversion only. It works with the D bar already on your telescope or with one of the universal D-size bars.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does the conversion actually gain?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA 7″ D-size clamping span in place of the short Vixen puck, which is a longer and wider joint between tube and mount — the difference shows up as less flexure and less rocking under a heavy load.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a 7″ Losmandy D-size saddle that takes the place of the stock Vixen puck on an older EQ6 or Atlas, fitted with the mount’s own screws, 1.063 lb as published, and fully reversible.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297425219695,"sku":"FDSEQ","price":211.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781722327069.jpg?v=1781722328"},{"product_id":"farpoint-vixen-dovetail-plate-armored-strip-celestron-9-25-inch-sct","title":"Farpoint Vixen Dovetail Plate - Armored Strip - Celestron 9.25 Inch SCT","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint FVC9.25S-AS is a 17.25″ Vixen-style (V-size) dovetail plate kit for the Celestron 9.25″ SCT in its post-2008 form. The bar is machined from aluminum with a black anodized finish and carries a stainless steel armored strip along the edge that saddle set screws bear on. Radius blocks and mounting screws are included. Farpoint gives the shipping weight as 1.813 lb, and the parts are CNC-machined in the United States.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It’s For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThis is a good match if you carry a newer Celestron 9.25″ SCT on a Vixen-style saddle and want the clamping edge protected.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThis is a good match if your saddle or accessory clamps hold the bar with set screws rather than a flat clamping bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThis is a good match if you are replacing a bar whose dovetail edge has already been grooved by repeated clamping.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStainless steel armored strip:\u003c\/strong\u003e set along the clamping edge, so set-screw pressure lands on hardened steel rather than anodized aluminum.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e17.25″ V-size bar:\u003c\/strong\u003e the Vixen profile at a length that gives the saddle a wide clamping span and the tube room to be balanced fore and aft.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRadius blocks included:\u003c\/strong\u003e machined to the curve of the 9.25″ tube so the bar beds against the OTA.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack anodized aluminum:\u003c\/strong\u003e bar and blocks are machined from aluminum and anodized black.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMounting screws supplied:\u003c\/strong\u003e the hardware to bolt the assembly to the tube is in the box.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublished weight 1.813 lb:\u003c\/strong\u003e light enough to stay on the tube between sessions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCNC-machined in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e Farpoint machines the bar and blocks in the United States.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo separate things are going on in this bar. The radius blocks handle the interface to the tube: a flat bar bolted straight onto a round 9.25″ OTA would touch only at the fastener holes, whereas blocks cut to the tube’s curve spread the clamping load along a curved bearing face, which stiffens the joint and keeps the load off two small points of the tube wall. The armored strip handles the interface to the mount. Where a saddle clamps with a set screw, all of the holding force arrives through a single hardened point pressed into the dovetail edge; on bare aluminum that point digs in, and the pits and grooves it leaves make each subsequent clamp-up a little less precise. The stainless strip gives that screw steel to bite on, so the dovetail geometry stays as machined over years of clamping.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMounting a post-2008 Celestron 9.25″ SCT on a Vixen-style equatorial or alt-azimuth saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSetups where the tube comes off the mount after every session and the dovetail is clamped and released constantly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eImaging runs where a worn, loose dovetail joint would let the tube settle mid-sequence.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBalancing a 9.25″ tube with a heavy imaging train by sliding it along the 17.25″ of bar available.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTelescope:\u003c\/strong\u003e Celestron 9.25″ SCT optical tube assembly, newer models from 2008 onward.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDovetail standard:\u003c\/strong\u003e V-size (Vixen). It seats in Vixen saddles; a D-size (Losmandy) saddle takes the wider profile, and an adapter bridges the two.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBar length:\u003c\/strong\u003e 17.25″.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKit contents:\u003c\/strong\u003e dovetail bar, radius blocks, mounting screws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClamping edge:\u003c\/strong\u003e stainless steel armored strip.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial and finish:\u003c\/strong\u003e black anodized aluminum.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e CNC-machined in the United States.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTell us your scope and mount and we’ll confirm the fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFarpoint specifies this kit for the newer, 2008-and-later Celestron 9.25″ OTA.\u003c\/strong\u003e Earlier 9.25″ tubes used a different arrangement, and we can check a serial number or a photo of your tube against it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe armored strip earns its keep only where a set screw clamps.\u003c\/strong\u003e Saddles that hold the bar with a flat clamping bar press across the face instead of into it and leave a plain aluminum dovetail unmarked; the standard FVC9.25S covers that case.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThis is a V-size bar.\u003c\/strong\u003e A mount with a D-size (Losmandy) saddle takes the wider profile, so a D bar or a Vixen-to-D adapter is the route there.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe telescope is not included.\u003c\/strong\u003e The kit is the 17.25″ bar, the radius blocks and the screws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublished weight is 1.813 lb.\u003c\/strong\u003e Shipping is calculated on a rounded 2 lb.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a bolt-on part. The radius blocks locate against the curve of the tube, the bar lies across them, and the supplied screws pull the assembly together with a hex key.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does the armored strip actually do?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt gives set screws a hardened steel surface to bear against. On a bare aluminum dovetail, set screws mar and pit the edge, cutting grooves that make the clamped connection progressively sloppier. The stainless strip absorbs that contact instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does this differ from the plain Vixen bar?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 17.25″ profile, the radius blocks and the screws are the same. The armored version adds the stainless strip along the clamping edge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it fit an older 9.25″ tube?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFarpoint lists this kit for the newer 9.25″ OTA, 2008 and later. Send us a photo of the rear cell or the serial number and we’ll tell you which generation you have.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: the 17.25″ Vixen dovetail kit for a post-2008 Celestron 9.25″ SCT — bar, matched radius blocks and screws at a published 1.813 lb — with a stainless armored strip so set screws bear on steel rather than anodized aluminum.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297426137199,"sku":"FVC9.25S-AS","price":169.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781722325429.jpg?v=1781722327"},{"product_id":"farpoint-dovetail-plate-celestron-14-inch-sct","title":"Farpoint Dovetail Plate - Celestron 14 Inch SCT","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint FDC14 is a complete D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail kit for the Celestron 14″ SCT. A 23.75″ bar pairs with radius blocks machined to the curve of the 14″ tube, and the mounting screws are supplied. Bar and blocks are machined from aluminum with a black anodized finish. Farpoint gives the shipping weight as 4.433 lb, and the parts are CNC-machined in the United States.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It’s For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThis is a good match if you are putting a Celestron 14″ SCT onto a mount with a D-size saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThis is a good match if you want the bar, the matched radius blocks and the hardware as one kit rather than sourcing blocks separately.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThis is a good match if visual work and general observatory duty, rather than a fully automated imaging rig, are what the tube does most nights.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e23.75″ D-size bar:\u003c\/strong\u003e the full Losmandy dovetail profile, run long to give a big saddle a wide clamping span under a 14″ tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRadius blocks matched to the 14″ tube:\u003c\/strong\u003e machined to the tube’s curve so the bar beds against the OTA instead of bridging it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMounting screws included:\u003c\/strong\u003e the hardware that attaches the assembly to the tube ships with the kit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack anodized aluminum:\u003c\/strong\u003e bar and blocks are machined from aluminum and anodized black.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublished weight 4.433 lb:\u003c\/strong\u003e a real figure for the payload budget, on top of the C14 tube and whatever is hanging off the back.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCNC-machined in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e Farpoint machines the bar and blocks in the United States.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA Celestron 14 is a long, heavy tube, and everything it weighs passes through the dovetail joint. Two lengths matter here. The radius blocks set how the bar meets the tube: cut to the curve of the 14″ OTA, they give a bearing surface along the bar rather than contact at the fastener holes, which keeps the clamping load off two small patches of tube wall. The 23.75″ bar length sets how the assembly meets the mount, giving a D-size saddle a long span to clamp and a long run for balancing a tube whose centre of gravity moves as cameras and focusers go on and come off. Farpoint also publishes a heavy-duty C14 plate at 1.5″ thick for rigs where bar stiffness is the limiting factor rather than the saddle joint.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarrying a Celestron 14″ SCT on a Losmandy, or on any mount with a D-size saddle rated for the load.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVisual observatory work where the tube stays on the mount and is balanced once.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGeneral-duty imaging where a long clamping span keeps the tube from rocking in the saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReplacing a dovetail that is short or narrow for the mass of a C14.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTelescope:\u003c\/strong\u003e Celestron 14″ SCT optical tube assembly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDovetail standard:\u003c\/strong\u003e D-size (Losmandy). It seats in D-size saddles; a narrower V-size (Vixen) saddle takes the Vixen profile instead.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBar length:\u003c\/strong\u003e 23.75″.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKit contents:\u003c\/strong\u003e 23.75″ dovetail bar, radius blocks matched to the 14″ tube, mounting screws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial and finish:\u003c\/strong\u003e black anodized aluminum.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e CNC-machined in the United States.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTell us your scope and mount and we’ll confirm the fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe telescope is not included.\u003c\/strong\u003e The kit is the 23.75″ bar, the radius blocks and the mounting screws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA heavier plate exists for imaging rigs.\u003c\/strong\u003e Farpoint’s heavy-duty C14 plate is 1.5″ thick and considerably stiffer, which is the option where vibration settling time and auto-guider workload are the concern.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThis is a D-size bar.\u003c\/strong\u003e A mount whose saddle is V-size (Vixen) takes the narrower profile, so a saddle conversion or a Vixen bar is the route there.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublished weight is 4.433 lb.\u003c\/strong\u003e Shipping is calculated on a rounded 5 lb, and the bar adds that mass to what the mount carries.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe radius blocks are specific to the 14″ tube diameter.\u003c\/strong\u003e They are cut for the C14 and are not the blocks used on the 8″, 9.25″ or 11″ kits.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a bolt-on job. The radius blocks locate against the curve of the tube, the bar lies across them, and the supplied screws draw the stack together with a hex key. No machining or drilling is part of it. A C14 is heavy enough that a second pair of hands, or a cradle to rest the tube in, makes the work easier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is in the kit?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 23.75″ D-size dovetail bar, the radius blocks machined to match the Celestron 14″ tube, and the mounting screws — everything needed to attach the bar to the optical tube.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis kit or the heavy-duty C14 plate?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis standard kit suits visual use and general duty. The heavy-duty plate is 1.5″ thick and many times stiffer, which pays off on automated imaging rigs by cutting vibration, settling time and the work the auto-guider has to do.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich mounts take this bar?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAny mount with a D-size (Losmandy-style) saddle — Losmandy’s own mounts and the many others that accept the wider D standard. Where a mount still carries a small Vixen saddle, a D-size saddle conversion opens it up to this bar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: the complete Losmandy D-size mounting kit for a Celestron 14″ SCT — a 23.75″ anodized aluminum bar, radius blocks cut to the 14″ tube, and the screws to bolt it down, at a published 4.433 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297428529263,"sku":"FDC14","price":245.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781722415469.jpg?v=1781722419"},{"product_id":"farpoint-14-inch-dovetail-saddle","title":"Farpoint 14 Inch Dovetail Saddle","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint 14″ Dovetail Saddle clamps D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail bars and gives twice the clamping length of a standard 7″ saddle. It is machined from aluminum with a black anodized finish and CNC-machined in the USA. A non-marring clamping bar spreads the grip across a long stretch of the dovetail face rather than concentrating it at a single screw tip.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you…\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ecarry a long D-size dovetail bar and want the clamping load spread over 14″ rather than 7″\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003erun a heavy optical tube and want more contact area between saddle and bar\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ealready own D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail hardware and are adding a saddle to match\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ewant clamping that leaves the anodizing on your dovetail intact\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e14″ clamping length:\u003c\/strong\u003e twice the length of the 7″ saddle in the same line, spreading the grip along the bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNon-marring clamping bar:\u003c\/strong\u003e a full bar presses flat on the dovetail face instead of a bare screw tip, so clamping stays smooth and repeatable and leaves no divots.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eD-size fit:\u003c\/strong\u003e clamps D-size (Losmandy-style) bars, the wider of the two common dovetail standards.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack anodized aluminum:\u003c\/strong\u003e machined from sturdy aluminum with a black anodized finish.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e CNC-machined in the USA.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublished weight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4.25 lb.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dovetail saddle holds the bar by pinching its angled faces. With a bare clamp screw the whole load sits on one point, and over time the screw tip cuts divots into the aluminum; the bar then wanders into those old grooves and the joint develops play. The clamping bar on this saddle presents a flat face along the dovetail, so the same clamping force is distributed over a much larger area. The 14″ span also resists the twisting moment a long or heavy tube applies to the joint, which is where the extra length over a 7″ saddle shows up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMounting a long refractor or a large SCT that already rides on a D-size bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarrying a 14″ or longer dovetail bar where a 7″ saddle grips only part of it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSupporting side-by-side tandem work — Farpoint publishes 14″, 18″ and 22″ tandem bars for two-scope setups.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnattended imaging runs where a settled, repeatable clamp matters.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDovetail standard:\u003c\/strong\u003e D-size (Losmandy-style) bars. V-size (Vixen-style) bars are narrower and are handled by the V-size saddles in the same line.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLength:\u003c\/strong\u003e 14″.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRelated saddles:\u003c\/strong\u003e the 7″ saddle covers Vixen-style mount head upgrades; the 6″ Takahashi saddle converts EM-style mounts to quick release; the 7″ EQ6 \/ Atlas conversion replaces the stock Vixen saddle on an EQ6 or Orion Atlas; and the 7″ D-to-V adapter assembly puts a D-bar telescope on a V-size mount.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTandem work:\u003c\/strong\u003e Farpoint's 14″, 18″ and 22″ side-by-side bars pair with this saddle for two-scope rigs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTell us your telescope and mount and we’ll confirm the fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSaddle only.\u003c\/strong\u003e The dovetail bar and the mount are separate items.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eD-size profile.\u003c\/strong\u003e The jaws are cut for the wider D-size bar, so a narrower V-size bar sits loose in them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMount interface varies.\u003c\/strong\u003e The saddle bolts to a mount head, and the bolt pattern on your particular mount determines what hardware is involved; we can look that up with you.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublished weight is 4.25 lb.\u003c\/strong\u003e Shipping is calculated at 5 lb, the next whole pound.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich dovetail bars does it clamp?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eD-size (Losmandy-style) bars — the wider of the two standards. The narrower V-size (Vixen-style) bars are handled by the V-size saddles in the same line.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a bolt-on part. The saddle fastens to the mount head with the mount's own hardware, and the telescope's dovetail then slides in and is clamped. No machining or alignment procedure is involved.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does “non-marring” mean?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInstead of a screw tip digging into the dovetail, a full clamping bar presses flat against the dovetail face. It grips at least as hard and leaves no divots or scratches in the anodizing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen does the 14″ length pay off?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith long bars and heavier tubes, where the extra clamping length spreads the load and adds stability. For a Vixen-style mount head upgrade, the 7″ saddle is the one in this line.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a 14″ D-size saddle with a non-marring clamping bar, CNC-machined in the USA from black anodized aluminum and published at 4.25 lb — twice the clamping length of the standard 7″ saddle, for long bars and heavy tubes.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297428856943,"sku":"FDS14","price":245.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781722430351.jpg?v=1781722432"},{"product_id":"farpoint-90mm-d-style-dovetail-rings","title":"Farpoint 90mm D Style Dovetail Rings","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint 90mm D Style Dovetail Rings are a pair of rings with a 90mm inner diameter that bolt to a D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail plate and carry a guide scope, finder or other optical accessory above the main telescope. Three adjustment screws per ring center the tube, grip it and set where it points. The pair is CNC-machined in the USA and published at 2.313 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you…\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ehave a guide scope or finder with a tube outer diameter below 80mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ealready run a D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail plate and want to add a second optic to it\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eautoguide and need to move a guide star onto the sensor by aiming the guide scope\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ewant a rigid mechanical path between the guide scope and the imaging telescope\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e90mm inner diameter:\u003c\/strong\u003e holds tubes with an outer diameter below 80mm, leaving at least 10mm for the adjustment screws to work in.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThree-point adjustment per ring:\u003c\/strong\u003e the screws center the tube, hold it and fine-tune its aim.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStandard 1″ screws included:\u003c\/strong\u003e short .5″ and long 1.5″ screw sets are published separately for tubes near the working limit or well under it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eD-size mounting:\u003c\/strong\u003e the rings bolt to a D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail plate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSold as a pair:\u003c\/strong\u003e two rings with their adjustment screws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e CNC-machined in the USA.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThree screws spaced around a ring locate a cylinder kinematically: the tube seats against all three regardless of how far under 90mm it is, so the guide scope stays centered instead of resting on the bottom of the ring. Adjusting the screws differentially tilts the tube within the ring, and tilting both rings together shifts where the guide scope points relative to the main telescope — the mechanism by which a guide star is walked onto the guider's sensor. Screw length is what sets the usable range: 1.5″ screws reach further inward for a small tube, .5″ screws suit a tube close to the ring's 80mm limit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarrying a 50mm to 80mm guide scope above an imaging refractor or SCT for autoguiding.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMounting a large finder or a wide-field piggyback optic on a D-size plate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdding a second short-focal-length tube to a dual-rig imaging setup.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHolding a camera lens or small astrograph that falls inside the 80mm limit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTube diameter:\u003c\/strong\u003e tubes with an outer diameter below 80mm. Farpoint's guidance is to pick a ring at least 10mm larger than the tube O.D.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDovetail standard:\u003c\/strong\u003e D-size (Losmandy-style) plates. The dovetail plate itself is a separate item, and Farpoint publishes universal D-size dovetail bars for this.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOther ring sizes:\u003c\/strong\u003e 108mm rings hold tubes below 98mm, 125mm rings hold tubes below 115mm, and 160mm rings hold tubes below 150mm.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eV-size setups:\u003c\/strong\u003e a Vixen-style (V-size) rig uses the Vixen scope rings in the same line.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScrew sets:\u003c\/strong\u003e .5″, 1″ and 1.5″ adjustment screws are sold separately to tune reach to the tube diameter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTell us your guide scope and dovetail plate and we’ll confirm the fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe dovetail plate is not included.\u003c\/strong\u003e The rings bolt to a D-size plate supplied separately.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e80mm is the working ceiling.\u003c\/strong\u003e A tube at or above 80mm O.D. leaves too little room for the screws, and the 108mm rings cover that range.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTubes much smaller than 90mm need longer screws.\u003c\/strong\u003e The 1.5″ screw set adds the reach; the rings ship with 1″ screws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublished weight is 2.313 lb for the pair.\u003c\/strong\u003e Shipping is calculated at 3 lb, the next whole pound.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill these fit my guide scope?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey hold any tube with an outer diameter below 80mm. The ring needs at least 10mm over the tube O.D. so the three adjustment screws can center and grip it. For a tube much smaller than that, the long 1.5″ screws add reach.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a bolt-and-adjust job. The rings bolt to the D-size dovetail plate, the guide scope drops in, and the three screws per ring are brought up evenly until the tube is centered and held. Aiming is done afterwards with the same screws.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the dovetail bar included?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo — the rings bolt to a D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail plate supplied separately. Farpoint's universal D-size dovetail bars cover this.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the 3-point adjustment for?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach ring has three screws spaced around the tube. They center the guide scope, hold it and let you fine-tune where it points, which is how a guide star is brought onto the sensor. The rings ship with standard 1″ screws; .5″ and 1.5″ sets are available separately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a CNC-machined pair of 90mm D-size rings with three-point adjustment, holding tubes below 80mm O.D. on a Losmandy-style dovetail plate, published at 2.313 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297429053551,"sku":"FDR90","price":194.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781722418353.jpg?v=1781722420"},{"product_id":"farpoint-vixen-dovetail-plate-armored-strip-celestron-9-25-inch-sct-pre-2008","title":"Farpoint Vixen Dovetail Plate - Armored Strip - Celestron 9.25 Inch SCT (pre 2008)","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the Farpoint Vixen-style dovetail kit for the pre-2008 Celestron 9.25″ SCT, built with a stainless steel armored strip along the clamping face. The bar is 19″ long, machined from aluminum with a black anodized finish, and ships with radius blocks and mounting screws matched to the 9.25″ tube. It is CNC-machined in the USA and published at 1.813 lb. Apart from the armored strip, it is the same bar as the regular Farpoint Vixen dovetail for this tube.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you…\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eown a pre-2008 Celestron 9.25″ SCT and are fitting or replacing its dovetail bar\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003emount on a V-size (Vixen-style) saddle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003euse a saddle or accessories that clamp with a set screw and want hardened steel where the screw bites\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ehave seen grooves or pitting develop on a bare aluminum dovetail and want to avoid a repeat\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStainless steel armored strip:\u003c\/strong\u003e a hardened strip runs along the dovetail where set screws clamp, taking the bite instead of the aluminum.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e19″ bar length:\u003c\/strong\u003e a long V-size bar sized for the 9.25″ tube; the product drawing gives the full layout.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eV-size (Vixen-style) profile:\u003c\/strong\u003e the narrower of the two common dovetail standards.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRadius blocks included:\u003c\/strong\u003e blocks matched to the curvature of the 9.25″ tube, plus the mounting screws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack anodized aluminum:\u003c\/strong\u003e machined from sturdy aluminum with a black anodized finish.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e CNC-machined in the USA.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany V-size saddles and accessories clamp by driving a set screw against the side of the dovetail. The screw tip concentrates the entire clamping load on a point of bare aluminum, which mars and pits the edge; once grooves are cut, the bar settles into the old grooves on every remount and the joint develops slop. The armored strip places stainless steel at exactly that contact line, so the set screw presses on a surface hard enough to resist it. Underneath, the radius blocks give the flat bar a curved interface matched to the 9.25″ tube, spreading the mounting load across the tube wall rather than loading the attachment bosses alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFitting a pre-2008 Celestron 9.25″ SCT to a Vixen-style mount saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReplacing an original dovetail bar that has been grooved by set screws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRigs where the tube is mounted and dismounted often and the clamp position needs to repeat.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSetups where accessories such as guide scope mounts also clamp to the bar with set screws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTelescope:\u003c\/strong\u003e Celestron 9.25″ SCT optical tube assemblies, older models produced before 2008.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e2008-and-newer tubes:\u003c\/strong\u003e Farpoint publishes a separate post-2008 armored kit for those; the attachment differs between the two generations.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDovetail standard:\u003c\/strong\u003e V-size (Vixen-style), which suits most small and mid-size equatorial and alt-az mount saddles.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eD-size mounts:\u003c\/strong\u003e a heavier mount with a D-size (Losmandy-style) saddle is served by the D-size SCT kits in the same line.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArmor or not:\u003c\/strong\u003e where every saddle in the rig clamps with a full clamping bar rather than a set screw, the regular unarmoured version of this bar covers the same job for less.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTell us your telescope serial number and mount and we’ll confirm which generation of kit fits.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGeneration matters.\u003c\/strong\u003e This kit is cut for pre-2008 9.25″ tubes; the post-2008 tubes take the other version.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe telescope is separate.\u003c\/strong\u003e The kit is the bar, radius blocks and screws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eV-size only.\u003c\/strong\u003e The bar is the narrower Vixen profile and sits loose in a D-size saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe armor is only useful against set screws.\u003c\/strong\u003e Clamping-bar saddles press flat on the dovetail and do not mar it either way.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublished weight is 1.813 lb.\u003c\/strong\u003e Shipping is calculated at 2 lb, the next whole pound.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does the armored strip do?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a stainless steel strip along the dovetail where set screws clamp. Set screws mar and pit bare aluminum, cutting grooves that eventually make the connection sloppy; the hardened strip takes the bite without damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a bolt-on kit. The radius blocks and supplied screws fasten the bar to the tube's existing attachment points, and the bar then drops into the mount's Vixen saddle. No drilling or modification of the telescope is involved.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I actually need the armor?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt matters where a saddle or accessory clamps with a set screw. Saddles that use a clamping bar press flat against the dovetail and leave it unmarked, and the regular version does the same job in that case.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat mounts will this work with?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAny mount with a Vixen-style (V-size) saddle — the smaller of the two common dovetail standards, found on most small and mid-size equatorial and alt-az mounts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a 19″ Vixen-style dovetail bar for the pre-2008 Celestron 9.25″ SCT, with a stainless steel armored strip where set screws clamp, radius blocks and screws included, published at 1.813 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297432330351,"sku":"FVC9.25L-AS","price":169.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781722470293.jpg?v=1781722472"},{"product_id":"farpoint-108mm-d-style-dovetail-rings","title":"Farpoint 108mm D Style Dovetail Rings","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint 108mm D Style Dovetail Rings are a pair of rings with a 108mm inner diameter that bolt to a D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail plate and carry a guide scope, finder or other optical accessory above the main telescope. Three adjustment screws per ring center the tube, grip it and set where it points. The pair is CNC-machined in the USA and published at 2.313 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you…\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ehave a guide scope, finder or small astrograph with a tube outer diameter below 98mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ealready run a D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail plate and want to add a second optic to it\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eautoguide and need to move a guide star onto the sensor by aiming the guide scope\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003efound the 90mm rings too small for the tube you want to carry\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e108mm inner diameter:\u003c\/strong\u003e holds tubes with an outer diameter below 98mm, leaving at least 10mm for the adjustment screws to work in.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThree-point adjustment per ring:\u003c\/strong\u003e the screws center the tube, hold it and fine-tune its aim.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStandard 1″ screws included:\u003c\/strong\u003e short .5″ and long 1.5″ screw sets are published separately for tubes near the working limit or well under it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eD-size mounting:\u003c\/strong\u003e the rings bolt to a D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail plate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSold as a pair:\u003c\/strong\u003e two rings with their adjustment screws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e CNC-machined in the USA.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThree screws spaced around a ring locate a cylinder kinematically: the tube seats against all three regardless of how far under 108mm it is, so the guide scope stays centered instead of resting on the bottom of the ring. Adjusting the screws differentially tilts the tube within the ring, and tilting both rings together shifts where the guide scope points relative to the main telescope — the mechanism by which a guide star is walked onto the guider's sensor. Screw length sets the usable range: 1.5″ screws reach further inward for a small tube, .5″ screws suit a tube close to the ring's 98mm limit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarrying an 80mm to 98mm guide scope or short refractor above an imaging telescope.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMounting a large finder or a wide-field piggyback optic on a D-size plate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdding a second tube to a dual-rig imaging setup where the 90mm rings are undersized.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHolding a camera lens or small astrograph that falls inside the 98mm limit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTube diameter:\u003c\/strong\u003e tubes with an outer diameter below 98mm. Farpoint's guidance is to pick a ring at least 10mm larger than the tube O.D.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDovetail standard:\u003c\/strong\u003e D-size (Losmandy-style) plates. The dovetail plate itself is a separate item, and Farpoint publishes universal D-size dovetail bars for this.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOther ring sizes:\u003c\/strong\u003e 90mm rings hold tubes below 80mm, 125mm rings hold tubes below 115mm, and 160mm rings hold tubes below 150mm.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eV-size setups:\u003c\/strong\u003e a Vixen-style (V-size) rig uses the Vixen scope rings in the same line.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScrew sets:\u003c\/strong\u003e .5″, 1″ and 1.5″ adjustment screws are sold separately to tune reach to the tube diameter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTell us your guide scope and dovetail plate and we’ll confirm the fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe dovetail plate is not included.\u003c\/strong\u003e The rings bolt to a D-size plate supplied separately.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e98mm is the working ceiling.\u003c\/strong\u003e A tube at or above 98mm O.D. leaves too little room for the screws, and the 125mm rings cover that range.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTubes much smaller than 108mm need longer screws.\u003c\/strong\u003e The 1.5″ screw set adds the reach; the rings ship with 1″ screws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublished weight is 2.313 lb for the pair.\u003c\/strong\u003e Shipping is calculated at 3 lb, the next whole pound.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill these fit my guide scope?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey hold any tube with an outer diameter below 98mm. The ring needs at least 10mm over the tube O.D. so the three adjustment screws can center and grip it. For a tube much smaller than that, the long 1.5″ screws add reach.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a bolt-and-adjust job. The rings bolt to the D-size dovetail plate, the guide scope drops in, and the three screws per ring are brought up evenly until the tube is centered and held. Aiming is done afterwards with the same screws.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the dovetail bar included?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo — the rings bolt to a D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail plate supplied separately. Farpoint's universal D-size dovetail bars cover this.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the 3-point adjustment for?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach ring has three screws spaced around the tube. They center the guide scope, hold it and let you fine-tune where it points, which is how a guide star is brought onto the sensor. The rings ship with standard 1″ screws; .5″ and 1.5″ sets are available separately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a CNC-machined pair of 108mm D-size rings with three-point adjustment, holding tubes below 98mm O.D. on a Losmandy-style dovetail plate, published at 2.313 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297434755183,"sku":"FDR108","price":197.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781722544736.jpg?v=1781722546"},{"product_id":"farpoint-d-to-v-dovetail-adapter-assembly-tall-losmandy-to-vixen","title":"Farpoint D-to-V Dovetail Adapter Assembly, Tall (Losmandy to Vixen)","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint D-to-V Dovetail Adapter Assembly (Tall) lets a telescope carrying a D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail bar mount on a V-size (Vixen-style) mount. It is an assembly of Farpoint's 7″ D-size saddle bolted to a 7″ V-size dovetail bar: the V bar drops into the mount's saddle, and the D saddle on top clamps the telescope's bar. The tall version adds two spacer pucks that raise the assembly. Machined from aluminum with a black anodized finish, CNC-machined in the USA, published at 2.625 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you…\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ehave a telescope on a D-size (Losmandy-style) bar and a mount with a V-size (Vixen-style) saddle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ewant to keep the existing D bar on the tube rather than swapping it for a V bar\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003emove one telescope between mounts of both standards\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003efound the clamping knobs awkward to reach on a low-profile adapter and want the extra height the spacer pucks give\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTwo-standard bridge:\u003c\/strong\u003e D-size saddle above, V-size bar below, converting a D-bar telescope to a V-size mount.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e7″ D-size saddle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Farpoint's own 7″ saddle forms the upper half of the assembly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e7″ V-size dovetail bar:\u003c\/strong\u003e the lower half drops into any Vixen-style mount saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTwo spacer pucks:\u003c\/strong\u003e the tall version's pucks raise the assembly for easier access to the clamping knobs in some mount configurations.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack anodized aluminum:\u003c\/strong\u003e machined from sturdy aluminum with a black anodized finish.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e CNC-machined in the USA.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe two dovetail standards differ in width and wedge angle, so a bar of one profile cannot seat in a saddle of the other. This assembly stacks the two interfaces back to back: the V-size bar on the underside presents the narrower Vixen profile to the mount, and the D-size saddle bolted on top presents the wider Losmandy jaws to the telescope. Every load therefore passes through two clamped joints instead of one, which is why both halves run the full 7″ rather than a short block. The spacer pucks sit between the saddle and the bar and lift the saddle body clear of the mount head, which is what opens up finger room around the clamping knobs on mounts where the saddle would otherwise sit close in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePutting an SCT or refractor that already carries a Losmandy bar onto a Vixen-saddle mount.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSharing one optical tube between a large D-saddle mount and a smaller V-saddle mount.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTravel rigs where the lighter Vixen-saddle mount goes out and the heavier mount stays home.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMount heads where clamping knobs sit close to the casting and the added height helps.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDirection of conversion:\u003c\/strong\u003e telescope with a D-size (Losmandy-style) bar onto a mount with a V-size (Vixen-style) saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOpposite direction:\u003c\/strong\u003e a V-size bar onto a D-size mount is handled by the V-to-D adapter saddle in the same line.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMount side:\u003c\/strong\u003e any mount with a Vixen-style saddle that accepts a 7″ bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTelescope side:\u003c\/strong\u003e any D-size Losmandy-style bar the 7″ saddle can clamp.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRelated saddles:\u003c\/strong\u003e the 7″ and 14″ D-size saddles, the 6″ Takahashi saddle, and the 7″ EQ6 \/ Atlas conversion cover the other mounting jobs in this line.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTell us your telescope and mount and we’ll confirm the fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt converts one way.\u003c\/strong\u003e The assembly takes a D bar onto a V mount; the reverse case is the V-to-D adapter saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe assembly adds height.\u003c\/strong\u003e Raising the telescope above the mount head lengthens the lever arm on the mount, which is worth weighing on a mount already near its load limit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLoad capacity is set by the mount.\u003c\/strong\u003e A Vixen-saddle mount is generally the lighter of the two classes, and the adapter does not change what the mount can carry.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOnly the adapter is included.\u003c\/strong\u003e The telescope's D bar and the mount are separate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublished weight is 2.625 lb.\u003c\/strong\u003e Shipping is calculated at 3 lb, the next whole pound.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich direction does it convert?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt puts a telescope with a D-size (Losmandy-style) bar onto a V-size (Vixen-style) mount. The V bar on the bottom drops into the mount's saddle; the D saddle on top clamps the telescope's bar. The opposite conversion is the V-to-D adapter saddle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is nothing to assemble. The V bar slides into the mount's saddle and is clamped, then the telescope's D bar slides into the saddle on top and is clamped. Both are the same motions used to mount a telescope normally.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat are the spacer pucks for?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe two pucks raise the assembly, and the extra height makes the clamping knobs easier to reach in some mount configurations. That is what distinguishes the tall version.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is included?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe complete assembly: the 7″ D-size saddle, a 7″ V-size dovetail bar, and 2 spacer pucks. The telescope's D bar and the mount are the only other pieces involved.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a 7″ D-size saddle on a 7″ V-size bar with two spacer pucks, putting a Losmandy-bar telescope on a Vixen-saddle mount, CNC-machined in the USA and published at 2.625 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297435279471,"sku":"FDS2V-T","price":279.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781722549007.jpg?v=1781722551"},{"product_id":"farpoint-heavy-duty-dovetail-plate-celestron-14-inch-sct","title":"Farpoint Heavy-Duty Dovetail Plate - Celestron 14 Inch SCT","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is Farpoint's heavy-duty D-size (Losmandy-style) support plate for the Celestron C-14. The plate is 1.5″ thick — twice the thickness of the standard plate and many times stiffer — while spacecraft-style light-weighting holds it to 6 lb. The kit includes radius blocks matched to the C-14 tube. It is machined from aluminum with a black anodized finish and CNC-machined in the USA.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Losmandy-style dovetail that became the standard for attaching Schmidt-Cassegrain tubes to German equatorial mounts was originally designed as an accessory mounting device, not as the sole support for an optical tube the size of a C-14. With high-precision mounts, automated pointing and unattended imaging now routine, the support bar is often the softest link in the chain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you…\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eown a Celestron C-14 and image with it on a German equatorial mount\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003esee settling time after a slew, wind sensitivity or guiding effort that traces back to flexure in the support bar\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003erun unattended sessions where pointing accuracy over a whole night matters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ewant more stiffness under the tube without adding much weight to the payload\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e1.5″ plate thickness:\u003c\/strong\u003e twice the standard plate, and many times stiffer as a result.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e6 lb finished weight:\u003c\/strong\u003e spacecraft-style light-weighting removes material where it carries little load.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eD-size (Losmandy-style) profile:\u003c\/strong\u003e drops into any Losmandy-standard saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eC-14 radius blocks:\u003c\/strong\u003e blocks matched to the curvature of the C-14 tube ship with the kit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack anodized aluminum:\u003c\/strong\u003e machined from aluminum with a black anodized finish.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e CNC-machined in the USA.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBending stiffness rises with the cube of section depth, so doubling a plate from the standard thickness to 1.5″ multiplies its resistance to flexure several times over. Farpoint recovers the weight that extra depth would otherwise cost by light-weighting the section — pocketing out material near the neutral axis, where it contributes little to stiffness — which is how a plate twice as thick still comes in at 6 lb. The practical result is lower deflection under the C-14's mass and a higher first resonant frequency in the tube-to-mount path: less vibration amplitude, quicker damping after a pointing move, less sensitivity to wind, better pointing accuracy and less correction work for an auto-guider. The radius blocks distribute the load into the tube wall along a matched curve rather than concentrating it at the attachment points.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLong-exposure imaging with a C-14 on a precision German equatorial mount.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnattended or remotely operated observatory rigs running all night.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSites with wind, where settling time between subs costs usable frames.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReplacing a standard-thickness C-14 bar that visibly flexes under the tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTelescope:\u003c\/strong\u003e Celestron C-14 optical tube assembly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDovetail standard:\u003c\/strong\u003e D-size (Losmandy-style) saddles.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSaddle depth:\u003c\/strong\u003e the plate is 1.5″ thick, so the saddle jaws need to open far enough to take it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOther Celestron kits:\u003c\/strong\u003e Farpoint publishes a 13.5″ bar for the 8″ SCT and HD8, a 17.25″ bar for the 2008-and-newer 9.25″ SCT, a 17.25″ bar for the 11″ SCT, a 23.75″ bar for visual and general-duty 14″ SCT use, and a 19″ bar for the 8″ RASA.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMeade tubes:\u003c\/strong\u003e those are covered by the D-size telescope bar kits in the same line.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTell us your mount and saddle and we’ll confirm that the 1.5″ plate fits before you order.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKit only.\u003c\/strong\u003e The plate and radius blocks are what ship; the telescope is separate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSaddle opening is the fit question.\u003c\/strong\u003e Some Losmandy-standard saddles are cut for standard-thickness bars, and 1.5″ is deeper than that — we are glad to check yours.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt is a C-14-specific kit.\u003c\/strong\u003e The radius blocks are matched to that tube's curvature; the 23.75″ standard 14″ SCT bar covers visual and general-duty use on the same tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublished weight is 6 lb.\u003c\/strong\u003e Farpoint's shipping record for this item carries 7.5 lb, so the packed carton runs heavier than the plate itself.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eD-size only.\u003c\/strong\u003e A V-size (Vixen-style) saddle takes a narrower bar than this plate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does the extra stiffness actually buy me?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLess vibration, which shows up as lower wind sensitivity, shorter settling time after every pointing move, better pointing accuracy and less work for the auto-guider. On an unattended imaging rig those gains compound across the night.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a bolt-on replacement. The radius blocks and plate fasten to the C-14's existing attachment points, and the plate then drops into the mount's Losmandy saddle. Nothing on the telescope is drilled or modified.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs a 1.5″-thick plate heavy?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt comes in at 6 lb. The light-weighting is what keeps a plate of twice the standard thickness, and many times the stiffness, to that figure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat mounts will this work with?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAny mount with a D-size (Losmandy-style) saddle whose jaws open to 1.5″. Send us your mount model and we’ll check the saddle for you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a 1.5″-thick, light-weighted D-size support plate for the Celestron C-14, 6 lb with C-14 radius blocks included, CNC-machined in the USA for imaging rigs where support-bar flexure is the limiting factor.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297435377775,"sku":"FDHDC14","price":516.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781722534767.jpg?v=1781722536"},{"product_id":"farpoint-vixen-dovetail-plate-armored-strip-meade-7-inch-mak","title":"Farpoint Vixen Dovetail Plate - Armored Strip - Meade 7 Inch Mak","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint FVM7-AS is a 17.25″ Vixen-style (V-size) dovetail bar machined for the Meade 7″ Maksutov-Cassegrain optical tube assembly. It carries the same profile as the standard Farpoint Vixen bar, with the addition of a stainless steel armored strip along the face where saddle set screws bite. The kit ships with the dovetail bar and its radius blocks, CNC-machined in the USA from aluminum with a black anodized finish. Published weight is 1.813 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you…\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eown a Meade 7″ Maksutov-Cassegrain and want it on a Vixen-style saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003euse a mount or accessory that clamps with a set screw pressed against the dovetail.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ehave seen grooves or pitting develop on a bare aluminum bar and want a harder clamping surface.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eare replacing or upgrading an existing V-size bar on the same tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStainless steel armored strip:\u003c\/strong\u003e a hardened strip runs along the dovetail where set screws clamp, taking the bite in place of the aluminum underneath.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e17.25″ bar length:\u003c\/strong\u003e sized to the Meade 7″ Mak tube, giving a long clamping run for balance adjustment fore and aft.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eV-size profile:\u003c\/strong\u003e cut to the Vixen-style dovetail standard, the narrower of the two common standards.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRadius blocks included:\u003c\/strong\u003e blocks machined to the curve of the tube ship with the bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack anodized aluminum:\u003c\/strong\u003e a non-reflective finish over machined aluminum.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCNC-machined in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e produced by Farpoint in the United States.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany Vixen-size saddles and accessories hold the bar with a set screw pressed directly against the dovetail. Over repeated sessions that screw mars the aluminum and pits the edge, and the grooves it cuts let the screw wander — which shows up later as slop in the connection between tube and mount. The armored strip places hardened stainless steel at exactly that contact point, so the clamping force lands on steel rather than on the softer bar. The radius blocks work on the other face of the same problem: they are machined to the curve of the 7″ tube, so the bar seats against the contour of the optical tube and spreads the load across the contact surface instead of concentrating it at the bolt holes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMounting a Meade 7″ Mak on a Vixen-style saddle for visual observing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLong imaging runs where a set-screw saddle is clamped and unclamped repeatedly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRebalancing the tube fore and aft along the bar when a camera or diagonal changes the centre of gravity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReplacing a bar whose dovetail edge has already been grooved by set screws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTravel setups where the tube comes on and off the mount at every session.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bar is cut to the V-size (Vixen-style) dovetail standard and fits any mount with a Vixen-style saddle — the smaller of the two common dovetail standards, found on most small and mid-size equatorial and alt-azimuth mounts. The radius blocks and hole pattern are machined for the Meade 7″ Maksutov-Cassegrain optical tube assembly. Farpoint's related Vixen kits cover other Meade tubes: a 13.5″ bar for the Meade 8″ SCT and a 17.25″ bar for the Meade 10″ SCT, each offered with or without the armored strip. A D-size (Losmandy-style) saddle takes a D-size bar rather than this one. If you are unsure which standard your saddle uses, we are glad to check the fit — your telescope and mount model is all we need.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe armored strip matters only with set-screw clamping.\u003c\/strong\u003e Saddles that hold the bar with a flat clamping bar, including Farpoint-style saddles, press against the dovetail without marring it; on those the standard version of this bar does the same job.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThis is the Meade 7″ Mak kit.\u003c\/strong\u003e The bar length and radius blocks are specific to that tube, so other Meade models take their own kits.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eV-size only.\u003c\/strong\u003e The bar clamps into a Vixen-style saddle and does not seat in a D-size saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublished weight is 1.813 lb.\u003c\/strong\u003e That figure is the bar and blocks as shipped.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo mount or saddle is included.\u003c\/strong\u003e The kit is the dovetail bar and its radius blocks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does the armored strip do?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a stainless steel strip along the dovetail where set screws clamp. Set screws mar and pit bare aluminum, cutting grooves that eventually make the connection sloppy. The hardened strip takes the bite without that damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I actually need it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt earns its place when your saddle or accessories clamp with a set screw. Saddles that use a clamping bar press flat against the dovetail and leave it unmarked, and in that case the regular version covers the same ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bar bolts to the existing mounting holes on the Meade 7″ Mak tube with the radius blocks seated between bar and tube. It is a hand-tool job with hex keys, done once, and the tube can stay on its cradle while the bar goes on.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat mounts will this work with?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAny mount with a Vixen-style (V-size) saddle. That covers most small and mid-size equatorial and alt-azimuth mounts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre the radius blocks included?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — the kit is the dovetail bar together with its radius blocks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a 17.25″ V-size dovetail bar for the Meade 7″ Mak, with radius blocks and a stainless steel strip that puts hardened metal where set screws clamp, machined in the USA and weighing 1.813 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297436819567,"sku":"FVM7-AS","price":169.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781722599723.jpg?v=1781722601"},{"product_id":"farpoint-125mm-d-style-dovetail-rings","title":"Farpoint 125mm D Style Dovetail Rings","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint FDR125 is a pair of rings with a 125mm inner diameter that bolt to a D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail plate and carry a guide scope, finder, or other optical accessory above the main telescope. Three adjustment screws per ring centre the tube, hold it, and set where it points. The pair ships with standard 1″ screws, CNC-machined in the USA, at a published weight of 2.313 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you…\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eare adding a guide scope to a rig that already runs a D-size dovetail.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ehave a guide scope or finder with a tube outer diameter below 115mm.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ewant the guide scope aimable rather than fixed, so a guide star can be brought onto the sensor.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eare replacing plastic or single-screw ring clamps with machined aluminum rings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e125mm inner diameter:\u003c\/strong\u003e sized to hold tubes with an outer diameter below 115mm, leaving the screws room to work.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThree-point adjustment per ring:\u003c\/strong\u003e six screws across the pair centre the tube and set its aim.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStandard 1″ screws included:\u003c\/strong\u003e short .5″ and long 1.5″ screw sets are sold separately for tubes near the working limit or well under it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eD-size mounting:\u003c\/strong\u003e the rings bolt onto a Losmandy-style dovetail plate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSupplied as a pair:\u003c\/strong\u003e two rings, so the tube is supported at two points along its length.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCNC-machined in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e produced by Farpoint in the United States.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach ring carries three screws spaced around its circumference rather than a single pinch bolt. Three points of contact define the position of a cylinder, so the tube is centred by geometry rather than by being squeezed against one side of the ring. Turning the screws differentially tilts the guide scope within the ring by small amounts, which is how a guide star is walked onto the sensor without moving the main telescope. Because the adjustment range depends on how far the screws reach inward, screw length is matched to tube diameter: a tube close to the 115mm working limit sits near the ring wall and suits the short .5″ screws, while a much smaller tube needs the long 1.5″ screws to reach it. The underside of the rings bolts to a D-size dovetail plate, so the whole guide scope assembly clamps into the mount as one rigid unit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarrying an autoguider scope alongside a main imaging telescope on a D-size plate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMounting a wide-field refractor piggyback for dual-scope imaging.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHolding a large finder or a rich-field spotting scope on top of a Newtonian or SCT.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAiming a guide scope onto a suitable guide star during a framing session.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuilding a permanent imaging train where the guide scope stays aligned between nights.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rings mount to D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail plates, which are sold separately — Farpoint's universal D-size dovetail bars are the usual pairing. On the tube side, a ring works with any tube whose outer diameter is below 115mm; Farpoint's guidance is to pick a ring at least 10mm larger than the tube O.D. so the adjustment screws have travel to centre it. The rest of the line covers other diameters: 90mm rings for tubes below 80mm, 108mm rings for tubes below 98mm, and 160mm rings for tubes below 150mm. Ring screws come in .5″, 1″, and 1.5″ lengths to match screw reach to tube diameter. A V-size (Vixen) rig takes Farpoint's Vixen scope rings instead. If you are unsure which ring size suits your guide scope, we are glad to work it out — the tube's outer diameter and your dovetail standard are all we need.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe dovetail plate is sold separately.\u003c\/strong\u003e The rings bolt to a D-size plate you supply; the plate is not part of this item.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTube outer diameter below 115mm.\u003c\/strong\u003e A 125mm ring leaves roughly 10mm of working clearance, which is the span the adjustment screws take up.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStandard 1″ screws ship with the rings.\u003c\/strong\u003e The .5″ and 1.5″ sets are separate purchases for tubes at the edges of the range.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eD-size mounting pattern.\u003c\/strong\u003e The rings are drilled for Losmandy-style plates; a Vixen rig takes the V-size rings from the same line.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublished weight is 2.313 lb for the pair.\u003c\/strong\u003e That figure is worth adding to the payload total when the mount is near its capacity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill these fit my guide scope?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey hold any tube with an outer diameter below 115mm. The ring works best with at least 10mm over the tube O.D. so the three screws per ring can centre and grip it. For a tube much smaller than the ring, the long 1.5″ screws add reach.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the dovetail bar included?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo — the rings bolt to a D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail plate, which is a separate item.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the 3-point adjustment for?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach ring has three screws spaced around the tube. They centre the guide scope, hold it, and let you fine-tune where it points, which is how a guide star is placed on the sensor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rings bolt to the dovetail plate with hex hardware, then the guide scope drops in and the three screws per ring are snugged evenly. It is a hand-tool job, and the rings can stay on the plate between sessions once set.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan they hold something other than a guide scope?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes — finders, small refractors, and other accessories within the 115mm tube limit all sit in the same rings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a machined pair of 125mm D-style rings with three-point adjustment per ring, carrying guide scopes and finders below 115mm tube O.D. on a Losmandy-style dovetail, at a published 2.313 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297437278319,"sku":"FDR125","price":211.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781722639803.jpg?v=1781722641"},{"product_id":"farpoint-dovetail-plate-meade-8-inch-sct","title":"Farpoint Dovetail Plate - Meade 8 Inch SCT","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint FDM8 is a complete kit for putting a Meade 8″ f\/10 SCT onto a D-size (Losmandy-style) saddle. It comprises a 13.5″ dovetail bar, radius blocks machined to the curve of the 8″ tube, and the mounting screws that hold the assembly together. The parts are CNC-machined in the USA from aluminum with a black anodized finish, at a published weight of 1.875 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you…\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eown a Meade 8″ f\/10 SCT and are moving it onto a D-size saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ewant the bar, blocks, and hardware as one kit rather than sourcing them separately.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eare stepping up from a V-size bar to the wider Losmandy standard for a heavier imaging train.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eare replacing a factory bar with something machined to the tube's curve.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e13.5″ bar length:\u003c\/strong\u003e matched to the Meade 8″ tube, giving a clamping run long enough to shift the tube fore and aft for balance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eD-size profile:\u003c\/strong\u003e cut to the Losmandy-style dovetail standard, the wider of the two common standards.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRadius blocks matched to the 8″ tube:\u003c\/strong\u003e machined to the tube's curve rather than left flat.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMounting screws included:\u003c\/strong\u003e the kit ships with the hardware that attaches bar to tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack anodized aluminum:\u003c\/strong\u003e a non-reflective finish over machined aluminum.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCNC-machined in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e produced by Farpoint in the United States.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe radius blocks are the reason this is a kit rather than a bare bar. Bolting a flat bar directly to a round tube gives two lines of contact at the bolt holes, and the clamping force concentrates there — on a thin-walled SCT tube that is where flexure and, over time, distortion start. Each block is machined to the exact curve of the 8″ tube, so it seats against the contour and spreads the clamping load across the whole contact surface instead of pinching at two points. The bar above them is cut to the D-size profile, which is wider than the Vixen standard and gives a saddle more clamping area and a longer moment arm to resist twist — useful once a camera, filter wheel, and off-axis guider are hanging off the back of an 8″ SCT. The 13.5″ length then determines how much fore-and-aft travel is available to rebalance the tube as that imaging train changes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMounting a Meade 8″ f\/10 SCT on a Losmandy or other D-size-compatible saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDeep-sky imaging where a camera and accessories shift the tube's balance point rearward.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlanetary and lunar work where a stiff tube-to-mount connection keeps a long focal length steady.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRebalancing the tube along the bar after adding or removing a diagonal, camera, or focal reducer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSetups where the tube comes off the mount between sessions and the bar stays on the tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bar is cut to the D-size (Losmandy-style) standard and seats in any mount with a D-size saddle — Losmandy mounts and the many others that accept the wider standard. The radius blocks and hole pattern are machined for the Meade 8″ f\/10 SCT optical tube assembly, so the kit is specific to that tube. A mount with a Vixen-only saddle takes a V-size bar instead; Farpoint's Vixen line covers the same Meade 8″ tube with a 13.5″ V-size bar, offered with or without a stainless steel armored strip. Accessories that bolt to a D-size plate — guide scope rings, side-by-side tandem bars, and similar — share the same standard. If you are unsure whether your mount's saddle takes a D-size bar, we are glad to check — your mount model is all we need.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThis kit is specific to the Meade 8″ f\/10 SCT.\u003c\/strong\u003e The radius blocks are machined to that tube's diameter, and other Meade models have their own kits.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eD-size only.\u003c\/strong\u003e The bar clamps into a Losmandy-style saddle; a Vixen-only saddle takes the V-size version.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe kit is bar, blocks, and screws.\u003c\/strong\u003e No mount, saddle, or rings are included.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublished weight is 1.875 lb.\u003c\/strong\u003e That figure counts toward the mount's payload along with the tube and imaging train.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBare aluminum at the clamping face.\u003c\/strong\u003e A saddle that holds the bar with a set screw marks aluminum over time; the armored-strip versions in Farpoint's Vixen line address that case, and D-size saddles with a flat clamping bar leave the dovetail unmarked.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is included in the kit?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 13.5″ D-size dovetail bar, radius blocks machined to match the Meade 8″ tube, and the mounting screws — everything needed to attach the bar to the optical tube.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat mounts will this work with?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAny mount with a D-size (Losmandy-style) saddle, which includes Losmandy mounts and the many others that accept the wider D standard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy radius blocks instead of bolting the bar straight on?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blocks are machined to the curve of the 8″ tube, so clamping load spreads across the contact surface rather than concentrating at the bolt holes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blocks seat between bar and tube at the tube's existing mounting holes, and the supplied screws draw the assembly down. It is a hand-tool job with hex keys, done once, and the bar can then stay on the tube between sessions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it fit the Meade 10″ SCT as well?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo — the radius blocks are cut for the 8″ tube diameter. Farpoint makes a separate kit for the 10″ tube.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a complete 13.5″ D-size dovetail kit — bar, tube-matched radius blocks, and screws — that puts a Meade 8″ f\/10 SCT on a Losmandy-style saddle, machined in the USA at a published 1.875 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297438425199,"sku":"FDM8","price":160.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781722663829.jpg?v=1781722665"},{"product_id":"farpoint-160mm-d-style-dovetail-rings","title":"Farpoint 160mm D Style Dovetail Rings","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint FDR160 is a pair of rings with a 160mm inner diameter that bolt to a D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail plate and carry a guide scope, finder, or other optical accessory above the main telescope. It is the largest ring in the Farpoint D-style line, sized for tubes with an outer diameter below 150mm. Three adjustment screws per ring centre the tube, hold it, and set where it points. The pair ships with standard 1″ screws, CNC-machined in the USA, at a published weight of 2.313 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you…\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eare carrying a larger secondary tube — a short refractor rather than a small guide scope.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ehave a tube with an outer diameter in the 130–150mm range.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ealready run a D-size dovetail plate and want to add a second optic above the main tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ewant the secondary tube aimable so a guide star can be brought onto the sensor.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e160mm inner diameter:\u003c\/strong\u003e the largest in the D-style ring line, holding tubes with an outer diameter below 150mm.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThree-point adjustment per ring:\u003c\/strong\u003e six screws across the pair centre the tube and set its aim.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStandard 1″ screws included:\u003c\/strong\u003e short .5″ and long 1.5″ sets are sold separately to match screw reach to tube diameter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eD-size mounting:\u003c\/strong\u003e the rings bolt onto a Losmandy-style dovetail plate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSupplied as a pair:\u003c\/strong\u003e two rings, supporting the tube at two points along its length.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCNC-machined in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e produced by Farpoint in the United States.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach ring carries three screws spaced around its circumference rather than a single pinch bolt. Three points of contact define the position of a cylinder, so the tube is centred by geometry rather than squeezed against one side of the ring. Turning the screws differentially tilts the tube within the ring by small amounts, which is how a guide star is walked onto a sensor without moving the main telescope. Screw length is matched to tube diameter because the adjustment range depends on how far the screws reach inward: a tube close to the 150mm working limit sits near the ring wall and suits the short .5″ screws, while a much smaller tube needs the long 1.5″ screws to reach it. At 160mm this is the largest ring in the line, so it is carrying more mass at a greater radius than the smaller rings — the two-ring spacing along the tube is what holds that load rigid. The underside bolts to a D-size dovetail plate, so the assembly clamps into the mount as one unit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarrying a short-tube refractor piggyback above a main imaging telescope.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRunning a larger guide scope where a small finder-style guider is not enough aperture.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDual-scope imaging where the secondary tube is a wide-field optic in its own right.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMounting a large spotting scope or rich-field tube on a D-size plate for visual work.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuilding a permanent imaging train where the secondary tube stays aligned between nights.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rings mount to D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail plates, which are sold separately — Farpoint's universal D-size dovetail bars are the usual pairing. On the tube side, the rings work with any tube whose outer diameter is below 150mm; Farpoint's guidance is to pick a ring at least 10mm larger than the tube O.D. so the adjustment screws have travel to centre it. The rest of the line covers smaller diameters: 90mm rings for tubes below 80mm, 108mm rings for tubes below 98mm, and 125mm rings for tubes below 115mm. Ring screws come in .5″, 1″, and 1.5″ lengths. A V-size (Vixen) rig takes Farpoint's Vixen scope rings instead. If you are unsure which ring size suits your tube, we are glad to work it out — the tube's outer diameter and your dovetail standard are all we need.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe dovetail plate is sold separately.\u003c\/strong\u003e The rings bolt to a D-size plate you supply; the plate is not part of this item.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTube outer diameter below 150mm.\u003c\/strong\u003e A 160mm ring leaves roughly 10mm of working clearance, which is the span the adjustment screws take up.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA much smaller tube suits a smaller ring.\u003c\/strong\u003e Dropping a 90mm tube into a 160mm ring leaves 35mm per side for the screws to span, which is where the long 1.5″ screws come in — or a 108mm or 125mm ring instead.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStandard 1″ screws ship with the rings.\u003c\/strong\u003e The .5″ and 1.5″ sets are separate purchases.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublished weight is 2.313 lb for the pair.\u003c\/strong\u003e The tube it carries adds to that figure against the mount's rated capacity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill these fit my guide scope?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey hold any tube with an outer diameter below 150mm. The ring works best with at least 10mm over the tube O.D. so the three screws per ring can centre and grip it. For a tube much smaller than the ring, the long 1.5″ screws add reach.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the dovetail bar included?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo — the rings bolt to a D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail plate, which is a separate item.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is the 3-point adjustment for?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach ring has three screws spaced around the tube. They centre the tube, hold it, and let you fine-tune where it points, which is how a guide star is placed on the sensor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rings bolt to the dovetail plate with hex hardware, then the tube drops in and the three screws per ring are snugged evenly. It is a hand-tool job, and the rings can stay on the plate between sessions once set.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does this compare with the 125mm rings?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSame design and the same three-point adjustment; the 160mm rings hold tubes below 150mm O.D. where the 125mm rings hold tubes below 115mm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: the largest rings in Farpoint's D-style line — a machined 160mm pair with three-point adjustment, carrying tubes below 150mm O.D. on a Losmandy-style dovetail, at a published 2.313 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297439539311,"sku":"FDR160","price":208.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781722728263.jpg?v=1781722730"},{"product_id":"farpoint-vixen-dovetail-plate-armored-strip-meade-8-inch-sct","title":"Farpoint Vixen Dovetail Plate - Armored Strip - Meade 8 Inch SCT","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint FVM8-AS is a 13.5″ Vixen-style (V-size) dovetail bar machined for the Meade 8″ Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube assembly. It carries the same profile as the standard Farpoint Vixen bar for this tube, with the addition of a stainless steel armored strip along the face where saddle set screws bite. The bar is CNC-machined in the USA from aluminum with a black anodized finish, at a published weight of 1.938 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you…\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eown a Meade 8″ SCT and want it on a Vixen-style saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003euse a mount or accessory that clamps with a set screw pressed against the dovetail.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ehave seen grooves or pitting develop on a bare aluminum bar and want a harder clamping surface.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eare replacing or upgrading an existing V-size bar on the same tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStainless steel armored strip:\u003c\/strong\u003e a hardened strip runs along the dovetail where set screws clamp, taking the bite in place of the aluminum underneath.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e13.5″ bar length:\u003c\/strong\u003e sized to the Meade 8″ SCT tube, with clamping run to shift the tube fore and aft for balance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eV-size profile:\u003c\/strong\u003e cut to the Vixen-style dovetail standard, the narrower of the two common standards.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack anodized aluminum:\u003c\/strong\u003e a non-reflective finish over machined aluminum.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMatches the standard bar otherwise:\u003c\/strong\u003e identical to the regular Farpoint Vixen bar for this tube apart from the strip.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCNC-machined in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e produced by Farpoint in the United States.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany Vixen-size saddles and accessories hold the bar with a set screw pressed directly against the dovetail. Over repeated sessions that screw mars the aluminum and pits the edge, and the grooves it cuts let the screw wander — which shows up later as slop in the connection between tube and mount, at the worst possible place in the system, since every tracking error at that joint is amplified by the focal length above it. The armored strip puts hardened stainless steel exactly where the screw bites, so the clamping force lands on steel rather than on the softer bar and the dovetail keeps its original profile. On an 8″ SCT that joint carries a fair amount of mass at a long focal length, which is why the clamping surface holding its shape over years of use is worth the hardened strip.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMounting a Meade 8″ SCT on a Vixen-style saddle for visual observing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLong imaging runs where a set-screw saddle is clamped and unclamped repeatedly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlanetary and lunar sessions where a stiff tube-to-mount joint keeps a long focal length steady.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRebalancing the tube along the bar when a camera or diagonal changes the centre of gravity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTravel setups where the tube comes on and off the mount at every session.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bar is cut to the V-size (Vixen-style) dovetail standard and fits any mount with a Vixen-style saddle — the smaller of the two common dovetail standards, found on most small and mid-size equatorial and alt-azimuth mounts. The hole pattern is machined for the Meade 8″ Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube assembly. Farpoint's related Vixen kits cover the other Meade tubes: a 17.25″ bar for the Meade 7″ Mak and a 17.25″ bar for the Meade 10″ SCT, each offered with or without the armored strip. A mount with a D-size (Losmandy-style) saddle takes a D-size bar rather than this one; Farpoint's FDM8 kit covers the Meade 8″ f\/10 SCT in the D standard. If you are unsure which standard your saddle uses, we are glad to check the fit — your telescope and mount model is all we need.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe armored strip matters only with set-screw clamping.\u003c\/strong\u003e Saddles that hold the bar with a flat clamping bar, including Farpoint-style saddles, press against the dovetail without marring it; on those the standard version of this bar does the same job.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThis is the Meade 8″ SCT bar.\u003c\/strong\u003e The 13.5″ length and hole pattern are specific to that tube, so other Meade models take their own bars.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eV-size only.\u003c\/strong\u003e The bar clamps into a Vixen-style saddle and does not seat in a D-size saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe listed kit contents are the bar itself.\u003c\/strong\u003e Farpoint's published specification for this item covers the dovetail bar; if your tube needs radius blocks as well, we can tell you what the tube takes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublished weight is 1.938 lb.\u003c\/strong\u003e That figure counts toward the mount's payload along with the tube and any imaging train.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does the armored strip do?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a stainless steel strip along the dovetail where set screws clamp. Set screws mar and pit bare aluminum, cutting grooves that eventually make the connection sloppy. The hardened strip takes the bite without that damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I actually need it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt earns its place when your saddle or accessories clamp with a set screw. Saddles that use a clamping bar press flat against the dovetail and leave it unmarked, and in that case the regular version covers the same ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bar bolts to the existing mounting holes on the Meade 8″ SCT tube. It is a hand-tool job with hex keys, done once, and the bar can then stay on the tube between sessions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat mounts will this work with?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAny mount with a Vixen-style (V-size) saddle. That covers most small and mid-size equatorial and alt-azimuth mounts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does this differ from the FDM8?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe FDM8 is the same tube in the D-size (Losmandy-style) standard and ships as a kit with radius blocks and screws. This bar is the V-size version with the armored strip, for mounts with a Vixen saddle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a 13.5″ V-size dovetail bar for the Meade 8″ SCT with a stainless steel strip that puts hardened metal where set screws clamp, machined in the USA and weighing 1.938 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297440587887,"sku":"FVM8-AS","price":169.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781722721406.jpg?v=1781722723"},{"product_id":"farpoint-dovetail-plate-meade-10-inch-sct","title":"Farpoint Dovetail Plate - Meade 10 Inch SCT","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint FDM10 is a complete D-size dovetail kit for the Meade 10″ Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube. A 17.25″ Losmandy-style dovetail bar pairs with radius blocks machined to the curve of the 10″ tube, and the mounting screws are supplied. Every part is CNC-machined in the USA from black anodized aluminum, and Farpoint publishes a shipping weight of 3.688 lb for the kit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you own a Meade 10″ SCT and want it carried on a D-size (Losmandy-style) saddle — whether you are moving across from a narrower Vixen bar, replacing factory mounting hardware on an older tube, or standardizing a second optical tube on the same dovetail your mount already uses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e17.25″ D-size bar:\u003c\/strong\u003e the Losmandy-standard dovetail profile, cut to length for the 10″ tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMatched radius blocks:\u003c\/strong\u003e machined to the curve of the Meade 10″ tube so the bar seats against the tube wall.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMounting screws supplied:\u003c\/strong\u003e the hardware that fastens the bar and blocks to the optical tube ships in the box.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack anodized aluminum:\u003c\/strong\u003e an anodized finish over machined aluminum, matching the rest of the Farpoint dovetail line.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMachined in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e CNC-machined by Farpoint.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublished drawing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Farpoint provides a customer drawing showing the hole pattern and measurements for the 17.25″ bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn SCT tube is round and a dovetail bar is flat, so a bar bolted straight to the tube carries its load at the bolt holes alone. The radius blocks sit between the two, machined to the exact curve of the 10″ tube, and they spread the clamping load across the contact surface instead. The result is a stiffer path from tube to saddle — which is what keeps small flexures from showing up as drift during a long guided exposure on a tube of this size.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarrying a Meade 10″ SCT on any mount fitted with a D-size (Losmandy-style) saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLong-exposure deep-sky imaging, where the tube-to-mount joint holds a guided load for hours at a time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReplacing worn or missing factory dovetail hardware on an older LX50 or LX200 tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStandardizing several optical tubes on the D-size dovetail so they interchange between mounts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMounting the tube on a side-by-side bar alongside a second instrument.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit fits the Meade 10″ SCT optical tube assembly across the LX3, LX5, LX6, LX50, LX200, LX600 and LX850 lines, including both the pre-2012 ACF OTAs and the current ACF OTAs. The bar follows the D-size (Losmandy-style) standard and clamps into any D-size saddle; a mount fitted with the narrower V-size (Vixen) saddle takes a D-size saddle conversion first. Bar length is 17.25″, and the published customer drawing gives the hole pattern and measurements. Farpoint also sells the Meade 10″ radius blocks on their own, which is the route for anyone who already owns a D-size bar. If you are unsure which kit suits your tube, send us your telescope model and we'll confirm the fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe telescope is sold separately.\u003c\/strong\u003e The kit covers the dovetail bar, the radius blocks and the mounting screws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThis is the D-size standard.\u003c\/strong\u003e A V-size (Vixen) saddle is the narrower profile and takes a V-size bar or a saddle conversion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBar length is tied to tube diameter.\u003c\/strong\u003e The 17.25″ bar belongs to the 10″ SCT; the 8″, 12″, 14″ and 16″ tubes each have their own kit and bar length.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFarpoint publishes a shipping weight of 3.688 lb.\u003c\/strong\u003e The kit ships as one carton.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich Meade 10″ models does this fit?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLX3, LX5, LX6, LX50, LX200, LX600, LX850, the pre-2012 ACF OTAs and the current ACF OTAs. If your tube is not among those, send us the model and we'll check it for you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a bolt-on job. The radius blocks locate on the tube's existing mounting holes, the bar fastens to the blocks with the supplied screws, and the published customer drawing shows the hole pattern and measurements. Hand tools are all that is involved.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat mounts will this work with?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAny mount with a D-size (Losmandy-style) saddle — the Losmandy line itself, and the many mounts that accept the wider D standard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I still need the full kit if I already own a D-size bar?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn that case the Meade 10″ radius blocks are the part that matters, and Farpoint sells them on their own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a complete USA-machined 17.25″ D-size dovetail kit that puts a Meade 10″ SCT onto a Losmandy-style saddle, with radius blocks matched to the tube curve and the mounting screws included.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297441112175,"sku":"FDM10","price":177.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781722777969.jpg?v=1781722779"},{"product_id":"farpoint-dovetail-ring-screws-standard-1-length-set-of-6","title":"Farpoint Dovetail Ring Screws, Standard 1\" Length (Set of 6)","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA set of six standard 1″ adjustment screws for Farpoint dovetail rings — three per ring, which covers a matched pair. This is the length that ships with every Farpoint ring set, so it serves as the direct replacement when screws go missing and as a spare set for a second pair of rings. Made in the USA.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you own Farpoint dovetail rings and need to replace the adjustment screws, or if you are setting up a second pair of rings and want the standard length on hand. It also suits anyone whose current screws are the short .5″ or long 1.5″ version and whose tube diameter has changed since.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSix screws per set:\u003c\/strong\u003e three screws per ring, which is a full three-point arrangement on each of a pair of rings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStandard 1″ length:\u003c\/strong\u003e the all-around length, and the one Farpoint includes with every ring set as standard equipment.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThree-point adjustment:\u003c\/strong\u003e the arrangement centres a guide scope in the ring, holds it, and allows its aim to be trimmed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFits both ring standards:\u003c\/strong\u003e the same screws serve Farpoint's D-style and V-style ring lines.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e produced by Farpoint alongside the rings they fit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReplacing adjustment screws lost from an existing pair of Farpoint dovetail rings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFitting out a second pair of rings for another guide scope or finder.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReturning to the standard length after a change of guide scope tube diameter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeeping a spare set in the accessory case for field repairs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAligning a guide scope within its rings, where the three-point arrangement carries the adjustment.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese screws fit Farpoint dovetail rings in both the D-style and V-style (Vixen) lines. The rings themselves and any dovetail bar are separate purchases. Screw length is chosen by the gap between the guide scope tube and the inside of the ring: tubes sitting close to the ring's inner diameter take the short .5″ screws, much smaller tubes take the long 1.5″ screws for the extra reach, and this standard 1″ length covers the range in between. Farpoint does not publish a thread specification for these screws, so if you are matching them to rings from another maker, send us your ring model and we'll check it before you order.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRings and dovetail bar are not included.\u003c\/strong\u003e This listing is the set of six screws on its own.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA set covers two rings.\u003c\/strong\u003e Six screws is three per ring, so one set completes a pair rather than a single ring.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe right length depends on your tube.\u003c\/strong\u003e The 1″ standard suits most setups; a very snug or very small tube in the ring is what pushes the choice to the .5″ or 1.5″ sets.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFarpoint publishes a shipping weight of 2.313 lb for the set.\u003c\/strong\u003e That is the figure on the manufacturer's page, and it reads high for six screws of this size.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSome gallery images show the rings.\u003c\/strong\u003e Farpoint illustrates this part with photographs of the ring sets it belongs to; the item supplied is the screws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich screw length do I need?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt follows the gap between your guide scope tube and the ring. Tubes close to the ring's inner diameter take the short .5″ screws; much smaller tubes take the long 1.5″ screws for extra reach. The standard 1″ length covers most setups and is what ships with every ring set.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many screws come in a set?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSix — three per ring, enough for a full pair of rings with three-point adjustment on each.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo tooling beyond hand adjustment is involved. The old screws back out of the ring's threaded holes and the new ones thread into the same holes, three to a ring. Bringing the guide scope back to centre afterwards is the part that takes the time, and it is done by feel with the tube resting in the ring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill they fit my rings?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey fit Farpoint dovetail rings in both the D-style and V-style (Vixen) lines. For rings from another manufacturer, send us the model and we'll check the thread before you order.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: the standard 1″ adjustment screws that ship with Farpoint ring sets, supplied as a set of six — three per ring for a matched pair, fitting both the D-style and V-style ring lines.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297443209327,"sku":"FDRS1","price":43.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781722827233.jpg?v=1781722829"},{"product_id":"farpoint-vixen-dovetail-plate-armored-strip-meade-10-inch-sct","title":"Farpoint Vixen Dovetail Plate - Armored Strip - Meade 10 Inch SCT","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint FVM10-AS is a 17.25″ Vixen-style (V-size) dovetail bar for the Meade 10″ Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube, built to the same pattern as the standard Farpoint Vixen bar with the addition of a stainless steel armored strip along the clamping edge. The bar is CNC-machined in the USA from aluminum with a black anodized finish, and Farpoint publishes a shipping weight of 1.813 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you carry a Meade 10″ SCT on a Vixen-style saddle and that saddle, or the accessories riding with it, clamps down with a set screw. It is also the version to choose if you move the tube on and off the mount often, since repeated clamping is what wears a bare aluminum dovetail.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eStainless steel armored strip:\u003c\/strong\u003e a hardened strip along the dovetail edge where set screws bear.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e17.25″ V-size bar:\u003c\/strong\u003e the Vixen-standard dovetail profile, sized for the Meade 10″ tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSame bar as the standard version:\u003c\/strong\u003e identical to Farpoint's regular Vixen dovetail bar apart from the armored strip.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack anodized aluminum:\u003c\/strong\u003e an anodized finish over machined aluminum, matching the rest of the Farpoint dovetail line.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMachined in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e CNC-machined by Farpoint.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublished drawing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Farpoint provides a customer drawing showing the hole pattern and measurements for the 17.25″ bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA set screw concentrates its whole clamping force onto a point contact. Against bare anodized aluminum that point digs in, marring and pitting the dovetail edge and cutting grooves into it over repeated mountings. Once those grooves form, the bar no longer seats the same way twice and the joint between tube and saddle goes slack. The armored strip is stainless steel let into the dovetail edge along the clamping face, and it is hard enough to take the set screw's bite without deforming — so the geometry of the dovetail stays as machined however many times the tube comes on and off. Saddles that clamp with a flat bar rather than a point-contact screw spread their load over the dovetail face and leave it unmarked, which is why the standard unarmored bar remains the right part for those.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMounting a Meade 10″ SCT on a Vixen-style saddle that clamps with a set screw.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSetups where the optical tube is removed and remounted between every session.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReplacing a Vixen bar whose dovetail edge has already been grooved by set screws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVisual observing and imaging where a repeatable seat in the saddle keeps balance consistent.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarrying accessories that themselves clamp to the dovetail with thumbscrews.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bar fits the Meade 10″ Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube assembly and follows the V-size (Vixen-style) dovetail standard, so it clamps into any Vixen-style saddle. Bar length is 17.25″, and the published customer drawing gives the hole pattern and measurements. A 10″ SCT is a substantial tube for the Vixen profile, and on a heavy-duty mount the wider D-size (Losmandy-style) kits are the standard more often chosen at this payload — Farpoint makes a D-size 17.25″ kit for the same tube. If you would like a view on which standard suits your mount and tube, send us the models and we'll work it through with you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe telescope is sold separately.\u003c\/strong\u003e This listing covers the dovetail bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe armored strip earns its keep only with set-screw clamping.\u003c\/strong\u003e Saddles that clamp with a flat bar press against the dovetail face and leave it unmarked, and the standard version covers that case.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThis is the V-size standard.\u003c\/strong\u003e A D-size (Losmandy-style) saddle is the wider profile and takes a D-size bar instead.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe Vixen profile is the narrower of the two standards.\u003c\/strong\u003e At the weight of a 10″ SCT the D-size kits are the more common choice on heavy mounts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFarpoint publishes a shipping weight of 1.813 lb.\u003c\/strong\u003e The bar ships as one carton.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does the armored strip do?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a stainless steel strip along the dovetail where set screws clamp. Set screws mar and pit bare aluminum, cutting grooves that eventually make the connection sloppy — the hardened strip takes the bite without damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I actually need it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt matters where your saddle or accessories clamp with a set screw. Saddles with a clamping bar, such as the Farpoint-style saddles, press flat against the dovetail and leave it unmarked, and in that case the regular version does the job.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a bolt-on job. The bar fastens to the existing mounting holes on the underside of the Meade 10″ tube, and the published customer drawing shows the hole pattern and measurements. Hand tools are all that is involved, and the armored strip comes fitted — there is no separate assembly step for it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat mounts will this work with?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAny mount with a Vixen-style (V-size) saddle. For a tube as large as a 10″ SCT on a heavy-duty mount, the D-size (Losmandy-style) kits are also worth weighing up, as the larger standard is often preferred at this payload.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a 17.25″ USA-machined Vixen dovetail bar for the Meade 10″ SCT, with a stainless steel armored strip that keeps set screws from chewing up the clamping edge.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297443766383,"sku":"FVM10-AS","price":152.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781722855515.jpg?v=1781722858"},{"product_id":"farpoint-dovetail-plate-meade-f-10-14-inch-sct","title":"Farpoint Dovetail Plate - Meade f\/10 14 Inch SCT","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint FDM14 is a complete D-size dovetail kit for the Meade 14″ f\/10 LX200 Schmidt-Cassegrain optical tube. A 23.75″ Losmandy-style dovetail bar pairs with radius blocks machined to the curve of the 14″ tube, and the mounting screws are supplied. Every part is CNC-machined in the USA from black anodized aluminum, and Farpoint publishes a shipping weight of 5.0 lb for the kit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you own a Meade 14″ f\/10 LX200 SCT and want it carried on a D-size (Losmandy-style) saddle — whether you are replacing factory mounting hardware, fitting an observatory tube to a new mount, or bringing a large tube onto the same dovetail standard as the rest of your equipment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e23.75″ D-size bar:\u003c\/strong\u003e the Losmandy-standard dovetail profile, cut to length for the 14″ tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMatched radius blocks:\u003c\/strong\u003e machined to the curve of the Meade 14″ tube so the bar seats against the tube wall.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMounting screws supplied:\u003c\/strong\u003e the hardware that fastens the bar and blocks to the optical tube ships in the box.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack anodized aluminum:\u003c\/strong\u003e an anodized finish over machined aluminum, matching the rest of the Farpoint dovetail line.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMachined in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e CNC-machined by Farpoint.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLong bearing length:\u003c\/strong\u003e at 23.75″ the bar gives the saddle a wide span to clamp along, and the same bar length serves the 16″ kit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn SCT tube is round and a dovetail bar is flat, so a bar bolted straight to the tube carries its load at the bolt holes alone. The radius blocks sit between the two, machined to the exact curve of the 14″ tube, and they spread the clamping load across the contact surface instead. On a tube this large the difference is structural rather than cosmetic: the load path from optics to saddle stays stiff, and the bolt holes in the tube wall are relieved of stress the tube wall was not shaped to carry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarrying a Meade 14″ f\/10 LX200 SCT on any mount fitted with a D-size (Losmandy-style) saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eObservatory installations where a large tube stays mounted and alignment is expected to hold.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLong-exposure deep-sky imaging at the long focal length an f\/10 14″ tube works at.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReplacing worn or missing factory dovetail hardware on an older LX200 tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStandardizing a large tube on the D-size dovetail so it interchanges with other mounts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe kit fits the Meade 14″ f\/10 LX200 SCT optical tube assembly. The bar follows the D-size (Losmandy-style) standard and clamps into any D-size saddle; a mount fitted with the narrower V-size (Vixen) saddle takes a D-size saddle conversion first, and at this tube weight the wider D standard is the one the payload suits. Bar length is 23.75″. Farpoint also sells the Meade 14″ radius blocks on their own, which is the route for anyone who already owns a D-size bar. If you are unsure which kit suits your tube, send us your telescope model and we'll confirm the fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe telescope is sold separately.\u003c\/strong\u003e The kit covers the dovetail bar, the radius blocks and the mounting screws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThis is the D-size standard.\u003c\/strong\u003e A V-size (Vixen) saddle is the narrower profile and takes a V-size bar or a saddle conversion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe kit is specific to the f\/10 14″ tube.\u003c\/strong\u003e Radius blocks are cut to that tube's diameter, and the 8″, 10″, 12″ and 16″ tubes each have their own kit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFarpoint publishes a shipping weight of 5.0 lb.\u003c\/strong\u003e The kit ships as one carton.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is included, and where are the dimensions?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 23.75″ D-size dovetail bar, radius blocks machined to match the Meade 14″ tube, and the mounting screws — everything that attaches the bar to the optical tube. The telescope itself is separate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a bolt-on job. The radius blocks locate on the tube's existing mounting holes and the bar fastens to the blocks with the supplied screws. The tube is heavy enough that a second pair of hands makes the job easier, and hand tools are all that is involved.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy radius blocks instead of bolting the bar straight on?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe SCT tube is round and the bar is flat. Radius blocks are machined to the exact curve of the 14″ tube so the clamping load spreads across the contact surface instead of concentrating at the bolt holes — a stiffer connection that puts less stress on the optical tube.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat mounts will this work with?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAny mount with a D-size (Losmandy-style) saddle — the Losmandy line itself, and the many mounts that accept the wider D standard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a complete USA-machined 23.75″ D-size dovetail kit that puts a Meade 14″ f\/10 LX200 SCT onto a Losmandy-style saddle, with radius blocks matched to the tube curve and the mounting screws included.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297444126831,"sku":"FDM14","price":245.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781722885184.jpg?v=1781722887"},{"product_id":"farpoint-sure-grip-vixen-dovetail-saddle","title":"Farpoint Sure Grip Vixen Dovetail Saddle","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint Sure Grip Vixen Dovetail Saddle is a V-size (Vixen-style) saddle for attaching optical tubes and accessories to a mount. It is machined from aluminum, finished in black anodize, and CNC-machined in the United States. In place of a set-screw tip, it uses a non-marking clamp system that spreads the clamping load across the dovetail, so the bar comes through repeated setups without pitting or deformation. The saddle weighs 1.313 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It’s For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you…\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003emount optical tubes, guide scopes, or cameras on V-size (Vixen-style) dovetail bars.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ebreak the rig down after every session and would rather the bar surfaces stayed clean.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eare replacing a set-screw saddle that has started to dent or pit your dovetails.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eare building out a V-size dovetail system and want the saddle to match the bars.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNon-marking clamp system:\u003c\/strong\u003e the clamp bears on the dovetail over a broad contact area rather than through the point of a set screw, holding firmly without marring the bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eV-size standard:\u003c\/strong\u003e clamps Vixen-style dovetail bars, the narrower of the two common telescope dovetail standards.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack anodized aluminum:\u003c\/strong\u003e the anodized surface resists handling wear and keeps stray reflections down around the mount head.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCNC-machined in the United States:\u003c\/strong\u003e the dovetail profile is machined rather than extruded and filed to fit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e1.313 lb:\u003c\/strong\u003e light enough that it takes little out of the payload budget of a small equatorial mount.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA conventional Vixen saddle grips with the tip of a single set screw. That concentrates the whole clamping force into a contact patch a few millimetres across, which is what leaves the row of dimples along a well-used bar and, in time, raises burrs that make the bar harder to slide. The Sure Grip clamp instead presses a bearing face against the dovetail flank, distributing the same load over a far larger area. Two things follow: the bar surface stays flat, and the grip stays consistent, because a flat face cannot skate off a burr the way a screw tip can. Armored-strip bars exist specifically to survive set screws; with this clamp, the plain versions hold just as well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarrying a short refractor or small SCT on a V-size saddle for visual observing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMounting a guide scope or a camera assembly that rides on its own Vixen bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReplacing a stock set-screw saddle on a mount where bar marking has become a nuisance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePortable setups assembled and dismantled at a dark site several times a month.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDovetail standard:\u003c\/strong\u003e V-size (Vixen-style). D-size (Losmandy-style) bars ride in a D saddle or on a V-to-D adapter instead.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAttaches to:\u003c\/strong\u003e mount heads and plates drilled for the saddle’s base hole pattern. Farpoint publishes a product drawing giving the hole pattern and measurements.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBars:\u003c\/strong\u003e any V-size bar, armored or plain — the non-marking clamp removes the reason to pay for the armored version.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e black anodized aluminum throughout, CNC-machined in the United States.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTell us your scope and mount and we’ll confirm the fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThis is a saddle, not a bar.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is the half that goes on the mount; the dovetail bar that bolts to the telescope is a separate item.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eV-size only.\u003c\/strong\u003e The clamp is cut for the Vixen profile, so a D-size bar calls for a D saddle or the V-to-D adapter saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBase hole pattern.\u003c\/strong\u003e Bolting to a mount head or plate depends on that part being drilled to match, and the published product drawing gives the pattern.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublished weight is 1.313 lb.\u003c\/strong\u003e That is the saddle alone, without bar or fasteners for the telescope side.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInstallation is a bolt-on job with hand tools. The saddle fastens to the mount head or plate through its base holes, and the telescope’s V bar then slides in and clamps. Where the base hole pattern already matches, no machining or shimming is involved.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat makes the clamp a “sure grip”?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt bears on the dovetail across a broad face instead of through a set-screw tip, so the holding force is spread out. The bar stays unmarked and the grip stays even.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre armored dovetail bars still worth buying with this saddle?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArmored strips exist to protect bars from set screws. This clamp does not mar bars, so plain V-size bars serve equally well here.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs V-size the same as Vixen?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. V-size is the Vixen-style dovetail, the narrower of the two common standards; the wider one is D-size, also called Losmandy-style.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is it made of?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAluminum with a black anodized finish, CNC-machined in the United States.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a 1.313 lb CNC-machined V-size saddle whose clamp holds a Vixen bar firmly and leaves it unmarked — which also means plain bars serve as well as armored ones.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297446387823,"sku":"FVS","price":143.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781723007909.jpg?v=1781723010"},{"product_id":"farpoint-7-inch-universal-dovetail-plate","title":"Farpoint 7 Inch Universal Dovetail Plate","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint 7″ Universal Dovetail Plate is a general-purpose D-size (Losmandy-compatible) dovetail bar carrying a variety of mounting hole options along its length. Scope rings, guide scopes, and accessories bolt to the bar, and the finished assembly drops into any D-size saddle. It is machined from aluminum with a black anodized finish, CNC-machined in the United States, and weighs 1.438 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It’s For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you…\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003erun a mount with a D-size (Losmandy-style) saddle and want a bar that is not cut for one specific tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eare assembling a short imaging train — rings, guide scope, and a camera — onto a single plate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ehave a tube or a set of rings whose hole spacing falls outside what the fixed-pattern bars offer.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ewant a compact 7″ bar rather than the longer 14″ version.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e7″ length:\u003c\/strong\u003e the shorter of the two universal bars, sized for compact tubes and for accessory plates needing little balance range.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eD-size profile:\u003c\/strong\u003e cut to the Losmandy-compatible dovetail standard, the wider of the two common telescope dovetails.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVariety of mounting holes:\u003c\/strong\u003e multiple hole options along the bar rather than a single fixed pair, so ring spacing and accessory placement have room to move. Farpoint publishes a product drawing with the full pattern.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack anodized aluminum:\u003c\/strong\u003e the anodized finish takes handling wear and holds down reflections near the optical path.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e1.438 lb:\u003c\/strong\u003e a modest addition to the payload for the mounting flexibility it adds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarrying a short refractor in rings on a D-size mount.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuilding a side-mounted guide scope and main camera onto one bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdapting rings whose hole spacing does not line up with a tube-specific bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProviding a D-size foot for an accessory or instrument that shipped without one.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDovetail standard:\u003c\/strong\u003e D-size, Losmandy-compatible. It drops into any mount or saddle cut for the D standard.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMounts with a Vixen saddle:\u003c\/strong\u003e a D-size saddle or a V-to-D conversion brings the mount up to the wider standard.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRing hole spacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e the published product drawing gives the hole pattern for comparison against your rings. William Optics and similar clamshell rings on 60 mm spacing are served by the separate metric 7″ bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e black anodized aluminum, CNC-machined in the United States.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTell us your scope and rings and we’ll confirm the fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRings and hardware are separate.\u003c\/strong\u003e The bar is supplied on its own; tube rings, clamshells, and the screws that attach them are bought to suit the tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eD-size, not V-size.\u003c\/strong\u003e A mount with a Vixen saddle takes this bar by way of a D saddle or a conversion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe hole pattern is fixed in the metal.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is generous, but it is a defined set of positions, and the product drawing is what shows whether a given ring spacing lands on one of them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e60 mm metric spacing has its own bar.\u003c\/strong\u003e Farpoint drills a separate metric 7″ version for rings on that pattern.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublished weight is 1.438 lb.\u003c\/strong\u003e That is the bar alone.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a hand-tool job. The rings or accessory bolt down through the holes in the bar, and the bar then slides into the mount’s D-size saddle and clamps. The only step that takes thought is choosing which holes to use so the assembly balances.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is a universal dovetail bar for?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is the blank canvas of the dovetail system — a D-size bar with multiple mounting holes that accepts scope rings, guide scopes, and accessories, after which the whole assembly drops into any D-size saddle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill my rings bolt to it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bar offers a variety of hole options, and the published product drawing is the reference for checking them against your rings’ spacing. Rings on 60 mm metric spacing are covered by the separate metric 7″ bar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich mounts will this work with?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAny mount with a D-size (Losmandy-style) saddle. Mounts still carrying a narrower Vixen saddle can be brought up with a D-size saddle or a conversion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does it compare with the 14″ bar?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 14″ version is double the length, which suits longer tubes and gives more range for fore-and-aft balancing. The 7″ is the compact option.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a 1.438 lb, 7″ D-size bar with a generous hole pattern, for the jobs where a tube-specific dovetail does not fit what you are mounting.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297447272559,"sku":"FDUPS","price":120.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781722997338.jpg?v=1781722999"},{"product_id":"farpoint-dovetail-ring-screws-short-5-length-set-of-6","title":"Farpoint Dovetail Ring Screws, Short .5\" Length (Set of 6)","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a set of six short .5″ adjustment screws for Farpoint dovetail rings — three screws per ring, enough for a matched pair. Farpoint rings ship with 1″ screws as standard. When the tube sits close to the ring’s inner diameter, those standard screws carry more length than the gap calls for, and the short set keeps the three-point adjustment snug without leaving screw standing proud of the ring. Made in the United States.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It’s For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you…\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003erun a guide scope or small tube that nearly fills the bore of your Farpoint rings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003efind the standard 1″ screws bottoming out or protruding once the tube is clamped.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ewant a lower profile around the rings, with less screw length in the way of cables and clamps.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eare replacing screws that have been lost or damaged on an existing ring set.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSet of six:\u003c\/strong\u003e three screws per ring, which is a full three-point adjustment on each ring of a pair.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShort .5″ length:\u003c\/strong\u003e half the reach of the 1″ screws the rings ship with, for tubes sitting close to the ring bore.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFits D and V style rings:\u003c\/strong\u003e the same thread and head across both Farpoint dovetail ring lines.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade in the United States:\u003c\/strong\u003e produced alongside the rings they serve.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePart of a three-length family:\u003c\/strong\u003e .5″ short, 1″ standard, and 1.5″ long cover the range from a tube that fills the ring to one much smaller than it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClamping a guide scope whose outer diameter is close to the ring’s inner diameter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTidying the profile of a ring set where long screws catch on cables or a dew shield.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeeping a spare set of adjustment screws with a travel rig.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRestoring a ring pair that came second-hand without its full screw complement.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFits:\u003c\/strong\u003e Farpoint dovetail rings in both D-style (Losmandy-compatible) and V-style (Vixen) lines.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNot included:\u003c\/strong\u003e the rings themselves and the dovetail bar are separate items.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLength selection:\u003c\/strong\u003e .5″ suits tubes close to the ring bore, 1″ is the standard length supplied with the rings, and 1.5″ adds reach for tubes much smaller than the ring.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQuantity:\u003c\/strong\u003e six screws equip two rings at three points each.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTell us your rings and tube diameter and we’ll confirm which length fits.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRings and dovetail are sold separately.\u003c\/strong\u003e This listing covers the screws alone.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRings already come with 1″ screws.\u003c\/strong\u003e The short set is an option for a specific fit situation rather than a missing part.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe right length depends on the gap.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is set by the difference between the ring’s inner diameter and the tube’s outer diameter, so the same tube in different rings can call for different screws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSix screws is a two-ring quantity.\u003c\/strong\u003e A single ring uses three.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe published weight for this item is 2.313 lb\u003c\/strong\u003e, which is the figure Farpoint lists for the packed set.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a straight swap. The existing screws back out of the ring, the .5″ screws go in their place, and the tube is re-seated and brought back to an even three-point grip. No tools beyond what the rings already need.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich screw length do I need?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt follows from the gap between the tube and the ring. Tubes close to the ring’s inner diameter suit these short .5″ screws; much smaller tubes suit the long 1.5″ screws. The standard 1″ length covers most setups and ships with every ring set.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many screws come in a set?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSix — three per ring, a full pair of rings with three-point adjustment on each.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill they fit my rings?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey fit Farpoint dovetail rings in both the D-style and V-style (Vixen) lines. Rings and dovetail bar are separate purchases.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I mix lengths across a pair of rings?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe three screws on a given ring want to be the same length so the tube sits centred, but a front and rear ring holding different parts of a tapered tube can take different lengths.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: six .5″ adjustment screws, three per ring, for Farpoint D- and V-style rings where the tube sits close to the bore and the standard 1″ screws have more length than the gap uses.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297448747119,"sku":"FDRS5","price":43.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781722984351.png?v=1781722986"},{"product_id":"farpoint-v-to-d-dovetail-adapter-saddle-vixen-to-losmandy-with-spacer-pucks","title":"Farpoint V-to-D Dovetail Adapter Saddle (Vixen to Losmandy) with Spacer Pucks","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint V-to-D Dovetail Adapter Saddle bridges the two common telescope dovetail standards in one direction: a telescope carrying a V-size (Vixen-style) bar rides on a mount whose saddle is D-size (Losmandy-style). The underside is cut as a D dovetail and drops into the mount’s saddle; the top side is a V saddle that clamps the telescope’s existing bar. Spacer pucks are included. It is machined from aluminum with a black anodized finish, CNC-machined in the United States, and weighs 2.625 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It’s For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you…\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ehave moved to a heavier mount with a D-size saddle while your refractor or small SCT still carries a Vixen bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ewant the same telescope to go on both a D-size mount at home and a V-size mount when travelling.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ewould rather not re-bar or re-drill a tube that is already set up and balanced.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eneed a little extra height at the saddle to reach the mount’s clamping knobs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOne-piece two-standard body:\u003c\/strong\u003e a D-size dovetail foot below and a V-size clamping saddle above, in a single machined part.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacer pucks included:\u003c\/strong\u003e they raise the saddle where a mount’s clamping knobs or motor housings sit close under it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack anodized aluminum:\u003c\/strong\u003e takes handling wear and keeps reflections down near the mount head.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCNC-machined in the United States:\u003c\/strong\u003e both dovetail profiles are machined rather than fettled to fit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e2.625 lb:\u003c\/strong\u003e the figure to add to the payload when budgeting the mount’s capacity.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe two dovetail standards differ mainly in width, so the interesting part of any adapter is what happens to the load path between them. Here the D foot spans the full width of the host saddle, which is where the stiffness comes from, and the V clamp sits centred above it so the telescope’s load runs straight down through the body rather than out along a cantilever. That matters at the eyepiece: a tall or narrow adapter is a spring in the middle of the rig, and vibration introduced anywhere above the mount takes longer to damp. The spacer pucks address a separate, practical problem. On several mounts the D saddle’s clamping knobs sit close under whatever is clamped, and once a V adapter is in place there is little room for fingers. Adding the pucks lifts the assembly enough to work the knobs, at the cost of a small increase in the moment arm — which is why they are supplied loose rather than built in, and left off where the clearance is already there.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePutting a Vixen-barred refractor on a Losmandy-saddle equatorial mount.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRunning a small SCT on a heavy mount without changing the tube’s existing dovetail.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeeping one telescope usable across a portable V-size mount and a permanent D-size one.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarrying a V-barred guide scope or camera assembly on a D-size side plate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDirection of conversion:\u003c\/strong\u003e V bar onto a D mount. The reverse case — a D-barred telescope on a V-size mount — is served by the D-to-V adapter assembly instead.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMount side:\u003c\/strong\u003e any saddle cut to the D-size (Losmandy-style) standard.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTelescope side:\u003c\/strong\u003e any V-size (Vixen-style) dovetail bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacer pucks:\u003c\/strong\u003e supplied in the box, fitted where the mount’s knob clearance calls for the extra height and left off where it does not.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e black anodized aluminum, CNC-machined in the United States.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTell us your scope and mount and we’ll confirm the fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt converts one way.\u003c\/strong\u003e This puts a V-bar telescope on a D-size mount; the opposite conversion is a different part.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt adds height.\u003c\/strong\u003e Any adapter raises the telescope above the saddle, which lengthens the moment arm slightly and moves the balance point; the pucks add a little more where they are used.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt counts against the payload.\u003c\/strong\u003e Its own 2.625 lb sits between the mount and the telescope.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe telescope keeps its own bar.\u003c\/strong\u003e A V-size dovetail on the tube is what this clamps; the adapter does not supply one.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA native D bar is the stiffer route.\u003c\/strong\u003e Where a tube can be re-barred to D-size, that removes a joint from the stack; the adapter exists for the cases where re-barring is not wanted.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt goes on in about a minute with no tools. The adapter drops into the mount’s D saddle and clamps like any D-size bar, and the telescope’s V bar then slides into the saddle on top. Fitting the spacer pucks adds a few screws.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich direction does it convert?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt puts a telescope with a V-size (Vixen-style) bar onto a D-size (Losmandy-style) mount. It clamps into the mount’s D saddle and grips the telescope’s V bar on top. The opposite conversion is the D-to-V adapter assembly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy run a V-bar scope on a D-size mount?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is the common upgrade path. The mount moves up to a heavy-duty head with a D-size saddle while the refractor or small SCT still carries its Vixen bar. This bridges the gap with no re-barring and no drilling, and the telescope still drops onto smaller V-size mounts when it travels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat are the spacer pucks for?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey raise the saddle for extra clearance, which makes the mount’s clamping knobs easier to reach in some configurations. They are used where the height is wanted and left off where it is not.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it change where the telescope balances?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSlightly. The telescope sits a little higher than it would on a native D bar, so the counterweight and fore-and-aft positions are worth re-setting after the first fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a 2.625 lb machined adapter that lets a Vixen-barred telescope ride a Losmandy-saddle mount, with spacer pucks in the box for the mounts where knob clearance is tight.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297449861231,"sku":"FVS2D","price":279.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781723088600.jpg?v=1781723090"},{"product_id":"farpoint-dovetail-plate-meade-lx200-f-10-12-inch-sct","title":"Farpoint Dovetail Plate - Meade LX200 f\/10 12 Inch SCT","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis kit puts a Meade 12″ f\/10 SCT onto any D-size (Losmandy-style) saddle. A 19″ dovetail bar pairs with radius blocks machined to the curve of the 12″ tube, and the mounting screws are included. Everything is CNC-machined in the United States from black anodized aluminum. The kit weighs 4.0 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It’s For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you…\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eown a Meade 12″ f\/10 SCT optical tube and are moving it onto a D-size mount.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eare taking the OTA off a fork and putting it on a German equatorial.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ewant the clamping load spread along the tube rather than concentrated at two narrow contact lines.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ewould rather buy the bar, blocks, and screws as one matched kit than assemble them separately.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e19″ bar:\u003c\/strong\u003e long enough to give real fore-and-aft range for balancing a 12″ SCT, which is a heavy and back-loaded tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRadius blocks matched to the 12″ tube:\u003c\/strong\u003e machined to the tube’s curvature so the bar sits on a curved seat rather than on two edges.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eD-size (Losmandy-style) profile:\u003c\/strong\u003e the wider of the two dovetail standards, which is the appropriate one at this mass.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMounting screws included:\u003c\/strong\u003e the kit arrives complete for the tube’s existing mounting holes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack anodized aluminum:\u003c\/strong\u003e CNC-machined in the United States; the anodized surface holds up to repeated handling of a heavy tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe radius blocks are the part that earns the kit its price. A flat bar bolted straight to a round tube touches it only along two lines, and every bit of the clamping force lands on those lines — enough, on a thin-walled SCT, to pull the tube slightly out of round and put a small amount of stress into the corrector cell and primary baffle. Blocks cut to the 12″ tube’s radius seat against the curve instead, so the same bolt tension is spread across a wide arc of the tube wall. Two things come of that: the optical train stays undistorted under load, and the joint is stiffer, because a bar bearing on a curved seat resists twisting about the tube’s long axis in a way that a two-line contact does not. Stiffness at that joint is what shows up at the eyepiece, since any flex between tube and dovetail becomes a low-frequency wobble that takes a long time to damp on a tube this heavy. The 19″ length works the same way from the other end: the longer the bar, the further apart the blocks can sit, and the more leverage the assembly has against tube flexure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMoving a Meade 12″ SCT from its fork onto a German equatorial mount with a D-size saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLong-exposure imaging where flexure between tube and mount would show up as field drift.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVisual work at high power, where joint stiffness sets how quickly the image settles after a focus touch.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSetups where the tube is removed and remounted between sessions and needs to return to the same balance point.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFits:\u003c\/strong\u003e the Meade 12″ f\/10 SCT optical tube assembly — LX3, LX5, LX6, LX200, LX600, LX850, pre-2012 ACF OTAs, and the current ACF f\/10 OTAs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDovetail standard:\u003c\/strong\u003e D-size (Losmandy-style). It goes into any mount or saddle cut for the D standard.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMounts with a Vixen saddle:\u003c\/strong\u003e a D-size saddle or a V-to-D conversion brings the mount up to the wider standard, which is the sensible route at this tube mass anyway.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBar length:\u003c\/strong\u003e 19″, with the hole pattern and measurements given on Farpoint’s published product drawing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn the box:\u003c\/strong\u003e the 19″ bar, the radius blocks, and the mounting screws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTell us your exact Meade model and we’ll confirm the fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt is cut for the 12″ f\/10 tube.\u003c\/strong\u003e The radius blocks match that tube’s diameter, so other Meade apertures and the faster f\/8 ACF tubes take their own kits.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe mount needs a D-size saddle.\u003c\/strong\u003e A Vixen saddle takes this bar by way of a D saddle or a conversion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt adds 4.0 lb to the payload.\u003c\/strong\u003e On a 12″ SCT that is a small fraction of the total, but it is part of the mount’s capacity budget.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe tube’s existing mounting holes are what it bolts to.\u003c\/strong\u003e The kit supplies the screws for them and does not call for new holes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eA 19″ bar is a long item to ship.\u003c\/strong\u003e It travels in a correspondingly long carton.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a bolt-on fit using the tube’s existing mounting holes, and the screws come in the kit. The radius blocks locate on the bar, the bar bolts up to the tube, and the assembly then drops into the mount’s D saddle. The one step worth taking slowly is bringing the screws up evenly so the blocks seat flat on the tube.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich Meade 12″ models does this fit?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLX3, LX5, LX6, LX200, LX600, LX850, pre-2012 ACF OTAs, and the current ACF f\/10 OTAs. Send us your model and we’ll check it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is included, and where are the dimensions?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 19″ D-size dovetail bar, the radius blocks machined for the Meade 12″ tube, and the mounting screws. Farpoint’s product drawing gives the hole pattern and measurements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy radius blocks rather than a flat bar?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey seat against the curve of the tube, spreading the clamping load across a wide arc instead of pinching it along two lines. The tube stays round and the joint is stiffer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich mounts will this work with?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAny mount with a D-size (Losmandy-style) saddle, including Losmandy’s own and the many mounts that accept the wider D standard.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a complete 4.0 lb kit — 19″ D-size bar, matched radius blocks, and screws — that mounts a Meade 12″ f\/10 SCT on a Losmandy-style saddle with the clamping load spread across the tube’s curve.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297457004655,"sku":"FDM12","price":245.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781723148235.jpg?v=1781723150"},{"product_id":"farpoint-14-inch-universal-dovetail-plate","title":"Farpoint 14 Inch Universal Dovetail Plate","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint 14″ Universal Dovetail Plate is a general-purpose D-size (Losmandy-compatible) dovetail bar with a variety of mounting hole options along its length. At double the length of the 7″ version, it suits longer tubes and gives more fore-and-aft range for balancing. It is machined from aluminum with a black anodized finish, CNC-machined in the United States, and weighs 2.313 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It’s For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you…\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003erun a mount with a D-size (Losmandy-style) saddle and a tube longer than a 7″ bar comfortably carries.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eneed more balance range than a short bar gives, particularly with a back-heavy imaging train.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eare putting rings, a guide scope, and a camera on one plate and want room to space them out.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ehave rings whose hole spacing does not match a tube-specific dovetail.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e14″ length:\u003c\/strong\u003e double the 7″ bar, which widens the ring spacing available and extends the range over which the assembly can be slid to balance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eD-size profile:\u003c\/strong\u003e cut to the Losmandy-compatible standard, the wider of the two common telescope dovetails.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVariety of mounting holes:\u003c\/strong\u003e multiple hole positions rather than a single fixed pair. Farpoint publishes a product drawing with the full pattern.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack anodized aluminum:\u003c\/strong\u003e the anodized finish takes handling wear and holds down reflections near the optical path.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e2.313 lb:\u003c\/strong\u003e the figure to carry into the mount’s payload budget.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarrying a longer refractor in widely spaced rings on a D-size mount.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBalancing a back-heavy imaging train that runs out of travel on a shorter bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMounting a main tube and a side-by-side guide scope on one plate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eServing as a D-size foot for an instrument or accessory that shipped without one.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDovetail standard:\u003c\/strong\u003e D-size, Losmandy-compatible. It drops into any mount or saddle cut for the D standard.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMounts with a Vixen saddle:\u003c\/strong\u003e a D-size saddle or a V-to-D conversion brings the mount up to the wider standard.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRing hole spacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e the published product drawing gives the hole pattern for comparison against your rings. William Optics and similar clamshell rings on 60 mm spacing are served by the metric 14″ bar, which is drilled for that pattern.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e black anodized aluminum, CNC-machined in the United States.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTell us your scope and rings and we’ll confirm the fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRings and hardware are separate.\u003c\/strong\u003e The bar is supplied on its own; tube rings, clamshells, and their screws are bought to suit the tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eD-size, not V-size.\u003c\/strong\u003e A mount with a Vixen saddle takes this bar by way of a D saddle or a conversion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe hole pattern is fixed in the metal.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is generous, but it is a defined set of positions, and the product drawing is what shows whether a given ring spacing lands on one of them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e60 mm metric spacing has its own bar.\u003c\/strong\u003e Farpoint drills a separate metric 14″ version for rings on that pattern.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLength costs weight and payload.\u003c\/strong\u003e At 2.313 lb this bar carries about 0.9 lb more than the 7″ version, which is the trade for the extra balance range.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is a hand-tool job. The rings or accessory bolt down through the holes in the bar, and the bar then slides into the mount’s D-size saddle and clamps. Choosing which holes to use so the assembly balances is the only step that takes thought.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is a universal dovetail bar for?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is the blank canvas of the dovetail system — a D-size bar with multiple mounting holes that accepts scope rings, guide scopes, and accessories, after which the whole assembly drops into any D-size saddle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill my rings bolt to it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bar offers a variety of hole options, and the published product drawing is the reference for checking them against your rings’ spacing. Rings on 60 mm metric spacing are covered by the metric 14″ bar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich mounts will this work with?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAny mount with a D-size (Losmandy-style) saddle. Mounts still carrying a narrower Vixen saddle can be brought up with a D-size saddle or a conversion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does it compare with the 7″ bar?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis one is twice the length, so ring spacing can be wider and there is more travel for balancing a long or back-heavy tube. The 7″ is lighter and more compact for short tubes and accessory plates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a 2.313 lb, 14″ D-size bar with a generous hole pattern, for longer tubes and for imaging trains that need more balance range than a short bar provides.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297458217071,"sku":"FDUP","price":135.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781723231625.jpg?v=1781723233"},{"product_id":"farpoint-dovetail-plate-meade-16-inch-f-10-sct","title":"Farpoint Dovetail Plate - Meade 16 Inch f\/10 SCT","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint FDM16 is a complete dovetail kit for the Meade LX200 16″ f\/10 SCT. A 23.75″ D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail bar is paired with radius blocks machined to the curve of the 16″ optical tube, and the mounting screws that join the two are included. The kit puts the telescope onto any mount carrying a D-size saddle. Everything is CNC-machined in the USA from black anodized aluminum, and the assembled kit is listed at 5.438 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you…\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eown a Meade LX200 16″ f\/10 SCT and want it on a D-size saddle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eare moving the tube onto a Losmandy-style mount and need the bar and blocks as one kit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ewant the clamping load spread across the tube curve rather than concentrated at two bolt points\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eprefer machined US-made aluminum hardware over a shop-fabricated bar\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e23.75″ dovetail bar:\u003c\/strong\u003e a long D-size rail that gives the saddle a wide grip along the length of the tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMatched radius blocks:\u003c\/strong\u003e machined to the exact curve of the Meade 16″ tube, so the flat bar seats against a round tube without gaps.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMounting screws included:\u003c\/strong\u003e the hardware to join bar, blocks and tube ships in the kit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eD-size standard:\u003c\/strong\u003e the bar is Losmandy-style, fitting any mount saddle cut for that profile.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack anodized aluminum:\u003c\/strong\u003e a non-reflective finish that resists handling marks and dew.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCNC-machined in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e consistent block radius and hole spacing from unit to unit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eAn SCT tube is round and a dovetail bar is flat, so the two meet along a line rather than a surface. The radius blocks in this kit resolve that: each block is cut to the curve of the 16″ tube and sits between tube and bar, turning line contact into area contact. The clamping load from the mounting screws then spreads across the block face instead of concentrating at the bolt holes, and the 23.75″ bar length keeps the whole assembly stiff over the span the saddle grips.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMounting a Meade LX200 16″ f\/10 SCT on a Losmandy-style equatorial mount\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLong-exposure imaging where flexure between tube and saddle shows up in the stars\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRebuilding an observatory pier setup around a D-size saddle standard\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReplacing a fabricated or improvised mounting bar with machined hardware\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe bar is D-size — the Losmandy standard — and drops into any mount saddle cut for that profile. The radius blocks are machined specifically for the Meade 16″ f\/10 SCT tube diameter and are not interchangeable with other tube sizes; Farpoint machines separate radius blocks for other SCT diameters. Mounts fitted with a smaller V-size (Vixen) saddle take a V-to-D adapter saddle before this bar will seat. If you are unsure which saddle standard your mount carries, tell us which telescope and mount you have and we'll confirm the fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTube-specific radius blocks.\u003c\/strong\u003e The blocks are cut for the 16″ f\/10 SCT tube. A different SCT aperture takes a different block set.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eD-size saddle required.\u003c\/strong\u003e The 23.75″ bar is Losmandy-style and seats in a D-size saddle; a V-size saddle needs an adapter in between.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKit weight.\u003c\/strong\u003e The kit is published at 5.438 lb, which counts against the mount's payload alongside the tube itself.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTelescope not included.\u003c\/strong\u003e The kit covers the bar, radius blocks and mounting screws only.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBar length.\u003c\/strong\u003e At 23.75″ the bar is longer than most saddles, leaving spare rail for balancing the tube fore and aft.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eInstallation is a bolt-on job. The radius blocks locate against the tube's existing mounting holes, the bar bolts down onto the blocks with the supplied screws, and no machining or drilling is involved.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is included in the kit?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 23.75″ D-size dovetail bar, radius blocks machined to match the Meade 16″ tube, and the mounting screws.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy radius blocks instead of bolting the bar straight on?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe tube is round and the bar is flat. The blocks are machined to the tube's curve so the clamping load spreads across the contact surface rather than concentrating at the bolt holes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich mounts will this work with?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAny mount with a D-size (Losmandy-style) saddle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan the bar be used with a different telescope?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe bar itself is a standard D-size rail, but the radius blocks are specific to the Meade 16″ tube, so another tube diameter calls for its own block set.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn short: a 23.75″ Losmandy-standard dovetail bar with radius blocks cut for the Meade LX200 16″ f\/10 SCT, supplied with mounting screws and machined in the USA from black anodized aluminum.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297461002351,"sku":"FDM16","price":312.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781723289994.jpg?v=1781723292"},{"product_id":"farpoint-bread-board-style-dovetail-plate","title":"Farpoint Bread Board Style Dovetail Plate","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint FDBB is a 6″ D-size dovetail plate drilled as a general-purpose mounting field. Its face carries both 1\/4-20 tapped holes and 1\/4-20 through holes, so cameras, finders, brackets and shop-made hardware can be threaded into it or bolted through it. The plate is Losmandy-compatible, machined from aluminum with a black anodized finish, and made in the USA. Published weight is 1.1905 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you…\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ehave a camera, finder, guide bracket or custom part that needs a home on a D-size saddle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ewant a short 6″ plate rather than a full-length scope bar\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ework in 1\/4-20 hardware and want a plate already tapped and drilled for it\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ebuild or modify rigs and want a machined platform to bolt onto\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e6″ plate length:\u003c\/strong\u003e short enough to sit in a saddle without overhanging a compact rig.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e1\/4-20 tapped holes:\u003c\/strong\u003e accessories thread directly into the plate with no nut behind it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e1\/4-20 through holes:\u003c\/strong\u003e bolts pass all the way through for hardware that needs a nut or a longer screw.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eD-size profile:\u003c\/strong\u003e Losmandy-compatible, seating in any mount or saddle cut for the D standard.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack anodized aluminum:\u003c\/strong\u003e a non-reflective, handling-resistant surface.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCNC-machined in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e hole spacing and dovetail angles repeat unit to unit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarrying a DSLR or mirrorless body on a mount alongside or instead of a telescope\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMounting a guide scope bracket, finder shoe or red-dot base on a D-size saddle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuilding a small accessory platform for a dew controller, focus motor box or power block\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrototyping a mounting arrangement before committing to a dedicated bar\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe plate is D-size, the Losmandy standard, and drops into any saddle cut for that profile. Accessory attachment uses the 1\/4-20 thread, the same thread found on the base of nearly every camera and on most photographic brackets. Mounts fitted with a smaller V-size (Vixen) saddle take a V-to-D adapter or a D-size saddle conversion before this plate will seat. Farpoint's universal bars cover longer spans — 7″ and 14″ with hole patterns aimed at scope rings, 7″, 10″ and 14″ metric versions with 60mm spacing for William Optics and similar clamshell rings, and 57.3 series bars at 14″ and 21.5″. The product drawing shows the hole layout and measurements; if your part has a fixed bolt pattern, tell us the spacing and the scope or mount involved and we'll confirm the fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHole pattern is fixed.\u003c\/strong\u003e The plate's 1\/4-20 layout is as machined; hardware with a different bolt spacing may land between holes. The product drawing gives the measurements.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eD-size saddle needed.\u003c\/strong\u003e A V-size (Vixen) saddle calls for an adapter or a saddle conversion first.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLength.\u003c\/strong\u003e At 6″ this is a short plate. Longer spans are covered by the universal, metric and 57.3 series bars.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThread standard.\u003c\/strong\u003e All holes are 1\/4-20 imperial; metric M6 hardware does not thread into them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight.\u003c\/strong\u003e Published at 1.1905 lb, it adds little to a mount's payload.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe plate drops into a D-size saddle the same way a scope bar does, and accessories bolt on with 1\/4-20 hardware. No drilling or machining is involved.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is it called a bread board plate?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eLike an electronics breadboard, it is a grid of attachment points — tapped holes to thread into and through holes to bolt through — so hardware can be placed at several positions along the plate.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does it differ from the universal bars?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe universal bars carry hole patterns aimed at scope rings and mounts. The bread board plate is the general-purpose option, built around the 1\/4-20 thread used by cameras and photographic accessories.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich mounts will it work with?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAny mount with a D-size (Losmandy-style) saddle. Mounts with a small Vixen saddle can be upgraded with a D-size saddle or conversion.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan a camera bolt straight to it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. The 1\/4-20 tapped holes match the standard tripod thread on the base of a camera body or an L-bracket.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn short: a 6″ Losmandy-compatible dovetail plate with 1\/4-20 tapped and through holes, black anodized aluminum, machined in the USA and weighing 1.1905 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297461330031,"sku":"FDBB","price":109.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781723344187.jpg?v=1781723346"},{"product_id":"farpoint-dovetail-ring-screws-long-1-5-length-set-of-6","title":"Farpoint Dovetail Ring Screws, Long 1.5\" Length (Set of 6)","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a set of six long 1.5″ adjustment screws for Farpoint dovetail rings — three screws per ring, enough for a pair. Farpoint rings ship with standard 1″ screws. When the tube being carried is much smaller than the ring's inner diameter, the standard screws can run out of travel before they reach the tube; the 1.5″ set closes that gap so the three-point adjustment still centres, holds and aims the tube. Made in the USA. The set fits both the D-style and V-style Farpoint ring lines. Rings and dovetail bar are sold separately.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you…\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eare carrying a guide scope or small tube in rings sized well above its diameter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003efind the standard 1″ screws bottoming out in the ring before they contact the tube\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eown Farpoint D-style or V-style dovetail rings and want the optional long screw set\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eare keeping a spare set of longer screws on hand for a changing guide scope\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSix screws per set:\u003c\/strong\u003e three per ring, covering a full pair with three-point adjustment on each.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e1.5″ length:\u003c\/strong\u003e the longest of the three Farpoint ring screw lengths, adding reach for undersized tubes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFits both ring lines:\u003c\/strong\u003e the same screws work in Farpoint D-style and V-style (Vixen) dovetail rings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThree-point hold:\u003c\/strong\u003e the trio of screws in each ring both clamps the tube and sets its alignment within the ring.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMade in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e thread form and length consistent across the set.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMounting a slim guide scope in rings originally sized for a larger tube\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdapting an existing Farpoint ring set to a smaller finder or refractor\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAligning a guide scope within oversize rings where the standard screws fall short\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeeping a full-length spare set alongside the standard screws for rig changes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThese screws are made for Farpoint dovetail rings and fit both the D-style and V-style (Vixen) ring lines. They are replacements for the ring's own adjustment screws, not general-purpose fasteners. Farpoint offers three lengths for these rings: short 0.5″ for tubes close to the ring's inner diameter, standard 1″ as the all-round length included with every ring set, and this long 1.5″ set for smaller tubes needing extra reach. Rings and the dovetail bar they sit on are not part of this listing. If you are unsure which length suits your tube, tell us the ring size and the outside diameter of the tube and we'll confirm which set to take.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScrews only.\u003c\/strong\u003e The set contains six screws. Rings and dovetail bar are sold separately.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFarpoint rings.\u003c\/strong\u003e The screws are cut for Farpoint's ring thread; rings from other makers may use a different thread or head.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRing sets already include screws.\u003c\/strong\u003e Every Farpoint guide scope ring set ships with standard 1″ screws, so this long set is an addition rather than a replacement part in the usual sense.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLength choice depends on the gap.\u003c\/strong\u003e The 1.5″ length suits tubes running well under the ring's inner diameter; tubes close to that diameter are served by the short 0.5″ set.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublished weight.\u003c\/strong\u003e The set is listed at 2.313 lb.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe existing screws thread out of the ring and the longer ones thread in, using the same threads. No tools beyond the ring's own hardware are involved.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich screw length do I need?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt depends on the gap between the tube and the ring. Tubes much smaller than the ring take these long 1.5″ screws for extra reach; tubes close to the ring's inner diameter take the short 0.5″ screws. The standard 1″ length covers most setups and ships with every ring set.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow many screws come in a set?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSix — three per ring, enough for a pair of rings with three-point adjustment on each.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill they fit my rings?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThey fit Farpoint dovetail rings in both the D-style and V-style (Vixen) lines. Rings and dovetail bar are not included.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre the rings themselves included?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo. This listing covers the six screws on their own.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn short: six long 1.5″ adjustment screws, three per ring for a pair of Farpoint D-style or V-style dovetail rings, made in the USA for tubes that run well under the ring's inner diameter.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297461395567,"sku":"FDRS15","price":43.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781723286343.png?v=1781723288"},{"product_id":"farpoint-vixen-saddle-conversion-for-sky-watcher-eq6-orion-atlas","title":"Farpoint Vixen Saddle Conversion for Sky-Watcher EQ6 \/ Orion Atlas","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eOlder-generation Sky-Watcher EQ6 and Orion Atlas mounts shipped with a small Vixen-style saddle that grips the dovetail with a bare retaining screw. The Farpoint FVSEQ replaces that head outright with a firm-grip V-size saddle built around a side clamping bar — over 20 times the clamping area of a retaining screw, holding harder without scarring or deforming the bar. The conversion ships as a complete unit with its puck adapter, machined in the USA from black anodized aluminum, and is listed at 2.0 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you…\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003erun a Sky-Watcher EQ6 or Orion Atlas with the original small Vixen saddle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ehave found the stock retaining screw dimpling or scoring your dovetail bars\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ewant a wider, more even grip on a V-size bar without changing the mount itself\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eare loading the mount near its limit and want the dovetail held over a larger contact area\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSide clamping bar:\u003c\/strong\u003e a full-length bar presses along the side of the dovetail instead of a single screw point, giving over 20× the clamping area.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNon-marking grip:\u003c\/strong\u003e the spread load holds the bar without scarring or deforming it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComplete unit:\u003c\/strong\u003e the saddle and its puck adapter ship together, so nothing from the stock head is reused beyond the mounting screws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eV-size standard:\u003c\/strong\u003e accepts Vixen-style dovetail bars.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo machining:\u003c\/strong\u003e installation is a screw-out, screw-in operation on the mount's existing puck screws.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack anodized aluminum:\u003c\/strong\u003e CNC-machined in the USA.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eA retaining screw concentrates the whole holding force on a single small contact patch. That patch is what dimples a dovetail bar over time, and it is also why a screw-clamped bar can rock slightly under load. The FVSEQ substitutes a side clamping bar: a machined bar runs the length of the saddle and is drawn inward against the flank of the dovetail, so the same tightening force is spread over more than twenty times the area. The result is a firmer hold at lower local pressure, which is why the bar surface stays unmarked. The puck adapter beneath carries the saddle on the EQ6 \/ Atlas mounting boss, replacing the stock head as a single assembly.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUpgrading the saddle on an older EQ6 or Atlas kept in regular imaging use\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarrying a heavier refractor or SCT where the stock screw grip has become marginal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSwapping tubes frequently, where repeated screw clamping would mark the dovetail\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRebuilding an EQ6 or Atlas for an observatory installation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe conversion fits Sky-Watcher EQ6 and Orion Atlas mounts carrying the standard older saddle profile, and the puck adapter needed for that fit is included. On the telescope side it takes V-size (Vixen-style) dovetail bars. A D-size (Losmandy) bar calls for a V-to-D adapter saddle or a D-size conversion instead. Later EQ6 variants use a different saddle arrangement, so the mount's existing head is worth checking against the older profile. If you are unsure which generation your mount is, tell us the model and year of your EQ6 or Atlas and we'll confirm the fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSaddle profile matters.\u003c\/strong\u003e The conversion is cut for the standard, older EQ6 \/ Atlas saddle profile; later variants differ.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eV-size bars only.\u003c\/strong\u003e The saddle accepts Vixen-style dovetails. Losmandy D-size bars need a different saddle or an adapter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eComplete replacement.\u003c\/strong\u003e The stock saddle head comes off and this unit goes on in its place, rather than sitting on top of it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInstallation.\u003c\/strong\u003e The stock puck screws are loosened, the unit is attached and the screws re-tightened. No machining or drilling.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight.\u003c\/strong\u003e Published at 2.0 lb, which counts toward the mount's payload.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eInstallation is a three-step job: loosen the stock puck screws, attach the complete unit with its included puck adapter, and re-tighten. No machining, drilling or modification of the mount is involved.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is a clamping bar better than the stock retaining screw?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe clamping bar presses along the side of the dovetail rather than at one point, giving over 20 times the contact area. The hold is firmer and the local pressure far lower, so the bar surface stays unmarked.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the puck adapter come with it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. The saddle and its puck adapter ship as one unit.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich dovetail bars will it take?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eV-size (Vixen-style) bars. A Losmandy D-size bar calls for a V-to-D adapter or a D-size saddle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it fit a newer EQ6?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt is machined for the standard older EQ6 and Atlas saddle profile. Later variants use a different arrangement, and we can check yours against the model and year.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn short: a complete V-size saddle and puck adapter that replaces the stock Sky-Watcher EQ6 or Orion Atlas head, clamping a Vixen dovetail across over 20 times the area of a retaining screw, machined in the USA and weighing 2.0 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297461559407,"sku":"FVSEQ","price":194.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781723344202.jpg?v=1781723346"},{"product_id":"farpoint-vixen-side-by-side-dovetail-saddle","title":"Farpoint Vixen Side by Side Dovetail Saddle","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint FVSBS carries two telescopes on one mount. A 12″ Vixen-style dovetail bar has two Farpoint V-size saddles mounted on it, so two optical tubes ride side by side where one used to sit. The bar itself is a V-size dovetail and drops into the mount's own Vixen saddle, while the two saddles above each clamp a telescope's V-size bar. Machined from aluminum with a black anodized finish, CNC-machined in the USA, and listed at 3.25 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you…\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ewant an imaging scope and a guide scope on the same mount without stacking them\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003epair a widefield refractor with a longer focal length tube and switch between them in a session\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eobserve visually through one telescope while the other images\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003erun a mount with a V-size saddle and want to use the capacity you already have\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e12″ connecting bar:\u003c\/strong\u003e the span that sets how far apart the two tubes sit and where each one balances.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTwo Vixen saddles included:\u003c\/strong\u003e both Farpoint V-size saddles arrive mounted on the bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBar is itself a dovetail:\u003c\/strong\u003e the connecting bar is V-size, so it seats directly in the mount's Vixen saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIndependent clamping:\u003c\/strong\u003e each saddle holds its own tube, so one can be removed without disturbing the other.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack anodized aluminum:\u003c\/strong\u003e a non-reflective finish over machined aluminum.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCNC-machined in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e saddle spacing and dovetail angles repeat unit to unit.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eA side-by-side arrangement moves the second tube out along a horizontal bar rather than stacking it above the first. That keeps both optical axes at a similar height above the mount head, which makes the pair easier to balance in both axes, and it avoids the long moment arm a piggybacked scope creates. The 12″ bar sets the separation between saddles; each tube can then be slid fore and aft in its own saddle to trim the balance. Because the connecting bar is a V-size dovetail on its underside, the whole assembly is removed from the mount the same way a single telescope would be.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRunning an imaging scope alongside a dedicated guide scope\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePairing a widefield refractor with a planetary or long focal length tube for a mixed session\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eVisual observing through one telescope while the other collects images\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComparing two optical tubes on the same target under the same tracking\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eEverything on this assembly works to the V-size (Vixen) standard. The underside bar drops into any mount saddle cut for a Vixen dovetail, and each of the two upper saddles takes a telescope carried on a V-size bar. Tubes on a D-size (Losmandy) bar call for a D-to-V adapter assembly before they will seat, and mounts with a D-size saddle take a V-to-D adapter saddle beneath the bar. Farpoint also sells the connecting bar on its own for astronomers who already own a pair of Vixen saddles. If you are unsure whether your two tubes and your mount will work together on this bar, tell us which telescopes and mount you have and we'll confirm the fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePayload adds up.\u003c\/strong\u003e Two optical tubes plus the 3.25 lb bar assembly all count against the mount's rated capacity, and a side-by-side load sits further from the mount axis than a single tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eV-size throughout.\u003c\/strong\u003e Both saddles and the connecting bar are Vixen standard; D-size bars and saddles need adapters.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFixed 12″ span.\u003c\/strong\u003e The bar length sets the maximum separation between the two tubes, which limits how large a pair can sit alongside each other without touching.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBalance in two axes.\u003c\/strong\u003e An off-centre pair loads the declination axis as well as the right ascension axis, so counterweighting takes both into account.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBar only is a separate item.\u003c\/strong\u003e This listing includes both saddles; the connecting bar is also sold on its own.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to set up?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe assembly drops into the mount's Vixen saddle as a single unit, and each telescope then clamps into its own saddle on top. The main work is balancing the pair afterwards, in both the right ascension and declination axes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does it attach to my mount?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 12″ connecting bar is itself a Vixen-style dovetail, so it seats in the mount's V-size saddle just as a single telescope would. The two saddles above then each clamp a telescope's V-size bar.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat would I use a side-by-side rig for?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAnywhere two optical tubes serve better than one: an imaging scope with a guide scope alongside, a widefield refractor paired with a long focal length tube, or visual observing through one while the other images.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I buy just the bar?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. Farpoint sells the Side by Side Connecting Bar, the same bar and screws without the two saddles, for astronomers who already own Vixen saddles.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill a Losmandy-bar telescope fit?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe saddles are V-size, so a D-size bar calls for a D-to-V adapter between tube and saddle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn short: a 12″ Vixen-standard connecting bar with two V-size Farpoint saddles already mounted, carrying two telescopes on one mount, machined in the USA and weighing 3.25 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297464180847,"sku":"FVSBS","price":295.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781723452099.jpg?v=1781723453"},{"product_id":"farpoint-dovetail-plate-vixen-vmc260l-ota","title":"Farpoint Dovetail Plate - Vixen VMC260L OTA","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint FDVMC260L is a complete mounting kit that carries a Vixen VMC260L optical tube on a D-size (Losmandy-style) saddle. A 23.75″ dovetail bar pairs with radius blocks machined to the curve of the VMC260L tube, so the clamping load spreads along the contact surface rather than concentrating at two points. Mounting screws come with the kit, and the parts are CNC-machined in the USA from black anodized aluminum. The kit ships at 5.125 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you own a Vixen VMC260L and run a mount with a D-size saddle, or if you are moving the VMC260L onto Losmandy-standard hardware so the rest of your rig shares one dovetail standard. The 23.75″ bar length also suits imaging setups where the tube needs room to slide fore and aft for balance once a camera, filter wheel or guider is hanging off the back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e23.75″ D-size bar:\u003c\/strong\u003e a full-length Losmandy-standard dovetail, long enough to give a wide range of balance positions under a 10″-class catadioptric tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMatched radius blocks:\u003c\/strong\u003e machined to the VMC260L tube diameter so the bar seats against the curve instead of bearing on the bolt heads alone.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMounting screws included:\u003c\/strong\u003e the fasteners that join the blocks and bar to the tube ship in the box.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack anodized aluminum:\u003c\/strong\u003e a hard, non-reflective surface finish that resists handling marks and night-time dew.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCNC-machined in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e dovetail angles and hole positions cut to a fixed program rather than hand-finished.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA flat dovetail bar and a round optical tube meet along a single line unless something fills the gap. The radius blocks in this kit are cut to the VMC260L's outside curve and sit between the two, turning that line contact into a broad seat. The result is that torque applied when the saddle clamps down, or when the tube swings through the meridian with a heavy camera train, is carried across the block faces. The 23.75″ bar spans a long section of the tube, which places the two block positions well apart and resists the tube rocking about its mounting axis.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMounting a Vixen VMC260L on a Losmandy G-11, or any German equatorial fitted with a D-size saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLong-exposure deep-sky imaging where the balance point shifts as camera gear is added or removed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStandardizing a multi-telescope setup on the D-size profile so tubes can be swapped between saddles.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReplacing a mounting arrangement that clamps the VMC260L at narrow contact points.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blocks are machined for the Vixen VMC260L optical tube assembly and fit that tube. The bar itself is the D-size profile, also called Losmandy-style — the wider of the two common dovetail standards — and drops into any saddle cut for D-size, including Losmandy mounts and the many equatorial heads that accept the wide standard. A mount fitted only with a narrow V-size (Vixen-style) saddle takes a D-size saddle or a V-to-D adapter saddle to accept this bar. The telescope itself is not part of the kit. Not sure how the 23.75″ bar lines up with your saddle or your camera train? We're glad to check the fit against your scope and mount before you order.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTube-specific blocks.\u003c\/strong\u003e The radius blocks match the VMC260L diameter; a different tube takes the block set cut for that curve.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eD-size profile only.\u003c\/strong\u003e The bar rides in a D-size saddle. V-size saddles use a narrower profile, and an adapter saddle bridges the two standards.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShipping weight.\u003c\/strong\u003e At 5.125 lb this is a substantial aluminum bar, and it adds that mass to whatever the mount is already carrying.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHardware scope.\u003c\/strong\u003e The included screws attach the blocks and bar to the optical tube; saddle clamp knobs belong to the mount.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy a D-size bar for a Vixen telescope?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo different uses of the same word. Vixen is the brand that builds the VMC260L; “Vixen-style” is also the name of the narrow V-size dovetail standard. A tube of this size and mass sits on the wider D-size standard, which is what this kit provides.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe radius blocks bolt to the existing mounting holes on the VMC260L, and the bar bolts to the blocks using the supplied screws. It is a hand-tool job on a workbench, typically measured in minutes rather than hours, and the parts come apart the same way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is in the box?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 23.75″ D-size dovetail bar, the radius blocks machined for the VMC260L tube, and the mounting screws. The optical tube is separate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan the tube be balanced after the bar is fitted?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. The bar is longer than the block spacing, so the assembly slides within the saddle jaws to move the centre of gravity fore or aft.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a 23.75″ Losmandy-standard bar, radius blocks cut to the VMC260L curve, and the screws to join them — the complete path from a Vixen VMC260L to a D-size saddle, machined in the USA and shipping at 5.125 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297465000047,"sku":"FDVMC260L","price":262.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781723426129.jpg?v=1781723428"},{"product_id":"farpoint-dovetail-radius-blocks-celestron-8-inch-sct","title":"Farpoint Dovetail Radius Blocks - Celestron 8 Inch SCT","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint FDC8R is a set of radius blocks machined to the outside curve of the Celestron 8″ SCT. They sit between that tube and a D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail bar you already own, letting an existing bar move onto a Celestron 8 without buying a second complete kit. Cut from black anodized aluminum, CNC-machined in the USA, and shipping at 0.625 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you already have a D-size dovetail bar — from an earlier scope, a kit you broke up, or a spare in the accessory box — and want it on a Celestron 8″ SCT. It also suits someone running several tubes through one bar, where each tube needs only its own matched block set rather than its own bar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCut to the C8 curve:\u003c\/strong\u003e machined to the Celestron 8″ SCT outside diameter, so the block faces meet the tube along their full width.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWorks with your existing bar:\u003c\/strong\u003e the blocks are the tube-specific part; the D-size bar stays whatever you already have.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack anodized aluminum:\u003c\/strong\u003e a hard, low-reflectance finish on a light part.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCNC-machined in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e the radius and hole positions cut to a fixed program.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e0.625 lb:\u003c\/strong\u003e a small addition to the moving mass of the rig.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMechanical Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA flat dovetail bar laid against a round optical tube touches it along one line, and everything the clamp does is carried at the bolt holes. Radius blocks fill that gap. Each block's underside is cut to the specific tube's outside curve, so when the bar is drawn down the contact spreads across the block face and the bolt holes stop acting as the only load path. Because the curve is what makes a block set work, the cut is tube-specific: the same bar serves many scopes, but each scope calls for blocks machined to its own diameter. This set is cut for the Celestron 8″ SCT.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMoving a D-size dovetail bar from a previous telescope onto a Celestron 8″ SCT.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeeping one bar and several block sets so tubes can be rotated through a single mounting arrangement.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReplacing worn or mismatched blocks on a Celestron 8 already carrying a Losmandy-standard bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuilding a C8 imaging rig where the bar has already been chosen for its length and hole pattern.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blocks are machined for the Celestron 8″ SCT and fit that tube. They install between the optical tube and a D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail bar — the wider of the two common standards. A different SCT size, or a tube of another make with a different outside diameter, takes the block set cut for that curve. The complete Farpoint Celestron 8″ SCT kit is the alternative for a setup with no bar yet, since it includes the bar, the blocks and the screws together. If you'd like the fit checked against the tube you own, we're glad to look at it before you order.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlocks only.\u003c\/strong\u003e The package is the radius block set; the dovetail bar is not part of it.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOne tube diameter.\u003c\/strong\u003e The radius is cut for the Celestron 8″ SCT, so a 6″, 9.25″ or 11″ tube takes its own block set.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eD-size bars.\u003c\/strong\u003e The blocks are drilled for the wide Losmandy-style profile rather than the narrow V-size one.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSub-pound item.\u003c\/strong\u003e At 0.625 lb the set weighs well under a pound, and shipping is rated at one pound.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat do radius blocks do?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey bridge the gap between a flat dovetail bar and a round optical tube. Each set is machined to the curve of a specific tube, so the clamping load spreads across the contact surface instead of concentrating at the bolt holes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill these fit my telescope?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey are machined for the Celestron 8″ SCT. A different model or aperture takes the block set matched to that tube, and we can point you to the right one for the scope you own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blocks go between the tube's existing mounting holes and the bar, held by the bar's own screws. It is a short bench job with hand tools, and the assembly comes apart the same way when the bar moves to another scope.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need anything else?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA D-size dovetail bar, which is what these blocks are meant to carry. Without one, the complete Celestron 8″ kit supplies the bar, blocks and screws together.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a 0.625 lb pair of aluminum blocks cut to the Celestron 8″ SCT curve, machined in the USA, that puts a D-size bar you already own onto that tube.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297465688175,"sku":"FDC8R","price":84.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781723612565.jpg?v=1781723614"},{"product_id":"farpoint-dovetail-plate-takahashi-clamshell","title":"Farpoint Dovetail Plate - Takahashi Clamshell","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint FDTCS bolts to the base of a Takahashi clamshell and gives it a D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail interface, so the clamshell and the tube it holds drop into any D-size saddle as one assembly. It carries a single mounting position and is machined from aluminum with an anodized finish in dark grey carbon rather than black. CNC-machined in the USA, it ships at 1.0604 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you hold a Takahashi tube in the factory clamshell and run a mount with a D-size saddle. It suits a fixed setup — one where the balance point is known and stays put — since the single mounting position keeps the plate short, light and inexpensive compared with a two-position bar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTakahashi clamshell interface:\u003c\/strong\u003e drilled to bolt directly to the clamshell base.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eD-size dovetail:\u003c\/strong\u003e the outward face is the wide Losmandy-standard profile.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSingle mounting position:\u003c\/strong\u003e one fixed location for the clamshell on the plate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDark grey carbon anodizing:\u003c\/strong\u003e the finish is a dark grey carbon color, not black.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCNC-machined in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e dovetail angles and hole pattern cut to a fixed program.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePutting a Takahashi refractor, held in its clamshell, onto a Losmandy-standard saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStandardizing a rig on the D-size profile so tubes swap between mounts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFixed observatory or permanent-pier setups where the balance point is established once.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReplacing a V-size plate under a clamshell that has outgrown the narrow standard.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe plate is drilled for the Takahashi clamshell and presents a D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail — the wider of the two common standards — so it drops into any saddle cut for D-size. A mount fitted only with a narrow V-size (Vixen-style) saddle takes a D-size saddle or a V-to-D adapter saddle first. Farpoint publishes a customer drawing for this plate showing the mounting hole options and measurements, which is the reference for matching it to a specific clamshell. A 12″ two-position bar covers setups that need the clamshell shifted fore or aft for balance. If you'd like the hole pattern checked against your clamshell, we're glad to look at it before you order.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOne mounting position.\u003c\/strong\u003e The clamshell sits in a single fixed place on this plate; the 12″ two-position bar is the option that allows fore-and-aft adjustment.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe clamshell is separate.\u003c\/strong\u003e This is the plate that goes under a Takahashi clamshell, not the clamshell or the telescope.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFinish is dark grey carbon.\u003c\/strong\u003e The anodizing reads as dark grey carbon rather than black, which is visible next to black-anodized Farpoint parts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eD-size profile.\u003c\/strong\u003e The dovetail is the wide Losmandy standard; V-size saddles use a narrower profile and take an adapter.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShipping weight.\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.0604 lb of aluminum, added to the payload before the clamshell and tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does this plate do?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt bolts to the base of a Takahashi clamshell and gives the clamshell a D-size (Losmandy-style) dovetail interface, so the whole assembly drops into any D-size saddle. Farpoint's product drawing shows the mounting hole options and measurements.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOne mounting position or two?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne. That keeps the plate short and economical. Shifting the clamshell fore or aft to balance a rig is what the 12″ two-position bar is for.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe plate bolts to the clamshell's existing base holes with hand tools, and the assembly then drops into the saddle as one piece. It is a short bench job, and it reverses the same way.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat mounts will this work with?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAny mount with a D-size (Losmandy-style) saddle. A mount carrying only a small Vixen saddle can take a D-size saddle or an adapter saddle to accept it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a 1.0604 lb single-position plate in dark grey carbon anodizing, machined in the USA, that turns a Takahashi clamshell into a D-size dovetail assembly.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297466245231,"sku":"FDTCS","price":118.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781723644809.jpg?v=1781723647"},{"product_id":"farpoint-4-inch-universal-dovetail-plate-vixen","title":"Farpoint 4 Inch Universal Dovetail Plate - Vixen","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint FVUPS4 is a 4″ V-size (Vixen-style) dovetail bar drilled with a variety of mounting hole options rather than a pattern matched to one telescope. It attaches optical tubes and accessories to a Vixen saddle, or serves as a general-purpose mounting rail. Machined from aluminum with a black anodized finish, CNC-machined in the USA, and shipping at 0.4409 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you are mounting something compact — a guide scope, a small refractor, a finder bracket, a camera or a control box — and want a short Vixen bar with choices about where the bolts land. It also suits a rig where space along the saddle is tight, or where a spare short bar is useful to have in the accessory case.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e4″ length:\u003c\/strong\u003e a short bar sized for compact accessories and small payloads.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMultiple hole options:\u003c\/strong\u003e a variety of mounting holes rather than a single telescope-specific pattern.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eV-size profile:\u003c\/strong\u003e drops into any Vixen-style saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack anodized aluminum:\u003c\/strong\u003e a hard, low-reflectance finish that resists handling marks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCNC-machined in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e dovetail angles cut to a fixed program.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e0.4409 lb:\u003c\/strong\u003e light enough to leave on an accessory permanently.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMounting a guide scope or finder assembly on a Vixen saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarrying a camera, control box or small accessory alongside the main optical tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGiving a compact refractor or spotting scope a V-size dovetail interface.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGeneral-purpose mounting jobs where a short drilled rail is the simplest bracket available.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bar is the V-size (Vixen-style) profile — the narrower of the two common dovetail standards, the wider being D-size or Losmandy-style — and drops into any saddle cut for V-size. The hole pattern is a set of general-purpose options rather than a match to a named telescope, so the bolt spacing on whatever is being mounted is what determines fit. Longer bars in the same family, at 7″ and 14″, give more mounting positions and more room to slide for balance, and Farpoint's universal D-size bars cover the wider standard. If you'd like the 4″ hole layout checked against the accessory you plan to mount, we're glad to look at it before you order.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShort bar, short travel.\u003c\/strong\u003e At 4″ there is limited room to slide the payload fore and aft for balance; the 7″ and 14″ bars give more.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHole pattern is generic.\u003c\/strong\u003e The holes are general-purpose options, not a pattern cut for a specific telescope model.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eV-size profile.\u003c\/strong\u003e The bar rides in a Vixen-style saddle; D-size saddles use the wider profile.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimension drawing.\u003c\/strong\u003e Farpoint publishes drawings for the 7″ and 14″ bars; dimensions for the 4″ bar are available on request.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSub-pound item.\u003c\/strong\u003e The bar weighs 0.4409 lb, well under a pound, and shipping is rated at one pound.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat makes it universal?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe hole pattern. Instead of holes cut to match one telescope, the bar carries a variety of mounting hole options, so a single bar handles different mounts, accessories and general-purpose mounting jobs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich length do I need?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 4″ bar suits compact accessories and small payloads where space is tight. Longer bars give more mounting positions and more room to slide for balance — the 7″ and 14″ cover bigger jobs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs V-size the same as Vixen?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. V-size is the Vixen-style dovetail, the smaller of the two common standards; the larger is D-size, or Losmandy-style. This bar drops into any V-size saddle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bar bolts to the accessory through whichever of its holes line up, then drops into the saddle and clamps. It is a hand-tool job of a few minutes, and no permanent modification to the accessory is involved.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn short: a 4″ black anodized Vixen-style bar at 0.4409 lb, machined in the USA, drilled with a range of hole options for compact accessories and small payloads.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297466277999,"sku":"FVUPS4","price":68.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781723667667.jpg?v=1781723669"},{"product_id":"farpoint-7-inch-universal-dovetail-plate-vixen","title":"Farpoint 7 Inch Universal Dovetail Plate - Vixen","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint FVUPS7 is a 7″ universal dovetail bar machined to the V-size (Vixen-style) profile. It is cut from sturdy aluminum and finished in black anodize, and it carries a variety of mounting hole options rather than a pattern drilled for one specific telescope — so a single bar covers small optical tubes, accessory assemblies, and general-purpose mounting work. The bar is CNC-machined in the USA and weighs 0.683 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you…\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003erun a mount with a V-size (Vixen-style) saddle and want a 7″ bar that covers a range of jobs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eare mounting a small optical tube, a guide scope, or an accessory stack where a full-length plate adds bulk without adding value.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ewould rather have a choice of hole positions than a fixed pattern matched to one scope.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eare replacing or adding to bar hardware on a tube that already works in the Vixen standard.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e7″ V-size bar:\u003c\/strong\u003e the smaller of the two common dovetail standards, which is what most small and mid-size equatorial and alt-az saddles accept.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVariety of mounting holes:\u003c\/strong\u003e multiple hole positions along the bar rather than a single telescope-specific pattern, which is what makes it universal.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack anodized aluminum:\u003c\/strong\u003e machined from sturdy aluminum stock with an anodized surface finish.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCNC-machined in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e the dovetail angles are cut on CNC equipment at Farpoint's own shop.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e0.683 lb:\u003c\/strong\u003e light enough that it adds little to the balance calculation on a small rig.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAttaching a short refractor or a small optical tube to a Vixen-saddle mount.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarrying a guide scope, finder, or camera assembly alongside the main tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuilding a general-purpose mounting platform for accessories that need a dovetail interface.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eServing as a spare bar so a second scope can be swapped into the same saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a V-size bar, also called Vixen-style — the narrower of the two common dovetail standards. It seats in any mount saddle cut for V-size hardware, including the saddles found on most small and mid-size equatorial and alt-az mounts. Mounts fitted only with a D-size (Losmandy-style) saddle take the larger profile instead, and Farpoint's D-size bars cover that case. Because the bar carries a variety of hole options rather than one telescope-specific pattern, the fit to your tube or rings depends on the spacing of the holes already in them. Farpoint publishes a product drawing with the hole locations and measurements. Send us your scope or ring model and we will check the fit for you.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe bar ships on its own.\u003c\/strong\u003e Rings, radius blocks, and tube screws are separate items; this is the dovetail bar itself.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHole positions are fixed as machined.\u003c\/strong\u003e The variety of options covers a broad range of spacings, and the product drawing shows where each hole falls.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eV-size and D-size are different profiles.\u003c\/strong\u003e A V-size bar seats in a V-size saddle; a mount with only a D-size saddle takes a D-size bar or a saddle conversion.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBare aluminum dovetail edge.\u003c\/strong\u003e Saddles that clamp with a set screw bear on the anodized aluminum edge; saddles with a clamping bar spread the load across the face.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShipping weight rounds up.\u003c\/strong\u003e At 0.683 lb the bar sits under a pound, and shipping systems round to the next whole pound.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat makes it universal?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe hole pattern. Instead of holes drilled to match one telescope, the bar carries a variety of hole options, so it serves different mounts, accessories, and general-purpose mounting jobs.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs V-size the same as Vixen?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. V-size is the Vixen-style dovetail, the smaller of the two common standards. The larger one is D-size, also called Losmandy-style.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eInstallation is a matter of bolting the bar to the tube or rings through the matching holes and then sliding it into the mount saddle. It calls for hand tools and no modification to the bar.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich length suits most jobs?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 7″ bar is the all-rounder in the universal range — enough hole positions for most accessory and small-tube work without extra length. Farpoint also makes a 14″ version for longer tubes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it come with mounting screws?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eScrews are not part of this item. The bar is supplied on its own, and the hardware depends on the rings or tube it bolts to.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn short: a 7″ black anodized V-size dovetail bar, CNC-machined in the USA at 0.683 lb, with a variety of mounting hole options that let one bar serve small tubes, guide scopes, and accessory mounting on any Vixen-saddle mount.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297467424879,"sku":"FVUPS7","price":92.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781723757086.jpg?v=1781723759"},{"product_id":"farpoint-6-inch-57-3-series-universal-dovetail-plate-radian-bar","title":"Farpoint 6 Inch 57.3 Series Universal Dovetail Plate (Radian Bar)","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint FDP573-6 is the shortest bar in the 57.3 Series — a 6″ light-weighted D-size (Losmandy-style) universal dovetail. The series began as the Radian lightweight universal D-style bar that Farpoint manufactured for OPT (Oceanside Photo \u0026amp; Telescope), sold under the Radian Telescopes brand. With OPT closed, Farpoint continued the line under the 57.3 Series name on the same tooling, and extended the design into this compact 6″ length alongside the original 14″ and a longer 21.5″ bar. It is machined from sturdy aluminum with a black anodized finish and carries the same light-weighted profile and mounting hole options as the longer bars.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you…\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003erun a mount with a D-size (Losmandy-style) saddle and are carrying a compact optical tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eare assembling a guide scope rig or an accessory stack where a 14″ bar is more length than the job asks for.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ealready own 57.3 Series or Radian bars and want a matching short one for a second tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eare watching payload on a smaller mount and want the light-weighted profile rather than a solid bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e6″ D-size bar:\u003c\/strong\u003e a full Losmandy-standard dovetail profile in the shortest length Farpoint offers in this series.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight-weighted construction:\u003c\/strong\u003e material is machined away where it does not carry load, which is the design the Radian bar was known for.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMounting hole options:\u003c\/strong\u003e a variety of hole positions along the bar rather than a pattern drilled for one telescope.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlack anodized aluminum:\u003c\/strong\u003e machined from sturdy aluminum stock with an anodized finish.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCNC-machined in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e same tooling and same shop as the original Radian bars.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMounting a small refractor or compact optical tube on a D-size saddle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarrying a guide scope assembly parallel to the main tube.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBuilding an accessory platform that needs a Losmandy-standard interface in a short footprint.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdding a second short bar so two tubes can share one mount.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a D-size bar, the standard also called Losmandy-style — the wider of the two common dovetail profiles. It seats in any mount saddle cut for D-size hardware. Mounts supplied with only a small Vixen-style (V-size) saddle take a V-size bar, or a D-size saddle conversion, instead. The hole options along the bar cover a range of ring and tube spacings rather than one fixed pattern, so the fit depends on the holes already in your rings or tube foot. The longer members of the family — the 14″ original Radian length and the 21.5″ bar — share the same design if you need more reach. Send us your tube and ring models and we will check the hole spacing for you.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe bar ships on its own.\u003c\/strong\u003e Rings, radius blocks, and tube screws are separate items.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e6″ is a short bar.\u003c\/strong\u003e It gives a smaller clamping footprint in the saddle than a 14″ or 21.5″ bar, which is what suits it to compact tubes and guide scope work.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eD-size and V-size are different profiles.\u003c\/strong\u003e A D-size bar seats in a D-size saddle; a V-size saddle takes the narrower V-size bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBare aluminum dovetail edge.\u003c\/strong\u003e Saddles that clamp with a set screw bear on the anodized edge; saddles with a clamping bar spread the load across the face.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVendor pricing on this item is under review.\u003c\/strong\u003e The published figure at the manufacturer currently reads 0.00, so our price is pending verification — get in touch and we will quote it directly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this the Radian dovetail bar?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt is the compact extension of it. Farpoint manufactured the original 14″ bars for OPT, who sold them under the Radian Telescopes brand. With OPT closed, Farpoint sells the line direct under the 57.3 Series name, and this 6″ brings the same design to the smallest rigs. The original length continues as the 57.3 Series 14″ bar.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy choose the 6″ length?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSmall refractors, guide scope rigs, and accessory assemblies do not call for 14″ of bar. The 6″ keeps footprint and weight down while still giving a full D-size dovetail.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat mounts does it work with?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAny mount with a D-size (Losmandy-style) saddle. Mounts that ship with a small Vixen saddle can take a D-size saddle conversion instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eInstallation is bolting the bar to the rings or tube foot through the matching holes and sliding it into the saddle. It calls for hand tools and no modification to the bar.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does light-weighted mean here?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMaterial is machined out of the bar in the areas that carry little load, so the bar keeps its stiffness while shedding mass — the feature the Radian design was built around.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn short: the 6″ member of Farpoint's 57.3 Series, a black anodized light-weighted D-size Losmandy dovetail bar CNC-machined in the USA on the original Radian tooling, sized for compact tubes, guide scopes, and accessory mounting.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297472307311,"sku":"FDP573-6","price":0.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781724329626.jpg?v=1781724331"},{"product_id":"farpoint-7-inch-metric-universal-dovetail-plate","title":"Farpoint 7 Inch Metric Universal Dovetail Plate","description":"\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Farpoint FMDUPS is a 7″ D-size (Losmandy-compatible) dovetail bar drilled on metric centres: 60mm wide hole spacing, which is the pattern used by William Optics and most Asian-made clamshell rings. That spacing lets those rings bolt straight to the bar without adapter plates or re-drilling. The bar is machined from sturdy aluminum, carries a distinctive blue anodized finish, is CNC-machined in the USA, and weighs 1.375 lb.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a good match if you…\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eown William Optics rings, or Asian-made clamshell rings, whose mounting holes sit 60mm apart.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003erun a mount with a D-size (Losmandy-style) saddle and want the rings to bolt directly to the bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ehave been working around a mismatch with adapter plates and would rather have the spacing built into the bar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eare mounting a short refractor or a compact tube where 7″ of bar covers the ring footprint.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Design\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e60mm metric hole spacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e matched to William Optics and most Asian-made clamshell rings, so those rings bolt on directly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e7″ D-size bar:\u003c\/strong\u003e the Losmandy-compatible profile, the wider of the two common dovetail standards.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlue anodized aluminum:\u003c\/strong\u003e the anodize colour distinguishes the metric bars from the imperial universal bars at a glance.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCNC-machined in the USA:\u003c\/strong\u003e the dovetail angles and hole pattern are cut on CNC equipment at Farpoint's own shop.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e1.375 lb:\u003c\/strong\u003e a modest addition to the payload on a mid-size mount.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMounting a William Optics refractor in its supplied clamshell ring on a Losmandy-saddle mount.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFitting an Asian-made clamshell-ring scope to a D-size saddle without machining new holes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCarrying a guide scope or imaging assembly whose ring spacing is already metric.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStandardising a rig on 60mm centres so rings and bars interchange between tubes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility and Accessory Notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe bar seats in any mount saddle cut for D-size (Losmandy-style) hardware. Mounts fitted only with a small Vixen-style (V-size) saddle take a V-size bar or a D-size saddle conversion instead. On the ring side, the defining figure is the 60mm wide hole spacing: rings with holes on 60mm centres — William Optics and most Asian-made clamshell rings — bolt straight on. Rings drilled on imperial centres pair with Farpoint's imperial universal bars, which carry a different variety of hole options. Farpoint publishes a customer drawing for the FMDUPS showing every hole option and its measurement. Send us your ring or scope model and we will check the spacing for you.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGood to Know Before You Order\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMetric refers to the hole pattern, not the dovetail.\u003c\/strong\u003e The dovetail profile is the standard D-size Losmandy shape; only the mounting holes are on 60mm metric centres.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe bar ships on its own.\u003c\/strong\u003e Rings, tube screws, and saddle hardware are separate items.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eImperial rings need a different bar.\u003c\/strong\u003e Rings drilled on imperial centres pair with the 7″ or 14″ imperial universal bars rather than this one.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e7″ is the shortest metric length.\u003c\/strong\u003e Farpoint also makes the same 60mm pattern in 10″ and 14″ bars for longer tubes or wider ring separation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBare aluminum dovetail edge.\u003c\/strong\u003e Saddles that clamp with a set screw bear on the anodized edge; saddles with a clamping bar spread the load across the face.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat makes this bar metric?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe hole spacing. It is 60mm wide, matching William Optics and most Asian-made clamshell rings, so those rings mount with no adapter plates and no re-drilling. The imperial universal 7″ bar carries a different variety of hole options instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill my rings bolt to it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRings with 60mm-wide hole spacing will, which covers William Optics and most Asian-made clamshell rings. The Farpoint customer drawing lists the hole options against which your rings can be checked, and we are happy to check it with you.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat mounts does it work with?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAny mount with a D-size (Losmandy-style) saddle. Mounts with a small Vixen saddle can take a D-size saddle conversion.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it difficult to install?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eInstallation is bolting the rings to the bar through the 60mm holes and sliding the assembly into the saddle. It calls for hand tools and no modification to the bar.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is it blue?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe blue anodize marks the metric bars apart from Farpoint's black anodized imperial bars, which is useful when a rig carries both.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottom Line\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn short: a 7″ blue anodized D-size Losmandy dovetail bar at 1.375 lb, CNC-machined in the USA and drilled on 60mm metric centres so William Optics and most Asian-made clamshell rings bolt directly to it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"FarpointAstro","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53297476239471,"sku":"FMDUPS","price":109.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0686\/0049\/6239\/files\/upload-1781724539237.jpg?v=1781724541"}],"url":"https:\/\/ontariotelescope.com\/collections\/farpoint-dovetails-rings.oembed","provider":"Ontario Telescope and Accessories","version":"1.0","type":"link"}