Losmandy D Series Dovetail Plate for Meade 8" OTA

Product Overview

This is Losmandy's D-series dovetail plate cut for the Meade 8-inch tube. It bolts to the tube's existing holes at a 12.325"/12.70" separation, so there is no drilling. The plate is 14 inches long and 0.75 inches thick, weighs 3 lb, and puts the top of the dovetail plate 1.20 inches above the top of the tube. One safety stop screw and the mounting screws are included.

Who It's For

An 8-inch SCT is a common first serious telescope and often arrives with a short factory rail. Replacing that with a 14-inch D-series plate gives the saddle proper clamping length and gives you the fore-and-aft travel to balance the tube once a diagonal, camera or focal reducer changes where its centre of mass sits.

Key Features & Design

• Cut for the Meade 8" OTA, bolting to existing holes at 12.325"/12.70" separation.
• 14 inches long, 0.75 inches thick, at 3 lb.
• 1.20 inches from the top of the tube to the top of the dovetail plate.
• Safety stop screw and mounting screws included.
• D-series profile, accepted by every current Losmandy saddle.

Recommended Uses

Mounting a Meade 8-inch SCT on a Losmandy equatorial. Replacing a short factory rail with a full-length dovetail. Imaging with a camera train, where balance shifts as the train changes. Visual observing on an AZ8 alt-azimuth saddle.

Compatibility and Accessory Notes

• Telescope: the Meade 8" OTA, using its existing hole pattern.
• Saddles: any Losmandy D-series saddle — the G-11 saddle, the GM8 saddle plate, and the twin saddles on the AZ8.
• Universal alternative: the 19" DUP plate is listed as fitting the Meade 8 among others.
• Guide scope: the DVR108 rings clamp to the dovetail.
• Front counterbalance: the 2" and 5" counterbalance systems bolt to the plate to offset a heavy rear end.

Good to Know Before You Order

• It is cut for the Meade 8" specifically. The 10", 12" and 14" tubes use different separations and have their own plates — tell us your tube and we will confirm.
• Same hole separation as the Celestron 8" plate. The two tubes share 12.325"/12.70", but plate thickness and tube-to-bar height differ, so order the one for your telescope.
• Mounting screws are included.
• Specifications are Losmandy's published figures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it difficult to set up?

No. It bolts to the tube's existing holes with the supplied screws, then clamps into the saddle.

Do I need to drill the tube?

No. It uses Meade's own hole pattern.

Will it fit a Meade 10" or 12"?

No — those use different hole separations. Send us your model and we will point you at the right plate.

Why not keep the factory rail?

A 14-inch D-series plate gives more clamping length and more balance travel, which matters as soon as a camera is fitted.

Can I mount a guide scope on it?

Yes — the DVR108 rings clamp straight onto the dovetail.

Bottom Line

In short: a 14-inch Losmandy D-series plate cut for the Meade 8-inch tube, 0.75" thick at 3 lb, bolting to its existing 12.325"/12.70" holes with screws and a safety stop included.