Losmandy D Series Dovetail Plate for Meade 7" Maksutov-Cassegrain

Product Overview

This is Losmandy's D-series dovetail plate cut for the Meade 7-inch Maksutov-Cassegrain. It bolts to the tube's existing holes at a 16.0"/16.50" separation, so there is no drilling. The plate is 19 inches long and 0.75 inches thick, weighs 4 lb, and puts the top of the dovetail plate 1.00 inch above the top of the tube. One safety stop screw and the mounting screws are included.

Who It's For

The Meade 7" Mak is a heavy, long-focal-length tube that rewards a properly sized dovetail. At 19 inches this plate gives clamping length and balance travel in proportion to the instrument, bolted to the tube's own hole pattern rather than to rings. If you image with it, the 19-inch length is what lets you rebalance when a camera and filter wheel go on the back.

Key Features & Design

• Cut for the Meade 7" Maksutov-Cassegrain, bolting to existing holes at 16.0"/16.50" separation.
• 19 inches long, 0.75 inches thick, at 4 lb.
• 1.00 inch 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 7-inch Maksutov on a Losmandy equatorial. Long-focal-length lunar and planetary imaging, where the balance point moves with the camera train. Visual observing with a heavy tube that needs full clamping length in the saddle. Putting the tube on an AZ8 alt-azimuth saddle.

Compatibility and Accessory Notes

• Telescope: the Meade 7" Maksutov-Cassegrain, 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 7 among others, if you want a plate that can move to another tube.
• Guide scope: the DVR108 rings clamp to the dovetail, with the DVR66 camera ring to steady a guide camera.
• Front counterbalance: the 5" counterbalance system trims a rear-heavy catadioptric.

Good to Know Before You Order

• It is cut for the 7" Maksutov specifically. Meade's SCT tubes use different hole separations and have their own plates.
• 4 lb of plate counts against your payload, on top of a heavy tube. On a GM 8 at its 40 lb imaging rating that is worth adding to the sum — send us your train and we will do it with you.
• Mounting screws are included, so nothing further is needed to bolt it on.
• 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 at 16.0"/16.50" separation.

Will it fit a Meade 8" SCT?

No — that tube has a 12.325"/12.70" separation and its own plate.

Why 19 inches?

Length gives clamping surface and fore-and-aft travel for balancing, both of which a heavy long-focus tube needs.

Can I mount a guide scope on it?

Yes — the DVR108 rings clamp straight onto the dovetail.

Bottom Line

In short: a 19-inch Losmandy D-series plate cut for the Meade 7-inch Maksutov, 0.75" thick at 4 lb, bolting to its existing 16.0"/16.50" holes with screws and a safety stop included.