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Mounting Hardware

Flexure is invisible until you see it in your stars. A dovetail that shifts a fraction of a millimetre under load, a guide scope on a soft bracket, a saddle clamping on one point instead of a face — each produces elongation that no processing corrects. David Astro carries mounting hardware items in Canada: dovetail bars and clamps, tube rings, saddles, side-by-side plates and adapter plates, in Canadian stock.

Getting this right is mostly a matter of matching standards and eliminating single points of contact. Tell us your tube diameter, mount saddle and payload and we will specify hardware that holds it rigidly.

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CA$203.00 - CA$203.00
CA$203.00
CA$203.00 - CA$203.00
CA$203.00

Farpoint D Series Dovetail Rings - 125mm

FAP-FDR125
Only 2 left!

Safely attach telescope optical accessories with Farpoint 125mm D Style Dovetail Rings.Includes two “D” Losmandy style 125mm I.D. Rings with 3 poin...

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CA$203.00 - CA$203.00
CA$203.00
CA$203.00 - CA$203.00
CA$203.00
CA$186.00 - CA$186.00
CA$186.00
CA$186.00 - CA$186.00
CA$186.00

Farpoint D Series Dovetail Rings - 90mm

FAP-FDR90
Only 1 left!

Safely attach telescope optical accessories with Farpoint 90mm D Style Dovetail Rings.Includes two “D” Losmandy style 90mm I.D. Rings with 3 point ...

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CA$186.00 - CA$186.00
CA$186.00
CA$186.00 - CA$186.00
CA$186.00
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CA$128.00 - CA$128.00
CA$128.00
CA$128.00 - CA$128.00
CA$128.00

Farpoint D Series Universal Dovetail Plate - 14"

FAP-FDUP

Safely attach telescope optical tubes and accessories with Farpoint 14 Inch Universal Dovetail Plate. Machined of sturdy aluminum with a black ano...

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CA$128.00 - CA$128.00
CA$128.00
CA$128.00 - CA$128.00
CA$128.00
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CA$112.00 - CA$112.00
CA$112.00
CA$112.00 - CA$112.00
CA$112.00

Farpoint D Series Universal Dovetail Plate - 7"

FAP-FDUPS
Only 1 left!

Safely attach telescope optical tubes and accessories with Farpoint 7 Inch Universal Dovetail Plate.Machined of sturdy aluminum with a black anodiz...

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CA$112.00 - CA$112.00
CA$112.00
CA$112.00 - CA$112.00
CA$112.00
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CA$83.00 - CA$83.00
CA$83.00
CA$83.00 - CA$83.00
CA$83.00

Farpoint D-Handle (only) for FDA

FAP-HandleD-FDA

FDA Product Drawing

CA$83.00 - CA$83.00
CA$83.00
CA$83.00 - CA$83.00
CA$83.00
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CA$136.00 - CA$136.00
CA$136.00
CA$136.00 - CA$136.00
CA$136.00

Farpoint V Series Dovetail Plate - Celestron 9.25" SCT

FAP-FVC9.25S
Only 1 left!

Safely attach telescope optical tubes and accessories with Farpoint Vixen Dovetail Plate – Celestron 9.25 Inch SCTMachined of sturdy aluminum with ...

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CA$136.00 - CA$136.00
CA$136.00
CA$136.00 - CA$136.00
CA$136.00
iOptron Arca-Swiss quick release plate for PST
CA$27.00 - CA$27.00
CA$27.00
CA$27.00 - CA$27.00
CA$27.00

iOptron Arca-Swiss quick release plate for PST

IOP-3683

Connects Coronado PST to Arca-Swiss compatible heads Enables rapid mounting and dismounting of the telescope Provides a secure, non-rotating conne...

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CA$27.00 - CA$27.00
CA$27.00
CA$27.00 - CA$27.00
CA$27.00
iOptron Ball Head Top Plate
CA$22.00 - CA$22.00
CA$22.00
CA$22.00 - CA$22.00
CA$22.00

iOptron Ball Head Top Plate

IOP-3308

Adapts Vixen-Style Dovetail Bars to Photographic Ball Heads Enables Mounting of Small Telescopes or Lenses on Camera Tripods Creates a Lightweight...

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CA$22.00 - CA$22.00
CA$22.00
CA$22.00 - CA$22.00
CA$22.00
iOptron Cube Secondary Dovetail Saddle Kit
CA$151.00 - CA$151.00
CA$151.00
CA$151.00 - CA$151.00
CA$151.00

iOptron Cube Secondary Dovetail Saddle Kit

IOP-8253

Mount a Second Telescope Side-by-Side Designed for iOptron Cube Series Mounts Ideal for Outreach and Educational Viewing Enables Simultaneous Wide...

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CA$151.00 - CA$151.00
CA$151.00
CA$151.00 - CA$151.00
CA$151.00
iOptron Dovetail Plate - 115mm universal
CA$55.00 - CA$55.00
CA$55.00
CA$55.00 - CA$55.00
CA$55.00

iOptron Dovetail Plate - 115mm universal

IOP-8422-115

115mm Overall Length Universal Vixen-Style Profile Ideal for Guide Scopes and Finders Provides a Secure Mounting Platform Description FAQ Speci...

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CA$55.00 - CA$55.00
CA$55.00
CA$55.00 - CA$55.00
CA$55.00
iOptron Dovetail Plate - 178mm universal
CA$66.00 - CA$66.00
CA$66.00
CA$66.00 - CA$66.00
CA$66.00

iOptron Dovetail Plate - 178mm universal

IOP-8422-178

178mm (7-inch) Length Universal Mounting Design Provides Secure OTA-to-Mount Connection Aids in Balancing Telescope Assemblies Description FAQ ...

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CA$66.00 - CA$66.00
CA$66.00
CA$66.00 - CA$66.00
CA$66.00
iOptron Dovetail Plate for iEQ45 dual saddle
CA$59.00 - CA$59.00
CA$59.00
CA$59.00 - CA$59.00
CA$59.00

iOptron Dovetail Plate for iEQ45 dual saddle

IOP-8422-126

126mm Vixen-Style Dovetail Plate Designed for the iOptron iEQ45 Dual Saddle Provides Secure Mounting for Small Telescopes Compact and Lightweight ...

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CA$59.00 - CA$59.00
CA$59.00
CA$59.00 - CA$59.00
CA$59.00
iOptron Dovetail Plate for iOptron SkyTracker Mount
CA$59.00 - CA$59.00
CA$59.00
CA$59.00 - CA$59.00
CA$59.00

iOptron Dovetail Plate for iOptron SkyTracker Mount

IOP-8422-166

Designed for iOptron SkyTracker Mounts Provides a Stable Camera Mounting Platform Improves Balance with Telephoto Lenses Reduces Flexure for Sharp...

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CA$59.00 - CA$59.00
CA$59.00
CA$59.00 - CA$59.00
CA$59.00
iOptron Secondary Dovetail Saddle for AZMP/MT Mounts
CA$123.00 - CA$123.00
CA$123.00
CA$123.00 - CA$123.00
CA$123.00

iOptron Secondary Dovetail Saddle for AZMP/MT Mounts

IOP-8953

Adds a second dovetail saddle to your mount Official accessory for iOptron AZ Mount Pro and MiniTower mounts Enables dual-telescope setups Ideal f...

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CA$123.00 - CA$123.00
CA$123.00
CA$123.00 - CA$123.00
CA$123.00
iOptron SkyTracker Ball Head
CA$91.00 - CA$91.00
CA$91.00
CA$91.00 - CA$91.00
CA$91.00

iOptron SkyTracker Ball Head

IOP-3305A

Designed for iOptron SkyTracker and SkyGuider Pro Mounts Provides Full Azimuth and Altitude Pointing Freedom Enables Framing of Any Celestial Obje...

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CA$91.00 - CA$91.00
CA$91.00
CA$91.00 - CA$91.00
CA$91.00
iOptron Universal Side-by-Side Saddles System
CA$277.00 - CA$277.00
CA$277.00
CA$277.00 - CA$277.00
CA$277.00

iOptron Universal Side-by-Side Saddles System

IOP-8460

Mounts Two Telescopes on a Single Mount Head Ideal for Imaging and Autoguiding Setups Enables Parallel Observation with Different Instruments Impr...

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CA$277.00 - CA$277.00
CA$277.00
CA$277.00 - CA$277.00
CA$277.00
iOptron Vixen/Losmandy Dual Dovetail Saddle
CA$249.00 - CA$249.00
CA$249.00
CA$249.00 - CA$249.00
CA$249.00

iOptron Vixen/Losmandy Dual Dovetail Saddle

IOP-8426VD

Accepts Vixen-style dovetail bars Accepts Losmandy-style dovetail bars Dual-saddle design for mounting versatility Description FAQ Specificatio...

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CA$249.00 - CA$249.00
CA$249.00
CA$249.00 - CA$249.00
CA$249.00
CA$119.00 - CA$119.00
CA$119.00
CA$119.00 - CA$119.00
CA$119.00

Lunt Clamshell Mounting Rings - LS60THA or LS80THA

LSS-CLAM

Designed for Lunt LS60THa & LS80THa Telescopes Heavy-Duty Black-Anodized Construction Integrated 1/4-20 Tapped Mounting Hole Accepts Tele Vue ...

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CA$119.00 - CA$119.00
CA$119.00
CA$119.00 - CA$119.00
CA$119.00
CA$77.00 - CA$77.00
CA$77.00
CA$77.00 - CA$77.00
CA$77.00

Lunt V-Series Dovetail Bar - 12"

LSS-LS300PS

12" Mounting Length Vixen-Style Dovetail Profile Black Anodized Aluminum Construction Factory Standard for Lunt Solar Telescopes Description FA...

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CA$77.00 - CA$77.00
CA$77.00
CA$77.00 - CA$77.00
CA$77.00
CA$35.00 - CA$35.00
CA$35.00
CA$35.00 - CA$35.00
CA$35.00

Lunt V-Series Dovetail Bar - 4"

LSS-LS100PS
3 in stock

4" Compact Length Vixen-Style Mounting Profile Black Anodized Aluminum Construction Pre-Drilled with 1/4-20 Threaded Holes Compatible with Lunt So...

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CA$35.00 - CA$35.00
CA$35.00
CA$35.00 - CA$35.00
CA$35.00
CA$49.00 - CA$49.00
CA$49.00
CA$49.00 - CA$49.00
CA$49.00

Lunt V-Series Dovetail Bar - 6"

LSS-LS150PS
3 in stock

Vixen-Style Dovetail Profile Black Anodized Aluminum Construction Designed for Lunt Solar Telescopes Pre-drilled for Telescope Mounting Secure Con...

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CA$49.00 - CA$49.00
CA$49.00
CA$49.00 - CA$49.00
CA$49.00
Orion Optics UK Base Plate - 250mm Length
CA$187.00 - CA$187.00
CA$187.00
CA$217.00
CA$217.00 - CA$217.00
CA$217.00

Orion Optics UK Base Plate - 250mm Length

OOUK-BASE-PLATE-250MM-4-WIDE

Length: 250mm Width: 4 inches Thickness: 10mm Provides a stable, non-flexing mounting surface Ideal for custom telescope and astrophotography setu...

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CA$187.00 - CA$187.00
CA$187.00
CA$217.00
CA$217.00 - CA$217.00
CA$217.00
Orion Optics UK Base Plate - 400mm Length
CA$270.00 - CA$270.00
CA$270.00
CA$300.00
CA$300.00 - CA$300.00
CA$300.00

Orion Optics UK Base Plate - 400mm Length

OOUK-BASE-PLATE-400MM-4-WIDE

400mm Total Length Provides a Solid Connection Between OTA and Mount Engineered to Minimize Mechanical Flexure Designed for Orion Optics UK Telesc...

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CA$270.00 - CA$270.00
CA$270.00
CA$300.00
CA$300.00 - CA$300.00
CA$300.00
Orion Optics UK Base Plate 300mm length
CA$218.00 - CA$218.00
CA$218.00
CA$248.00
CA$248.00 - CA$248.00
CA$248.00

Orion Optics UK Base Plate 300mm length

OOUK-BASE-PLATE-300MM-4-WIDE

Engineered by Orion Optics UK Provides a Rigid, Flex-Free Mounting Platform Connects Telescope Tube Rings to Mount Saddles Solid Metal Constructio...

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CA$218.00 - CA$218.00
CA$218.00
CA$248.00
CA$248.00 - CA$248.00
CA$248.00

Dovetail Standards and Building a Rigid Connection

Nearly all mounting hardware follows one of two dovetail standards, and mixing them without the correct clamp is the most common cause of a telescope sitting loose on an otherwise good mount.

  • Vixen-style dovetail (approximately 44 mm): The lighter standard, fine for small refractors and visual loads up to a few kilograms.
  • Losmandy-style dovetail (approximately 75 mm): The wider, stiffer standard used for heavier optics and imaging trains where flexure must be minimized.
  • Tube rings: Sized to the tube's outer diameter and lined to protect it; rings allow rotation for framing without unbolting the optic.
  • Mount saddles: The receiving clamp on the mount head. Dual-fit saddles accept both standards, and face-clamping designs grip more securely than a single point screw.
  • Side-by-side plates: Carry two optical tubes on one mount with balance adjustment in both axes.
  • Adapter plates: Convert between standards, add accessory mounting points, or raise a guide scope clear of an obstruction.

Why Choose David Astro for Mounting Hardware

Rigidity is cumulative. Every joint between the optic and the mount either holds or contributes to the error you spend the night chasing.

  • Standard matching: We confirm your mount's saddle type and specify a dovetail that fits it fully, rather than one that seats on an edge.
  • Flexure diagnosis: If your guiding shows drift that guiding corrections cannot fix, we will look at the mechanical chain with you — usually it is a guide scope bracket or an undersized dovetail.
  • Tube diameter fitting: Rings are matched to actual measured outer diameter, since nominal aperture and tube diameter are not the same number.
  • Authorized dealer: Genuine hardware with full manufacturer warranty, shipped from Canadian stock.
  • No cross-border fees: Canadian orders ship domestically with no duties or brokerage charges.

Mounting Hardware in Canada — Frequently Asked Questions

Vixen or Losmandy dovetail?
Losmandy for anything above roughly 7 kg or for imaging where flexure matters. Vixen is adequate for smaller refractors and visual use, and is lighter and more common on entry-level mounts.
Can I put a Vixen bar in a Losmandy saddle?
Only with a dual-fit saddle or an adapter clamp. Forcing a narrow bar into a wide clamp results in point contact, which is exactly the condition that causes slipping under load.
Why do my stars elongate only on one side of a meridian flip?
That pattern usually indicates differential flexure rather than tracking error. Check the guide scope bracket, the dovetail seating and the focuser drawtube, in that order.
How do I size tube rings?
By the tube's outer diameter, not aperture. Measure the tube itself, or tell us the exact telescope model and we will confirm the correct ring size.

Chasing flexure?

Tell us your tube, mount and payload and we will specify hardware that holds it solid. Ships from Canada with expert support.