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IMPORTANT: Our store is located in Canada. All orders that include products manufactured outside of Canada or USA will be subject to tariffs and duties, regardless of the order value. US customers are responsible for all applicable duties and tariffs, and those will be billed by the carrier, except for the Lacerta upgrade kit, for which we collect them at checkout.
IMPORTANT: Our store is located in Canada. All orders that include products manufactured outside of Canada or USA will be subject to tariffs and duties, regardless of the order value. US customers are responsible for all applicable duties and tariffs, and those will be billed by the carrier, except for the Lacerta upgrade kit, for which we collect them at checkout.
William Optics Slide-Base 50mm Guiding Rings
William Optics Slide-Base 50mm Guiding Rings
William Optics Slide-Base 50mm Guiding Rings
William Optics Slide-Base 50mm Guiding Rings

William Optics Slide-Base 50mm Guiding Rings

by William Optics
SKU WO-M-GR50SL
$76.00 - $76.00
$76.00
$76.00 - $76.00
$76.00
Price Match Policy!
  • Securely holds guidescopes and finders with a 50mm tube diameter
  • Slide-base design allows for fore-and-aft adjustment for precise balancing
  • Essential for eliminating tracking errors caused by an imbalanced imaging rig
  • Features thumbscrews for fine-pointing adjustments to center a guide star
  • Signature William Optics fit and finish for durability and ease of use
1 in stock
Qualifies for FREE Shipping in CONUS on orders over $350.
  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Warranty

  • William Optics Slide-Base 50mm Guiding Rings

    The William Optics Slide-Base 50mm Guiding Rings are a fundamental component for serious astrophotographers, offering a secure, adjustable mounting solution for any guidescope with a 50mm tube diameter. This ring set's primary function is to enable perfect balance of your entire imaging payload, a critical step for achieving the sharpest possible long-exposure images with your 50mm guide scope.

    A Secure Mount for 50mm Class Guidescopes

    These rings are engineered to firmly hold your 50mm guidescope, preventing any flexure or slippage that could ruin a sub-exposure. Equipped with adjustment thumbscrews, you can easily aim your guidescope independently of your main telescope, making the process of finding and centering a suitable guide star quick and simple. This ensures your autoguider has a solid lock, night after night.

    The Slide-Base Advantage: Balancing Your 50mm Guide System

    The key feature of this design is the slide-base, which allows you to move your 50mm guidescope forward or backward along the telescope's optical axis. This capability is crucial for achieving perfect balance in both right ascension and declination. An imbalanced rig forces your mount's motors to work harder, introducing tracking errors that result in elongated stars; these rings directly solve that problem by giving you fine control over your setup's center of gravity.

  • What is the advantage of the William Optics Slide-Base 50mm Guiding Rings over fixed rings?

    The primary advantage is balance. Fixed rings lock your guidescope in one position, but the William Optics Slide-Base 50mm Guiding Rings allow you to slide the guidescope fore and aft. This adjustment is critical for precisely balancing your entire telescope and camera payload, which reduces strain on your mount and improves autoguiding accuracy.

    Will the William Optics 50mm Guiding Rings fit a guidescope from another brand?

    Yes. The William Optics 50mm Guiding Rings are designed to work with any guidescope or finderscope that has an outer tube diameter of 50mm, regardless of the manufacturer.

    How do these WO Slide-Base 50mm Rings help balance a heavy setup like an 8" SCT?

    For a telescope like an 8" SCT with a camera and other accessories, achieving perfect balance is difficult. The William Optics Slide-Base 50mm Guiding Rings provide a second axis of adjustment. After balancing the main scope, you can slide the guidescope within the rings to fine-tune the balance point without having to move the entire telescope in its saddle, leading to much better tracking.

    What kind of mounting plate do I need for the William Optics Slide-Base 50mm Guiding Rings?

    These rings are designed to be mounted onto a compatible base, such as the saddle handle found on many William Optics telescopes or a universal dovetail bar that accepts this type of sliding base. This allows the rings to move freely for balancing.

    My William Optics RedCat 51 is hard to balance. Will these 50mm rings help?

    Absolutely. Compact, wide-field refractors like the RedCat 51 can become unbalanced quickly when a guidescope and camera are added. The William Optics Slide-Base 50mm Guiding Rings are an ideal solution, as they allow you to precisely counteract the weight of your accessories and achieve the perfect balance necessary for sharp, round stars.

    Can I use the William Optics Slide-Base 50mm Rings for a finderscope?

    Yes. If your finderscope has a 50mm tube diameter, these rings will hold it securely. The slide-base functionality also allows you to position the finder eyepiece at a more comfortable viewing angle.

  • Compatible Guidescope Diameter 50mm
    Mounting Style Slide-Base

    • Slide-Base 50mm Guiding Rings

      × 2

  • William Optics 2-Year Warranty