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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.
Explore Scientific Medium-Vixen Style Saddle Plate

Explore Scientific Medium-Vixen Style Saddle Plate

by Explore Scientific
SKU ES-VXNMD
$59.99 - $59.99
$59.99
$59.99 - $59.99
$59.99
Price Match Policy!
  • Vixen-Style Mounting Profile
  • Solid Extruded Aluminum Construction
  • Black Anodized Finish for Durability
  • Medium Length for Versatile Balancing
  • Lightweight Yet Rigid Design
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  • Description
  • FAQ
  • Specifications
  • In the Box
  • Warranty

  • Explore Scientific Medium-Vixen Style Saddle Plate

    The Explore Scientific Medium-Vixen Style Saddle Plate provides the critical, load-bearing interface between your optical tube assembly and any mount equipped with a Vixen-style saddle. Machined from a solid piece of extruded aluminum, it creates a rigid, flexure-free connection essential for stable tracking and sharp imaging. Its black anodized finish ensures durability against wear from repeated use in the field.

    The Critical Link: A Secure Vixen-Style Connection

    This saddle plate adheres to the industry-standard Vixen-style dovetail profile, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of popular mounts from numerous manufacturers. It is the single point of contact responsible for securing your telescope, making its rigidity paramount for both safety and pointing accuracy. A secure connection prevents slippage and flexure that can ruin an exposure or cause frustrating tracking errors.

    Built for Rigidity: Solid Extruded Aluminum Construction

    Machined from a single piece of extruded aluminum, the plate is engineered to be both lightweight and exceptionally rigid. This solid construction prevents the plate from bending or twisting under the load of an optical tube, a common point of failure in lesser designs. The black anodized finish provides a hard, corrosion-resistant surface that stands up to years of demanding use.

    Choosing Your Standard: Vixen-Style vs. Losmandy-Style Plates

    While the Vixen standard is ideal for lighter to medium-weight telescope setups, it is important to understand its place relative to the larger Losmandy D-style standard.

    • Losmandy D-Style Advantage: The wider profile of a Losmandy plate offers a larger contact area and greater rigidity, making it the preferred choice for heavy optical tubes and serious imaging rigs where zero flexure is the goal.
    • Vixen-Style Advantage: The Vixen plate is lighter, more compact, and compatible with the majority of grab-and-go mounts and portable setups. For visual use and imaging with smaller refractors or SCTs, the Vixen standard provides more than enough stability in a more manageable package.

  • What mounts are compatible with the Explore Scientific Vixen-Style Saddle Plate?

    This plate is compatible with any mount that has a Vixen-style (or "V-style") saddle. This includes most mounts from Explore Scientific, Celestron (AVX, CG-5), Sky-Watcher, Orion, and many others designed for small to medium payloads.

    Is this Vixen-style plate strong enough for an 8" SCT like the Celestron EdgeHD 800?

    Yes, for visual use and light imaging, this medium Vixen-style plate is sufficient for an 8" SCT. However, for long-exposure deep-sky imaging with heavy accessories like an off-axis guider and filter wheel, upgrading to a wider Losmandy-style plate and corresponding saddle is recommended to eliminate any potential for flexure.

    How do I attach the Explore Scientific saddle plate to my telescope?

    The plate attaches to the bottom of your telescope's tube rings or directly to the tube if it has threaded mounting holes. You will need to provide your own mounting screws of the appropriate length and thread (typically 1/4"-20) to match your telescope's hardware.

    Why choose this aluminum saddle plate over a steel one?

    An aluminum plate like this one offers an excellent balance of rigidity and low weight. While a steel plate might be slightly more rigid, it would be significantly heavier, adding unnecessary weight to your mount and making the setup harder to transport and balance.

    I'm trying to balance my 102mm refractor. Will this medium plate help?

    Yes, a medium-length plate provides more surface area to slide back and forth in the mount's saddle, giving you greater flexibility for achieving perfect balance. This is especially useful when you change accessories, like switching from a lightweight eyepiece to a heavier camera, which shifts the center of gravity.

    What is the main difference between a Vixen-style and a Losmandy-style saddle plate?

    The primary difference is width and load capacity. Vixen-style plates are narrower and are the standard for lighter telescopes and portable mounts. Losmandy-style plates (or "D-style") are wider and more robust, designed to support heavier optical tubes and prevent flexure in demanding astrophotography setups.

  • GTIN 812257016648

    • Explore Scientific Medium-Vixen Style Saddle Plate

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  • Explore Scientific Warranty