What is the iOptron Secondary Dovetail Saddle used for?
The iOptron Secondary Dovetail Saddle is an accessory that slides onto the counterweight shaft of compatible iOptron mounts to provide a second mounting position for a telescope or other equipment. It allows you to use two instruments simultaneously on one mount, such as a main telescope and a guidescope, or two different telescopes for visual and imaging use.
Which iOptron mounts is this Secondary Dovetail Saddle compatible with?
This saddle is specifically designed as the official secondary saddle for the iOptron AZ Mount Pro (AZMP) alt-azimuth mount. iOptron does not list it for the MiniTower series, whose mounts come with their own secondary dovetail holder.
Can I use this saddle to mount a guidescope on my iOptron AZ Mount Pro for imaging?
Yes, this is an excellent application. Mounting a guidescope side-by-side with your main imaging scope using the Secondary Dovetail Saddle provides a stable, balanced configuration that is often superior to piggybacking the guidescope on top of the main optical tube.
How can I use the Secondary Dovetail Saddle for solar observing with my AZ Mount Pro?
A dual-scope setup is ideal for comprehensive solar observing. You can mount one telescope with a white-light filter to see sunspots and granulation, and a second telescope (like a Lunt or Coronado) for H-alpha viewing to see prominences and surface details simultaneously. This saddle allows you to have both views available without changing equipment.
Does the iOptron Secondary Dovetail Saddle support Vixen-style or Losmandy-style dovetails?
It is a Vixen-style saddle, so the second telescope needs a Vixen-style dovetail bar.
Are mounting screws included with the Secondary Dovetail Saddle?
No mounting screws are needed. The saddle slides onto the mount's counterweight shaft and is secured with its own lock, and two M6 x 12mm set screws adjust its tilt to align the second telescope with the first.
