{"product_id":"baader-planetarium-dovetail-bar-3-inch-230mm-9-inch-for-baader-tec-flat","title":"Baader Planetarium Dovetail Bar 3\", 230mm (9\") – for Baader \u0026 TEC (flat)","description":"\u003cul class=\"DAV-feature-list\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e3-inch Losmandy D-style dovetail profile\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e230mm (9\") overall length\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFlat top surface for direct mounting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompatible with Baader 3\" clamps\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIdeal for TEC and other flat-base tube rings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- more --\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"tabs\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"active\"\u003eDescription\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFAQ\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIn the Box\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDownloads\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWarranty\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"tabs-content\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"active\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-bg-light\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-section-center\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDovetail Bar 3\", 230mm (9\") – for Baader \u0026amp; TEC (flat)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Baader 3\" Dovetail Bar provides a rigid, 230mm (9\") mounting platform based on the industry-standard Losmandy D-style profile. This bar is engineered specifically for a secure, flexure-free connection with Baader's 3\" dovetail clamps and features a flat top surface for direct integration with Telescope Engineering Company (TEC) tube rings and other flat-base mounting hardware.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-bg-light\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-section\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe Baader 3\" Standard: A Losmandy-Profile for Maximum Rigidity\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis dovetail bar utilizes the wide 3\" Losmandy \"D\" plate profile, which offers a significantly larger contact area than smaller Vixen-style bars. This wider base prevents torsional flex and rotational slipping, especially when mounting heavier or longer optical tubes. Baader's precision machining ensures a perfect fit with their corresponding 3\" clamps, creating a solid mechanical lock between your telescope and mount.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-bg-light\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-section\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e230mm (9\") Length: Balancing Compactness and Support\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt a length of 230mm (9\"), this dovetail bar is an excellent match for small-to-medium aperture refractors, compact Schmidt-Cassegrains, and wide-field imaging systems. It provides enough length to achieve proper balance by sliding the telescope forward or backward in the saddle, without adding unnecessary weight or extending far beyond the tube rings of a shorter optical tube.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-bg-light\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-section\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFlat Mounting Surface: Designed for TEC Rings and Plate Systems\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike dovetail bars with a curved radius to match a specific telescope tube, this bar features a completely flat top surface. This design is essential for hardware that requires a flat mounting point, such as TEC tube rings, camera tripod heads, or custom adapter plates. The flat profile ensures your equipment sits flush without rocking or introducing stress on the mounting bolts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-bg-light\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-section\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e3\" Losmandy-Style vs. Vixen-Style: Understanding the Stability Difference\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoosing the right dovetail system is critical for stable imaging and observing. The primary difference between the two main standards comes down to width and contact surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e3\" Losmandy-Style (This Bar):\u003c\/strong\u003e The wider profile provides superior resistance to twisting forces (torsion), making it the standard for heavier imaging payloads and larger telescopes where even minor flexure can ruin an exposure.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVixen-Style (~1.75\" wide):\u003c\/strong\u003e Lighter and more compact, Vixen-style bars are well-suited for smaller \"grab-and-go\" telescopes, but can be a source of flexure with heavier or longer instruments.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUpgrading to a 3\" system like this Baader dovetail bar is one of the most effective ways to improve the mechanical stability of your entire imaging setup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhat telescopes are a good match for the Baader 230mm dovetail bar?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 230mm (9\") length is ideal for compact instruments where a long bar would be cumbersome. It's an excellent choice for 80-102mm refractors, 5-6\" Schmidt-Cassegrains like the Celestron C5 or C6, or for mounting a wide-field camera lens assembly securely on a German equatorial mount.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eIs this Baader 3\" bar compatible with all Losmandy-style clamps?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, this bar is manufactured to the standard Losmandy \"D\" plate specification and will fit in clamps from Losmandy, Celestron (CGEM\/CGE), Sky-Watcher (EQ8), and other manufacturers that use the 3\" D-style saddle. It is specifically optimized for a perfect fit with Baader's own 3\" clamps.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eHow do I attach my tube rings to this flat Baader dovetail bar?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis bar is designed to be drilled by the user to match the specific hole spacing of their tube rings or other hardware. You will need to carefully measure the center-to-center distance of the mounting bolts on your rings, mark the bar, and then drill and tap the appropriate holes. Its flat surface makes it much easier to work with than a radiused bar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhy would I choose this flat Baader bar over one with a radius?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou should choose this \u003cstrong\u003eflat bar\u003c\/strong\u003e if your tube rings, like those from TEC, have a flat base. A radiused bar is designed to conform to the curve of an optical tube for direct mounting, while a flat bar provides a stable, flush surface for rings and other accessories that are not curved.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eCan I use this 230mm bar for a dual-saddle setup?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile possible, the 230mm (9\") length is quite short for mounting two telescopes side-by-side. It is better suited as the primary mounting plate for a single, compact optical tube. For dual-saddle configurations, a longer bar (300mm or more) is generally recommended to provide adequate spacing and balance adjustment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eIs the Baader 3\" dovetail bar heavy?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBaader dovetail bars are machined from aluminum to be as lightweight as possible without compromising stiffness. While wider and more robust than a Vixen-style bar, the weight is minimal and a necessary component of creating a rigid, flexure-free mounting system for astrophotography.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"DAV-specifications\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDovetail Profile\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3\" Losmandy D-Style\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLength\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e230mm (9\")\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTop Surface\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFlat\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBaader 3\" Clamps, TEC Rings\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"DAV-grid\"\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"DAV-grid\"\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/davidastro.com\/pages\/baader-planetarium-warranty-policy\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eBaader Planetarium 2-Year Warranty\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Baader Planetarium","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52913226219805,"sku":"BAA-1501660","price":134.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/5280\/1565\/files\/BaaderPlanetarium-Dovetail-Bar-3-230mm-9-for-Baader-TEC-flat-1_358c4130-b8be-4676-8a76-9394fdafe065.jpg?v=1789088467","url":"https:\/\/davidastro.com\/fr-us\/products\/baader-planetarium-dovetail-bar-3-inch-230mm-9-inch-for-baader-tec-flat","provider":"David Astro","version":"1.0","type":"link"}