What telescopes are a good match for the Baader 230mm dovetail bar?
The 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.
Is this Baader 3" bar compatible with all Losmandy-style clamps?
Yes, 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.
How do I attach my tube rings to this flat Baader dovetail bar?
This 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.
Why would I choose this flat Baader bar over one with a radius?
You should choose this flat bar 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.
Can I use this 230mm bar for a dual-saddle setup?
While 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.
Is the Baader 3" dovetail bar heavy?
Baader 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.
