iOptron Dovetail Plate for iOptron SkyTracker Mount

A ball head screws onto the tracker via a small-diameter post, which can be a point of flexure with heavier loads. This dovetail plate provides a wider, flat mounting surface that bolts securely to the tracker, creating a much more rigid foundation for your ball head and preventing subtle drifts that can ruin long exposures.

Yes. The plate typically includes a 1/4"-20 screw, allowing you to mount a camera body or a lens with a tripod collar directly to it. However, for framing flexibility, mounting a ball head to the plate and then attaching your camera to the ball head is the most common configuration.

Absolutely. By providing a solid, extended platform, the plate makes it easier to position your camera and lens combination over the tracker's center of gravity. Proper balance is critical for the SkyTracker's motor to track accurately without strain, and this plate is a key component for achieving it with larger lenses.

This plate is specifically designed with the mounting hole pattern and form factor of the iOptron SkyTracker series. While it may be adaptable to other systems with custom modifications, it is not guaranteed to be a direct fit for trackers from other manufacturers.

To capture detail in the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), you'll likely use a lens in the 100mm to 300mm range and take exposures of 30 seconds or more. This plate provides the rigidity needed to prevent the weight of that lens from causing microscopic flexure, ensuring your stars remain pinpoints throughout the duration of your imaging session.

The plate attaches directly to the mount block on the SkyTracker using the included mounting screws. It replaces the default hardware to provide a more stable, Vixen-style dovetail connection point for your imaging equipment.