{"product_id":"ioptron-8460","title":"iOptron Universal Side-by-Side Saddles System","description":"\u003cul class=\"DAV-feature-list\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMounts Two Telescopes on a Single Mount Head\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIdeal for Imaging and Autoguiding Setups\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnables Parallel Observation with Different Instruments\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eImproves Balance Compared to Piggyback Systems\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDesigned for Universal Telescope and Mount Compatibility\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\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\u003eUniversal Side-by-Side Saddles System\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Universal Side-by-Side Saddles System addresses a fundamental challenge in astrophotography and observational astronomy: mounting two instruments on a single equatorial mount head. By placing optical tubes parallel to each other, this system provides a stable, balanced platform for simultaneous imaging and guiding, or for running two different optical systems at once. This configuration is mechanically superior to piggybacking, minimizing differential flexure and making it easier to achieve precise balance in both axes.\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\u003eDual-Scope Mounting: The Solution for Autoguiding and Parallel Imaging\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe primary application for a side-by-side system is to mount an imaging telescope and a guide scope. This arrangement allows the guide scope to have an unrestricted view of the sky while providing a rigid connection to the main imaging train, resulting in sharper long-exposure images. It also opens up possibilities for parallel imaging, such as capturing a wide-field view with one scope while imaging a smaller target in high resolution with the other.\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\u003eBalancing and Stability: Key Considerations for Side-by-Side Setups\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA key advantage of this system is improved balance. Unlike a piggybacked scope that places weight far from the central axis of rotation, a side-by-side setup keeps the center of gravity low and centered. This reduces strain on the mount's motors and gears, leading to smoother tracking. Achieving perfect balance involves adjusting each telescope forward or backward in its saddle, as well as adjusting the position of the saddles on the main bar to equalize weight distribution.\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\u003eSide-by-Side vs. Piggyback Mounting: A Comparison of Guide Scope Solutions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen adding a guide scope, imagers must choose between piggybacking (mounting it on top of the main scope) and a side-by-side system. While piggybacking is often simpler and lighter, it can introduce differential flexure and create significant balance challenges. A side-by-side system offers a more robust solution.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSide-by-Side Advantage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Significantly better balance and mechanical stability. It isolates the guide scope from any movement or flexure in the main imaging tube's focuser or accessories, leading to more accurate guiding.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePiggyback Advantage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Generally lighter, less expensive, and requires less mount capacity. It is a viable solution for smaller, lighter guide scopes and can be easier to set up for portable rigs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\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 is the primary benefit of the Universal Side-by-Side Saddles System?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe main benefit is the ability to mount two optical tubes on a single mount in a stable, balanced configuration. This is ideal for serious astrophotography, where a dedicated guide scope is used alongside a main imaging telescope, as it minimizes tracking errors caused by imbalance and differential flexure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eIs the Universal Side-by-Side Saddles System better than piggybacking a guide scope?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor high-precision imaging, yes. A \u003cstrong\u003eside-by-side system\u003c\/strong\u003e provides a much more rigid connection and makes it easier to achieve perfect balance in both right ascension and declination. \u003cstrong\u003ePiggybacking\u003c\/strong\u003e is simpler and lighter but can introduce flexure, where the guide scope and main scope shift slightly relative to each other, causing guiding errors and elongated stars.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eHow do I balance two telescopes with different weights on this system?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBalancing is a two-step process. First, balance each telescope individually by sliding it forwards or backwards within its saddle. Second, balance the two telescopes against each other by sliding the entire saddle assembly left or right on the main dovetail bar before locking it down on your mount.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eCan I use this Universal Side-by-Side system for visual observing or outreach?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbsolutely. It's an excellent tool for outreach events. You can mount a refractor for wide-field views of objects like the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) and a Schmidt-Cassegrain for high-power views of planets or globular clusters like M13, allowing two people to observe different targets or perspectives simultaneously from the same mount.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhat does \"Universal\" mean for this side-by-side system?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"Universal\" typically implies that the system is designed with a high degree of compatibility in mind. This often means the saddles can accommodate both popular dovetail formats (Vixen V-style and Losmandy D-style) and that the main mounting bar features a variety of hole patterns to attach to different equatorial mount heads.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhat kind of mount capacity do I need for a Universal Side-by-Side setup?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou must add the weight of both telescopes, all accessories (cameras, eyepieces), and the side-by-side system itself. For astrophotography, this total weight should not exceed 50-60% of your mount's stated payload capacity to ensure precise tracking.\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\u003eNote\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDetailed specifications are not available for this product.\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\u003cli class=\"DAV-grid-item\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"DAV-item-title\"\u003eNote\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"DAV-item-subtitle\"\u003eA detailed list of included items is not available for this product.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/davidastro.com\/pages\/ioptron-warranty-policy\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eiOptron Manufacturer's Warranty\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"iOptron","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52917317435677,"sku":"IOP-8460","price":277.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/5280\/1565\/files\/iOptron-Universal-Side-by-Side-Saddles-System-1_0dc6c277-27fd-4a73-b590-3deb1b7d38a4.jpg?v=1789142683","url":"https:\/\/davidastro.com\/fr\/products\/ioptron-8460","provider":"David Astro","version":"1.0","type":"link"}