Which mounts is the Losmandy attachment plate 400mm long compatible with?
This plate is designed with a Losmandy D-style profile, making it directly compatible with any mount that uses a Losmandy-D saddle plate. This includes all Losmandy mounts and Software Bisque Paramount-series mounts.
What size telescope is the 400mm Losmandy attachment plate intended for?
The general recommendation is to match the dovetail plate length to the aperture of your telescope. Therefore, this 400mm plate is the ideal choice for telescopes with an aperture of or near 400mm (approximately 16 inches), such as large Newtonian astrographs or Cassegrains.
Can I mount my 12" (300mm) Newtonian on this 400mm Losmandy plate?
Yes, you can. While a slightly shorter plate might be a closer match based on the "aperture equals length" rule, using this 400mm plate will provide extra length for balancing heavy accessory loads. It ensures your tube rings have a wide, stable stance, which is always beneficial for imaging stability.
How do I attach a guide scope using the Losmandy attachment plate 400mm?
This plate serves as the primary connection to the mount. To attach a guide scope, you would typically mount it to the top of your main telescope's CNC tube rings. Some setups may involve a secondary dovetail bar (sold separately) attached to the top of the rings, to which the guide scope is then clamped.
Is the Losmandy attachment plate 400mm made from cast or machined aluminum?
It is machined from a solid billet of aero-grade aluminum. This method is superior to casting, as it produces a stronger, more rigid, and dimensionally stable part that will not introduce flexure into your imaging setup.
Can I use this 400mm Losmandy plate to attach my scope to a Vixen-style mount like an HEQ5?
No, not directly. This plate has a wider Losmandy D-style profile. Vixen-style mounts like the Sky-Watcher HEQ5 use a narrower V-style saddle. You would need a different dovetail plate with a Vixen profile or a hybrid saddle on your mount that accepts both standards.
