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A Rock-Solid Foundation for Your 5-Inch Tele Vue Telescope
The Tele Vue MRS-5000 Mount Ring Set provides the definitive mounting solution for your 5-inch Tele Vue refractor, including the NP127is. This is not a generic, one-size-fits-all system. It is a purpose-built mounting platform engineered to provide a rigid, secure, and non-marring connection between your premium optics and your dovetail plate, ensuring your telescope remains perfectly aligned and stable for both visual observation and demanding imaging applications.
Secure and Simple Hinged Clamshell Rings
The core of the MRS-5000 is its hinged clamshell design. This allows you to open the rings fully, gently place your telescope's optical tube into the felt-lined cradles, and close them without any risk of scratching the tube. This drop-in method is far safer and more convenient than trying to slide a heavy OTA through a solid ring, especially during setup in the dark.
Protective Felt Lining for Your Telescope
Inside each ring is a thick, durable felt lining. This material serves two critical functions: it protects the delicate finish of your Tele Vue telescope from scratches and abrasions, and it provides a high-friction surface that grips the tube securely. Once clamped, this lining prevents any rotational or axial slippage, which is crucial for maintaining pointing accuracy and avoiding flexure during long-exposure astrophotography.
A Versatile Base Mounting Platform
The two rings are bolted to a solid base plate that provides a wide, stable footprint. This plate comes pre-drilled with a series of holes designed to attach to Tele Vue's own dovetail plates or other Vixen and Losmandy-style plates. This robust interface ensures there is no flexure or wobble between the rings and the mount, translating your mount's precise movements directly to the telescope.
Integrated Accessory Mounting Points
Each ring in the MRS-5000 set features two 1/4"-20 threaded holes on top. This provides a secure and standardized platform for mounting essential accessories directly to the telescope assembly. You can easily attach a Starbeam finder, a Sol-Searcher, a guidescope, or a Tele Vue piggyback camera mount, keeping your entire observing or imaging setup compact, balanced, and rigid.
Field-Friendly Locking Knobs
Securing the rings is accomplished with large, knurled aluminum locking knobs. Their oversized design makes them easy to grip and tighten for a secure lock, even when you are wearing gloves on a cold night. This tool-free operation simplifies your setup and breakdown process, allowing for quick adjustments without fumbling for extra tools in the dark.
System Rigidity and Trade-Offs
This ring set is engineered for maximum rigidity, forming a solid cradle for the OTA. The trade-off for this stability is a fixed position; the rings are not designed for quick balancing adjustments by sliding the OTA. For proper balance, you must slide the dovetail plate within your mount's saddle, a deliberate design choice that prioritizes a flex-free optical train over on-the-fly balancing convenience.
Comparing Tele Vue Mounting Options
Tele Vue offers several mounting solutions, each tailored to a specific need. Understanding where the MRS-5000 sits helps you make the right choice for your NP127is or other 5" Tele Vue scope.
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Tele Vue MRS-5000 Ring Set (This Product): Offers the highest level of stability and the most accessory mounting points. It is the best choice for astrophotography, where system rigidity is paramount. It requires attachment to a separate dovetail plate.
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Tele Vue Ring Mount (e.g., RS4-8004): A lighter-weight option that combines a single mounting ring with a cradle. It's excellent for visual use and grab-and-go setups where portability is key, but it offers less rigidity and fewer accessory options than the dual-ring set.
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Will the MRS-5000 rings fit a non-Tele Vue 5-inch telescope?
These rings are specifically machined to fit the precise outer diameter of Tele Vue's 5-inch optical tubes, like the NP127is. While they might fit other tubes with a very similar diameter, it is not guaranteed and could result in a poor or insecure fit.
Do these rings come with a dovetail plate?
No, the MRS-5000 is a set of mounting rings and a base plate only. You will need to purchase a separate dovetail plate (like a Vixen or Losmandy-style plate) to attach the ring assembly to your equatorial or alt-azimuth mount.
How do I balance the telescope with these rings?
Balancing is done by sliding the dovetail plate (which you attach to the bottom of these rings) forward or backward in your mount's saddle. The telescope itself does not slide within the rings, which ensures a rigid, flex-free connection.
Can I mount a guidescope on these rings?
Yes. Each ring has two 1/4"-20 threaded holes on top, which are standard for attaching guidescope rings, finder brackets, or other accessories. This provides a stable and convenient platform for your guiding setup.
Are these rings better than a single ring mount for imaging?
Yes, for imaging, a dual-ring system like the MRS-5000 is strongly recommended. The two points of contact provide significantly more stability and resistance to flexure than a single ring, which is critical for preventing trailed stars during long exposures.
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| Compatibility |
Tele Vue 5" OTAs (e.g., NP127is) |
| Style |
Dual Ring, Hinged Clamshell |
| Material |
Black Anodized Aluminum |
| Lining |
Felt |
| Accessory Mounting |
Two 1/4"-20 threaded holes per ring |
| Weight |
3.5 lbs (1.59 kg) |
| Model Number |
MRS-5000 |
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Tele Vue 5-Year Limited Warranty
