What does "double mounting plate" mean for the Baader D-Series 300mm plate?
It is a double mounting plate: a 3-inch Losmandy-style dovetail plate whose top is predrilled for Baader clamps, guidescope rings and the Stronghold. This lets you mount Baader guidescope rings parallel to the main telescope or use two telescopes side by side.
Which specific Baader accessories are designed to work with the D-Series 300mm plate?
This 300mm plate is specifically engineered to be a foundation for other Baader components. It's the intended mounting platform for Baader's guidescope rings and the Baader Stronghold Tangent Assembly, ensuring a perfect, flexure-free fit.
I have a 10Micron mount. Will the Baader D-Series 300mm plate attach directly?
Yes. The plate is predrilled with a hole pattern specifically to fit select 10Micron and Astro-Physics mounts. This allows for a direct, secure attachment without needing to drill new holes or use adapter plates.
What type of dovetail is the Baader D-Series 300mm plate?
The Baader D-Series uses the 3-inch "D-style" dovetail standard, also known as the Losmandy-style dovetail. It is not compatible with the narrower Vixen-style "V-series" saddles.
Can I use the Baader D-Series 300mm plate to balance a long refractor with a heavy camera and guidescope?
Absolutely. The 300mm length provides significant surface area for positioning both your telescope rings and top-mounted accessories. This allows you to slide the entire assembly forward or backward in the mount saddle to achieve precise balance in Right Ascension, which is critical for accurate tracking.
Besides 10Micron and AP mounts, what other clamps work with the Baader D-Series 300mm plate?
It fits all 3-inch (Losmandy-standard) dovetail clamps. Its top is also predrilled to take Baader's V-Clamp 70mm, the PAN / EQ clamps 190mm and 230mm, and the Stronghold Tangent Assembly.
