What is the advantage of a 470mm dovetail bar for my Celestron EdgeHD 11"?
A Celestron EdgeHD 11" with a full imaging setup (camera, filter wheel, off-axis guider) is significantly back-heavy. The 470mm length of this Baader bar allows you to shift the entire telescope assembly further forward in the mount saddle, achieving perfect balance around the declination axis. This is often impossible with shorter, stock dovetail bars, and is critical for precise tracking.
Will this 470mm Baader bar fit any mount with a Losmandy-D saddle?
Yes, the 3-inch profile is designed to the Losmandy-D specification, so it will physically lock into any corresponding saddle plate. However, with a long bar like this, you should always check for physical clearance. Ensure the 470mm length will not collide with your mount's housing or tripod legs when slewing to different parts of the sky, particularly near the celestial pole.
Is this Baader dovetail bar pre-drilled for specific telescope rings?
This Baader bar is supplied as a universal plate intended for custom mounting solutions or for direct attachment to Celestron SCTs that have compatible bolt patterns. It may not have pre-drilled holes that align perfectly with every brand of telescope rings out of the box. You may need to drill your own holes to match your specific ring spacing.
Can I mount both a guide scope and my main telescope on this single 470mm bar?
Yes, the 18.5-inch length provides ample room to mount both your main telescope rings and a set of smaller guide scope rings side-by-side or in-line on the same bar. This creates a very rigid setup that minimizes differential flexure between your imaging and guiding optical tubes.
What does "3-inch Losmandy style" mean for this dovetail bar?
"3-inch Losmandy style" (or Losmandy-D) refers to a specific dovetail plate standard in astronomy. It is physically larger and more robust than the narrower Vixen-style (V-style) dovetail. This 3-inch standard is used on higher-capacity mounts designed to carry heavier telescopes securely without flexure or slippage.
How does the black anodized finish on the Baader bar help?
The black anodized finish serves two purposes. First, it creates a hard, corrosion-resistant surface that protects the aluminum from scratches and wear. Second, its matte black texture minimizes reflections from stray light, which is important for preventing glare and maintaining high contrast in your astrophotos.
