{"product_id":"ioptron-8422-166","title":"iOptron Dovetail Plate for iOptron SkyTracker Mount","description":"\u003cul class=\"DAV-feature-list\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDesigned for iOptron SkyTracker Mounts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvides a Stable Camera Mounting Platform\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eImproves Balance with Telephoto Lenses\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReduces Flexure for Sharper Long Exposures\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\u003eDownloads\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\u003eDovetail Plate for iOptron SkyTracker Mount\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis dovetail plate is the standard mounting solution for attaching a ball head or camera directly to your iOptron SkyTracker, providing the necessary stability for sharp, tracked astrophotos. It creates a secure, rigid connection that is essential for maintaining tracking accuracy during long exposures, especially when using heavier lenses.\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\u003eA Rigid Mounting Platform for the iOptron SkyTracker\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen you move beyond wide-angle lenses on a portable tracker, a direct connection to a ball head can introduce flexure and instability. This dovetail plate creates a wider, more rigid base between your equipment and the tracker itself, improving balance and dramatically reducing the risk of trailed stars caused by mechanical sag.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDirect Compatibility:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ensures a perfect fit and secure attachment to the iOptron SkyTracker mount head without any modification.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEnhanced Stability:\u003c\/strong\u003e Offers a more robust platform than a simple 1\/4\"-20 camera screw, which is critical for supporting the weight of a DSLR or mirrorless camera with a telephoto lens.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVersatile Mounting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Features standard threading to accept most camera ball heads, or allows you to mount a camera body directly for a lower-profile setup.\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\"\u003eWhy do I need this Dovetail Plate for my iOptron SkyTracker if I already have a ball head?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA ball head screws onto the tracker via a small-diameter post, which can be a point of flexure with heavier loads. This dovetail plate provides a wider, flat mounting surface that bolts securely to the tracker, creating a much more rigid foundation for your ball head and preventing subtle drifts that can ruin long exposures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eCan I mount my camera directly to this SkyTracker Dovetail Plate?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. The plate typically includes a 1\/4\"-20 screw, allowing you to mount a camera body or a lens with a tripod collar directly to it. However, for framing flexibility, mounting a ball head to the plate and then attaching your camera to the ball head is the most common configuration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWill this Dovetail Plate help me balance my camera and telephoto lens on the SkyTracker?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbsolutely. By providing a solid, extended platform, the plate makes it easier to position your camera and lens combination over the tracker's center of gravity. Proper balance is critical for the SkyTracker's motor to track accurately without strain, and this plate is a key component for achieving it with larger lenses.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eIs this iOptron Dovetail Plate compatible with other small trackers?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis plate is specifically designed with the mounting hole pattern and form factor of the iOptron SkyTracker series. While it may be adaptable to other systems with custom modifications, it is not guaranteed to be a direct fit for trackers from other manufacturers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhat is the advantage of this plate when imaging the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) with my SkyTracker?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo capture detail in the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), you'll likely use a lens in the 100mm to 300mm range and take exposures of 30 seconds or more. This plate provides the rigidity needed to prevent the weight of that lens from causing microscopic flexure, ensuring your stars remain pinpoints throughout the duration of your imaging session.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eHow does this Dovetail Plate attach to the iOptron SkyTracker?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe plate attaches directly to the mount block on the SkyTracker using the included mounting screws. It replaces the default hardware to provide a more stable, Vixen-style dovetail connection point for your imaging equipment.\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\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDesigned for iOptron SkyTracker Mounts\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNote\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo further specifications provided.\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\"\u003eDovetail Plate for SkyTracker\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"DAV-item-subtitle\"\u003e× 1\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo manual or software is available for this product.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/davidastro.com\/pages\/ioptron-warranty-policy\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eiOptron 2-Year Limited Warranty\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"iOptron","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52917316321565,"sku":"IOP-8422-166","price":59.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/5280\/1565\/files\/iOptron-Dovetail-Plate-designed-for-SkyTracker-mount-1_394a2edc-b68b-436f-8510-e7275682c97c.jpg?v=1789142653","url":"https:\/\/davidastro.com\/products\/ioptron-8422-166","provider":"David Astro","version":"1.0","type":"link"}