{"product_id":"orion-optics-uk-ag12-losmandy-attachment-plate-400mm-long","title":"Orion Optics UK Losmandy Attachment Plate 400mm Long","description":"\u003cul class=\"DAV-feature-list\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLength:\u003c\/strong\u003e 400mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDovetail Standard:\u003c\/strong\u003e Losmandy D-Style\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility:\u003c\/strong\u003e Losmandy \u0026amp; Paramount Mounts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConstruction:\u003c\/strong\u003e Solid, single-piece aero-grade aluminum\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTelescope Fit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Orion Optics UK CT \u0026amp; AG models\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\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\u003eLosmandy Attachment Plate 400mm Long\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Losmandy attachment plate 400mm long (AG12) provides the critical, rock-solid connection between your Orion Optics UK telescope and a high-capacity Losmandy or Paramount equatorial mount. Machined from a single block of aero-grade aluminum, this plate is engineered to eliminate mechanical flexure, ensuring your mount's tracking accuracy is perfectly transferred to your optical tube for sharp, stable imaging.\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\u003eThe AG12 Plate: A 400mm Foundation for Large OTAs\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 400mm dovetail plate serves as the structural backbone for mounting large optical tube assemblies. Following the general principle of matching plate length to telescope aperture, the AG12 is the ideal choice for instruments in the 400mm (approx. 16\") class, such as Orion Optics UK's CT and AG telescopes. It creates a long contact area within the mount saddle, preventing slippage and vibration that can compromise guiding and image quality.\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\u003eOne-Piece Construction: Machined from Solid Aero-Grade Aluminum\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike extruded dovetail bars which can harbor internal stresses, this plate is CNC machined from a solid billet of aero-grade aluminum. This method results in a component with exceptional rigidity and dimensional stability, completely free of the potential for bending or twisting under the load of a heavy instrument and imaging train. For long-exposure astrophotography, where even microscopic shifts can blur detail, this zero-flexure design is not a luxury—it's a necessity.\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\u003eLosmandy vs. Vixen: Why Choose a 400mm D-Style Plate\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Losmandy \"D-style\" standard is physically wider and more substantial than the Vixen \"V-style\" standard. For a telescope large enough to require a 400mm mounting plate, the increased surface area and clamping force of the Losmandy system are essential for safety and stability. While Vixen-style plates are excellent for smaller, lighter telescopes, the D-style plate is the correct engineering choice for securely managing the torque and weight of a large OTA, especially in windy conditions or when loaded with heavy cameras and accessories.\u003c\/p\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\"\u003eWhat is the main purpose of the Losmandy AG12 400mm plate?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe AG12 400mm plate is designed to securely attach large Orion Optics UK telescopes, specifically the \u003cstrong\u003eCT and AG models\u003c\/strong\u003e, to equatorial mounts that use the \u003cstrong\u003eLosmandy D-style saddle\u003c\/strong\u003e, such as those from Losmandy and Paramount.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWill this 400mm plate fit my Vixen-style mount like an HEQ5?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo, this plate will not fit a standard Vixen-style saddle. It is a wider Losmandy \"D-style\" plate. To use it with a Vixen-compatible mount, you would need a dual Vixen\/Losmandy saddle or a specific adapter, though for an OTA requiring a 400mm plate, upgrading the mount saddle to the more robust Losmandy standard is highly recommended.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhat size telescope is the Losmandy 400mm plate designed for?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis plate is intended for large optical tube assemblies. A good rule of thumb is to match the plate length to the telescope's aperture. Therefore, the \u003cstrong\u003e400mm plate\u003c\/strong\u003e is the ideal choice for telescopes with an aperture of or around 400mm (approximately 16 inches).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhy is a solid, machined plate better for my 16-inch telescope?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA plate machined from a solid block of aluminum has superior structural integrity compared to an extruded bar. For a heavy 16-inch telescope, this \u003cstrong\u003eeliminates the risk of flexure\u003c\/strong\u003e between the telescope and the mount. Any amount of flex can cause trailed stars and poor guiding during long-exposure astrophotography, making a solid, machined plate essential for serious imaging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eCan I use the Losmandy 400mm plate to mount a guide scope?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. This plate can serve as a rigid base for mounting additional accessories. You can attach guide scope rings or other smaller dovetail plates (like a Vixen-style bar for a guide camera) to it, creating a stable, integrated platform for your entire imaging setup.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eMy telescope is 350mm in aperture. Should I use this 400mm plate?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, the 400mm plate would be an excellent choice. While the general rule is to match length to aperture, using a slightly longer plate provides more surface area for mounting and allows for more adjustment range when balancing the telescope on the mount. A 400mm plate is perfectly suitable and often preferred for a 350mm OTA.\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\u003eModel\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAG12\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLength\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e400mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDovetail Style\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLosmandy (D-Style)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaterial\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAero-grade aluminum\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eConstruction\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMachined from a solid plate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrimary Mount Compatibility\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLosmandy, Paramount\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrimary Telescope Compatibility\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrion Optics UK CT, AG models\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\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/davidastro.com\/pages\/orion-optics-uk-warranty-policy\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eOrion Optics UK 1-Year Warranty\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Orion Optics UK","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52942362476829,"sku":"OOUK-AG12-LOSMANDY-ATTACHMENT-PLATE-400MM","price":416.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/5280\/1565\/files\/OrionOpticsUK-Losmandy-attachment-plate-400mm-long-1_c269507f-6b39-4658-ba12-81e870954b26.jpg?v=1789606738","url":"https:\/\/davidastro.com\/products\/orion-optics-uk-ag12-losmandy-attachment-plate-400mm-long","provider":"David Astro","version":"1.0","type":"link"}