{"product_id":"orion-optics-uk-dovetail-plate-43mm-x-355mm-long-vixen-size","title":"Orion Optics UK Dovetail Plate Skywatcher\/Vixen 355mm","description":"\u003cul class=\"DAV-feature-list\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLength: 355mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWidth: 43mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompatibility: Vixen \/ Sky-Watcher Style Saddles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvides Secure Mounting for Optical Tubes\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\u003eDovetail Plate Skywatcher\/Vixen 355mm\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Orion Optics UK Dovetail Plate provides a rigid 355mm mounting platform for securely attaching telescope optical tubes to any Vixen-style or Sky-Watcher saddle. Measuring 43mm in width, this bar conforms to the industry-standard Vixen profile, ensuring broad compatibility with a wide range of popular equatorial and alt-azimuth mounts.\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 355mm Platform for Vixen-Style Mounts\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis 355mm dovetail bar offers a long, stable base for mounting your telescope's tube rings. The extended length is particularly useful for achieving precise balance, especially with front-heavy instruments like Schmidt-Cassegrains or rear-heavy setups with cameras and filter wheels attached. It allows you to slide the entire optical tube assembly forward or backward to perfectly align the center of gravity over the mount's axis, reducing strain on the drive motors and improving tracking accuracy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEngineered to the standard 43mm Vixen-style width, this plate connects your telescope to a huge ecosystem of mounts. If your mount saddle is described as \"Vixen-style\" or is from a brand like Sky-Watcher, Celestron (AVX, CG-5), or iOptron, this dovetail will provide a secure, no-slip connection for your observing or imaging sessions.\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\u003eVixen vs. Losmandy: Choosing the Right Dovetail Style\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis dovetail uses the Vixen standard, which is the most common format for small to medium-sized telescopes. It's crucial to ensure your mount's saddle is compatible before purchasing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVixen-Style (This Plate):\u003c\/strong\u003e At 43mm wide, the Vixen standard is lighter and more compact. It's ideal for payloads typically under 20-25 lbs and is the default on most entry-level to mid-range mounts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLosmandy D-Style (Not This Plate):\u003c\/strong\u003e The Losmandy or \"D-style\" plate is significantly wider (approx. 3 inches). It offers a more rigid, secure connection with a larger contact area, making it the preferred choice for heavy astrophotography rigs and large optical tubes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor most visual observers and imagers using telescopes up to 8\" or 9.25\" on a compatible mount, this 355mm Vixen-style plate provides an excellent balance of stability and compatibility.\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\"\u003eHow do I know if the Orion Optics UK 355mm Dovetail Plate will fit my mount?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou need to check your mount's saddle specifications. This plate is \u003cstrong\u003e43mm wide\u003c\/strong\u003e and conforms to the \u003cstrong\u003eVixen-style standard\u003c\/strong\u003e. It is compatible with mounts from Sky-Watcher, Celestron (like the AVX), iOptron, and others that use a Vixen saddle. It will not fit in a wider Losmandy-style (or D-style) saddle without an adapter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eIs the 355mm length of this Orion Optics UK plate suitable for balancing an 8-inch Newtonian on a Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, absolutely. An 8-inch Newtonian is a perfect candidate for this plate. The 355mm length provides ample room to position the tube rings for achieving perfect balance in both axes, even after adding a heavy eyepiece, a guide scope, or an imaging camera. The Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro features a dual saddle that accepts both Vixen and Losmandy plates, so this plate is a direct fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eCan I use this 355mm Vixen plate to mount my Celestron 8\" SCT on an AVX mount?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. The Celestron AVX mount comes standard with a Vixen-style saddle, making this 355mm plate a direct fit. The length is ideal for an 8\" SCT, allowing you to easily adjust the scope's position to compensate for the weight of different diagonals, eyepieces, or imaging accessories.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhat is the main advantage of a longer dovetail plate like this 355mm one?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA longer dovetail plate provides a greater range of adjustment for balancing your telescope. This is critical when you add or remove accessories that change the center of gravity, such as:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSwitching from a light eyepiece to a heavy one\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdding or removing a guide scope\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAttaching an astrophotography camera and filter wheel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUsing a heavy dew shield\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 355mm length ensures you can slide the entire optical tube to find the new balance point, which is essential for accurate tracking and preventing stress on your mount's motors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhat is the difference between a Vixen-style dovetail like this Orion Optics UK plate and a Losmandy-style plate?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe primary difference is size and rigidity. \u003cstrong\u003eVixen-style plates are 43mm wide\u003c\/strong\u003e and are the standard for lighter telescopes and mounts. \u003cstrong\u003eLosmandy D-style plates are wider (approximately 3 inches)\u003c\/strong\u003e and provide a more robust connection for heavier, professional-level astrophotography setups. You must match the plate to your mount's saddle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eIs this Orion Optics UK dovetail compatible with both Vixen and Sky-Watcher mounts?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Sky-Watcher mounts use the Vixen-style dovetail standard for their saddles, so this 43mm wide plate is compatible with both Vixen-branded mounts and the vast majority of Sky-Watcher mounts.\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\u003eType\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDovetail Plate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVixen \/ Sky-Watcher Style Saddles\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLength\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e355mm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWidth\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e43mm\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 Skywatcher\/Vixen 355mm\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\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":52942531920157,"sku":"OOUK-DOVETAIL-PLATE-43MM-X-355MM","price":265.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/5280\/1565\/files\/Orion-Optics-UK-Logo_93ede358-bb09-4271-b707-e06be08802ad.jpg?v=1789607839","url":"https:\/\/davidastro.com\/products\/orion-optics-uk-dovetail-plate-43mm-x-355mm-long-vixen-size","provider":"David Astro","version":"1.0","type":"link"}