What telescopes are compatible with the PrimaLuceLab 168mm PLUS Support Rings?
These rings are designed for any telescope with an optical tube diameter of approximately 168mm. You should always measure the outer diameter of your telescope tube to confirm a precise fit before purchasing.
What is the PrimaLuceLab PLUS system and how do these 168mm rings fit in?
The PLUS (Prima Luce Universal System) is an ecosystem of rings, plates, guide rings, and dovetail clamps designed to work together seamlessly. The 168mm PLUS Support Rings are a foundational component, allowing you to connect your telescope to this modular system and easily add other PLUS accessories with maximum rigidity and perfect alignment.
Can I mount a guide scope to the 168mm PLUS Support Rings?
Yes. You can attach a PLUS dovetail plate to the top of the 168mm rings. On that plate, you can then install PLUS guide rings holding your guide scope, creating a stable and secure platform for autoguiding.
Are these 168mm rings compatible with dovetail plates from other manufacturers?
Yes. While they are optimized for the pre-threaded holes of the PLUS system, the rings also feature central slots. These slots allow you to use standard screws to attach most third-party dovetail plates or other accessories that may not conform to the PLUS hole pattern.
How do the 168mm PLUS rings improve the stability of a telescope like a Celestron 6" SCT on a mount?
A Celestron 6" SCT has an outer diameter very close to 168mm. By using these solid, CNC-machined rings instead of a standard single dovetail bar, you provide two points of contact on the optical tube. This dramatically reduces flexure and vibration, especially when you add guide scopes or other heavy accessories to the setup.
I want to piggyback a wide-field refractor on my main 168mm OTA. How do these PLUS rings help?
The 168mm PLUS rings make this process simple and secure. You would attach a long PLUS dovetail plate (such as the 240mm or 350mm version) to the top of the rings. Then, you can use another set of PLUS rings, correctly sized for your refractor, to clamp it firmly to that top plate, creating a rigid parallel imaging system.
