New Skywatcher ED 100 refractor and old EQ5 mount

[Judith]

I have just bought my first scope a Skywatcher ED 100 refractor from Andrews. I have an old Saxon EQ5 mount currently set up for a Coronado PST see photo. I want to put the new scope on the old mount but it appears that the dovetail on the scope is not compatible with the mounting plate on the mount. Can anyone suggest if there is a way of adapting the mount for the scope? Thanks so much.
Judith

[casstony]

The dovetail on the ED100 should be the same width as the gold bar in your photo. If it's not perhaps you could photograph the new scope so we can see what's going on.

[Judith]

Thanks for the reply and you're right! The dovetail is the same width as the gold bar. So I can take the gold bar out and sit the dovetail of the scope onto the mount. But there would only be two side screws on the mount that tighten onto the side of the dovetai. Is that enough?

[Judith]

Ok the scope is on the mount and it seems secure enough. Sometimes I am amazed by how I can overlook the bleeding obvious! Thanks Tony! :)

[casstony]

It happens to all of us Judith :)

The part of the mount that the dovetail fits into is called the saddle; it's normal for saddles to have one or two screws which clamp the dovetail in place. You'll probably find that the dovetail has bolts at either end which stop the scope from sliding fully out of the saddle in the event that clamping screw wasn't properly tightened.

[Judith]

You've been a great help Tony and I now understand that part of the mount a bit better. Thanks again
Judith

[glenc]

Now you can observe. Congratulations Judith.
:thumbsup:

[brian nordstrom]

:thumbsup: Awsome scopes those ED100's Judith , welcome to 'Refractor land' you will get very good views of the moon , planets , double stars . clusters ,, etc. , etc. ,, as only a refractor can .

The mount will be great at holding the 100mm APO , have you got motor drives on yours ? , if not a basic single axis drive from Andrews will allow you to get the best out of the sweet 100ED , and that's a lot of performance , I would love to see a photo of the complete set up ? .

Congratulations on a nice refractor. ;).

Brian.

[Judith]

Can't tell you how much I appreciate all this support and encouragement. When the scope first arrived (freighted from Sydney)I was too scared to even open the box but getting more confident, thanks to IIS! So Brian the mount does have a motor drive but figuring all that out is a bit down the track. Gotta work out how to insert the focuser and eyepiece first.:question:...... well it IS my first scope. I'll keep posting as questions arise. Thanks all

Judith