Vixen-style dovetail bar

[Steffen]

I'm looking for a Vixen compatible dovetail bar that is 190mm (7.5") long and has two holes spaced 160mm (6.3"). It should essentially be able to replace the Vixen dovetail plate (http://www.vixenoptics.com.au/details.asp?id=MAS-023J3 – see attached picture), but with the dovetail profile running along the entire length, instead of just the middle part.

I now realise that having the picture in this ad can be a bit confusing, so I'd like to reiterate: I'm not after the dovetail plate pictured (I've got several of these myself). I'm after one that has the same length and hole spacing, but has a dovetail profile along the entire length. The Vixen bar pictured is dovetail shaped only in a short middle section.

If you have something like that, please drop me a PM.

Cheers
Steffen.

[JRC]

I bought a Losmandy V bar from Bintel recently to address what is likely a similar need...

[Steffen]

Thanks John, can you tell me whether it's got a pair of holes spaced at 160mm?

Cheers
Steffen.

[Poita]

I'm kinda confused, do you have a picture of the dovetail bar you want, on a supplier's site somewhere maybe? I have a ton of vixen bars in the cupboard, but not sure what you are after.

[Steffen]

No, I don't have a picture, or a supplier.

What I'm after is a Vixen-style bar that's 190mm long and has holes spaced at 160mm.

The pictured Vixen part has the right measures, but isn't dovetail all the way (just in the middle).

Cheers
Steffen.

[Poita]

Ah, I get it now.
I'll go through the cupboard and see if I have anything that would suit.

[John0z]

I see that Andrews has them for $29 - Skywatcher 200mm long dovetails - from memory I recall that they have a hole at each end, but don't know whether it is in the right place, but you could certainly drill a suitable hole.

[Steffen]

Yes, I guess that's what I'll end up doing.

Cheers
Steffen.

[JRC]

Hi Steffen

My bar is the VUP 14

http://www.losmandy.com/v-series.html#PLATES

14" or 350 mm

i will send you a photo of it on my 140ss so you can see the holes - send me an email jcroker bigpond net au

There is also a 7" and a 10" and they have slotted holes sho you should be able to get what you want

Yu can definitely get 160mm on the bar i have

Note you need M6 bolts with the new vixen rings not 1/4".

best wishes John C

[Steffen]

Thanks John, I checked out the drawings on Losmandy's site (for both the 7" and the 14" plates), there simply isn't a pair of holes 160mm apart.

There is one Vixen bar that's exactly like I was after (Starway branded), but it is over $60 delivered which is way more than I was prepared to spend.

I ended up forgoing the Vixen-style clamps and went screws and drilling holes directly for my finder scope rings.

Thanks everyone!