Dovetail: how short is too short

[Lognic04]

I need a dove tail that has a slot in it to fit my takahashi clamshell, and i want to know: How short of a dovetail is too short? my scope is 10kgs. :question::thanx:

[tempestwizz]

Not sure what your Mount is, but for the dovetail to be longer than the clamshell is a waste. Technically it only needs to be long enough to fill the Mount aperture but that may not allow optimum mechanical connection between the dovetail and clamshell becoming a point for flexure. Also, a dovetail bar approaching the length of the clamshell will allow finer tuning of the alignment of scope axis and Mount axis.
In reality, a compromise.

Brian

[Kunama]

How long is the saddle? Some saddles clamp better if the dovetail bar is at least as long as the saddle. A longer bar also allows you to balance the load by sliding the dovetail in the saddle rather than loosening the clamshell clamp and thus risking marring the OTA should there be any grit on the OTA .......

I always use a dovetail that is at least as long as the saddle...

[Lognic04]

I am looking at getting a 4 inch dovetail, and mounting it on an neq6

[RobF]

Its nice to have some extra length for future options. You might put a piggy back scope on that changes the centre of gravity, or want to hang a utilities box somewhere.

Otherwise, being able to move enough to accommodate COG is the important thing.