Tak Dovetail

[Hemi]

Pardon my ignorance, I’m still coming to terms with the complicated way Tak stuff comes together!

Anyway, i purchased a FS60Q from Claude, asking for the tube holder and dovetail rail as the only accessories. I prefer RDFs so omitted the finder. (Didn’t realize that attaching an RDF to the Tak would be a bit of a mission!)

Anyway, it came with a dovetail rail that i assumed was a vixen rail, and in my eagerness did not notice it was much narrower then a standard vixen rail....all was good with the standard saddle that comes with the AZGTI....but then i upgraded that with an ADM saddle, and the saddle would not grip the dovetail. It was then i noticed the narrowness of the rail! With ADMs compression type non marring design its impossible to clamp this dovetail.

Anyway, ive ordered another dovetail rail, but wondering the use of this narrower format Tak dovetail? Is it for Tak specific saddles?

Cheers

H

Tube Holder
https://www.firstlightoptics.com/takahashi-cradles/takahashi-tka20420-tube-cradle-for-fs60cb.html

Dovetail Rail

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/takahashi-other-accessories/takahashi-tkp71423-dove-tail-male-for-mewlon-210.html

[jahnpahwa]

Do you have an image of the tak dovetail that you are referring to?

I have a dovetail on my Fc100 that has takahashi pantographed/etched/whatevered into it, and while it is sharper than any other dovetail I have, I've not had an issue mounting it on my heq5 and also my azgti with ADM saddle.... I assume you have the dual V and D saddle from ADM? (Apologies in advance if this causes offense...) Are you making sure to mount into the deeper part of the saddle, which is for vixen dovetails?

[Hemi]

Hah! Thanks for the quick response JP, and none taken :rofl:

Ive got the the V type saddle only, so couldn’t make that mistake if I tried, and possibly may have done once upon a time.


H

[UniPol]

The dovetail supplied by Claude suits the Tak saddles shown in my pic. I measured the various Vixen type dovetail bars and the Tak is approximately 1.5-2mm narrower.

[Hemi]

Thanks Unipol,

Yes that’s what ive just found out.
The Tak rail is 41mm
A “standard” Vixen rail seems to be 44mm
And the ADM saddle clamps down fully at 43mm.

Annoyingly non standard!:P

Had a rather one way chat with Claude who said that Vixen rails were 41mm as standard...end of discussion :P



H

[jahnpahwa]

That bloke seems the antithesis to what a Japanese company would want as a representative in a foreign market. Luckily there are solid alternatives with good stock, prices and delivery.

Just measured mine, it's stamped Takahashi and AEC, has a slight depression for the clamshell base and measures 44.3mm at the base.

[Hemi]

Mine is 41mm max, and just has a takahashi sticker on it.
What Tak vendors do you deal with JP? Will probably get that finder. I just ordered some Tak accessories from FLO.

[jahnpahwa]

PMd you, Hemi.

Mine is solid aluminium bar, and given the markings, I'd say was made specifically for AEC, presumably to their spec, which makes Claude's short response all the more interesting.
This has me thinking about replacing it though, as it must weigh a whole heap more, and anything that can bring the weight down will help on the AZGTI