Vixen vs Losmandy?

[Saturn488]

Using an HEQ5 and was thinking about converting the saddle to a losmandy style plate.

Are there any advantages in doing this or is it recommended to use losmandy for very large telescopes only? One of the reasons is I don’t like how vixen dovetails leave marks in the dovetail but if I can improve stability as well that would be great.

[gregbradley]

Losmandy mount is a lot larger so a firmer grip. Vixen dovetail I would describe as suitable for lightweight applications like a small and light telescope or a camera.

Greg.

[DarkArts]

You don't say what OTA you're using, but the vixen dovetail and saddle will be fine for smaller telescopes such as 80-100mm refractors or a 6- or 7-inch Mak. I've had an 8-inch Mak mounted on an EQ6 with vixen dovetail and had no issues.

I used to have my ED80 on a Losmandy dovetail when I had a dual-saddle NEQ6, but for my current AZEQ5-GT, I switched it back to a vixen dovetail since it wasn't worth upgrading the default saddle.

I wouldn't worry about the marks on the dovetail.

[Hoges]

Some Vixen dovetail clamps tighten without using a screw directly onto the vixen bar - I have a Geoptik vixen style clamp that I swap from various mounts. Although for holding something 10kg-ish, I certainly prefer a dual clamping Losmandy. Check out Testar's page of saddles.... https://www.testar.com.au/collections/dovetail-saddles