Heavy duty Vixen style dovetail for EQ6

[BC]

Hi,

I see in the latest AS&T that Star Optics in QLD are advertising heavy duty dovetail plates 29 x 9 cm for $79 (or maybe $99). Is this a significant upgrade from the standard dovetail supplied with the EQ6 Pro? I have my 10" GSO dob tube on board and finding significant movement in the system. I imagine the Losmandy style that folks mention regularly is better but is heaps more $$. Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Bruce

[h0ughy]

probably be a solid style bar

[mick pinner]

the Vixen style plates are certainly a step up from the standard dovetail plate but nowhere near the stability of the Losmandy System. IMO the Losmandy system is not expensive when you think of the benefits it gives.

[Zaps]

The supplied Synta/SW dovetail is fine for light loads but will flex too much for anything major placed on it.

There are at least a couple of third party manufacturers, such as ADM, offering Losmandy style and Losmandy/Vixen style replacements for the standard Synta/SW mount interface and dovetails.

Not the cheapest option in the world, but very high quality and essentially flexless. It will let you make the most of an excellent mount.

[BC]

Thanks for the input folks. I guess like most things, you pay more and get a better result. Sometime it isn't the case of course, which is why I posed the question.

Bruce

[Zaps]

To be fair, the Synta-made plate supplied isn't that bad. You're unlikely to notice a problem unless you're a very fussy APer, and even then only if you have the bar loaded up. For visual, or imaging with a light setup, the Vixen-style plate will probably be just fine.