Short dovetail bar around 100mm?

[MortonH]

I'm after a short Vixen-style dovetail bar for my ZS66. I don't want to remove the 'foot' and use rings, so I'm looking for something that will attach to the bottom of the foot and also have a 'spare' 1/4"-20 hole for attaching to a camera tripod without removing the dovetail. This way I can use the scope on my alt-az mounts or camera tripod without any fuss.

Desert Sky Astro in the US makes exactly what I need (see attachment) but I'm wondering if any local vendors stock something similar.

Any ideas?

[LewisM]

I have one you can have for $10 Morton - it's not the same as above, but does the trick. I modified it SLIGHTLY by widening one hole, but it is still fine - I used it with my Tak FS60 (hole space was just a wee bit off)

Message me.

[MortonH]

Still looking (thanks anyway, Lewis).

To clarify:

The main reason for wanting a dovetail is to move the balance point of the scope. It's light enough for a camera tripod but with most eyepieces it's rear-heavy. So the dovetail needs to be longer than the existing foot so I can shift the balance point. I reckon a 4" (100mm) dovetail is the ideal size.

I would also like the dovetail itself to be capable of direct attachment to a camera tripod, if possible.

[LewisM]

Let me scrounge - I have an old Skywatcher bar you could cut as required - I think it's a 6" one, so you could get 2 for the price of one

[MortonH]

Originally Posted by LewisM

Let me scrounge - I have an old Skywatcher bar you could cut as required - I think it's a 6" one, so you could get 2 for the price of one

Thanks, Lewis. Now that you mention it, I'm pretty sure I have a 30cm one myself that I could cut. Was just hoping for something "nice" to complement the scope

[Kunama]

Here is a nice one Morton:
http://www.bintel.com.au/Accessories...oductview.aspx

[killswitch (Edison)]

Bintel has this 100mm one but theres no holes for the ZS66 feet.

http://www.bintel.com.au/Mounts---Tr...oductview.aspx

Drill holes? lol

[astro744]

Something like this http://www.televue.com/engine/TV3b_p...t#.U0JqCKiSySo

Click on the camera icon for a close-up.

There is also the balance aids. http://www.televue.com/engine/TV3b_p...l#.U0Jq7qiSySo

Again click on the camera icons for close-ups.

BINTEL could order for you.

[MortonH]

Losmandy has a new dovetail that's exactly what I need:

$25 for the dovetail and $100 to ship

[LewisM]

ADM make some short universal Vixen rails for a good price.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vixen-Style-...item41761c19ec

That's a start. Type "Vixen bar" in ebay.com (NOT ebay.com.au)

[MortonH]

Thanks again, Lewis.

The new Losmandy one is even better as it has a central threaded hole that could be used to attach a quick release plate for a camera tripod, which is exactly what I'm after. I'm emailing them to clarify their shipping costs!

http://store.losmandy.com/vup4/

[Stardrifter_WA]

pm'd

Cheers Peter

[MortonH]

Originally Posted by Stardrifter_WA

pm'd

Cheers Peter

If the PM was to me, I haven't received it

[Stardrifter_WA]

Originally Posted by MortonH

If the PM was to me, I haven't received it

Have resent pm Morton.

I have sent pm's before from WA and they don't always arrive. Maybe we are just too far away and they get lost.

Cheers Peter

[Stardrifter_WA]

Hi Morton,

Have answered your pm.

Cheers Pete

[MortonH]

[LewisM]

Shipping charges now from the USA are insane. They want to charge SO much just to have their staff fill out a 5 second CN22 customs declaration!!!

Opt Corp charged me $40 shipping on a small adapter. Another company yesterday wanted to charge me $34 shipping on 2 screws (5mm long) that cost $4.10 for the pair!!! Then again, Germany based Teleskop-Express minimum postage seems to be 45 Euro also, which is frustrating.

Times, they are a-changing...

[MortonH]

With margins so thin these days I wonder if they make more profit off shipping costs than the items themselves.

[Kunama]

Bulk and Group buying is the answer!

I have a standing order at Telescope Express to which I just add things as I find I need them, then at the end of the month they send it out to me for 36 Euro.

[LewisM]

I bought myself a drill press (my last one was pilfered by some a-hole) this morning, so I can now make all the universal plate spacing I need Was a bargain at $74 at Bunnings, with a 3 year warranty! Just hoping it drills ON centre, unlike another Chinese wobble-matic I had.

Now to buy some decent 6mm and 1/4" drill bits. Drill out all those damned threaded holes that I need unthreaded