Tak clamshell & Vixen dovetail?

[MortonH]

Originally Posted by Peter Ward

Some more pictures to illustrate how Losmandy's new Taka ring adapter can be configured for D or V series plates.

It's an effective and cheap accessory...about $US 20 or so.

I'm not sure how this helps since you still need 8mm holes in the dovetail bar. Wouldn't that setup still work without the ring?

[Kunama]

https://www.optcorp.com/telescope-ac...bar-150mm.html

[anj026]

That is frustrating when the "Vixen standard" is not standard between manufacturers. Here is a link to the Astro-Physics standard which also shows the Vixen dimensions for comparison.

http://www.astro-physics.com/product...s/DvsVBars.pdf

[Peter Ward]

Originally Posted by MortonH

I'm not sure how this helps since you still need 8mm holes in the dovetail bar. Wouldn't that setup still work without the ring?

While it is true all Losmandy Universal Plates (both D and Vixen sizes) have threaded holes with Taka spacing, the adapter ring gives you a much wider and stable base which allows the raised inner section of the Taka rings to sit flush.

[MortonH]

Originally Posted by issdaol

AEC were selling Vixen Dovetails pre-drilled and with a countersunk circular section for the Tak TSA clamshell to sit in.

Actually very well made and done in Australia

Claude confirmed they still sell these for $95 posted. Not sure how long they are. I've asked for a picture.

Luckily my Tak also came with rings AND clamshell so I've been using the rings so far. Not sure I want to spend another $95 just to use the clamshell.

[issdaol (Phil)]

Originally Posted by Kunama

https://www.optcorp.com/telescope-ac...bar-150mm.html

This bar is not as good as the one AEC can supply..... plus as Peter mentions the countersunk ring helps the clamshell sit flush and more stable than other bars on the market :-)

Sorry have not gotten around to taking pics of mine....been distracted by some recent goodies arrived from Italy :-)

[MortonH]

Originally Posted by issdaol

This bar is not as good as the one AEC can supply..... plus as Peter mentions the countersunk ring helps the clamshell sit flush and more stable than other bars on the market :-)

Sorry have not gotten around to taking pics of mine....been distracted by some recent goodies arrived from Italy :-)

Hi Phil,

A pic of yours would be good as Claude says he doesn't have a photo he can give me.

[johngwheeler (John)]

Originally Posted by MortonH

Interesting. I'll need to ask Claude about this.

Thanks.

I got one of these from A.E.C. with my Tak, and it's very solid and well made. The actual dovetail was "free" when included with the Tak clamshell - just as well - just about everything else on a Tak that you need in order to use it is "an optional extra"

[MortonH]

Originally Posted by johngwheeler

I got one of these from A.E.C. with my Tak, and it's very solid and well made. The actual dovetail was "free" when included with the Tak clamshell - just as well - just about everything else on a Tak that you need in order to use it is "an optional extra"

Ah, so that's the big shiny thing in the pic you posted on CN.