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The 495mm PrimaLuce, Losmandy, dovetail plate has arrived. It missed the weekend deadline for delivery. The idea is to buy a new and much smaller telescope. Probably a 100mm aperture at f/7. To make a new, solar H-alpha, modified telescope.
The image alongside shows the new plate clamped to the AM5N. The finish is perfect and nicely matches the metallic red of ZWO.
This very long dovetail was intended to trial mount my present, 150mm/6" f/10 H-alpha telescope. Which is too large, heavy and bulky. To allow me to carry it far these days. It is also so long. That it will probably catch on the tripod legs.
The plate is larger at 98mm wide and far heavier than I would ever have imagined. I am more used to the much smaller camera plates and a few, rather short, Vixen style dovetail plates.
The Losmandy style plate was established to carry larger and heavier telescopes. It also provides a stable platform with considerable, lengthways adjustment for balance of an unwieldy, H-alpha modified telescope. Which often have long, cantilevered filter assemblies. Hanging out from the focuser.
PrimaLuce generously drills a lot of holes in these plates. Some threaded and others countersunk from below. To allow hex head screws to clamp accessories, like tube rings, from the underside. Without protruding or preventing the plate. From sliding through the loosened mounting clamps. For balancing the optical tube assembly along its length.
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