· Get a Cloudy Nights T-Shirt · Submit a Review / Article Click here if you are having trouble logging into the forums Privacy Policy | Please read our Terms of Service | Signup and Troubleshooting FAQ | Problems? PM a Red or a Green Gu… uh, User You are not logged in. [Login] Entrance · Main Index · Search · New user · Who's Online FAQ · Calendar Equipment Discussions >> Mounts Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Pages: 1 MAURITS professor emeritus Reged: 09/22/09 Loc: Diksmuide (Belgium) Saddle plate......?       #4404050 - 02/22/11 03:31 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Is it difficult to mount a rather heavy telescope (refractor TOA150) on a mount (EM400) with saddle plate, and the rings on a dove tail (the rings remain on the scope)? Or is it better to use the original heavy plate with the craddle on the mount (always open and close the rings)? Thanks! Post Extras:       walt99 super member Reged: 08/23/08 Loc: Kentucky Re: Saddle plate......? [Re: MAURITS]       #4404074 - 02/22/11 03:41 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I found it much easier to leave the clamshell on the mount and put my TOA in that. Still a PIA tho. Post Extras:       mclewis1 Thread Killer Reged: 02/25/06 Loc: New Brunswick, Canada Re: Saddle plate......? [Re: MAURITS]       #4404077 - 02/22/11 03:42 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   To some degree the answer depends on the type of saddle on the mount. If the saddle is a full moving side plate design and allows a dovetail plate to be inserted from the side (rather than being slid in from the end) then it will likely be easier to keep the rings and the dovetail plate on the scope. If the saddle is not of that design and only loads from the end then you'll likely find it easier to leave the plate and rings on the mount and load the scope into the open split rings. With a lighter weight scope this difference likely doesn't matter as it will be easier to manipulate the angle of the dovetail plate as it enters the rear of the saddle but with a heavier scope this is much more difficult. With a heavier scope the side loading technique tends to work better. Post Extras:       MAURITS professor emeritus Reged: 09/22/09 Loc: Diksmuide (Belgium) Re: Saddle plate......? [Re: MAURITS]       #4405100 - 02/23/11 12:30 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   Thanks for the clear answers! Post Extras:       LLEEGE True Blue Reged: 03/03/05 Loc: Cloud-chester,NY Re: Saddle plate......? [Re: MAURITS]       #4405112 - 02/23/11 12:40 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I find it easier to put my rings on the mount first (on a dovetail plate) and then put the scope in the rings. Post Extras:       Starhawk Post Laureate Reged: 09/16/08 Loc: Tucson, Arizona Re: Saddle plate......? [Re: LLEEGE]       #4405486 - 02/23/11 08:38 AM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   At least through 15lbs, I have had no trouble leaving them on a dovetail with an end-loading setup. But I made my own dovetail clamps where they have a lead-in feature just so they could do this. -Rich Post Extras:       AntarcticDave sage Reged: 02/03/09 Loc: Denver, CO Re: Saddle plate......? [Re: Starhawk]       #4405922 - 02/23/11 12:30 PM Edit   Reply   Quote Quick Reply   I scratched up my saddle sliding my 6" refractor with rings and dovetail in. I agree with LLEEGE, I now mount the dovetail and rings to the saddle first, then mount the scope in the rings - much easier and secure. Post Extras:       Pages: 1 Previous   Index   Next   Threaded   Extra information 15 registered and 43 anonymous users are browsing this forum. 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