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What size dovetail for 60mm Solar Refractor?

Started by MichaelJB , Apr 19 2024 03:43 PM

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11 replies to this topic

#1 $What size dovetail for 60mm Solar Refractor?: post #1$ MichaelJB

Mariner 2

topic starter

Posts: 216
Joined: 01 Jan 2022
Loc: Lower Nazareth, PA

Posted 19 April 2024 - 03:43 PM

Lunt sells. 4", 6", and 12"

I am totally new to refractors, but just got a solar scope.

I will put it on a the M002CS mount.

Thanks!

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#2 $What size dovetail for 60mm Solar Refractor?: post #2$ gstrumol

Fly Me to the Moon

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Loc: north of Detroit, Michigan USA

Posted 19 April 2024 - 04:09 PM

I'd go for 6", unless you intend to double stack it at some point. Then I'd suggest 12"

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#3 $What size dovetail for 60mm Solar Refractor?: post #3$ Diana N

Apollo

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Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

Posted 19 April 2024 - 04:15 PM

I'd get the 12". When in doubt, go long!

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#4 $What size dovetail for 60mm Solar Refractor?: post #4$ gnowellsct

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Posted 19 April 2024 - 04:47 PM

This is a complicated question and it isn't just a question of having a buoyant spirit and wanting to go for the longest dovetail.

In some cases having a long dovetail is helpful because you can slide the whole thing in the mount in order to achieve better balance.

In other cases, typically where the refractor is long, you can get the balance you need by moving the refractor in the rings.

In some cases having too long a dovetail can interfere with the rotation of eye pieces in the diagonal or get in the way of rotating the focuser particularly if it has a finder attached.

You also want a dovetail that gives you some flexibility in where you place the rings. So I'm not going to tell you which dovetail to get except to say that the short one is probably too short and the most likely to be limiting.

I would suggest that you get a price quote from ADM which makes a large quantity of dovetails at very reasonable prices.

Greg N

Edited by gnowellsct, 19 April 2024 - 04:47 PM.

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#5 $What size dovetail for 60mm Solar Refractor?: post #5$ NTR180

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Loc: Tucson, AZ

Posted 19 April 2024 - 09:03 PM

Are you getting Lunt's MT60? If so the 12 is too long. It will extend past the focuser and the only way you could use it would be to rotate the focuser. I have the double stack and can balance it fine with the 6 inch. Photo shows it single stacked but you can see how the 6 inch looks.

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#6 $What size dovetail for 60mm Solar Refractor?: post #6$ MichaelJB

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Posts: 216
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Loc: Lower Nazareth, PA

Posted 19 April 2024 - 09:19 PM

Thanks, yes, the MT60....

Darn, I just ordered the 12 inch from Lunt, I am going to see if I can cancel it.

They dont have any 4s or 6s in stock

Are you getting Lunt's MT60? If so the 12 is too long. It will extend past the focuser and the only way you could use it would be to rotate the focuser. I have the double stack and can balance it fine with the 6 inch. Photo shows it single stacked but you can see how the 6 inch looks.

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#7 $What size dovetail for 60mm Solar Refractor?: post #7$ NTR180

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Loc: Tucson, AZ

Posted 19 April 2024 - 09:50 PM

The 12 could be usable. You will have to rotate the focuser for it to fit. Just limits your options for orientation plus it isn’t necessary. I did the same as you and ordered the 12, but took it back to get a 6. Fortunately they had some in stock at the time.