Dovetail bars attach to your telescope either directly or via tube rings, and to your mount via a clamp, making it quick to install and remove the telescope.
Dovetail bars are so called because their cross-section has the appearance of a dove’s tail, and it is this tapered profile that makes them safe and secure in use.
There are two main types of dovetail bar:
- The traditional Vixen style with a width of approximately 1.75 inches
- The heavier duty Losmandy stylewith a width of approximately 3 inches
Although the latter has an overhanging ‘table’ of 4 inches in width.
It is common these days for mounts to have dovetail clamps that will accommodate both dovetail sizes.
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