Mounting my solarmax iii to my tripod

[Solar Seeker 52]

Hey guys

I am trying to install my scope to my tripod but I am unsure about it. 2 scews are good enough to keep my scope secure? It makes me nervous! I don't want it to slide off.

Jason

[DeepSolar64]

Yes, that's all it takes. Does the scope come with a dovetail rail? There are two popular types, the Vixen rail and the Losmandy rail. Both bolt onto the mounting rings or clamshell that holds the scope. You can then slide the scope into the cradle of the mount and tighten those two screws securely. Do the reverse to remove the scope.

My Losmandy mount has only a single heavy screw to tighten the mounting cradle. I am using a Vixen-style rail.

James

SMII90Mounted.png (1.37 MiB) Viewed 476 times

[Solar Seeker 52]

Here is a pic of the bottom of my scope

[DeepSolar64]

Ok. You have tube rings attached to a vixen rail. Judging by your first picture your cradle looks too wide for a vixen rail. You can try putting it in and seeing whether it will tighten down don't let go of the scope unless it is secure. These scopes are not cheap. You don't want it to slide out and fall!

[DeepSolar64]

If you can tighten it down and it doesn't wobble or move you are good. The rail should fit evenly and securely into the mounting cradle.

[Solar Seeker 52]

Here is is another picture. It does not seem right and I am afraid that it may not be secure? Just 2 screws to hold it down?

[DeepSolar64]

It looks good!! Does the rail move after it is tightened? It should not.

[Solar Seeker 52]

After I tighten the 2 screws. Its does not move. The scope should be fine? I just don't want my scope to slide off. Should the bar be in the middle?

[DeepSolar64]

Good. It should be secure. The bar should be seated and tight in the cradle. I leave the clamshell attached to the rail on mine. I store it on the mount inside the house with the scope set up. You can leave the rings on the rail and remove the scope for storage also. How you do it is up to you.

Just always make sure the scope is secured when you set up. I failed once on my Orion70 white light scope and it slid out and hit the ground. The scope is light and no damage was done. It almost certainly would have damaged my Coronado!

[marktownley]

Just make sure the scope is balanced in the rings and not too nose heavy.

[DeepSolar64]

Did you ever get the scope mounted?

[rsfoto]

After I tighten the 2 screws. Its does not move. The scope should be fine? I just don't want my scope to slide off. Should the bar be in the middle?

Put the bar in the middle and balance the scope by opening the rings and sliding the scope backwards or forwards ...