m³ (multi modular mount) system

The m3 mount system is based around a mounting plate which is designed to fit an equatorial mount that is intended to take a Vixen dovetail, this includes such mounts as the EQ6, HEQ5, EQ5, EQ4 and their variants including mounts from Meade, Vixen, Orion and Celestron.

Due to increased requests we now have available a clamp to hold Vixen dovetail equipped scopes on the basic mounting plate, do not confuse this with some of the Vixen style saddles available that use the same holding method as the mounts, this clamps the dovetail on both sides over a 4" (100mm) length of the dovetail and is designed to proved an extremely high level of rigidity. These can be fitted to either end of a Basic Mounting Plate or used for you own mounting arrangements.

Vixen Dovetail Clamp

If you are not sure about compatibility please Email for advice (contact details at the bottom of the page).

An example of an m3 setup for dual scope mounting

Basic Mounting Plate (this is the core of the system).

It is a mounting plate with Vixen style dovetail above which is a 100mm wide mounting plate, this is arranged in such a way that the load is passed through this plate onto the mount saddle plate so that it is not relying on the dovetail to provide the stability. As most of you will already be aware the dovetail bar on it's own does not really provide a high degree of stability as it tends to twist or even move in the clamp when under load. This is something we have spent a lot of time eliminating.

End view of Basic Mounting Plate

Lower dovetail view of Basic Mounting Plate

The plate itself is 280mm long so that it can be used as more rigid alternative to a standard bar, it is predrilled to take other components from the system or these holes can be used for your own mounting requirements. The position of these holes allows for mounting scope rings (either single point mount or there is provision for TMB rings with 60mm centres in 4 positions) or Cameras, auto guiders etc... and if that is not enough there is a 3" dovetail (takes Losmandy clamps) on the top of the plate.

Upper view of Basic Mounting Plate showing the mounting holes and the 3" dovetail

If there is anything else you might want please let us know, you never know it might be possible with the plate as it is now.

The plate is made from solid Aluminium and now comes in 2 lengths 280mm and 358mm long both are 100mm wide and weigh in at 1.55Kg for the 280mm and 1.95Kg for the 358mm version, they are black anodised for improved durability.

Support Bars (for mounting multiple telescopes).

The support bars are 384mm long and are predrilled at 60mm centres for mounting scope rings, these bars can be bolted to the Base Plate in order to mount one or more scopes at right angles to the dovetail.

Underside of support bar showing recessed mounting holes

Topside of support bar

A pair of these mounted to the Basic Plate makes a very rigid dual scope setup for guiding.

(Just for reference the shape of these bars mean that they will fit the top of an EQ3-2 mount they would just require drilling and tapping for the correct hole positions on the EQ3)

The bars are made from solid Aluminium and are 384mm long with 7 mounting holes at 60mm centres, each bar weighs 0.85Kg and they are black anodised for durability.

150mm Collimating rings

The collimating rings allow scopes that can be fitted through the 150mm opening of the rings to be mounted in a pair of 3 point mounts thus allowing the scopes from 50mm to 130mm external diameter to be optically aligned with the main scope for guiding.

Pair of collimating rings mounted on a support bar and base plate

These rings are each mounted by a single M6 screw and although designed to fit the Support Bars they can be used for your own mounts or even be piggybacked onto rings.

They can be supplied with either Nylon or Stainless collimating screws both of which have nylon protective caps on the end to prevent damage to the scope.

The Rings are made from Aluminium and weigh 0.55Kg per pair, these are also black anodised for durability.

Spare adjusting stainless screws are available to either replace lost or damaged ones or for retrofitting other rings that use an M6 screw (part code CS70S).

Camera Mounting Bolts

2" Camera Bolt

1/4 Whitworth stainless camera mounting bolts with 1.25" hand knobs are available in the following lengths all of which come with a 14mm spacer for ease of use:

1", 1.25" (for mounting cameras on the support bars), 1.5" (for mounting Skywatcher type Dovetails onto Base Plate) & 2" (for mounting cameras on the centre holes of the base plate).

Most items are in stock but for specials there may be a delay, you will be advised if this is the case at time of order.

We are currently adding more information on the items in the m3 system but if you want any further information on this or any other product please contact us at sales@astrodevelopments.co.uk for more information.

This page will be updated as more information on the m³ system becomes available