Astro-Tech Vixen Saddle Plate For Handles or Dovetails

One of the biggest problems facing astronomers today is where to mount all of our stuff.  With imaging becoming more popular it creates a fairly large problem of mounting equipment on your telescope.  In the past we have suggested mounting it on the focuser body, as long as your scope comes equipped with the proper mounting shoe.  More and more people want to mount guidescopes, smart hubs like the ZWO ASIAir series, or other items on a dovetail/handle that is attached to the tube rings.  We looked at creating a handle with a built in vixen saddle, but there is a patent on that particular design.  So instead, we went modular.

The ATHVIX attaches to the top of Astro-Tech handles allowing you to mount accessories with a vixen stalk directly into it.  The ATHVIX is held into place by two supplied M6 screws that will thread into Astro-Tech handles.  The ATHVIX has a 67mm long center channel so there is room to get a perfect fit to various screw holes, even on some other manufacturers equipment.  That is, as long as their equipment will accept the M6 screws that are provided.  To be clear, this will not allow you place a vixen dovetail inside it.  It is designed for accessories as stated above.

The ATHVIX is 3" long and 1.75" wide.  It comes with two hand tightening screws to secure your vixen stalk style equipment into the saddle.  The saddle has a flat bottom, so fit should not be a problem.

We hope this addresses some of the mounting issues that are becoming more and more common.