The Astro-Tech 9" vixen plate is precision-machined from 5/8-inch aluminum stock and hard-anodized black. It measures 232mm (just over 9 inches) long and 43mm wide, with a 36mm-wide flat mounting surface on top for your tube rings. The six mounting holes alternate between 6.9mm unthreaded holes (for 1/4"-20 bolts that you slip through and thread into your rings) and 6mm threaded holes (for 6mm bolts). A 0.25" × 3.75" slot on the plate's centerline gives you continuous adjustment when the fixed holes don't fall where you need them. Between the holes and the slot, you can position rings at virtually any spacing.
The underside of the dovetail slot is routed 7mm deep so the heads of your mounting bolts sit flush with the bottom of the plate. This matters. If bolt heads protrude below the dovetail, they'll catch on the saddle as you slide the plate back and forth to balance your setup. With the countersunk design, the plate slides freely in the saddle — balance adjustment is smooth and repeatable.
What It Fits
This plate fits the dovetail slot on any Vixen-style or Vixen-compatible saddle. That includes the Celestron AVX, CG-5, and CG-4 equatorial mounts; Vixen Polaris, Great Polaris, and Sphinx equatorials; iOptron mounts; ZWO; and the Astro-Tech Voyager altazimuth mount. If your mount accepts a Vixen-width dovetail bar, this plate fits it.
It's sized for short-focal-length refractors — Astro-Tech, TeleVue, William Optics, Takahashi, and Meade — and the smaller Astro-Tech, Questar, Meade, and Celestron catadioptric tubes. For longer or heavier OTAs, consider a longer dovetail plate.
What's Included
- Astro-Tech 9" Vixen universal dovetail plate
Note: Mounting bolts are not included — use the bolts supplied with your tube rings.
Features
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Six mounting holes plus a 3.75" slot — Alternating threaded and unthreaded holes give you multiple bolt positions. The slot provides continuous adjustment when fixed holes don't align with your rings.
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Countersunk underside — Bolt heads sit flush in a 7mm-deep channel on the bottom of the plate, so nothing catches on the saddle when you slide the plate to balance.
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5/8" precision-machined aluminum — Thick enough to stay rigid under load, machined to tight tolerances for a snug fit in the saddle.
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Hard-anodized black finish — Durable surface that resists scratching and won't reflect stray light.
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Universal Vixen compatibility — Fits any mount with a Vixen-style saddle clamp, including Celestron, Vixen, iOptron, and Astro-Tech mounts.
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11 ounces — Light enough that it won't throw off your balance calculations, heavy enough to feel solid in the saddle.
Observing Tip
When you first bolt your rings to this plate, don't tighten everything down to final torque. Set your tube in the rings, mount the assembly on your scope, and slide the plate in the saddle until the scope balances. Mark the plate position with a pencil or a small piece of tape. Then tighten the saddle clamp and the ring bolts. Next session, you'll know exactly where the plate goes without re-balancing from scratch.
FAQ
Does this fit Losmandy or CGE-style saddles?
No. This is a Vixen-width dovetail. Losmandy/CGE saddles use a wider dovetail profile. Some Losmandy saddles accept Vixen plates with an adapter, but check your saddle specifications first.
Are mounting bolts included?
No. Use the 1/4"-20 or 6mm bolts supplied with your tube rings. The plate accepts both sizes through its alternating hole pattern.
Will this work with my AT80EDT / AT115EDT / AT72EDII?
Yes. It's designed specifically for short-focal-length Astro-Tech refractors and works well with the EDT, EDII, EDQ, and EDX series. The 9-inch length provides enough room for standard ring spacing on these tubes.
Final Thoughts
A dovetail plate is one of those accessories that either works perfectly or drives you crazy every session. This one works. The countersunk bolt channels, the mix of threaded and unthreaded holes, and the 3.75-inch slot give you the flexibility to mount almost any small tube without compromise. It's precision-machined, hard-anodized, and priced well below comparable plates from other brands. If you're setting up a short refractor on a Vixen-style mount, this is the plate to start with.
