TS-Optics Dual Mount Losmandy Style for GoTo Mounts - without 90° offset in declination

TS Optics Dual Mount without 90° Offset - Losmandy Style

A dual mount or double mount is the safest way to mount two telescopes on one mount. It is superior to "piggyback mounting", i.e. mounting a second telescope on the main instrument, the main reasons being:

more favorable leverage for the mount

stiffer mounting (most tube rings are felt-lined, which is not good for stiffness)

higher flexibility - you can combine different systems

optimal balance - by shifting you can balance the systems optimally

The Doppel3ST dual mount is ideal for GoTo mounts

GoTo mounts usually have a basic position for the telescope. A normal dual mount changes this basic position. In declination, an offset of 90° occurs. The Doppel3ST, on the other hand, maintains the basic position. The telescopes have the same position on the mount as without the dual mount, which makes it easier to calibrate the mount.

The Doppel3ST dual mount is suitable for the following mounts, among others:

Losmandy G11, Titan, ...

Skywatcher EQ6, EQ8, ...

Celestron CGEM, CGX, ...

10Micron GM2000, ...

iOptron CEM60, CEM120, ...

All other mounts with Losmandy style quick coupling

How do I bring the telescopes into the optimal balance?

With this double attachment, you can also perfectly balance telescopes with different weights. Please proceed as follows:

Attach the counterweight to the mount.

Attach the dual mount to the mount.

Attach the two telescopes and bring everything roughly into balance. Then fix the right ascension axis. The counterweight bar with the counterweight look down.

Unclamp the declination and twist the declination until the telescopes are horizontal. Then move the telescopes in the dovetail clamps until the telescopes are neither head nor tail heavy.

Then rotate the declination axis until the telescopes are facing up.

Loosen the four screws securing the crossbar to the dovetail bar and move the bar until the telescopes are balanced. Then tighten the bar again.

Finally, loosen the right ascension axis and balance everything with the counterweight.

Now you can move to any position on the sky and the mount will always be in balance.

How can I adjust the position of the middle rail:

The connecting rail of the two prism clamps has a slotted hole and M6 female thread. Just like the middle rail with which the double mount is attached to the mount. Via the M6 female threads and the slotted holes, you can change the position of the prism rail from the center to the edge. Two matching M6 hexagon socket screws are included.

Important note:

The dovetail clamps are adjustable. If a clamp is not aligned perpendicularly to the dovetail bar, it can be correctly aligned again after loosening two hexagon socket screws. The screws are then tightened again.