Dovetail Clamp Upgrade for EQ3 mount

This upgrade for EQ3 mounts and similar improves clamping action and reduces the risk of scratching the dovetail plate. The clamping cleat is machined from aluminium and powder coated in a colour as close as possible to the one used in Sky-Watcher mounts. It is also similar or identical in colour to Celestron's CG4. The screw is made of stainless steel with a large and comfortable grip.

Please note that this is a prototype design with a few issues, see below. We recommend to only order the product if you are confident that you can deal with those issues:

    1. Due to the cramped geometry of the EQ3’s saddle plate there is not enough space to drop in the dovetail plate in the normal fashion when this upgrade kit is installed. It is therefore necessary to push the dovetail in from either below or above. This will only work with countersunk screws that do not stick out below the dovetail plate.
       
    2. The small screw that fixes the cleat to the large bolt can come loose quite easily due to friction. By the same token it is possible for it to get too tight and lock the bolt. Both of these problems are solved when using a screw locking agent or a drop of superglue on the small screw during assembly.

Compatible mounts

This upgrade kit is known to be compatible with the following mounts:

    • Celestron: Omni-XLT mount (also known as CG4)
    • Sky-Watcher: EQ3 (in all variants, also known as NEQ3 or EQ3-2.), EQ3 Pro, EQM35

Incompatible mounts

Unless listed above under “compatible mounts” we ask you to assume that the upgrade kit will not work on any other mount, even if the mount is named something like “EQ3”. EQ just stands for Equatorial which is a very common type of mount. Most brands use some type of numbering scheme like “EQ1”, “EQ2”, “EQ3” etc to denote mounts of different sizes. Thus the name EQ3 alone does not mean this upgrade will fit.

Due to the large number of brands out there it is impossible to provide an exhaustive list. You can contact your retailer or info@nienna.eu to check compatibility with your specific mount.

This upgrade kit is known to be incompatible with the following mounts:

    • Bresser EQ3
    • Celestron CG-3
    • Omegon EQ-3, EQ-320
    • TS-Optics EQ3-1
    • Anything with another number than “3” except the ones listed under “compatible mounts”.
    • Anything with “AZ” rather than “EQ”.

Included parts

The Nienna EQ3 upgrade kit consists of the following parts:

    • A large M8 bolt with a large knob
    • A small, countersunk M4 screw
    • A cleat that provides the clamping action

In addition to the above we recommend to use the following (not supplied) if possible:

    • Medium strength thread locker such as Loctite.
    • Alternatively you can use superglue.