PLUS telescope mounting system
You can get information about the PrimaLuceLab PLUS mounting system on the PrimaLuceLab website
The PLUS mounting system stands for Prima Luce Universal System.
The PLUS mounting system stands for Prima Luce Universal System.
What is the PLUS?
PrimaLuceLab is an innovative Italian company who make a whole range of equipment for astronomy, from their PLUS mounting system, small computers specifically for astro imaging and also their own brand of telescopes.
Their mounting system includes dovetails bars, scope rings and dovetail clamps in order that you can get your scope mounted and other bits added with the minimum of fuss. The system is all designed to fit together with matching holes and screw threads.
Anyone who has tried to mount a scope and rings and a guide scope will appreciate how difficult this can be.
The elements of the PLUS system are made with high mechanical precision (manufactured by CNC machines), treated and anodized to increase the hardness of the material and protect it from corrosion.The mounting system is also compatible with other companies as there are central holes that can be used for connection.
Their mounting system includes dovetails bars, scope rings and dovetail clamps in order that you can get your scope mounted and other bits added with the minimum of fuss. The system is all designed to fit together with matching holes and screw threads.
Anyone who has tried to mount a scope and rings and a guide scope will appreciate how difficult this can be.
The elements of the PLUS system are made with high mechanical precision (manufactured by CNC machines), treated and anodized to increase the hardness of the material and protect it from corrosion.The mounting system is also compatible with other companies as there are central holes that can be used for connection.
Why PrimaLuceLab?
It would appear that the Takahashi FSQ85 is a strange sized scope that needs 95mm scope rings. If anyone has tried finding a set of decent 95mm then they will know how difficult this is. There are very few options out there for 95mm rings and so that led me to Prima Luce.
PrimaLuceLab 95mm scope rings
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The Scope rings come as a pair and included are 4 x M6 bolts for connecting to a dovetail. The holes align perfectly to those on the Losmandy dovetail bar. On top of the rings there are similar holes, so that another scope or guider can be easily connected. Each of the holes that I have used for connection is threaded and so it just increases the ease with which everything connects together.
As you can see, at the moment I am not using the Prima Luce guide rings nor a top mounting Losmandy dovetail. I was able to connect the ADM losmandy easily to the scope rings using a 30mm M6 bolt. It's useful to know that bars and mounting hardware can be connected and interchanged with the PLUS mounting system.
They are well made and anodised. On the opposite side of the rings there is a knurled screw so that they can be opened and then fastened down tight. The inside of the rings are felted to prevent slippage and help in securing the scope safely within the rings.
Coupled with the Losmandy 240mm dovetail this has given me a secure and stable mounting system for the FSQ85. I am planning for this to be side by side mounted on a dual bar, and so the second scope will also have Prima Luce 95mm rings, mounted on top of a 240mm Losmandy.
I have been suffering from problems of flexure by using the Takahashi clam shells and so I hope that a decent set of scope rings as well as a sturdy mounting system will eliminate the problems I have been facing.
As you can see, at the moment I am not using the Prima Luce guide rings nor a top mounting Losmandy dovetail. I was able to connect the ADM losmandy easily to the scope rings using a 30mm M6 bolt. It's useful to know that bars and mounting hardware can be connected and interchanged with the PLUS mounting system.
They are well made and anodised. On the opposite side of the rings there is a knurled screw so that they can be opened and then fastened down tight. The inside of the rings are felted to prevent slippage and help in securing the scope safely within the rings.
Coupled with the Losmandy 240mm dovetail this has given me a secure and stable mounting system for the FSQ85. I am planning for this to be side by side mounted on a dual bar, and so the second scope will also have Prima Luce 95mm rings, mounted on top of a 240mm Losmandy.
I have been suffering from problems of flexure by using the Takahashi clam shells and so I hope that a decent set of scope rings as well as a sturdy mounting system will eliminate the problems I have been facing.
The Dual system with PrimaLuceLab scope rings
The reason that I went for scope rings with PrimaLuceLab was because I was ultimately looking at running a dual imaging system. I won't talk about it too much here as I will set up a specific area for it as there's much to talk about.... Just for completion though with regards the PrimaLuceLab equipment here's a picture of the dual setup that really does work now that I have got rid of the clamshells.
As you can see the scope rings and the bottom Losmandy bars are all PrimaLuceLab.
As you can see the scope rings and the bottom Losmandy bars are all PrimaLuceLab.
Postage and payment from Italy
You are given the usual ways to pay for goods, inccluding PayPal (which is a favourite of mine!). Also you can pay directly by Bank Transfer and get a discounted price. This is a great way to pay for the goods and having dealt with the company and knowing them to to genuine and well managed I would certainly consider this option for a discount.
There's a number of postage options and I chose the UPS standard courier. My items were bought the week before Christmas and so I was expecting slower delivery. Not the case, the delivery was timely (in fact one package arrived a day early!) The tracking number given to you is accurate and reflects your actual package and the stage of its journey.
There's a number of postage options and I chose the UPS standard courier. My items were bought the week before Christmas and so I was expecting slower delivery. Not the case, the delivery was timely (in fact one package arrived a day early!) The tracking number given to you is accurate and reflects your actual package and the stage of its journey.
Thoughts
I am very pleased with my purchase. The quality of the goods are excellent and the whole package including payment and postage inspires confidence. This is a company that I will certainly look to again for different mounting requirements.
