Targetrons, Sidewinders & Zerotators use the same port rings and require an optional Docking Port Ring to attach directly to your scope's existing focuser or SCT's visual back. Note that they are the same 2.9" diameter docking and camera port rings that install Sidewinders to your scopes and cameras, and are completely interchangeable. This separate ring design creates a more versatile Targetron that can be used on literally any scope on the market. Just pop the circular dovetailed (flanged) ring into the front input body of the Targetron and tighten the three 8-32 set screws, that are opposed, by 120 degrees. You will need to align the holes on the Targetron's outer ring with the inner ring's set screws, by simply rotating the outer ring until the set screws are visible through the holes. This hole and set screw system saves you about an inch of precious profile. The flange provides a failsafe coupling between the docking port ring and the Targetron. Tightening the three set screws around the angled flange actually draws the port ring into the flatted surface of the inner cylinder creating a bond that is as solid as a weld. VSI offers a myriad of very special [exclusive] adapters, couplers, and accessories that no one else could begin to duplicate. This unique offering allows you to build an extremely flexible imaging train, that is not even rivaled by professional research observatories, but envied.
QUALITY ASSURANCE NOTE: It has come to my attention that others use less than adequate coupling methods on their products which induce flexure. They look very similar to VSI's exclusive docking/coupling systems. They are NOT! VSI's exclusive docking/couplings are not like any other flimsy, flexure-ridden connections used on other products. A good analogy would be a comparison between a (less than) $50 and a $300 (and up) rifle scope. The lesser rifle scopes look identical to the more expensive ones but, in operation, the differences are very apparent, optically and [especially] mechanically. Let the buyer beware. You receive quality and functionality only when you are willing to expend an appropriate dollar amount. VSI's proprietary flared flange (circular dovetail) docking inserts have extremely thick-wall construction and are locked in place by three set screws opposed by 120 degrees. When you tighten these set screws against this special [angled] flange, it not only pushes directly against the insert ring, but it also pushes laterally to compress the ring inward against external and internal shoulders, which locks it in place like a good weld - rock-solid! - PVS
SCT WARNING: Some of these available Docking Port Rings mount Targetrons directly to your SCT's threaded visual back, without a secondary focuser. In most imaging cases, you will need a secondary focuser, before the Targetron, to eliminate lateral image shift induced by your [less-than-adequate] SCT's internal factory focusing mechanism.
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Docking Ring, 2"-24tpi for commercial SCTs,
female, Item SR224:
$69
The above docking port ring is required to install your Targetron directly to your commercial SCT via its 2"-24tpi threaded visual back. With all the myriad of proprietary thread diameters and pitches on the market, you should always check your scope's outside diameter and thread pitch. For more info on selecting the correct adapters, see Questions & Answers FAQ link: "How do I know which threaded adapter to purchase for my specific scope?" After screwing the docking port ring onto your SCT's visual back, slide the Targetron over the 2.9" OD flange and tighten the three set screws on the Targetron's inner cylinder. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN! You can seriously warp the inner cylinder, locking it into the outer cylinder, preventing it from rotating, and possibly damaging the device. I only say this for those zealots who take the long end of an Allen wrench, grab it with a pair of pliers, and torque the set screw until it strips. Moderation is the better part of valor. Not really, but it sounds good. |
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Docking Port Ring, 2.7"-24tpi, AP refractor,
male, Item SR2724:
$89
The above docking port ring is required to install your Targetron directly to your AstroPhysics refractor's focuser via its 2.7"-24tpi thread pitch, internally threaded (female) moving tube. With all the myriad of proprietary thread diameters and pitches on the market, you should always check your scope's outside diameter and thread pitch. For more info on selecting the correct adapters, see Questions & Answers FAQ link: "How do I know which threaded adapter to purchase for my specific scope?" After screwing the docking port ring onto your focuser, slide the Targetron over the 2.9" OD flange and tighten the three set screws on the Targetron's inner cylinder. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN! You can seriously warp the inner cylinder, locking it into the outer cylinder, preventing it from rotating, and possibly damaging the device. I only say this for those zealots who take the long end of an Allen wrench, grab it with a pair of pliers, and torque the set screw until it strips. |
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Docking Port Ring, 2.7"-16tpi, Meade
refractor, male, Item SR2716:
$89
This Targetron docking port ring screws directly onto your Meade refractor's focuser via its 2.7"-16tpi thread pitch, internally threaded (female) moving tube. With all the myriad of proprietary thread diameters and pitches on the market, you should always check your scope's outside diameter and thread pitch. For more info on selecting the correct adapters, see Questions & Answers FAQ link: "How do I know which threaded adapter to purchase for my specific scope?" After screwing the docking port ring onto your focuser, slide the Targetron over the 2.9" OD flange and tighten the three set screws on the Targetron's inner cylinder. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN! You can seriously warp the inner cylinder, locking it into the outer cylinder, preventing it from rotating, and possibly damaging the device. I only say this for those zealots who take the long end of an Allen wrench, grab it with a pair of pliers, and torque the set screw until it strips. |
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Docking Port Ring, 72mm-1mm, Takahashi
refractor, male, Item SR72:
$99
This Targetron docking port ring screws directly onto your Takahashi refractor's focuser via its 72mm-1mm thread pitch, internally threaded (female) moving tube. The newer TOA models have longer back focus (shorter tube assemblies) to accommodate off-axis guiding equipment (optical manifolds, etc.) and extended imaging trains. With all the myriad of proprietary thread diameters and pitches on the market, you should always check your scope's outside diameter and thread pitch. For more info on selecting the correct adapters, see Questions & Answers FAQ link: "How do I know which threaded adapter to purchase for my specific scope?" After screwing the docking port ring onto your focuser, slide the Targetron over the 2.9" OD flange and tighten the three set screws on the Targetron's inner cylinder. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN! You can seriously warp the inner cylinder, locking it into the outer cylinder, preventing it from rotating, and possibly damaging the device. I only say this for those zealots who take the long end of an Allen wrench, grab it with a pair of pliers, and torque the set screw until it strips. |
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Docking Port Ring, 85mm-1.5mm, TMB 3"
focuser, male, Item SR85:
$99
The above docking port ring is required to install your Targetron directly to your TMB refractor's 3" focuser via its 85mm-1.5mm thread pitch, internally threaded (female) moving tube. When installing extended imaging trains, unscrew and remove the TMB extension drawtube to increase your back focus range. With all the myriad of proprietary thread diameters and pitches on the market, you should always check your scope's outside diameter and thread pitch. For more info on selecting the correct adapters, see Questions & Answers FAQ link: "How do I know which threaded adapter to purchase for my specific scope?" After screwing the docking port ring onto your focuser, slide the Targetron over the 2.9" OD flange and tighten the three set screws on the Targetron's inner cylinder. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN! You can seriously warp the inner cylinder, locking it into the outer cylinder, preventing it from rotating, and possibly damaging the device. I only say this for those zealots who take the long end of an Allen wrench, grab it with a pair of pliers, and torque the set screw until it strips. |
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Docking Port Ring, 110mm-1.5mm, TMB 4"
focuser, male, Item SR110:
$149
This Targetron docking port ring screws directly onto your TMB refractor's 4" focuser via its 110mm-1.5mm thread pitch, internally threaded (female) moving tube. When installing extended imaging trains, unscrew and remove the TMB extension drawtube to increase your back focus range. With all the myriad of proprietary thread diameters and pitches on the market, you should always check your scope's outside diameter and thread pitch. For more info on selecting the correct adapters, see Questions & Answers FAQ link: "How do I know which threaded adapter to purchase for my specific scope?" After screwing the docking port ring onto your focuser, slide the Targetron over the 2.9" OD flange and tighten the three set screws on the Targetron's inner cylinder. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN! You can seriously warp the inner cylinder, locking it into the outer cylinder, preventing it from rotating, and possibly damaging the device. I only say this for those zealots who take the long end of an Allen wrench, grab it with a pair of pliers, and torque the set screw until it strips. |
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Docking Port Ring, 88mm-1mm thread pitch,
Vixen, male, Item
SR88: $99
The above docking port ring is required to install your Targetron directly to your Vixen 4 or 5" refractor's existing focuser via its 88mm-1mm thread pitch, internally threaded (female) moving tube. With all the myriad of proprietary thread diameters and pitches on the market, you should always check your scope's outside diameter and thread pitch. For more info on selecting the correct adapters, see Questions & Answers FAQ link: "How do I know which threaded adapter to purchase for my specific scope?" After screwing the docking port ring onto your focuser, slide the Targetron over the 2.9" OD flange and tighten the three set screws on the Targetron's inner cylinder. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN! You can seriously warp the inner cylinder, locking it into the outer cylinder, preventing it from rotating, and possibly damaging the device. I only say this for those zealots who take the long end of an Allen wrench, grab it with a pair of pliers, and torque the set screw until it strips. |
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Docking Port Ring, 3.25"-16tpi, Meade L-F
SCT, female, Item SR325:
$99
The above docking port ring is required to install your Targetron directly to your Meade 10 or 12" SCT via the 3.25"-16tpi [Large-Format] threaded visual back. You do need to unscrew the 3.25" to 2"-24tpi reducer to expose the required male threads. Then simply slide the docking port ring over the 2.9" OD flange and tighten the three set screws on the Targetron's inner cylinder. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN! You can seriously warp the inner cylinder, locking it into the outer cylinder, preventing it from rotating, and possibly damaging the device. I only say this for those zealots who take the long end of an Allen wrench, grab it with a pair of pliers, and torque the set screw until it strips. SCT WARNING: This Docking Port Ring mounts Targetrons directly to your SCT's threaded visual back, without a secondary focuser. In most imaging cases, you will need a secondary focuser, before the Targetron, to eliminate lateral image shift induced by your SCT's internal factory focusing mechanism. |
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Docking Port Ring, 3.29"-16tpi Celestron L-F
SCT, female, Item SR329:
$99
This Targetron docking port ring screws directly onto your Celestron 11 or 14" SCT via the 3.29"-16tpi [Large-Format] threaded visual back. You do need to unscrew the 3.29" to 2"-24tpi reducer to expose the required male threads. Then simply slide the docking port ring over the 2.9" OD flange and tighten the three set screws on the Targetron's inner cylinder. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN! You can seriously warp the inner cylinder, locking it into the outer cylinder, preventing it from rotating, and possibly damaging the device. I only say this for those zealots who take the long end of an Allen wrench, grab it with a pair of pliers, and torque the set screw until it strips. SCT WARNING: This Docking Port Ring mounts Targetrons directly to your SCT's threaded visual back, without a secondary focuser. In most imaging cases, you will need a secondary focuser, before the Targetron, to eliminate lateral image shift induced by your SCT's internal factory focusing mechanism. |
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Docking Port Ring, 4"-16tpi Meade 16" SCT,
female, Item SR416:
$199
This Targetron docking port ring screws directly onto your Meade 16" SCT's 4"-16tpi threaded visual back. You do need to unscrew the 4" to 2"-24tpi reducer to expose the required 4" male threads. Then simply slide the docking port ring over the 2.9" OD flange and tighten the three set screws on the Targetron's inner cylinder. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN! You can seriously warp the inner cylinder, locking it into the outer cylinder, preventing it from rotating, and possibly damaging the device. I only say this for those zealots who take the long end of an Allen wrench, grab it with a pair of pliers, and torque the set screw until it strips. SCT WARNING: This Docking Port Ring mounts Targetrons directly to your SCT's threaded visual back, without a secondary focuser. In most imaging cases, you will need a secondary focuser, before the Targetron, to eliminate lateral image shift induced by your SCT's internal factory focusing mechanism. |
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Docking Port Ring, 3.1" to 2.9" back-to-back male flange, Item
SR3129: $99
This [ToadLoader to Targetron] docking port ring is installed in the 2.9" OD flange on the docking side of the Targetron. Then install the exposed 3.1" OD flange (with the Targetron) in the moving tube on the ALPHA or OMEGATOAD. It doesn't matter which port side you install first, or last. This single low-profile docking ring eliminates the expense and need for two threaded docking rings that consume large amounts of profile, while creating a more solid, minimum profile installation (>1/4") between the TOADLOADER and the Targetron. |
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