A saddle plate is not the most exciting astronomical accessory in the world, but it is one of the most important when it comes to the stability and safety of your telescope system. Just like a saddle is usually the only piece of equipment between you and a horse, a telescope saddle plate is often times the only piece of hardware used to attach your optical tube assembly to its mount. At Explore Scientific, industry-standard saddle plates facilitate flexibility when it comes to mounting telescopes. The large Vixen-style saddle plate is 11 inches long and is made of one solid piece of extruded aluminum with a sleek black anodized finish for longevity. Lightweight but rigid, the plate attaches to the bottom of your OTA and then to the saddle of a wide range of popular Vixen-style mounts.