Corvane Hollin equatorial mount, head only

Specifications

Description

The Hollin is a manual equatorial mount for telescopes and binoculars with a combined load up to 12 kg. Once it is leveled and polar aligned, its polar axis points at the celestial pole, so you move the telescope in right ascension and declination, the two directions in which the sky appears to turn. Setting circles on both axes help you find objects from a star chart without a computer.

Slow-motion rods on both axes let you center an object in small steps, which matters at higher magnifications, where a few arcminutes of drift can carry a target out of the field within a minute. Friction knobs set how freely each axis moves. The mount has no motors as shipped, but you can add a single-axis drive to the right ascension shaft to hold objects in the eyepiece for longer.

Telescopes up to about 100 mm aperture and 8 kg total work best on the Hollin. Keep the combined load, including the diagonal, eyepiece, finder, and counterweights, well below the rated payload. Counterweights are not included, so you will need to add them to balance the tube on the declination axis.

Before observing, point the polar axis toward Polaris in the northern hemisphere or toward Sigma Octantis in the southern hemisphere, then adjust the altitude and azimuth bolts until the polar scope reticle matches the star. Setup takes about fifteen minutes on a level surface once the tripod is spread and the head is attached.

About this configuration

This listing covers one configuration of the Corvane Hollin equatorial mount, defined by its support, add-on, finish, and edition year. This configuration is the mount head alone, so you supply a tripod or a pier with a matching top plate. Buying the head only makes sense when you already own a sturdy tripod or a permanent pier in the garden. No add-on is included, which suits observers who already carry their own cases, bars, and power supplies.

Anodized red parts have the same corrosion resistance as the black finish, in a brighter color. The 2023 edition uses the same gears and bearings as later years, with small differences in the clamps. For steady views, keep the total load of tube, finder, and camera below the rated payload with some margin to spare.

What's in the box

• Equatorial mount head with dovetail saddle
• Two slow-motion control rods
• Polar scope with reticle
• Accessory tray

Compatibility notes

• Accepts dovetail bars up to 50 mm wide.
• The 3/8-16 base thread fits most photo tripods.
• Suits telescopes up to about 100 mm aperture and 8 kg total with counterweights.