Corvane Hollin equatorial mount, with carbon fiber tripod

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. The carbon fiber tripod saves weight for travel while still damping vibration well at moderate magnification. Carbon fiber legs stay comfortable to handle on cold nights, since they conduct less heat away from your hands than metal. A spare dovetail bar lets you keep a second telescope ready to swap onto the mount in a minute.

The anodized black finish hides scratches and does not reflect the light of a red flashlight back at you. The 2023 edition uses the same gears and bearings as later years, with small differences in the clamps. The payload rating in the specifications applies to the mount head in every configuration of the Hollin line.

What's in the box

• Equatorial mount head with dovetail saddle
• Two slow-motion control rods
• Polar scope with reticle
• Accessory tray
• Carbon fiber tripod with accessory tray
• Spare 200 mm dovetail bar

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.