Corvane Quoin GoTo equatorial mount, head only

Specifications

Description

The Quoin is a GoTo equatorial mount for telescopes and camera setups with a combined load up to 14 kg. Its polar axis points at the celestial pole once the mount is set up, so a single right ascension motor follows the daily motion of the stars at a steady rate. You set the latitude with the altitude scale, then align the polar axis with the built-in polar finder, which lets you start a session without a full alignment routine.

After polar alignment, you enter your date, time, and location on the hand controller, then complete a two-star or three-star alignment on bright objects. The handset holds a database of several thousand objects, and you can select a target by name or catalog number. The mount slews to the object at high speed, then switches to sidereal tracking so the target stays centred at higher magnifications. The periodic error correction setting reduces the small drift caused by the worm gear.

The Quoin's head weighs 8.6 kg, so a stable pier or heavy tripod reduces vibration. Balance the telescope on both axes before each session, keeping the centre of mass close to the declination axis. Longer tubes benefit from the counterweight shaft and weights included in the kit. Keep the total load, including cameras, cables, and eyepieces, well below the rated 14 kg.

The mount runs on 12 V DC from a power tank or a regulated supply. Its autoguide port accepts a standard four-pin cable for guiding cameras, which supports longer exposures for astrophotography. For visual observing, a session of several hours on one battery charge is typical at moderate slew rates.

About this configuration

Each configuration of the Corvane Quoin GoTo equatorial mount uses the same mount head; the options change what it stands on and what ships with it. 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. The padded carrying case protects the mount head during travel and keeps its parts together in storage.

Anodized red parts have the same corrosion resistance as the black finish, in a brighter color. The mechanics of the 2024 edition match the other years; the changes concern handling details only. 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 counterweight shaft
• Hand controller with coiled cable
• Polar finder scope
• Stainless steel tripod
• Two counterweights
• 12 V DC power cable
• Padded carrying case

Compatibility notes

• Accepts dovetail saddle bars up to 60 mm wide, with a safety screw.
• Rated for a combined payload of up to 14 kg, including counterweights.
• Suits telescopes and cameras whose total weight stays well below the rated payload.