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

This listing covers one configuration of the Corvane Quoin GoTo 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. With a spare dovetail bar, you can fit a guide scope or a second instrument side by side.

A white mount head is easy to see in the dark, which helps you avoid walking into the tripod. The 2023 edition uses the same gears and bearings as later years, with small differences in the clamps. Check the saddle type in the specifications against the dovetail bar on your telescope before you choose a configuration.

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
• Spare 200 mm dovetail bar

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.