Corvane Rampart GoTo equatorial mount, head only

Specifications

Description

The Rampart is a GoTo equatorial mount for small refractors, short reflectors, and Maksutovs with a total load up to 4 kg. Its polar axis is tilted to match the latitude of your observing site, so the right ascension axis runs parallel to the Earth's rotation. Once aligned, a single motor on that axis keeps objects centered at medium and high magnification for longer than an alt-az mount can.

The hand controller stores about 4,000 objects, including planets, the Moon, Messier objects, and bright double stars. Enter the date, time, and site location, then align on two stars to set the pointing model. Select a target and the mount slews to it on both axes at adjustable speeds, which saves time when you move between objects in a session. Initial polar alignment takes practice, so set the tripod level and allow a few minutes on the first night.

The saddle is a dovetail clamp that accepts bars up to 45 mm wide, and a safety screw holds the bar in place while you tighten the main clamp. The head weighs 3.4 kg and has a 3/8-16 thread underneath for mounting on a tripod. Keep the total load, including a diagonal, eyepiece, finder, and any camera, well below the 4 kg rating. Loads near the limit take longer to settle after a slew and show more vibration at high magnification.

The mount runs on eight AA batteries or a 12 V DC supply. The drive uses a worm gear and gears typical of budget equatorial mounts, so periodic error appears over a few minutes of tracking. For visual observing, that error is rarely noticeable at low and medium power. Long-exposure astrophotography needs autoguiding or a more precise drive.

About this configuration

Each configuration of the Corvane Rampart 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.

The anodized black finish hides scratches and does not reflect the light of a red flashlight back at you. 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

• German equatorial GoTo mount head with dovetail saddle
• Hand controller with coiled cable
• Aluminum tripod with accessory tray
• Counterweight bar and 2 kg counterweight
• Power adapter for 12 V DC input
• Padded carrying case

Compatibility notes

• Accepts dovetail bars up to 45 mm wide.
• The 3/8-16 base thread fits most photo tripods; a 1/4-20 adapter is included.
• Suits telescopes up to about 90 mm aperture for steady tracking within the 4 kg payload.