Corvane Rampart GoTo equatorial mount, with steel pier

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

This listing covers one configuration of the Corvane Rampart GoTo equatorial mount, defined by its support, add-on, finish, and edition year. The steel pier raises the mount and leaves more room under the telescope for long refractors and cameras. A pier lets the telescope swing past the meridian without the tube or the camera hitting the legs. The fitted weather cover keeps dew and dust off the mount if you leave it set up between sessions.

The titanium gray finish has a hard anodized layer that resists wear on the clamp surfaces. The mechanics of the 2024 edition match the other years; the changes concern handling details only. Check the saddle type in the specifications against the dovetail bar on your telescope before you choose a configuration.

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
• Steel pier with leveling base
• Fitted weather cover

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.