Corvane Tamarack alt-az mount, head only

Specifications

Description

The Tamarack is a heavy-duty alt-azimuth mount for telescopes and camera setups up to 22 kg. It moves in altitude, up and down, and in azimuth, side to side, so you point it the way you would point a pair of binoculars. The fork-style cradle keeps large tubes balanced, and the wider base reduces wobble when the telescope is at full extension. It is designed for observers who own a larger refractor or reflector and want a stable platform without a motorized drive.

Two slow-motion rods, one per axis, let you make small corrections without touching the optical tube. That matters at high magnification, where a target can leave the field within a minute. Tension knobs on both axes set how freely the head moves, so you can adjust the resistance to suit a heavier instrument.

The dovetail saddle is 60 mm wide and clamps onto bars from larger refractors and Dobsonian-style reflectors. A safety screw holds the bar while you tighten the main clamp. The head weighs 9.4 kg, and the base has a standard 3/8-16 thread underneath for a photo tripod or pier adapter. Check that the tripod can carry the combined weight of the head and telescope before setting up.

Telescopes up to about 200 mm aperture work well on the Tamarack when the total load stays below the rated payload. Keep the diagonal, eyepiece, and finder included in that total. The mount has no motors and does not track the sky, so you will need to nudge the telescope to keep objects centered at high power. For a practical session, set the mount on a level surface, align the saddle, and let the tube settle for a minute after focusing before you judge the image.

About this configuration

Each configuration of the Corvane Tamarack alt-az 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. With a spare dovetail bar, you can fit a guide scope or a second instrument side by side.

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. 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

• Alt-az fork head with dovetail saddle
• Two slow-motion control rods
• Accessory tray
• Spare 200 mm dovetail bar

Compatibility notes

• Accepts dovetail bars up to 60 mm wide.
• The 3/8-16 base thread fits most photo tripods; a 1/4-20 adapter is included.
• Suits telescopes up to about 200 mm aperture and 10 kg for steady views.