Northmere Anchorage GoTo EQ mount, with steel pier

Specifications

Description

The Anchorage is a compact GoTo equatorial mount for small refractors, short reflectors, and rich-field binoculars up to 4 kg. Its equatorial head turns on a polar axis aligned with the celestial pole, so once the mount is set up, a single axis follows the sky's daily rotation. Most users find the polar alignment routine takes about ten minutes with the built-in polar scope, which is threaded through the right ascension axis and illuminated by a small red LED.

The hand controller holds a database of about 42,000 objects, including the Messier, NGC, and IC catalogs and a selection of solar system bodies. Enter a name, press slew, and the mount moves both axes until the object sits near the center of the field. Slew speeds range from fine guiding to full speed, and a reversing switch on each axis lets you correct a mis-set position. The controller uses a USB port for firmware updates and for linking with planetarium software.

Tracking runs at the sidereal rate on the right ascension axis. A periodic error correction routine reduces the error caused by the worm gear, and you can train it by running the routine through one worm cycle. Declination moves under manual control with slow-motion knobs. The mount includes an autoguider port for longer exposures, though the head is rated for visual use and short photographic work rather than unattended imaging.

The Vixen-style saddle accepts dovetail bars up to 45 mm wide and includes a safety screw. Keep the total load, including diagonal, eyepiece, and finder, well below the 4 kg rating. A telescope of about 90 mm aperture and 3 kg total weight suits this mount, and longer tubes take more time to settle after you focus. Power comes from eight AA cells in the base or from a 12 V DC input, and fresh alkaline cells typically last through a full observing session at moderate temperatures.

About this configuration

This listing covers one configuration of the Northmere Anchorage GoTo EQ 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. A spare dovetail bar lets you keep a second telescope ready to swap onto the mount in a minute.

Anodized black is the standard finish of the Anchorage line and matches most telescope tubes. The mechanics of the 2024 edition match the other years; the changes concern handling details only. The payload rating in the specifications applies to the mount head in every configuration of the Anchorage line.

What's in the box

• Equatorial GoTo head with Vixen-style saddle
• Hand controller with coiled cable
• Polar alignment scope with red LED
• Stainless steel tripod
• Counterweight shaft and counterweight
• Eight-cell AA battery holder
• Accessory tray
• Steel pier with leveling base
• Spare 200 mm dovetail bar

Compatibility notes

• Accepts Vixen-style dovetail bars up to 45 mm wide.
• Suits telescopes up to about 90 mm aperture and 3 kg total load.
• The head base has a 3/8-16 thread for accessory plates.
• The USB port connects to planetarium software for object sync.