Northmere Cove manual alt-az mount, head only

Specifications

Description

The Cove is a manual alt-azimuth mount for telescopes, spotting scopes, and binoculars with a combined load up to 4 kg. It moves in altitude, up and down, and in azimuth, side to side, so you point it at a target the same way you would aim a camera. The head weighs 3.2 kg and sits on a single column, which keeps the footprint small on a balcony or a garden table. Setup takes a few minutes: mount the head on a tripod, attach the tube, and level the head by eye before you begin.

Slow-motion rods on both axes let you make small corrections without touching the instrument. Those corrections matter at higher magnifications, where a target can leave the field within a minute and a hand nudge would shake the image. Tension knobs on each axis set how freely the head turns, so you can run it loose for sweeping or firm for holding a planet.

The dovetail saddle accepts bars up to 50 mm wide, which covers most small refractors and short reflectors. A safety screw holds the bar in place while you tighten the main clamp. The base has a standard 3/8-16 thread for photo tripods, so a tripod you already own will usually work.

Keep the total load, including a diagonal, eyepiece, and finder, well below the 4 kg rating. A telescope of about 80 mm aperture and 1.5 kg suits the Cove well. Heavier or longer tubes fit within the payload but take longer to settle after focusing.

The Cove has no motors and does not track the sky. At low and medium power, that is rarely a limit during a short session. Pair it with a 70 mm refractor for a compact observing kit that packs into one bag.

About this configuration

The Northmere Cove manual alt-az mount is sold in several configurations, and the notes below describe what this particular one includes. 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. No add-on is included, which suits observers who already carry their own cases, bars, and power supplies.

Anodized black is the standard finish of the Cove line and matches most telescope tubes. 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

• Single-column alt-az mount head with dovetail saddle
• Two slow-motion control rods
• Accessory tray

Compatibility notes

• Accepts dovetail bars up to 50 mm wide.
• The 3/8-16 base thread fits most photo tripods.
• Suits telescopes up to about 80 mm aperture and 1.5 kg for steady views.