Northmere Crag GoTo alt-az mount, with steel tripod

Specifications

Description

The Crag is a heavy-duty GoTo alt-az mount rated for loads up to 15 kg. It moves in altitude and azimuth, so you aim it the way you would aim a camera, and its handheld controller can slew to any of the 40,000 objects in its database. The head weighs 9.5 kg, which keeps the mount steady under a long refractor or a large Newtonian once the tube is balanced on the saddle.

Worm-gear drives on both axes move the tube in small steps and follow the sky at the sidereal rate during tracking. After a short alignment on two or three stars, the controller builds a pointing model that improves accuracy across the sky. Alt-az tracking introduces slight field rotation over long exposures. That effect is rarely visible during visual observing, but it matters if you attach a camera and expose for several minutes.

The saddle is a universal dovetail saddle, 76 mm (3 in) wide, held by two clamps. It accepts refractors, reflectors, and binocular bars. Keep the total load, including diagonal, eyepiece, finder, and any camera, well below the rated 15 kg. Balance the tube along the saddle before you start the GoTo routine, because an unbalanced load strains the drives and reduces tracking accuracy.

The mount runs on 12 V DC at about 3 A and accepts an external battery pack. The controller connects to a computer by USB, so you can update firmware and load planetarium software for object lists. Set up on a level, firm surface, because the tripod must stay still while the mount slews. Allow the mount to settle after each slew before you focus or start an exposure.

About this configuration

Each configuration of the Northmere Crag GoTo alt-az mount uses the same mount head; the options change what it stands on and what ships with it. The steel tripod gives a heavy, stable base that damps vibration quickly after you touch the focuser. A steel tripod adds weight to carry, but it settles fast when the wind picks up during a session. A padded case makes it easier to carry the mount head to a dark site without knocks to the axes.

Titanium gray anodizing shows dust less than black and keeps a uniform look over the years. The 2026 edition carries the mechanics over unchanged and updates small parts such as the knobs and covers. Check the saddle type in the specifications against the dovetail bar on your telescope before you choose a configuration.

What's in the box

• GoTo alt-az mount head
• Handheld GoTo controller
• Universal dovetail saddle with two clamps
• USB cable
• 12 V DC power cable
• Hard carry case
• Steel tripod with accessory tray
• Padded carrying case

Compatibility notes

• Accepts dovetail bars up to 76 mm (3 in) wide.
• Mounts to standard 3/8-16 tripod heads or a pier adapter.
• Suits refractors up to about 150 mm aperture and 10 kg for steady views.
• Controller updates over USB and works with planetarium software for object selection.