Northmere Fellgate heavy-duty alt-az mount, head only

Specifications

Description

The Fellgate is a heavy-duty alt-azimuth mount for large refractors, long Newtonians, and ED binocular assemblies rated up to 22 kg. It moves in altitude, up and down, and in azimuth, side to side, so you aim it directly at the object you want to see. The head weighs 14.5 kg and rests on a cast-aluminum yoke that resists flex when the load sits far from the axis.

Slow-motion rods on both axes let you make fine corrections without touching the optical tube. That matters at high magnification, where a small hand movement shakes the image and the sky drifts out of the field within a minute. Adjustable tension knobs on each axis set how freely the head turns, so a heavy tube stays where you place it during a long session. Fine adjustment is most useful once a target is centered, when hand tracking at high power becomes tiring.

The dovetail saddle accepts bars up to 300 mm long and 60 mm wide, and two safety screws hold the bar while you tighten the main clamp. A 3/8-16 thread on the base fits standard photo tripods and pier adapters. Check the total load before you mount a telescope: include the diagonal, eyepieces, finder, and any camera, and keep it below the rated 22 kg.

The mount has no motors and does not track the sky. For visual observing at low and medium power, that is rarely a limitation. Expect a longer setup time than with a lightweight mount, since the head and tripod need level placement and secure leveling before each session. Because the head is heavy, lift it with two people or use a lifting strap when moving it between the car and the site. The Fellgate suits observing sites where the telescope stays assembled for several nights.

About this configuration

The Northmere Fellgate heavy-duty 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. A padded case makes it easier to carry the mount head to a dark site without knocks to the axes.

The titanium gray finish has a hard anodized layer that resists wear on the clamp surfaces. The 2023 edition uses the same gears and bearings as later years, with small differences in the clamps. Check the saddle type in the specifications against the dovetail bar on your telescope before you choose a configuration.

What's in the box

• Alt-az mount head with dovetail saddle
• Two slow-motion control rods
• Two tension knobs
• 1/4-20 adapter
• Accessory tray
• Padded carrying case

Compatibility notes

• Accepts dovetail bars up to 300 mm long and 60 mm wide.
• The 3/8-16 base thread fits most photo tripods; a 1/4-20 adapter is included.
• Suits refractors and reflectors with a combined load up to 22 kg, including accessories.