Northmere Fellgate heavy-duty alt-az mount, with steel tripod

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

Each configuration of the Northmere Fellgate heavy-duty 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. The padded carrying case protects the mount head during travel and keeps its parts together in storage.

A white mount head is easy to see in the dark, which helps you avoid walking into the tripod. The 2026 edition carries the mechanics over unchanged and updates small parts such as the knobs and covers. 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 mount head with dovetail saddle
• Two slow-motion control rods
• Two tension knobs
• 1/4-20 adapter
• Accessory tray
• Steel tripod with 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.