Northmere Garth GoTo alt-az mount, head only

Specifications

Description

The Garth is a GoTo alt-azimuth mount for telescopes and binoculars with a combined load of up to 8 kg. It moves in altitude and azimuth, driven by two stepper motors that follow the sky. Because an alt-az mount tracks along two axes, the field slowly rotates when you observe at high magnification. That rotation is a property of the design, so you can keep objects centred by making shorter observing sessions or by turning the eyepiece.

After a two-star or three-star alignment, the handset slews the mount to any of more than 40,000 stored objects, including planets, Messier and NGC entries, and user-defined waypoints. Slew speeds are set in several steps on the handset, and a fine-speed setting lets you centre a target in the eyepiece without touching the tube. A serial connection on the hand control lets you link the mount to a computer running planetarium software, which can send coordinates for targets outside the internal catalogue.

The head weighs 6.4 kg, so use a pier or a tripod rated well above the payload, because a light support transmits wind and footfall into the image. The Vixen-style saddle accepts dovetail bars up to 60 mm wide, and two lock knobs clamp the bar against the head. Keep the total load, including diagonal, eyepiece, finder, and any camera, below 8 kg for steady tracking.

Power comes from a 12 V DC supply that draws up to 2 A during slews and about 0.4 A while tracking. You can run the mount from a 12 V lead-acid battery for several hours of observing, which suits remote sites. Turn off the motors before you move the mount by hand, since forcing the head against an active drive can damage the gears.

About this configuration

This listing covers one configuration of the Northmere Garth GoTo alt-az mount, defined by its support, add-on, finish, and edition year. 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.

Anodized red parts have the same corrosion resistance as the black finish, in a brighter color. 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 GoTo mount head with Vixen-style saddle
• Hand control with coiled cable
• Serial cable
• Tripod adapter
• 12 V DC power cable
• Accessory tray
• Padded carrying case

Compatibility notes

• Accepts Vixen-style dovetail bars up to 60 mm wide.
• The 3/8-16 base thread fits most photo tripods and pier adapters.
• Suits telescopes and binoculars with a combined load up to 8 kg.