Northmere Haldane EQ mount, with carbon fiber tripod

Specifications

Description

The Haldane is a manual equatorial mount for heavy refractors, Schmidt-Cassegrain telescopes, and large binoculars rated for 15 kg. It is built to hold a load steady at high magnification, where small vibrations in the mount become visible in the eyepiece. Its two axes are aligned to the celestial pole, so you follow the sky with one motion in right ascension and one in declination instead of two motions in altitude and azimuth.

A right ascension drive runs on 12 V DC and keeps the target centred during long observing sessions or astrophotography exposures. The drive is powered from a 12 V DC supply, and the control box shows the current rate on a small display. Slow-motion cables on both axes let you make fine corrections without touching the tube, and tension knobs set how freely each axis moves when you steer by hand.

The head weighs 9.5 kg and is designed to be carried as a single unit with its counterweight shaft removed. Polar alignment uses a finder scope with an illuminated reticle and a latitude scale from 0 to 70 degrees. Setting up takes longer than with a lighter mount, but the stiffer structure settles faster after focusing on a bright star, which matters when you change eyepieces at high power.

Balance the load before each session. Place counterweights so the tube stays level when the clamps are loosened, and keep the total load, including the diagonal, eyepiece, finder, and dew shield, below 15 kg. Tighten the clamps evenly and check each axis by hand before you start the drive, so the mount does not creep under load. A telescope near the rated payload will vibrate more and take longer to settle, so many observers choose a lighter tube for high-magnification work.

About this configuration

The Northmere Haldane EQ mount is sold in several configurations, and the notes below describe what this particular one includes. The carbon fiber tripod saves weight for travel while still damping vibration well at moderate magnification. Carbon fiber legs stay comfortable to handle on cold nights, since they conduct less heat away from your hands than metal. 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 mechanics of the 2024 edition match the other years; the changes concern handling details only. The payload rating in the specifications applies to the mount head in every configuration of the Haldane line.

What's in the box

• Equatorial mount head with dovetail saddle
• Counterweight shaft
• Two counterweights
• Right ascension drive unit with 12 V power cable
• Polar alignment finder with illuminated reticle
• Carbon fiber tripod with accessory tray
• Padded carrying case

Compatibility notes

• Accepts dovetail bars up to 65 mm wide, secured by two safety screws.
• Rated for a payload of 15 kg, including the telescope, diagonal, eyepiece, and finder.
• Mounts to a 3/8-16 pier or tripod adapter.