Tessaro Caldera EQ mount, with steel tripod

Specifications

Description

The Caldera is a German equatorial mount for refractors, Catadioptric telescopes, and small reflectors with a combined load up to 8 kg. Its right ascension axis sits on a cast-aluminum yoke, and its declination axis turns on a pair of sealed bearings. Set the counterweights until the tube stays put when you release the clamps. You point the mount by hand, then use the slow-motion cables to center objects in the eyepiece.

Polar alignment starts with the built-in polar scope, which lights a reticle you align with the celestial pole. Once the mount is aligned, the right ascension motor follows the sky at sidereal rate, so a planetary or lunar view stays centered for an hour or more at medium power. The motor runs from a 12 V DC supply, so you can connect a 12 V battery for field use. Check the drive rate against the sky after the first hour, since small polar errors show up as slow drift in declination.

The dovetail saddle is 50 mm wide and has a safety screw that holds the bar while you tighten the main clamp. The head weighs 5.4 kg and sits on a standard 3/8-16 base thread for photo tripods. The counterweight shaft accepts standard 1-inch bore weights. Keep the total load, including the diagonal, eyepiece, finder, and any camera, well below the 8 kg rating.

The Caldera has no GoTo system, so you find each target by star hopping from a finder or a star chart, then use the slow-motion cables to center it. It suits observing from a permanent pier or a sturdy tripod, where the polar alignment can be kept between sessions.

About this configuration

This listing covers one configuration of the Tessaro Caldera EQ mount, defined by its support, add-on, finish, and edition year. 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.

The titanium gray finish has a hard anodized layer that resists wear on the clamp surfaces. This is the 2023 edition of the Caldera line, the earliest version that is still listed in the catalog. The payload rating in the specifications applies to the mount head in every configuration of the Caldera line.

What's in the box

• German equatorial mount head with dovetail saddle
• Polar alignment scope
• Right ascension and declination slow-motion cables
• 12 V DC power cable
• Counterweight shaft
• Steel tripod with accessory tray
• Padded carrying case

Compatibility notes

• Accepts dovetail bars up to 50 mm wide.
• The 3/8-16 base thread fits most photo tripods.
• Suits refractors and Catadioptric telescopes with a total load up to about 8 kg.