Tessaro Stillwater alt-az mount, with steel tripod

Specifications

Description

The Stillwater is a manual alt-azimuth mount for telescopes in the 5 to 10 kg range, including Catadioptric tubes and other medium-weight optical tubes. It moves in altitude, up and down, and in azimuth, side to side, so you point it directly at the part of the sky you want to see. The fork head has a rated payload of 7 kg and weighs 4.6 kg on its own, which leaves room for a larger Maksutov or Schmidt-Cassegrain with its accessories.

Slow-motion rods on both axes let you make fine corrections without touching the tube. At high magnification, where a field of view may drift out of frame in under a minute, these rods keep the target centered and reduce vibration. Tension knobs on each axis set how freely the head moves, so you can hold a heavy tube steady while you focus.

The dovetail saddle accepts bars up to 50 mm wide. A safety screw holds the bar in place while the main clamp is tightened, which matters with a long tube that could otherwise slip. The head has a 3/8-16 thread underneath for photo tripods, and a 1/4-20 adapter is included.

Keep the total load well below the 7 kg rating. Include the diagonal, eyepiece, finder, and any dew shield in the calculation. Heavier loads take longer to settle after focusing, and a tube close to the limit will sway when the wind picks up.

The Stillwater has no motors and does not track the sky. At low and medium power that is rarely a problem, and an object will stay in the eyepiece for a few minutes before it needs a nudge. For longer sessions or higher magnification, a GoTo or tracking mount is a better fit.

About this configuration

This listing covers one configuration of the Tessaro Stillwater alt-az 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. The padded carrying case protects the mount head during travel and keeps its parts together in storage.

The white finish stays cooler in sunshine, which helps if you set up the mount in the afternoon. The 2026 edition carries the mechanics over unchanged and updates small parts such as the knobs and covers. The payload rating in the specifications applies to the mount head in every configuration of the Stillwater line.

What's in the box

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

Compatibility notes

• Accepts dovetail bars up to 50 mm wide.
• Rated for a 7 kg payload, including the tube, diagonal, eyepiece, and finder.
• The 3/8-16 base thread fits most photo tripods; a 1/4-20 adapter is included.