Tessaro Strata EQ mount, head only

Specifications

Description

The Strata EQ is a manual German equatorial mount for telescopes up to 6 kg. Once you align its polar axis with the celestial pole, you follow the sky by turning a single slow-motion control, which keeps planets and double stars centered at high magnification.

An equatorial mount tilts one axis to match your latitude, so it turns parallel to the rotation of the Earth. The Strata EQ has a latitude scale and an azimuth adjustment for rough polar alignment. Pointing the polar axis at Polaris, or at the south celestial pole region from the southern hemisphere, is accurate enough for visual use.

Slow-motion cables on the right ascension and declination axes allow fine control. The right ascension axis has a setting circle, and the declination axis has a scale, which help you find objects from their catalog coordinates once the mount is aligned.

The counterweight bar holds one 3.4 kg counterweight. Balancing the telescope against the counterweight before each session lets the mount move smoothly and reduces strain on the gears. The head weighs 4.6 kg and suits refractors up to 102 mm, Maksutovs up to 127 mm, and Newtonians up to 130 mm.

An equatorial mount takes longer to set up than an alt-az mount and positions the eyepiece in awkward places at some angles. Rotating the tube in its rings fixes most of those positions. Many observers find the tracking motion worth the extra effort, especially at high power.

The Strata EQ also teaches the basics of equatorial mounts, which helps if you later move to a GoTo equatorial mount for astrophotography. A clock-drive motor fits the right ascension axis for basic tracking.

About this configuration

Each configuration of the Tessaro Strata EQ mount uses the same mount head; the options change what it stands on and what ships with it. 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 spare dovetail bar lets you keep a second telescope ready to swap onto the mount in a minute.

The titanium gray finish has a hard anodized layer that resists wear on the clamp surfaces. The 2023 edition uses the same gears and bearings as later years, with small differences in the clamps. 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

• German equatorial mount head with Vixen-style saddle
• Counterweight bar with one 3.4 kg counterweight
• Two slow-motion cables
• Accessory tray
• Spare 200 mm dovetail bar

Compatibility notes

• Accepts Vixen-style dovetail bars up to 45 mm wide.
• Suits refractors up to 102 mm, Maksutovs up to 127 mm, and Newtonians up to 130 mm.
• A single-axis clock drive fits the right ascension worm.