Tessaro Strata EQ mount, with steel pier

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

This listing covers one configuration of the Tessaro Strata EQ mount, defined by its support, add-on, finish, and edition year. The steel pier raises the mount and leaves more room under the telescope for long refractors and cameras. A pier lets the telescope swing past the meridian without the tube or the camera hitting the legs. The padded carrying case protects the mount head during travel and keeps its parts together in storage.

The anodized black finish hides scratches and does not reflect the light of a red flashlight back at you. This is the 2025 edition, which enlarged the clutch knobs so you can operate them with gloves on cold nights. Check the saddle type in the specifications against the dovetail bar on your telescope before you choose a configuration.

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
• Steel pier with leveling base
• Padded carrying case

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.