Here is an equatorial mount that will make your astronomical observing pursuits more enjoyable. If you have been plying the heavens with your telescope hitched to an altazimuth mount or a flimsy equatorial mount, you will quickly discover the benefits of the Orion EQ-13 Equatorial Mount and Tripod, both in terms of stability and the ease of manually tracking celestial objects as they move across the sky.
The EQ-13 Equatorial Mount and Tripod supports up to 13 lbs. of telescope payload, so its ideal for small to medium-sized reflector, refractor, or Cassegrain telescopes. The mount has a Vixen-style dovetail saddle that allows quick attachment and removal of optical tubes equipped with a Vixen-style dovetail mounting bar.
Dual setting circles let you locate celestial objects using their celestial coordinates. Slow-motion knobs on both axes allow centering of objects in the telescopes field of view as well as manual tracking of their motion.
The EQ-13 mount includes a sturdy stainless steel, extendable tripod with a twist-on accessory tray. Total assembled weight of the mount and tripod is 16 lbs., 13.5 oz., which includes one 5.8-lb. counterweight. Saddle height range is 36.5" to 54".