SkyWatcher Startravel-80 (80/400) refractor on CQ40 mount

The new CQ40 equatorial telescope mount is used to carry smaller, compact astronomical telescopes. During its development, the goal was to reduce the weight and size of the head while increasing the bearing capacity. The result was an extremely light and compact head with a novel structure, the heart is a semicircular cradle. By adjusting the cradle, it is possible to set the geographic latitude from 0 to 72 degrees. The upper part of the semicircular stirrup is connected by a platform, which is a right-ascension shaft, which is tightened and loosened by turning the clamping disc at the upper (north) end of the shaft. The declination axis is integrated into the platform, a clutch overlay that accepts a standard Vixen-type dovetail. The tightness of the shaft can be adjusted with the screw on the side of the platform. The fine-tuning arms are located on the north (RA) and south (Dec.) sides of the platform; according to the factory recommendation, they should be installed on the opposite side. The declination fine movement has no limit, it can be freely adjusted in both directions. The counterweight shaft connection point is located on the north side of the cradle, the counterweight and shaft are standard Star Adventurer type. The tripod has extendable aluminum leg of the smaller Sky-Watcher mechanics (EQ1, AZ3r), with a plastic eyepiece tray. The load capacity of the mount is 4 kg, its own weight without the counterweight is only 1 kg, making it ideal for carrying travel-telescopes. In the future, the mount will also be used with a RA motor drive.