GSO ATZ - Alt-Azimuth Mount Deluxe with slow motion controls and adjustable height tripod
... up to about 8kgs instrument weight



The Guan Sheng Optical ATZ is an extremely versatile and elegant high performance mount. The mount is particularly easy to use and warmly recommended to beginners, advanced amateur astronomers, photographers and nature observers alike!

Coarse Adjustment and Slow Motion Controls:

The ATZ offers two methods of movement for each application. The integrated friction bearing allows you to simply move the mount with a push of your fingers - no need to handle locking screws or controllers! The other option is the worm bearings with slow motion control. This slow motion control provides a fine movement in both axes by manually turning the slow motion knobs. No refitting is needed: You can use both movement methods at the same time.

Quick Release Saddle Plate:

As yet another practical feature the ATZ has a quick release saddle plate that accepts most astronomical dovetail plates. Of course suitable plates are also available for birdwatchers and photographers! With such a plate you can attach any camera (video or photo), spotting scope or medium sized telescope. You can find suitable plates by following the link "Accessories" above. With this quick release device you can attach or remove an instrument in a matter of seconds. The quick release device also allows you to balance the instrument.
25x100 binoculars attached to the GS ATZ mount with the optional L-bracket.

Applications / Fields of Use:

Terrestrial Observing / Birdwatching ... quick setup, begin observing within seconds ... that's what the ATZ mount offers. The adjustable height aluminium tripod offers an observing height of 90-130cm above ground. Binoculars or spotting scopes can be attached using the optional L-bracket. The ATZ mount is sturdy enough for any commercially available spotting scope we have seen so far, as well as any binoculars up to about 8kgs. The slow motion control allows you to follow birds in mid flight with no effort!

Photography ... any camera can be attached to the ATZ. You only need a photographical dovetail plate (for portrait photography) or the L-bracket (for regular photography), allowing you to attach the camera to the mount within seconds. The ATZ is more sturdy than typical camera tripods and it offers a slow motion control (360 degree!). In addition it is possible to balance the camera with lens in most applications!

Astronomy ... the ATZ mount is highly optimized for this application. It is particularly easy to use, requiring no advance knowledge from the user. There is no need to polar align the mount or to do a computer alignment. No power supply or other provisions are needed. Just attach the telescope and you are ready to start observing immediately!

The mount is made for medium sized telescopes, for example 120mm short refractors, 8" Schmidt-Cassegrains, compact Newtonians up to 6" aperture, ... Recommended instrument load is approximately 6kgs, depending on the lever arms.

The slow motion control allows for smooth tracking of objects up to 300x magnification. With a little practice even higher magnifications are attainable.

With the mount's arm in sloped position you will not have a collision between a longer telescope tube and the tripod - a frequent problem with many other alt-azimuth mounts.

Travelling ... The GSO ATZ is a slim design that is very well suited for travelling. If needed the arm of the mount can be removed with little effort. The mount can also easily be removed from the tripod. Each separate component is compact enough even for airline travelling.

Celestron C6 SCT (150/1500mm) on the ATZ mount

Specifications:

-- Weight ... 6.2kgs
-- Transport Length: tripod 79cm / mount head 63cm
-- Load capacity: Instruments up to about 6kgs - the ATZ is more sturdy than other comparable mounts
-- Quick release saddle plate: Vixen style. The saddle plate accepts a variety of different dovetail plates
-- Viewing height: 90-130cm (adjustable)
-- Movement: Coarse motion (friction bearing) and 360° slow motion controls (worm gears) in both axes

Special Feature: Adjustable angle of the fork arm:

Many alt-azimuth mounts have difficulties with long tube telescopes and other long instruments. If you try to point the instrument at the zenith (90° up) the instrument will collide with the tripod of the mount. The GSO ATZ mount does not have the same problem. For short tube telescopes or for nature observing the mount's arm can remain in the fully upright position, where it offers best stability and balance. If you want to use longer instruments the arm of the mount can be sloped (45° angle) so that when you point the instrument near the zenith you will not collide with the tripod.

The angled position is also very practical with binoculars because it provides a better viewing position.

Recommended Accessories:

-- PS Foto Del ... a short dovetail plate with 1/4"-20 thread for attaching cameras, spotting scopes, tele lenses, ...
-- dovetail plates ... for attaching telescopes that have tube rings. Available in various lengths
-- L Bracket ... 90° adaptation for binoculars, regular format photography (as opposed to portrait format) and for spotting scopes with 45° viewing angle that cannot be rotated