The Nova Hitch is a state-of-the-art interpretation of a classical alt-az mount.  The Nova Hitch concentrates on perfecting essential function, marrying digital pointing, robotic slow-motion controls, two-axis balancing, compression/tension-loaded CNC machined alloy structure, and other modern elements with the elegance and straightforward simplicity of traditional mounts.

Capable of solidly carrying a 160 mm APO refractor, the Nova Hitch blends good portability and ease-of-use with an uncommon concentration of brawn.  Despite its generous capacity, the Nova Hitch weighs a trim 17.1 pounds, complete with dovetail plate, finder bracket, encoders, and Sky Commander DSC on folding bracket.

Note that the Nova Hitch's base price delivers a ready-to-use mount.  The saddle and dovetail plate are included.  Moreover, the Nova Hitch provides great tripod clearance without requiring a tripod extension column.  Even the finder scope bracket and cam-lock brake controls are included in the base price.

The Nova Hitch is better than any competing mount because it starts with an elegant, "clean sheet" integration of superior design concepts.

The Nova Hitch implements two-axis balancing utilizing an adjustable saddle plate rather than counterweights.  The Nova Hitch provides on-the-fly, no-tool saddle adjustments that do not require removal of the scope.  Moreover, the Nova Hitch simplifies the manner in which variations in the off-axis load due to eyepiece swaps are handled by employing its powerful adjust-on-the fly clutches and drives — remaining free of added weights.  Most of the off-axis load is countered by the weight of the telescope itself — leaving only the relatively small variations in off-axis load to be handled by the clutches and drive system.

The Nova Hitch is better because it starts with superior architectural concept.

Key features include:

• CNC machined, tapered, ribbed, cross-braced structure.  Rigid, precise, and beautiful.

• Anodized finish on aluminum parts.

• On-the-fly adjustable two-axis balancing without counterweights.  No-tool balance adjustment via included knurled stainless steel knobs.  No chasing balance by shifting the load.

• Slow-motion controls with adjust-on-the-fly clutches.  Large 1.5-inch diameter machined aluminum control knobs.  Large working-radius for rigidity, low backlash, and precision.  No clamping and unclamping required to point your scope.

• Preloaded roller bearings.  Zero slop.  No friction-induced jerkiness.

• Dovetail plate system for fast, easy attachment of payload.  Knurled stainless steel clamping knobs.  Nova Hitch Dovetail Plate included in base price.

• Attaches to tripod via standard 3/8-16 screw.

• Tripod-friendly design (with the load close to the tripod's centerline) reduces vibration, enhances stability, and provides excellent clearance.

• Horizon and zenith stops to protect scopes from accidental bump.

• Built-in bubble level.

• Stainless steel fasteners.

• Finder bracket included in base price.

• Optional 8,192-step encoders in machined aluminum housings.  Includes DSC bracket.

• Optional cam-lock brake levers.

• Optional Cassegrain Configuration for C-11 and Mewlon 250.

• Optional Robotic Slow-Motion Control System.

The Nova Hitch Carries Heavy Loads with Ease

The Nova Hitch is a true heavy-duty mount — able to gracefully pair with large scopes with such ease that they seem to handle like much smaller scopes.

Load capacities of mountings can not be meaningfully specified by weight.  The moments-of-inertia around the axes and tripod centerline are what really matters.  This is why the capacity of the Nova Hitch is described with examples of well-matched loads rather than by specifying a weight limit.  The Nova Hitch is excellent for APO refractors to 160 mm and will easily accommodate bino-viewer rigs with these scopes.  It fits 130 mm refractors like a glove.  A heavy 180 mm achromatic refractor with bino-viewer has been tested on the Nova Hitch, and it was well within the capacity of the mount.  The optional Cassegrain-version of the Nova Hitch provides extra clearance for a C-11 or Mewlon 250.

By employing sophisticated structural geometry, the Nova Hitch delivers a high stiffness-to-weight ratio.  For example,  main structural components are elegantly rounded and tapered, and feature weight-reducing machined lattices that convert image-shaking bending and twisting loads into quickly damped compression and tension loads.  The axes turn on heavy-duty stainless steel shafts.  Preloaded roller bearings eliminate "play."  A wide cross-brace provides maximum structural stiffness.  The Nova Hitch's CNC-machined structures fit together tightly.

As a conservative rule of thumb only, OTA/accessory loads up to about 45 pounds can be broadly considered.  However, some heavier loads may perform very well.

The Nova Hitch CARRIES a big load without BEING a big load.  The Nova Hitch is better because it starts with a superior structural concept.