What's this? A basic altazimuth mount as a Hot Product? We had the same thought, since the idea of an up-down, left-right mount predates the invention of the telescope. But when we tried the new UniStar (priced from $299) and UniStar Light ($199), we were so impressed that we added them to our selection of this year's Hot Products. The mounts feature weatherproof aluminum construction with Teflon and bronze bearings and silky-smooth, backlash-free motions. Each axis has a tension adjustment so that it can be tuned for the load it carries. Weighing a bit more than 2 pounds (1 kilogram), the UniStar Light (pictured with a Stellarvue 80mm refractor) is rated for telescopes weighing up to 10 pounds, while the larger model weighs 7 pounds and can carry telescopes weighing up to 30 pounds (seen here with a 9.25 inch Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope.) The UniStar is the perfect choice for people wanting a sturdy yet simple telescope support that won't take up much space in a car's trunk or a travel suitcase.
Universal Astronomics, 6 River Ct., Webster, MA 01570; 508-943-5105; http://www.universalastronomics.com.