A mount mostly used with refractors and reflectors. It’s distinguishing feature is the counterweight on one side of the polar axis that balances the weight of the optical tube on
the other. Less convenient than a fork mount when moving from horizon
to horizon, since the tube can knock the legs or pedestal as the
telescope passes the zenith and so requires a
180° degree rotation to continue on with the tracking of an object down to the western horizon.
Can be used in astrophotography and is relatively inexpensive.
May be referred to as an Equatorial mount or GEM.
