Telescope Mounts
Sky-Watcher HEQ5 GoTo Equatorial Mount with Tripod
- SynScan V5 Hand Controller
- 30-Pound Payload Capacity
- Built-In Polar Scope with Illuminator
- Tripod with 1.75" Rolled Steel Legs
Celestron Advanced VX GoTo German Equatorial Mount
- Motorized Computer-Controlled EQ Mount
- Low-Cog Dual-Axis DC Servo Motors
- NexStar+ GoTo Hand Controller
- 40,000+ Database, User-Defined Objects
Sky-Watcher SolarQuest Motorized Alt-Azimuth Solar Telescope Mount
- Purpose-Built for Solar Observation
- Auto-Location of the Sun
- 11-Pound Payload Capacity
- Built-In GPS Receiver
Sky-Watcher AZ-GTi GoTo AZ Mount
- Motorized Computer-Controlled AZ Mount
- Built-In WiFi Module for Remote Control
- Free Android & iOS SynScan Pro WiFi App
- 42,900+ Object Database
Other Buying Options
Sky-Watcher EQM-35 EQ GoTo Mount Head
- Recommended for up to Medium-Size OTAs
- Motorized Computer-Controlled EQ Mount
- 42,900-Object SynScan Hand Controller
- Day/Night Assisted Alignment Procedures
Vixen Optics Mobile Porta AZ Mount with Tripod
- Ideal for Terrestrial & Astronomical Use
- Manual Alt-Azimuth Mount
- 8-Pound Payload Capacity
- Vixen-Style Dovetail Saddle
iOptron SkyHunter Portable AZ GoTo Mount
- 11-Pound Payload
- Four Tracking Rates
- Control by App, Hand Unit, or Computer
- For Use in Northern/Southern Hemispheres
Celestron CGX GoTo EQ Telescope Mount with Tripod
- Motorized EQ Mount, 55 lb Payload
- High-Torque Servo Motors and Belt Drive
- NexStar+ Computer Hand Controller
- Dual Vixen/Losmandy Dovetail Saddle
Vixen Optics AP Advanced Polaris EQ Mount (Head Only)
- Manual Equatorial Mount
- Dual-Axis Adjustment Knobs
- Clutch-Less Friction-Control System
- Vixen-Style Dovetail Plate
Tele Vue Panoramic Alt-Az Telescope Mount (Ash)
- Tele-Pod Head
- Recommended for OTAs up to 4"
- Manual Alt-Az Yoke Mount
- +85 to -17° Altitude Range
iOptron AZ Mount Pro GoTo Alt-Az Mount (Head Only)
- Motorized Computer-Controlled AZ Mount
- 128x Microstep Stepper Motor
- Compact Design, 33+10 lb Payload
- Go2Nova 8407 Hand Controller
iOptron CEM26 Center-Balance GoTo EQ Mount with Polar Scope & 1.5" Tripod
- Motorized Computer-Controlled EQ Mount
- Go2Nova 8409 Computer Controller
- 212,000-Object Database
- Multiple Assisted Alignment Procedures
iOptron AZ Mount Pro GoTo Alt-Az Mount with LiteRoc Tripod
- Motorized Computer-Controlled AZ Mount
- Compact Design, 33+10 lb Payload
- Go2Nova 8407 Hand Controller
- Wireless Wi-Fi Connectivity and Control
iOptron GEM28 GoTo EQ Mount with LiteRoc Tripod & Hard Case
- Motorized Computer-Controlled EQ Mount
- Go2Nova 8409 Computer Controller
- 212,000-Object Database
- Multiple Assisted Alignment Procedures
iOptron CEM40 Equatorial GoTo Mount with iPolar, iGuider, LiteRoc Tripod, Hard Case
- Motorized Computer-Controlled EQ Mount
- Go2Nova 8407+ Computer Controller
- Multiple Assisted Alignment Procedures
- iGuider Guide Camera System
Losmandy G-11 GFT Motorized EQ GoTo Mount with Tripod
- Motorized Computer-Controlled EQ Mount
- 60-Pound Total Payload Capacity
- Precision Dual-Axis Servo Motor
- Gemini 2 Computer Hand Controller
Celestron Heavy-Duty Manual Alt-Azimuth Mount with Tripod
- For Telescopes, Spotters, Binoculars
- Manual Alt-Azimuth Mount
- Dual Slow-Motion Cables
- 1/4"-20 Mounting Bolt
Vixen Optics Mobile Porta Mount without Tripod
- Alt-Azimuth Mount
- Rotates Vertically and Horizontally
- Vertical Axis Varies the Compass Bearing
- Horizontal Axis Varies Altitude Angle
Vixen Optics HF2 Altazimuth Fork Mount
Explore Scientific Twilight I Alt-Azimuth Mount with Tripod
- Load Capacity: 15 lb
- Max Height: 55.5"
- Min Height: 38.5"
- Folded Length: 42"
Sky-Watcher AZ5 Alt-Azimuth Mount with Tripod
- 15-Pound Payload Capacity
- Single Fork-Arm Manual Alt-Azimuth Mount
- Adjustable Arm Provides Extra Clearance
- Slow-Motion Knobs for Precise Tracking
Tele Vue Tele-Pod Alt-Az Yoke Mount (Head Only)
- Manual Alt-Az Yoke Mount
- Recommended for OTAs up to 3"
- Tracking Control Handle
- 85 to -10° Altitude Range
iOptron SkyHunter Portable AZ GoTo Mount with EQ Base
- 11-Pound Payload
- Four Tracking Rates
- Control by App, Hand Unit, or Computer
- For Use in Northern/Southern Hemispheres
iOptron SkyHunter Portable AZ GoTo System
- Built-In Rechargeable Battery
- Operates in North and South Hemisphere
- Attaches to Camera Tripod
- Wi-Fi Adapter
iOptron SkyHunter Portable EQ/AZ GoTo System
- Light and Compact
- Controlled by Phone
- Supports 11 lb Payload
- Features 4 Tracking Rates
Tele Vue Tele-Pod v2 Alt-Az Telescope Mount
- Recommended for OTAs up to 3"/76mm
- Manual Alt-Az Yoke Mount
- 85° to -10° Altitude Range
- Tension-Adjustable Axes
Explore Scientific iEXOS-100-2 PMC-Eight Equatorial Go-To Tracker System
- Motorized Computer-Controlled EQ Mount
- Up to 19-Pound Payload Capacity
- Smooth Stepper Motors with Belt Drives
- Wi-Fi & Bluetooth for Wireless Control
Guide to Telescope Mounts
Without the right telescope mounts, it's difficult to get the best performance from even the best-rated telescopes. Find mounts that are rigid and sturdy on telescope tripods and piers to prevent any movement of your telescopes. Choose from a range of mount designs and mounting mechanisms.
Telescope Mount Designs
Alt-azimuth mounts allow you to move your telescope in up-down (alt) or left-right (azimuth) movements. These mounts are easy to set up, rugged, and very sturdy, and they're best suited for large aperture telescopes. You place alt-az fork mounts in an inclined plane to tilt the azimuth axis so it's parallel with the polar axis.
Equatorial telescope mounts are made up of mount heads and tripods that allow you to move telescopes on two axes: right ascension (east-west) and declination (north-south). With this mount, you can smoothly follow the stars across a night sky. For long-exposure astrophotography, shop for German equatorial mounts with gears and polar alignment scopes for precise alignment. Remember to also get reliable telescope accessories for mounts, such as counterweight kits and adapter brackets.
Telescope Mounting Mechanisms
Whether you're using an alt-az, equatorial, or fork mount, you need to consider the mounting mechanism, and choose the best one for your needs. A motorized mount allows you to smoothly move your telescope on different axes. In addition, once you find your object, it automatically keeps it in the eyepiece by moving the telescope with a motor. This motor moves the telescope at the same speed as the terrestrial objects moving in the sky. Therefore, you spend more time sky gazing and less time adjusting your telescope.
GoTo telescope mounts help you find terrestrial objects and keep them within your eyepiece with the help of a computer, which is usually a handheld controller. These computerized telescope mounts are easy to use and won't require any special expertise or knowledge. For best performance, shop for telescope computerized accessories such as auto-alignment systems, Wi-Fi modules, GPS accessories, and power adapters.