Telescope Mounts
Sky-Watcher EQ-AL55i GoTo Mount Head with Tripod
- Motorized Computer-Controlled EQ Mount
- 22-Pound Payload Capacity
- Built-In Polar Alignment Scope
- Controlled with SynScan Pro App
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
ZWO AM3N Strain Wave Gear Mount & Carbon Fiber Tripod Kit
- 17.6 lb Payload, No Counterweight
- Dual EQ & Alt-Az Modes
- Precise 300:1 Reduction Ratio
- Control via App or Hand Unit
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
SVBONY SV225 Manual Alt-Azimuth Telescope Mount
- 22-Pound Payload Capacity
- Single Fork-Arm Manual Alt-Azimuth Mount
- Tall Arm Provides Extra Clearance
- Slow-Motion Knobs for Precise Tracking
ZWO AM5N Harmonic Equatorial GoTo Mount
- 33 lb Payload with No Counterweight
- Control by Phone App or Hand Unit
- ±10" Periodic Error for Precise Control
- USB-C & DC Ports for Cable Management
ZWO AM5N Strain Wave Gear Mount & Carbon Fiber Tripod Kit
- 33 lb Payload, No Counterweight
- Dual EQ & Alt-Az Modes
- ±10" Periodic Error for Precise Control
- Control via App or Hand Unit
ZWO AM7 Harmonic Equatorial GoTo Mount
- 44 lb Payload with No Counterweight
- EQ & Alt-Az Modes
- 0-90° Altitude Range for Worldwide Use
- ±10" Periodic Error for Precise Control
ZWO AM3N Strain Wave Gear Mount
- 17.6 lb Payload, No Counterweight
- Control via App or Hand Unit
- Dual EQ & Alt-Az Modes
- USB-C & Power Ports on Dovetail
Explore Scientific Twilight I Alt-Azimuth Mount with Tripod
- Load Capacity: 15 lb
- Max Height: 55.5"
- Min Height: 38.5"
- Folded Length: 42"
Celestron Omni CG-4 Telescope Mount & Tripod
- German Equatorial Mount
- RA & Dec Ball Bearings
- Two Counterweights
- Stainless Steel Tripod
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
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
Tele Vue Gibraltar HD4 Alt-Az Mount
- Tele-Pod Head
- Recommended for OTAs up to 4"
- Manual Alt-Az Mount
- Mini-Pier Adds Overall Height
Tele Vue Gibraltar HD5 Alt-Az Mount
- Gibralter Head
- Recommended for OTAs up to 5"
- Manual Alt-Az Mount
- Mini-Pier Adds Overall Height
Sky-Watcher HEQ5-R Pro Equatorial GoTo Mount with Tripod
- Motorized Computer-Controlled EQ Mount
- 33 lb Payload Capacity
- Tripod with 1.75" Rolled Steel Legs
- Two 11 lb Counterweights
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
Sky-Watcher Wave 100i GoTo Strain Wave Mount (22 lb Payload)
- Motorized Computer-Controlled Mount
- Precise, High-Torque Strain Wave Gearing
- Equatorial & Alt-Az Modes
- Compatible with SynScan Controller/App
iOptron AZ Mount Pro GoTo Alt-Az Mount with Tri-Pier (White/Black)
- Motorized Computer-Controlled AZ Mount
- Compact Design, 33+10 lb Payload
- Go2Nova 8407 Hand Controller
- 212,000+ Object Database
Sky-Watcher AZ-EQ5 Mount Head + Pier Tripod & Riser Kit
- Supports Most Mid-Range Telescope OTA
- 30 lb Payload Capacity
- Alt-Az Mount/German Equatorial/Dual OTA
- High Torque Motor Controller
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial GoTo Mount with Tripod Kit
- Motorized Computer-Controlled EQ Mount
- SynScan Hand Controller
- ST-4 Autoguider Port
- 28-48" Tripod
Sky-Watcher Wave 150i GoTo Strain Wave Mount (33 lb Payload)
- Motorized Computer-Controlled Mount
- Precise, High-Torque Strain Wave Gearing
- Equatorial & Alt-Az Modes
- Compatible with SynScan Controller/App
Sky-Watcher AZ-EQ6 Alt-Az / Equatorial GoTo Mount with Tripod
- Three Mount Configurations
- Alt-Az, Equatorial, Dual OTA
- Motorized and Computer-Guided Mount
- SynScan 42,900-Object Hand Controller
Sky-Watcher Wave 150i GoTo Strain Wave Mount with Steel Tripod and Extension Kit
- 33 lb Payload with No Counterweight
- Precise, High-Torque Strain Wave Gearing
- Equatorial & Alt-Az Modes
- Works Seamlessly with ASI Air
Losmandy GM811G Equatorial GoTo Mount with LW Tripod
- Motorized Computer-Controlled EQ Mount
- 50-Pound Total Payload Capacity
- Precision Dual-Axis Servo Motors
- Gemini 2 GoTo Hand Controller
iOptron HAE69C GoTo Alt-Az/Equatorial SWG Mount
- Payload: 69 lb
- Advanced Strain Wave Gear Technology
- Vixen/Losmandy Dual Saddle
- All-Metal CNC-Machined Body
Sky-Watcher CQ350 Pro GoTo Mount with Heavy-Duty Field Tripod
- Motorized and Computer-Guided EQ Mount
- SynScan 42,000-Object Hand Controller
- Heavy 77 lb Payload Capacity
- Belt Drive for Precise Tracking/Pointing
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
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.