Telescope Mounts
Losmandy G11GT-LT Equatorial GoTo Mount (Head Only)
- Motorized Computer-Controlled EQ Mount
- 75-Pound Total Payload Capacity
- Precision Dual-Axis Servo Motors
- Gemini 2 GoTo Hand Controller
iOptron CEM40EC Equatorial GoTo Mount with 1.5" Tripod & Hard Case
- Motorized Computer-Controlled EQ Mount
- High Tracking Accuracy with RPEC
- Go2Nova 8407+ Computer Controller
- 212,000+ Object Database
Celestron CGX-L GoTo EQ Telescope Mount with Tripod
- Motorized EQ Mount with 75 lb Payload
- High-Torque Servo Motors with Belt Drive
- NexStar+ Computer Hand Controller
- 40,000-Object Database
iOptron CEM40EC-NUC GoTo EQ Mount with LiteRoc Tripod & Hard Case
- Motorized Computer-Controlled EQ Mount
- Set Up for Optional Intel NUC Computer
- High Tracking Accuracy with RPEC
- Go2Nova 8407+ Computer Controller
iOptron CEM40EC Equatorial GoTo Mount with LiteRoc Tripod & Hard Case
- Motorized Computer-Controlled EQ Mount
- High Tracking Accuracy with RPEC
- Go2Nova 8407+ Computer Controller
- 212,000+ Object Database
iOptron GEM45EC Equatorial GoTo Mount with LiteRoc Tripod & Hard Case
- Motorized Computer-Controlled EQ Mount
- <0.25 Arcsec Tracking Accuracy
- Precision Digital Encoders with RPEC
- Go2Nova 8407+ Computer Controller
iOptron GEM45EC-NUC GoTo EQ Mount with LiteRoc Tripod & Hard Case
- Motorized Computer-Controlled EQ Mount
- Set Up for Optional Intel NUC Computer
- <0.25 Arcsec Tracking Accuracy
- Precision Digital Encoders with RPEC
iOptron HEM44EC GoTo Telescope Mount with iPolar & Precision Encoder
- No Need for Counterweights
- Strain Wave Drive for RA
- Worm/Belt Drive for Declination
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
iOptron HAE43C-EC Dual Alt-Az / Equatorial Mount with High-Precision RA Encoder
- Motorized Computer-Controlled Mount
- Strain Wave Gear Technology
- Payload: 44 lb Without Counterweight
- High-Precision RA Axis Encoder
iOptron HAE69B iMate GoTo Alt-Az/Equatorial Mount
- Payload: 69 lb
- Advanced Strain Wave Gear Technology
- Ekos INDI GoTo & KStars Planetarium
- Go2Nova Hand Controller
iOptron HAE43B-EC iMate Dual Alt-Az / Equatorial Mount
- Motorized Computer-Controlled Mount
- Payload: 44 lb
- Go2Nova Hand Controller
- 212,000+ Object Database
Losmandy G11GT Equatorial GoTo Mount with Tripod
- Motorized Computer-Controlled EQ Mount
- 75-Pound Total Payload Capacity
- Precision Dual-Axis Servo Motors
- Gemini 2 GoTo Hand Controller
iOptron CEM70EC Equatorial GoTo Mount Head with iPolar & Hard Case
- Motorized Computer-Controlled EQ Mount
- High Tracking Accuracy with RPEC
- Go2Nova 8407+ Computer Controller
- 212,000+ Object Database
iOptron HAE69B-EC iMate GoTo Alt-Az/Equatorial Mount with High-Precision Encoder
- Payload: 69 lb
- Advanced Strain Wave Gear Technology
- Ekos INDI GoTo & KStars Planetarium
- Go2Nova Hand Controller
iOptron CEM120 Center-Balanced Equatorial GoTo Mount (Mount Head Only)
- Motorized and Computer-Guided EQ Mount
- Center-Mounted Design, 115-pound Payload
- Go2Nova 8407 v2 Hand Controller
- Permanent Periodic Error Correction
iOptron CEM70EC Mount Head with iPolar Scope
- Center-Balanced Equatorial Mount (CEM)
- GOTO Pointing and Accurate Tracking
- For Observation and Astrophotography
- Internal iPolar Electronic Polar Scope
iOptron HAE69C GoTo Alt-Az/Equatorial SWG Mount with High-Precision Encoder
- Payload: 69 lb
- Advanced Strain Wave Gear Technology
- Vixen/Losmandy Dual Saddle
- All-Metal CNC-Machined Body
Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Equatorial GoTo Mount
- Motorized and Computer-Guided EQ Mount
- Heavy 110 lb Payload Capacity
- Positioning Accuracy up to 5 arcminutes
- Belt Drive for Precise Tracking/Pointing
iOptron CEM70EC-NUC Mount Head with iPolar Scope
- Center-Balanced Equatorial Mount (CEM)
- NUC-Ready Mount
- GOTO Pointing and Accurate Tracking
- For Observation and Astrophotography
Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Equatorial GoTo Mount with Pier Tripod
- Motorized and Computer-Guided EQ Mount
- Heavy 110 lb Payload Capacity
- Positioning Accuracy up to 5 arcminutes
- Belt Drive for Precise Tracking/Pointing
iOptron CEM70EC2 Mount Head with iPolar Scope
- Center-Balanced Equatorial Mount (CEM)
- GOTO Pointing and Accurate Tracking
- Dual Axes High Resolution Encoders
- Internal iPolar Electronic Polar Scope
iOptron CEM120EC Center-Balanced Equatorial GoTo Mount (Mount Head Only)
- Motorized and Computer-Guided EQ Mount
- Center-Mounted Design, 115-pound Payload
- Go2Nova 8407 v2 Hand Controller
- Real-Time Periodic Error Correction
iOptron CEM120EC2 Center-Balanced Equatorial GoTo Mount (Mount Head Only)
- Motorized and Computer-Guided EQ Mount
- Center-Mounted Design, 115-pound Payload
- Go2Nova 8407 v2 Hand Controller
- Real-Time Periodic Error Correction
Sky-Watcher EQ8-RH Equatorial GoTo Mount
- Motorized and Computer-Guided EQ Mount
- Precise On-Axis Renishaw Encoder
- SynScan 42,900-Object Hand Controller
- Heavy 110 lb Payload Capacity
iOptron HAZ130 Dual Strain Wave GoTo AZ Mount
- Motorized Computer-Controlled AZ Mount
- Large 132 lb Load Capacity
- All-Metal CNC Machined Fork
- Dual Strain Wave Gear System
Sky-Watcher EQ8-RH Equatorial GoTo Mount with Tripod
- Motorized and Computer-Guided EQ Mount
- Precise On-Axis Renishaw Encoder
- SynScan 42,900-Object Hand Controller
- Heavy 110 lb Payload Capacity
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.