Alt-Azimuth Mounts
An alt-azimuth mount moves the way you point: up, down, left, right. That intuitiveness is why it dominates casual and grab-and-go observing, and why a telescope on one gets used on marginal nights when a telescope needing polar alignment stays indoors. David Astro carries alt-azimuth mounts in Canada, from manual push-to heads to WiFi-controlled GoTo units, in stock and shipping from Canada.
The limitation is field rotation, which constrains long-exposure imaging without a wedge. Tell us whether you plan to image and we will advise honestly on whether this is the right mount type.
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Sky-Watcher AZ-GTi Mount
Alt-azimuth GoTo mount with a 5 kg (11 lb) payload capacity Mount head weighs just 1.3 kg (2.9 lb); fully assembled system is about 4 kg (8.6 lb) ...
View full detailsSky-Watcher AZ5 Mount with Steel Tripod
15 lb Payload Capacity V-Style Mounting Saddle 1.75-inch Steel Tripod Legs Total Assembled Weight of 17.3 lbs Included Pier Extension Descripti...
View full detailsSky-Watcher SolarQuest Mount
Automatic solar finding and tracking mount for solar telescopes only Supports a 5 kg (11 lb) payload on a 1.3 kg (2.9 lb) mount head Automatic lev...
View full detailsSky-Watcher Wave 100i Pro Mount with Carbon Fiber Tripod & Pier Extension
Carries 10 kg (22 lb) payload without counterweights 4.2 kg (9.3 lb) mount head Equatorial and Alt-Az dual-mode operation Includes 2.4 kg (5.3 lb)...
View full detailsSky-Watcher Wave 100i Pro Mount with Steel Tripod & Pier Extension
Supports a 10 kg (22 lb) payload without counterweights Included EQ6 steel tripod with 2-inch steel legs 180 mm (7 in) Wave to EQ6 adapter / pier ...
View full detailsSky-Watcher Wave 100i Strainwave Mount
Supports a 10 kg (22 lb) payload without counterweights Lightweight 4.2 kg (9.3 lb) mount head Dual Equatorial / Alt-Az modes for imaging and visu...
View full detailsSky-Watcher Wave 150i Pro Mount Kit w/ Carbon Fiber Tripod and Pier Extension Tube
Wave 150i GoTo strainwave head EQ and AZ modes Built-in cable management Weighs 12.8 pounds (5.8kg) 33-pound (15kg) payload capacity without optio...
View full detailsSky-Watcher Wave 150i Pro Mount Kit w/ Steel Tripod and Pier Extension Tube
Supports 15 kg (33 lb) payload without counterweights, expandable to 25 kg (55 lb) 5.8 kg (12.8 lb) mount head Dual Equatorial / Alt-Az tracking m...
View full detailsSky-Watcher Wave 150i Strainwave Mount
Supports imaging payloads up to 15 kg (33 lb) without counterweights Increases capacity to 25 kg (55 lb) with optional 5 kg counterweight Lightwei...
View full detailsSVBONY SV225 Alt-Azimuth Telescope Mount
Max. Load Capacity: 10kg (22 lbs) Mount Weight: 2.34kg (5.2 lbs) Drive System: 120-Tooth Worm Gear with Slow-Motion Controls Saddle Type: Vixen-St...
View full detailsSVBONY SV225 Mini Alt-Azimuth Telescope Mount
Lightweight CNC Aluminum Construction Net Weight of 1546g Dual-Axis Slow-Motion Controls Standard Vixen-Style Dovetail Saddle Mounts to Tripods vi...
View full detailsTele Vue Gibraltar HD4 - Encoder Equipped
Recommended for the Tele Vue NP101is Weight: 20.5 lbs (mount) Height (to altitude axis): 3.5 to 5 ft Altitude range: +80° to -12° Thick wood legs ...
View full detailsTele Vue Gibraltar HD4 Mount
Recommended for the Tele Vue NP101is Weight: 20.5 lbs Height (to altitude axis): 3.5 to 5 ft Altitude range: +80° to -12° Thick wood legs with leg...
View full detailsTele Vue Gibraltar HD5 - Encoder Equipped
Recommended for the Tele Vue NP127is Weight: 22.9 lbs (without encoders) Height (to altitude axis): 3.5 to 5 ft Altitude range: +80° to -12° Thick...
View full detailsTele Vue Gibraltar HD5 Mount
Recommended for the Tele Vue NP127is Weight: 22.9 lbs Height (to altitude axis): 3.5 to 5 ft Altitude range: +80° to -12° Thick wood legs with leg...
View full detailsTele Vue Pano-Ash Advanced - Encoder Equipped
Tele-Pod head on solid ash wood legs Pre-installed 2160-step encoders; computer sold separately Height: about 2.3 to 4 ft Altitude range: +85° to ...
View full detailsTele Vue Pano-Ash Advanced Mount
Alt-Azimuth Yoke-Style Head Solid Ash Wood Tripod Construction Height Range: 28" to 46" Altitude Motion Range: +85° to -17° Tension-Adjustable Bra...
View full detailsTele Vue Tele-Pod - Head Only
Mount Type: Alt-Azimuth Head Payload Capacity: Recommended for Tele Vue 60, 76, 85, and Pronto telescopes Motion Control: Manual with adjustable t...
View full detailsTele Vue Tele-Pod Advanced - Encoder Equipped
Tele-Pod alt-azimuth head with pre-installed encoders 2160-step encoders (0.167° per step) Black-anodized 3-section aluminum tripod Tripod height:...
View full detailsTele Vue Tele-Pod Advanced Mount
Alt-azimuth head with handle, encoder-ready Black-anodized 3-section aluminum tripod Weight: 9 lbs Tripod height: 2.4 to 5+ ft Altitude range: +85...
View full detailsZWO AM3N Harmonic Equatorial Mount with TC40 Tripod
17.64 lb. payload capacity without counterweights 9.04 lb. mount head Dual Alt-Azimuth and Equatorial modes 0-90° latitude range for operation any...
View full detailsZWO AM5N Harmonic Equatorial Mount with TC40 Tripod
Carries 33 lb. without counterweights 12.1 lb. lightweight mount head Dual Equatorial and Alt-Azimuth modes 0° to 90° latitude range for worldwide...
View full detailsZWO AM7 Harmonic Equatorial Mount with TC40 Tripod
44 lb. payload capacity without a counterweight 14.9 lb. mount head weight Dual Equatorial and Alt-Azimuth modes Stepper motor with 0.17" resoluti...
View full detailsAlt-Azimuth Mounts and Field Rotation
Two axes track a target by moving in both simultaneously. This works perfectly for visual use and introduces a slow rotation of the field, which matters only for long exposures.
- Manual alt-azimuth heads: Smooth-motion mounts with slow-motion controls, ideal for refractors used visually and for terrestrial observing.
- GoTo alt-azimuth mounts: Computerized pointing with large object databases, aligning on two or three stars and finding targets automatically.
- WiFi-controlled mounts: Operated from a phone or tablet, removing the hand controller and simplifying setup considerably.
- Field rotation: The field slowly rotates during tracking, limiting unguided exposures to roughly 30 to 60 seconds depending on target position — fine for the Moon and planets, limiting for deep sky.
- Equatorial wedges: Tilt the whole mount to the latitude angle, converting it to equatorial operation and eliminating field rotation entirely.
- Payload and portability: Generally lighter than equatorials of the same capacity, since no counterweight is required.
Why Choose David Astro for Alt-Azimuth Mounts
The right mount is the one you will actually set up, and that is often not the most capable one.
- Honest imaging advice: If you intend serious deep-sky imaging we will say that an equatorial is the right tool, rather than selling a wedge to work around a design limitation.
- Setup-time realism: For observers with limited clear nights, we weigh how quickly a mount deploys as a genuine factor rather than a footnote.
- Payload sized with the tripod: Alt-azimuth stability depends heavily on the base, and we specify the two together.
- Authorized dealer: Full manufacturer warranty with service handled in Canada.
- Ships from Canada: Domestic delivery with no duties or brokerage fees for Canadian buyers.
Alt-Azimuth Mounts in Canada — Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I image with an alt-azimuth mount?
- Lunar, planetary and short-exposure work, yes, very effectively. Deep-sky exposures beyond roughly a minute show field rotation as trailed stars at the frame edges, unless you add an equatorial wedge.
- Is GoTo worth it for visual observing?
- It depends on your sky. Under heavy light pollution where few stars are visible for star hopping, GoTo transforms what you can find. Under dark skies many observers prefer manual star hopping.
- How does a wedge change things?
- It tilts the azimuth axis to point at the celestial pole, making the mount equatorial in effect. Field rotation disappears, but you take on polar alignment and a heavier, less convenient setup.
- Do alt-azimuth mounts need counterweights?
- Generally no, which is a large part of their portability advantage. Balance is achieved by positioning the tube in its saddle rather than by adding mass.
Grab-and-go setup?
Tell us your telescope and how you observe and we will match the mount and tripod. Ships from our Canadian warehouse.