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Closed October 10–12 for Thanksgiving weekend
Closed October 10–12 for Thanksgiving weekend

Guiding Equipment

No mount tracks perfectly. Autoguiding measures the drift against a real star many times a minute and sends corrections, turning a mount that holds thirty seconds into one that holds ten minutes. It is the single change that most often takes an imager from discarding half their subs to keeping nearly all of them. David Astro carries autoguiding products in Canada — guide cameras, guide scopes and off-axis guiders — stocked in Canada and shipped worldwide.

Whether you should guide through a separate scope or off the main optic depends almost entirely on focal length. Tell us yours and we will give you a direct answer.

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CA$206.00 - CA$206.00
CA$206.00
CA$206.00 - CA$206.00
CA$206.00

APM 50mm Image Master Guide Scope

APM-50-GUIDE
Only 2 left!

APM Image Master Mini Guiding Scope 50 mm - Deluxe Finder ScopeThe compact lightweight mini Telescope - perfect for guiding, searching or spottingT...

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CA$206.00 - CA$206.00
CA$206.00
CA$206.00 - CA$206.00
CA$206.00
CA$150.00 - CA$150.00
CA$150.00
CA$150.00 - CA$150.00
CA$150.00

Askar 32mm F4 Guide Scope

Options available
7 variants in stock

32mm Aperture 128mm Focal Length (f/4) Contains One ED Glass Element Precision Helical Focuser Weighs only 303g Description FAQ Specifications ...

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CA$150.00 - CA$150.00
CA$150.00
CA$150.00 - CA$150.00
CA$150.00
CA$276.00 - CA$276.00
CA$276.00
CA$276.00 - CA$276.00
CA$276.00

Askar 52mm F4 Guide Scope

Options available
8 variants in stock

Aperture: 52mm Focal Length: 208mm Focal Ratio: f/4 Focuser: Helical with 25mm travel Weight: 631g Description FAQ Specifications In the Box Do...

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CA$276.00 - CA$276.00
CA$276.00
CA$276.00 - CA$276.00
CA$276.00
Askar 52mm Super ED Guide Scope
CA$399.00 - CA$399.00
CA$399.00
CA$399.00 - CA$399.00
CA$399.00

Askar 52mm Super ED Guide Scope

ASK-ASKAR52SGS

52mm Aperture 249.6mm Focal Length (f/4.8) Air-Spaced Doublet Objective Lightweight 0.74kg Design Includes M42x0.75 and 1.25" Adapters Descript...

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CA$399.00 - CA$399.00
CA$399.00
CA$399.00 - CA$399.00
CA$399.00
Askar M54 Off-Axis Guider (OAG)
CA$276.00 - CA$276.00
CA$276.00
CA$276.00 - CA$276.00
CA$276.00

Askar M54 Off-Axis Guider (OAG)

ASK-ASKAROAG
1 in stock

Large 10mm x 10mm guide prism M54, M48, and M42 adapters provide broad compatibility Optimized for full-frame cameras Rigid CNC-machined construct...

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CA$276.00 - CA$276.00
CA$276.00
CA$276.00 - CA$276.00
CA$276.00
CA$209.00 - CA$209.00
CA$209.00
CA$209.00 - CA$209.00
CA$209.00

Baader Guide Scope Rings BP I - 60-120mm

BAA-1500201

Accommodates Tube Diameters: 60mm to 120mm Ring Width: 28mm Adjustment Screws: Three M10 with Non-Rotating Ball-Bearing Tips Material: Solid Turne...

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CA$209.00 - CA$209.00
CA$209.00
CA$209.00 - CA$209.00
CA$209.00
CA$271.00 - CA$271.00
CA$271.00
CA$271.00 - CA$271.00
CA$271.00

Baader Guide Scope Rings BP II - 110-160mm

BAA-1500202

Accommodates Tube Diameters from 110mm to 160mm Massive 28mm Ring Width for High Rigidity Three M10 Adjustment Screws Per Ring 10mm Non-Rotating, ...

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CA$271.00 - CA$271.00
CA$271.00
CA$271.00 - CA$271.00
CA$271.00
CA$178.00 - CA$178.00
CA$178.00
CA$178.00 - CA$178.00
CA$178.00

Baader Off Axis Guider for Baader FlipMirror II

BAA-2956951
1 in stock

Designed exclusively for the Baader FlipMirror II (BFM II) Attaches directly to the 19 mm bottom port Tunable prism allows for precise guide star ...

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CA$178.00 - CA$178.00
CA$178.00
CA$178.00 - CA$178.00
CA$178.00
CA$244.00 - CA$244.00
CA$244.00
CA$244.00 - CA$244.00
CA$244.00

Baader Off-Axis Guider for RCC Coma Corrector

BAA-2956950

Tunable pick-off prism for guide star centering Designed for the Baader RCC Newtonian Coma Corrector Accepts standard 1 1/4" guide cameras and eye...

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CA$244.00 - CA$244.00
CA$244.00
CA$244.00 - CA$244.00
CA$244.00
Baader Planetarium Guidescope Rings (1 pair) – Size III, 140-185mm
CA$392.00 - CA$392.00
CA$392.00
CA$392.00 - CA$392.00
CA$392.00

Baader Planetarium Guidescope Rings (1 pair) – Size III, 140-185mm

BAA-1500203

Designed for Tube Diameters from 140-185mm Solid, Turned Aluminum Construction Non-Rotating, Non-Marring V2A Steel Tips Ball-Bearing Adjustment Me...

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CA$392.00 - CA$392.00
CA$392.00
CA$392.00 - CA$392.00
CA$392.00
Baader Planetarium Guidescope Rings (1 pair) – Size IV, 140-185mm
CA$947.00 - CA$947.00
CA$947.00
CA$947.00 - CA$947.00
CA$947.00

Baader Planetarium Guidescope Rings (1 pair) – Size IV, 175-265mm

BAA-1500204

Size IV Guidescope Rings (Pair) Non-Rotating, Non-Marring Adjustment Screws Ball-Bearing V2A Steel Screw Tips Integrated Accessory Mounting Points...

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CA$947.00 - CA$947.00
CA$947.00
CA$947.00 - CA$947.00
CA$947.00
CA$58.00 - CA$58.00
CA$58.00
CA$58.00 - CA$58.00
CA$58.00

Celestron Large SCT & EdgeHD Adapter V2 for Off-Axis Guider

CEL-93666
1 in stock

Connects Celestron Off-Axis Guider to 9.25", 11", and 14" SCT & EdgeHD telescopes Provides a 63mm clear aperture to fully illuminate full-fram...

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CA$58.00 - CA$58.00
CA$58.00
CA$58.00 - CA$58.00
CA$58.00
CA$486.00 - CA$486.00
CA$486.00
CA$486.00 - CA$486.00
CA$486.00

Celestron Off-Axis Guider

CEL-93648
1 in stock

Uses a 12.5 mm prism to intercept light from the telescope's optical path Large 48mm clear aperture minimizes vignetting 8 mm of travel on the hel...

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CA$486.00 - CA$486.00
CA$486.00
CA$486.00 - CA$486.00
CA$486.00
CA$110.00 - CA$110.00
CA$110.00
CA$110.00 - CA$110.00
CA$110.00

David Astro 50mm Guide Scope

DAV-GUIDE-50
Only 5 left!

The 50mm Guide Scope with a 190mm focal length is designed for precise tracking during astrophotography and deep-sky observation. Its compact and...

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CA$110.00 - CA$110.00
CA$110.00
CA$110.00 - CA$110.00
CA$110.00
Sold out
CA$130.00 - CA$130.00
CA$130.00
CA$130.00 - CA$130.00
CA$130.00

David Astro 60mm Guide Scope

DAV-GUIDE-60

The 60mm Guide Scope with a 240mm focal length is designed for precise tracking during astrophotography and deep-sky observation. Its compact and...

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CA$130.00 - CA$130.00
CA$130.00
CA$130.00 - CA$130.00
CA$130.00
Sold out
iOptron iGuider<sup>TM</sup> mini Guiding Scope
CA$130.00 - CA$130.00
CA$130.00
CA$130.00 - CA$130.00
CA$130.00

iOptron iGuiderTM mini Guiding Scope

IOP-3361

Compact and Lightweight Design Essential for Long-Exposure Astrophotography Enables High-Precision Autoguiding Ideal for Portable Telescope Setups...

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CA$130.00 - CA$130.00
CA$130.00
CA$130.00 - CA$130.00
CA$130.00
Orion Optics UK OMC200 Guidescope plate bar for OMC140
CA$218.00 - CA$218.00
CA$218.00
CA$218.00 - CA$218.00
CA$218.00

Orion Optics UK OMC200 Guidescope plate bar for OMC140

OOUK-OMC200-GUIDESCOPE-PLATE-BAR-OMC140

Mounts a guide scope alongside the OTA Fits OMC140 and OMC200 CNC machined in the UK Description Specifications In the Box Warranty OMC G...

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CA$218.00 - CA$218.00
CA$218.00
CA$218.00 - CA$218.00
CA$218.00
Orion Optics UK Rolled tube rings/cradles guide scope plate (PGP)
CA$148.00 - CA$148.00
CA$148.00
CA$148.00 - CA$148.00
CA$148.00

Orion Optics UK Rolled tube rings/cradles guide scope plate (PGP)

OOUK-ROLLED-TUBE-RINGS-CRADLES-GUIDESCOPE

Wide platform designed for stable guide scope mounting Slotted design for compatibility with various tube ring spacings Pre-tapped threaded holes ...

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CA$148.00 - CA$148.00
CA$148.00
CA$148.00 - CA$148.00
CA$148.00
CA$266.00 - CA$266.00
CA$266.00
CA$266.00 - CA$266.00
CA$266.00

Pegasus Indigo OAG

PEG-INDIGOOAG
1 in stock

Pegasus Indigo OAG

CA$266.00 - CA$266.00
CA$266.00
CA$266.00 - CA$266.00
CA$266.00
CA$139.00 - CA$139.00
CA$139.00
CA$139.00 - CA$139.00
CA$139.00

Player One 100mm Mini Guiding Set

POA-MINIGS
1 in stock

Compact and lightweight guidescope solution Designed for use with dedicated astronomy guide cameras Enables precise autoguiding for sharper, longe...

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CA$139.00 - CA$139.00
CA$139.00
CA$139.00 - CA$139.00
CA$139.00
CA$278.00 - CA$278.00
CA$278.00
CA$278.00 - CA$278.00
CA$278.00

Player One FHD-OAG MAX

POA-OAG-MAX
2 in stock

Large 8mm x 14mm Pick-off Prism Wide 16:9 Format Matches Modern Guide Sensors Designed for Player One MAX Filter Drawer Supports Poseidon, Zeus, a...

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CA$278.00 - CA$278.00
CA$278.00
CA$278.00 - CA$278.00
CA$278.00
CA$264.00 - CA$264.00
CA$264.00
CA$264.00 - CA$264.00
CA$264.00

Player One FHD-OAG MINI

POA-OAG-MINI
1 in stock

8x14mm Pick-off Prism 16:9 Aspect Ratio for FHD Sensors Optimized for Ares and Xena Series Cameras Designed for Player One Filter Drawer MINI Comp...

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CA$264.00 - CA$264.00
CA$264.00
CA$264.00 - CA$264.00
CA$264.00
CA$259.00 - CA$259.00
CA$259.00
CA$259.00 - CA$259.00
CA$259.00

PrimaLuceLab 60mm CompactGuide Scope with PLUS 80mm Guide Rings

PLL-PLLCG60
1 in stock

Dual-purpose guide scope and optical finder Achromatic lens for sharp guide stars Non-rotating helical focuser maintains camera orientation Includ...

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CA$259.00 - CA$259.00
CA$259.00
CA$259.00 - CA$259.00
CA$259.00
CA$147.00 - CA$147.00
CA$147.00
CA$147.00 - CA$147.00
CA$147.00

PrimaLuceLab Guide Rings PLUS 115mm

PLL-PLLANGU115P

115mm Internal Diameter CNC-Machined Aluminum Construction Hard Anodized Red Finish Part of the PrimaLuceLab PLUS System Designed for Parallel Gui...

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CA$147.00 - CA$147.00
CA$147.00
CA$147.00 - CA$147.00
CA$147.00

Guide Scopes, Off-Axis Guiders and Guide Cameras

All guiding does the same thing. The difference between methods is where the guide star comes from, and that determines whether flexure between two optical paths can corrupt your corrections.

  • Guide scopes: A small separate telescope with its own camera. Simple, easy to find stars with, and entirely adequate below roughly 800 mm focal length.
  • Off-axis guiders: A small prism picks a star from the edge of the main telescope's field, so guide and imaging paths are identical and differential flexure is eliminated.
  • Guide cameras: Small, sensitive sensors read out once or twice per second. Sensitivity matters most with an off-axis guider, where the available stars are dim and few.
  • Guiding rate and aggressiveness: Software settings that determine how strongly corrections are applied. Over-correction chases seeing and makes stars worse, not better.
  • Mounting rigidity: A guide scope on a soft bracket flexes, and guiding faithfully corrects for a shift that never happened. Rigid mounting is not optional.
  • Dithering: Shifting the frame slightly between exposures so that fixed-pattern sensor noise averages out during stacking — a guiding feature that visibly improves final images.

Why Choose David Astro for Autoguiding

Guiding problems are usually mechanical problems wearing a software costume. We start with the mechanics.

  • Method chosen by focal length: We recommend guide scope or off-axis guider based on your imaging focal length and mount, rather than defaulting to whichever is cheaper.
  • Flexure diagnosis: If your guiding numbers look good but your stars are elongated, that is differential flexure and we will help you find it.
  • Guide camera matched to method: Off-axis guiding needs a more sensitive sensor than guide scope work, because you cannot choose your star.
  • Authorized dealer: Genuine products with full manufacturer warranty, in Canadian stock.
  • Setup support: Help with calibration, guiding settings and dithering configuration after the sale.

Autoguiding in Canada — Frequently Asked Questions

Guide scope or off-axis guider?
Guide scope below about 800 mm focal length. Above that, differential flexure between two tubes typically exceeds your guiding tolerance and an off-axis guider becomes the reliable choice.
My guiding graph looks good but stars are elongated. Why?
Almost certainly flexure between guide and imaging paths, or in the imaging train itself. The guider corrects what it sees, and if the guide scope moved relative to the main scope, those corrections actively hurt.
What guiding RMS should I aim for?
Below roughly half your imaging pixel scale in arcseconds. If you image at 1.5 arcseconds per pixel, total RMS under about 0.7 arcseconds keeps stars tight.
Is dithering necessary?
It is one of the highest-value settings you can enable. Shifting a few pixels between subs breaks up fixed pattern noise and walking noise, and costs only a few seconds per exposure.

Setting up guiding?

Tell us your focal length and mount and we will recommend the method and hardware. Ships from Canada.