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Guide Scopes

A guide scope is the simplest way to start guiding: a small telescope alongside the main one, a small camera on the back, and software that corrects your mount many times a minute. Below about 800 mm of imaging focal length it works extremely well, and it finds guide stars far more easily than an off-axis guider does. David Astro carries guide scopes in Canada, in stock and shipping from Canada.

The one thing that matters more than the optics is how rigidly it is mounted. Tell us your main telescope and rings and we will recommend a guide scope and a mounting that will not flex.

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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
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
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
Only 1 left!

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
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
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$97.00 - CA$97.00
CA$97.00
CA$97.00 - CA$97.00
CA$97.00

Player One Active Cooling System (ACS) for Uncooled Cameras

POA-ACS
1 in stock

External air-cooling system for select Player One cameras Dramatically reduces sensor temperature during operation Ideal for solar, planetary, and...

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CA$97.00 - CA$97.00
CA$97.00
CA$97.00 - CA$97.00
CA$97.00
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$520.00 - CA$520.00
CA$520.00
CA$520.00 - CA$520.00
CA$520.00

Sky-Watcher Evoguide 50DX APO Refractor

SW-S11174
2 in stock

The EvoGuide 50DX Apo Guide Scope Astrograph takes Sky-Watcher's doublet design and packages it in a lightweight guide scope. These doublet refract...

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CA$520.00 - CA$520.00
CA$520.00
CA$520.00 - CA$520.00
CA$520.00
SVBONY SV106 Guide Scope 50mm with Helical Focuser
CA$81.00 - CA$81.00
CA$81.00
CA$81.00 - CA$81.00
CA$81.00

SVBONY SV106 50mm Guide Scope with Helical Focuser

SV-F9177A
3 in stock

50mm Aperture 190mm Focal Length (F3.8) Zero-Flexure Helical Focuser 8mm Focuser Travel Includes Mounting Rings and Dovetail Description FAQ Sp...

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CA$81.00 - CA$81.00
CA$81.00
CA$81.00 - CA$81.00
CA$81.00
SVBONY SV106 60mm f/4 Guide Scope
CA$105.00 - CA$105.00
CA$105.00
CA$105.00 - CA$105.00
CA$105.00

SVBONY SV106 60mm f/4 Guide Scope

SV-F9177B
3 in stock

60mm Aperture 240mm Focal Length (f/4) Precise Helical Focuser 1.25" Camera and Eyepiece Connection Includes Mounting Rings and Dovetail Descri...

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CA$105.00 - CA$105.00
CA$105.00
CA$105.00 - CA$105.00
CA$105.00
SVBONY SV116 Adjustable Guide Scope Rings Kit for 43mm-70mm Telescope
CA$28.00 - CA$28.00
CA$28.00
CA$28.00 - CA$28.00
CA$28.00

SVBONY SV116 Adjustable Guide Scope Ring Kit 43mm-70mm

SV-F9187A

Accommodates telescopes with 43mm to 70mm tube diameters Large 12mm knurled metal adjustment screws Solid metal construction weighing 168.4g / 5.9...

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CA$28.00 - CA$28.00
CA$28.00
CA$28.00 - CA$28.00
CA$28.00
SVBONY SV165 40mm Mini Guide Scope
SVBONY SV165 40mm Mini Guide Scope
CA$83.00 - CA$83.00
CA$83.00
CA$83.00 - CA$83.00
CA$83.00

SVBONY SV165 40mm Mini Guide Scope

SV-W9125B
3 in stock

40mm Aperture 160mm Focal Length (f/4) Accepts 1.25" and T2-Threaded Cameras 12.5mm Back Focus Weighs 449.8g (15.87oz) Description FAQ Specific...

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CA$83.00 - CA$83.00
CA$83.00
CA$83.00 - CA$83.00
CA$83.00
SVBONY SV182 6x30 Straight Correct-Image Finder Scope with Bracket
SVBONY SV182 6x30 Straight Correct-Image Finder Scope with Bracket
CA$60.00 - CA$60.00
CA$60.00
CA$60.00 - CA$60.00
CA$60.00

SVBONY SV182 6x30 Straight Correct-Image Finder Scope with Bracket

SV-W9141B

6x magnification with a 30mm objective lens Wide 7.5° true field of view for easy object locating Correct-image orientation matches naked-eye view...

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CA$60.00 - CA$60.00
CA$60.00
CA$60.00 - CA$60.00
CA$60.00
Svbony SV198 50mm Mini Guide Scope Finder
CA$150.00 - CA$150.00
CA$150.00
CA$150.00 - CA$150.00
CA$150.00

SVBONY SV198 50mm Mini Guide Scope

SV-W9155A

50mm Aperture 206.6mm Focal Length (f/4.1) Dual Helical Focuser with 12mm Travel 1.25" and T2 Thread Connections Includes 45mm T2 Extension Tube V...

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CA$150.00 - CA$150.00
CA$150.00
CA$150.00 - CA$150.00
CA$150.00
SVBONY SV238 Off-Axis Guider (OAG)
CA$139.00 - CA$139.00
CA$139.00
CA$139.00 - CA$139.00
CA$139.00

SVBONY SV238 Off-Axis Guider (OAG)

SV-W9196A
1 in stock

Corrects tracking errors and opto-mechanical flexure Large 8 × 14 mm prism for bright guide stars Slim 12.5 mm body thickness preserves back focus...

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CA$139.00 - CA$139.00
CA$139.00
CA$139.00 - CA$139.00
CA$139.00
CA$213.00 - CA$246.00
CA$213.00 - CA$246.00
CA$213.00 - CA$246.00
CA$213.00

William Optics 50mm Guiding Scope

Options available
1 variants in stock

50mm Aperture Doublet Lens 200mm Focal Length f/4.0 Focal Ratio 1.25" RotoLock Eyepiece Holder Total Weight: 0.42 kg / 0.93 lbs Description FAQ...

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CA$213.00 - CA$246.00
CA$213.00 - CA$246.00
CA$213.00 - CA$246.00
CA$213.00
CA$189.00 - CA$189.00
CA$189.00
CA$189.00 - CA$189.00
CA$189.00

William Optics Slide-Base UniGuide 32mm Scope

Options available
7 variants in stock

32mm Doublet Objective Lens Fast f/3.75 Focal Ratio 120mm Focal Length Integrated Vixen/Synta-Style Slide-Base Ultra-Lightweight at 0.23 kg (0.51 ...

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CA$189.00 - CA$189.00
CA$189.00
CA$189.00 - CA$189.00
CA$189.00
CA$275.00 - CA$275.00
CA$275.00
CA$275.00 - CA$275.00
CA$275.00

William Optics Slide-Base UniGuide 50mm Scope

Options available
7 variants in stock

50mm Aperture Doublet Lens 200mm Focal Length (f/4.0) Integrated 1.25" RotoLock Adapter Slide-Base for William Optics Handles Total Weight: 0.5 kg...

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CA$275.00 - CA$275.00
CA$275.00
CA$275.00 - CA$275.00
CA$275.00
CA$209.00 - CA$209.00
CA$209.00
CA$209.00 - CA$209.00
CA$209.00

ZWO 30mm f/5 APO Guide Scope

ZWO-30F5
9 in stock

30mm Aperture 150mm Focal Length (f/5.0) Triplet Apochromatic (APO) Lens Design Precise Helical Focuser Lightweight at 0.77 lb. Description FAQ...

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

Guide Scope Selection and Mounting

Guiding accuracy depends on guide scope focal length relative to imaging focal length, and on the mechanical rigidity of everything between the two optics.

  • Focal length ratio: Modern guide software achieves sub-pixel centroiding, so a guide scope of one quarter to one third the imaging focal length is generally sufficient.
  • Rigid integrated mounting: Guide scopes with a fixed mounting foot or a solid clamshell are far stiffer than a small scope in adjustable rings, which flex under their own adjustment screws.
  • Adjustable rings and their cost: Convenient for aiming at a guide star but the least rigid option, and a common source of unexplained star elongation.
  • Aperture and star availability: A 50 to 60 mm guide scope with a sensitive camera finds usable stars in nearly any field, which is its main advantage over off-axis guiding.
  • Focus locking: A guide scope focuser that can be locked prevents focus creep across a night, which quietly degrades guiding accuracy.
  • Weight on the payload: A guide scope, camera and bracket all count against your mount's imaging payload, which is easy to forget when sizing a mount.

Why Choose David Astro for Guide Scopes

Guide scope problems are almost always mounting problems, and we would rather you avoided them.

  • Rigid mounting recommended first: We steer customers toward fixed or clamshell mounting over adjustable rings, because modern guide cameras have wide enough fields that aiming adjustment is rarely needed.
  • Focal length appropriate to your rig: We match guide scope focal length to your imaging focal length rather than assuming longer is better.
  • Flexure diagnosis: If your guiding graph looks good but your stars are not, we will help you locate the flexure rather than sell you another component.
  • Authorized dealer: Genuine products with manufacturer warranty, in Canadian stock.
  • Ships from Canada: No duties or brokerage fees for Canadian orders.

Guide Scopes in Canada — Frequently Asked Questions

What focal length guide scope do I need?
Roughly one quarter to one third of your imaging focal length is comfortable. Guide software centroids to a fraction of a pixel, so a much shorter guide scope still delivers adequate precision.
Rings or a fixed mount?
Fixed, wherever possible. Adjustable rings introduce flexure at exactly the point where it does most damage. A modern guide camera sees enough sky that aiming adjustment is seldom necessary.
When is a guide scope not enough?
Above roughly 800 mm imaging focal length, differential flexure between two tubes typically exceeds your guiding tolerance. At that point an off-axis guider is the reliable solution.
Does the guide scope need to be focused precisely?
It needs sharp, small stars for accurate centroiding, and the focus should be locked so it does not drift. Perfect focus is less critical than stable focus.

Adding guiding to your rig?

Tell us your imaging focal length and rings and we will specify a guide scope and rigid mount. Authorized dealer, Canadian stock.