Mounts and Tripods
The mount is the part of a telescope system that decides what is possible. It sets how long you can expose before stars trail, how much optic you can carry, and how much of a night you spend imaging rather than troubleshooting. David Astro stocks mounts and tripods in Canada — equatorial, alt-azimuth, harmonic drive and star tracker — with piers, wedges and counterweights to match, shipped domestically.
We help customers size mounts to real payloads rather than optimistic ones, and we are candid about where a mount's rated capacity stops being realistic for imaging. If you tell us your optic and your intended use, we will tell you what it actually needs.
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Wanderer Astro Losmandy Dovetail Bracket Kit for WandererCover - Long
Telescopic Design: Allows for flexible positioning on the dovetail bar to accommodate accessories. Lightweight Construction: Designed for minima...
View full detailsWanderer Astro Losmandy Dovetail Bracket Kit for WandererCover/WandererBox - Short
Securely Mounts Wanderer Astro Control Units Compatible with Losmandy D-Style Dovetail Plates Designed for WandererBox V3, WandererCover V4 Pro-EC...
View full detailsWanderer Astro Mini Finderscope Dovetail Shoe for WandererBox
Directly Mounts to the WandererBox Chassis Accepts Standard Vixen/Synta-Style Finderscope Stalks Consolidates Pointing and Guiding Hardware Simpli...
View full detailsWanderer Astro Truss Telescope Motorized Flat Panel Installation Kit
Secure Mounting for Wanderer Flat Panels Compatible with GSO & William Optics Truss RCs Designed for WandererCover V4 & Eclipse Aerospace-...
View full detailsWanderer Astro Vixen Dovetail Bracket Kit For WandererBox
Attaches WandererBox to any Vixen-style dovetail Functions as a mini Losmandy plate for accessory mounting Machined from aerospace-grade aluminum ...
View full detailsWilliam Optics 120mm Saddle Handle Bar
120 mm Length 44 mm Width Integrated Mini-Vixen Style Saddle Patented Handlebar Design Lightweight and Durable Construction Description FAQ Spe...
View full detailsWilliam Optics 120mm Saddle Handle Bar with 50mm Guiding Rings
120 mm Total Length Patented Handle and Saddle Design Mini-Vixen Dovetail Saddle Includes 50mm Guide Rings 44 mm Width Description FAQ Specific...
View full detailsWilliam Optics 120mm Saddle Handle Bar with 50mm Guiding Rings - No Adjustments Screws
120 mm Length Integrated 50mm Guide Rings Mini-Vixen Style Top Saddle 44 mm Width Designed for Maximum Rigidity Description FAQ Specifications ...
View full detailsWilliam Optics 243mm Saddle Handle Bar
243mm total length Functions as both a carrying handle and an accessory saddle Patented design for rigidity and ergonomics Vixen-style saddle for ...
View full detailsWilliam Optics 243mm Saddle Handle Bar with 50mm Guiding Rings
Compatible with William Optics' slide-base guide rings Can be used to make William Optics telescopes portable Description The Wil...
View full detailsWilliam Optics Cat Mounting Ring
50mm Inner Diameter Solid Aluminum Construction Anodized Blue Finish 1/4"-20 Threaded Mounting Holes Weight: 4.9 oz (140 g) Description FAQ Spe...
View full detailsWilliam Optics Cat Series Saddle Handle Bar
Length: 107 mm Integrated Mini-Vixen Style Saddle Weight: 0.12 kg / 0.26 lbs Designed for William Optics Cat Series Telescopes Adds a carrying han...
View full detailsWilliam Optics DSD 110 Plate
Dual Saddle Plate Design Accepts Vixen-Style Dovetails Accepts Losmandy D-Style Dovetails Precision CNC-Machined Construction Durable Anodized Fin...
View full detailsWilliam Optics DSD 210 Plate
210 mm total length for balancing flexibility Dual-profile fits both Vixen-style and Arca-Swiss clamps 41.5 mm width provides a stable mounting su...
View full detailsWilliam Optics DSD 245 Plate
Length: 245 mm Weight: 0.33 kg / 0.72 lbs Dovetail Compatibility: Vixen & Arca-Swiss CNC-machined construction Description FAQ Specificatio...
View full detailsWilliam Optics Extension Bar for iOptron Skyguider Pro
Adds a declination axis to the iOptron SkyGuider Pro Specifically designed to fit the iOptron SkyGuider Pro Description The Wi...
View full detailsWilliam Optics High Latitude WO Vixen Style Base Mount
Designed specifically for the iOptron Skyguider Pro Enables stable, precise polar alignment at high latitudes Includes Vixen-style mounting saddle...
View full detailsWilliam Optics iOptron Skyguider Pro Dec Adapter
Directly Mounts William Optics Scopes to iOptron Skyguider Pro Replaces the Standard Declination (DEC) Bracket Low-Profile Design for Enhanced Sta...
View full detailsWilliam Optics Long Version Vixen-Style Dovetail Plate
290 mm Extended Length for Balancing Standard Vixen-Style Dovetail Profile Weighs 0.64 kg (1.42 lbs) 90 mm Wide Platform for Stability Descript...
View full detailsWilliam Optics Losmandy Style Type D
Length: 400 mm Weight: 1.44 kg / 3.17 lbs Width: 105 mm Dovetail Type: Losmandy D-Style Description FAQ Specifications In the Box Downloads War...
View full detailsWilliam Optics Low Latitude WO Vixen Style Base Mount
Designed for Low Latitude Observers Solid Aluminum Alloy Construction Precision Altitude & Azimuth Adjustment Knobs Vixen-Style Mounting Base ...
View full detailsWilliam Optics Mortar Pier Head Adapter - 3/8" Screw Mount
Designed to fit a 3/8" threaded pier. Universal 3/8" thread Limited lifetime warranty Description Warranty The William Optics M...
View full detailsWilliam Optics Mounting Ring for Z61
Designed specifically for the William Optics ZenithStar 61 I Provides a secure, rigid mounting point for the optical tube Features an integrated C...
View full detailsWilliam Optics Mounting Rings 90mm
Precise 90mm Inner Diameter Solid, All-Metal Construction Secures Optical Tube for Astrophotography Requires User Measurement for Fit Confirmation...
View full detailsMount Types and What Each One Is For
Choose by what you do, not by capacity alone. A mount that is excellent for visual observing can be poor for long-exposure imaging, and vice versa.
- German equatorial mounts: The standard for deep-sky imaging. One motor tracks the sky once polar aligned, and periodic error correction plus autoguiding delivers minutes-long sub-exposures.
- Harmonic drive mounts: Strain-wave gearing carries heavy payloads with little or no counterweight, making a capable imaging mount portable enough to carry in one hand.
- Alt-azimuth mounts: Intuitive up-down, left-right motion, ideal for visual observing and grab-and-go use; field rotation limits unguided imaging without a wedge.
- Star trackers: Compact tracking platforms for a camera and lens, the lightest practical route into wide-field astrophotography.
- Tripods and piers: Rigidity below the mount matters as much as the mount head; a pier removes tripod flex and settles vibration faster.
- Counterweights and shafts: Correct balance reduces motor load and improves guiding, and extension bars help balance short, heavy optics.
Why Choose David Astro for Mounts and Tripods
Mounts are heavy, expensive and awkward to return. Getting the specification right the first time is worth more than a discount.
- Realistic payload sizing: We recommend loading an imaging mount to roughly 50 to 60% of its visual rating, and we will say so even when it points you to a larger mount.
- Pier and tripod height planning: We calculate the height you need to clear your tube at the meridian without striking the tripod legs, which is a common and frustrating surprise.
- Authorized dealer: Full manufacturer warranty, handled domestically in Canada rather than through international shipping.
- Canadian inventory: Heavy items shipped from within Canada, avoiding duties, brokerage fees and cross-border freight damage risk.
- In-house service: Diagnostics and repair for mount electronics and drives, so downtime is measured in days rather than months.
Mounts and Tripods in Canada — Frequently Asked Questions
- How much payload capacity do I really need?
- For imaging, plan on using no more than 50 to 60% of the manufacturer's visual rating. A 20 kg mount is comfortable with a 10 to 12 kg imaging payload including camera, guider, cables and dovetail.
- Are harmonic drive mounts good for long exposures?
- Yes, with guiding. They have higher periodic error than a well-made worm-gear mount but it is smooth and correctable, and their portability and payload-to-weight ratio are unmatched.
- Do I need a pier instead of a tripod?
- Only if you have a permanent site or you are seeing vibration settle slowly. A pier improves rigidity and repeatability of polar alignment but sacrifices portability entirely.
- How is a heavy mount shipped?
- From our Canadian warehouse, with no customs handling for domestic orders. We advise on freight for the largest mounts and piers before you place the order.
Sizing a mount for your optic?
Send us your telescope, camera and site. We will recommend the right mount and tripod combination. In stock and shipping from Canada.