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

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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Tele Vue Tele-Pod Advanced - Tripod Only 1
CA$343.00 - CA$343.00
CA$343.00
CA$343.00 - CA$343.00
CA$343.00

Tele Vue Tele-Pod Advanced - Tripod Only

TV-TPT-3017

Black-anodized aluminum, 3-section legs 3/8"-16 hardware for Tele-Pod heads Rubber-tipped and spiked feet Bubble level Glove-friendly locking clam...

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CA$343.00 - CA$343.00
CA$343.00
CA$343.00 - CA$343.00
CA$343.00
Tele Vue Tele-Pod Advanced Mount 1
CA$848.00 - CA$848.00
CA$848.00
CA$848.00 - CA$848.00
CA$848.00

Tele Vue Tele-Pod Advanced Mount

TV-TPM-3015

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...

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CA$848.00 - CA$848.00
CA$848.00
CA$848.00 - CA$848.00
CA$848.00
Tele Vue Telescope Balance Aid 1
CA$59.00 - CA$59.00
CA$59.00
CA$59.00 - CA$59.00
CA$59.00

Tele Vue Telescope Balance Aid

TV-APB-1008

Moves the mounting point about 2.5" toward the objective Attaches to the TV-76 mount ring with the screws provided Hardware for Tele-Pod-style mou...

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CA$59.00 - CA$59.00
CA$59.00
CA$59.00 - CA$59.00
CA$59.00
Tele Vue Vixen-Tele Vue Mount Adapter 1
CA$97.00 - CA$97.00
CA$97.00
CA$97.00 - CA$97.00
CA$97.00

Tele Vue Vixen-Tele Vue Mount Adapter

TV-AVT-1011

Connects Tele Vue Telescopes to Vixen Mounts Designed for Vixen Porta, Sphinx, and Great Polaris Mounts Accepts Tele Vue Telescope Cradles Machine...

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CA$97.00 - CA$97.00
CA$97.00
CA$97.00 - CA$97.00
CA$97.00
CA$49.00 - CA$49.00
CA$49.00
CA$49.00 - CA$49.00
CA$49.00

TS-Optics V-Series Dovetail for DSLR - 120mm

TS-PSFotoDel
Only 5 left!

The TS Optics PSFOTODEL dovetail plate allows you to attach heavy cameras, spotting scopes, telephoto lenses ... to an astronomical mount. One scre...

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CA$49.00 - CA$49.00
CA$49.00
CA$49.00 - CA$49.00
CA$49.00
Vaonis Carbon Fiber Tripod for Vespera
Vaonis Carbon Fiber Tripod for Vespera
CA$349.00 - CA$349.00
CA$349.00
CA$349.00 - CA$349.00
CA$349.00

Vaonis Carbon Fiber Tripod for Vespera

VAO-AC044

Maximum Height: 91 cm Weight: 0.9 kg Safety Payload: 14 kg Closed Length: 43 cm Minimum Height: 10.5 cm Description FAQ Specifications In ...

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CA$349.00 - CA$349.00
CA$349.00
CA$349.00 - CA$349.00
CA$349.00
Vaonis Standard Tripod for Vespera
Vaonis Standard Tripod for Vespera
CA$140.00 - CA$140.00
CA$140.00
CA$140.00 - CA$140.00
CA$140.00

Vaonis Standard Tripod for Vespera

VAO-AC018

Designed for the Vaonis Vespera Smart Telescope Independently Adjustable Legs for Uneven Terrain Legs Unscrew for Compact Storage Integrates with ...

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CA$140.00 - CA$140.00
CA$140.00
CA$140.00 - CA$140.00
CA$140.00
CA$66.00 - CA$66.00
CA$66.00
CA$66.00 - CA$66.00
CA$66.00

William Optics 120mm Saddle Handle Bar

WO-M-HC120BL
1 in stock

120 mm Length 44 mm Width Integrated Mini-Vixen Style Saddle Patented Handlebar Design Lightweight and Durable Construction Description FAQ Spe...

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CA$66.00 - CA$66.00
CA$66.00
CA$66.00 - CA$66.00
CA$66.00
CA$149.00 - CA$149.00
CA$149.00
CA$149.00 - CA$149.00
CA$149.00

William Optics 243mm Saddle Handle Bar

WO-M-HC243BL
1 in stock

243mm total length Functions as both a carrying handle and an accessory saddle Patented design for rigidity and ergonomics Vixen-style saddle for ...

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CA$149.00 - CA$149.00
CA$149.00
CA$149.00 - CA$149.00
CA$149.00
CA$69.00 - CA$69.00
CA$69.00
CA$69.00 - CA$69.00
CA$69.00

William Optics Cat Mounting Ring

WO-M-MR50RC-BL

50mm Inner Diameter Solid Aluminum Construction Anodized Blue Finish 1/4"-20 Threaded Mounting Holes Weight: 4.9 oz (140 g) Description FAQ Spe...

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CA$69.00 - CA$69.00
CA$69.00
CA$69.00 - CA$69.00
CA$69.00
CA$83.00 - CA$83.00
CA$83.00
CA$83.00 - CA$83.00
CA$83.00

William Optics Cat Series Saddle Handle Bar

Options available
3 variants in stock

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...

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CA$83.00 - CA$83.00
CA$83.00
CA$83.00 - CA$83.00
CA$83.00
CA$52.00 - CA$52.00
CA$52.00
CA$52.00 - CA$52.00
CA$52.00

William Optics DSD 110 Plate

Options available
5 variants in stock

Dual Saddle Plate Design Accepts Vixen-Style Dovetails Accepts Losmandy D-Style Dovetails Precision CNC-Machined Construction Durable Anodized Fin...

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CA$52.00 - CA$52.00
CA$52.00
CA$52.00 - CA$52.00
CA$52.00
CA$65.00 - CA$66.00
CA$65.00 - CA$66.00
CA$65.00 - CA$66.00
CA$65.00

William Optics DSD 210 Plate

Options available
3 variants in stock

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...

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CA$65.00 - CA$66.00
CA$65.00 - CA$66.00
CA$65.00 - CA$66.00
CA$65.00
CA$71.00 - CA$80.00
CA$71.00 - CA$80.00
CA$71.00 - CA$80.00
CA$71.00

William Optics DSD 245 Plate

Options available
2 variants in stock

Length: 245 mm Weight: 0.33 kg / 0.72 lbs Dovetail Compatibility: Vixen & Arca-Swiss CNC-machined construction Description FAQ Specificatio...

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CA$71.00 - CA$80.00
CA$71.00 - CA$80.00
CA$71.00 - CA$80.00
CA$71.00
CA$49.00 - CA$49.00
CA$49.00
CA$49.00 - CA$49.00
CA$49.00

William Optics Extension Bar for iOptron Skyguider Pro

WO-M-IO-EB20RD
2 in stock

Adds a declination axis to the iOptron SkyGuider Pro Specifically designed to fit the iOptron SkyGuider Pro Description The Wi...

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CA$49.00 - CA$49.00
CA$49.00
CA$49.00 - CA$49.00
CA$49.00
CA$381.00 - CA$397.00
CA$381.00 - CA$397.00
CA$381.00 - CA$397.00
CA$381.00

William Optics High Latitude WO Vixen Style Base Mount

Options available
5 variants in stock

Designed specifically for the iOptron Skyguider Pro Enables stable, precise polar alignment at high latitudes Includes Vixen-style mounting saddle...

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CA$381.00 - CA$397.00
CA$381.00 - CA$397.00
CA$381.00 - CA$397.00
CA$381.00
CA$54.00 - CA$54.00
CA$54.00
CA$54.00 - CA$54.00
CA$54.00

William Optics iOptron Skyguider Pro Dec Adapter

WO-M-IOPSG-SPM

Directly Mounts William Optics Scopes to iOptron Skyguider Pro Replaces the Standard Declination (DEC) Bracket Low-Profile Design for Enhanced Sta...

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CA$54.00 - CA$54.00
CA$54.00
CA$54.00 - CA$54.00
CA$54.00
CA$131.00 - CA$131.00
CA$131.00
CA$131.00 - CA$131.00
CA$131.00

William Optics Long Version Vixen-Style Dovetail Plate

WO-M-PV-LII-RD
2 in stock

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...

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CA$131.00 - CA$131.00
CA$131.00
CA$131.00 - CA$131.00
CA$131.00
CA$167.00 - CA$192.00
CA$167.00 - CA$192.00
CA$167.00 - CA$192.00
CA$167.00

William Optics Losmandy Style Type D

Options available
3 variants in stock

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...

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CA$167.00 - CA$192.00
CA$167.00 - CA$192.00
CA$167.00 - CA$192.00
CA$167.00
CA$330.00 - CA$330.00
CA$330.00
CA$330.00 - CA$330.00
CA$330.00

William Optics Low Latitude WO Vixen Style Base Mount

WO-YG-IO-SG01L

Designed for Low Latitude Observers Solid Aluminum Alloy Construction Precision Altitude & Azimuth Adjustment Knobs Vixen-Style Mounting Base ...

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CA$330.00 - CA$330.00
CA$330.00
CA$330.00 - CA$330.00
CA$330.00
CA$130.00 - CA$130.00
CA$130.00
CA$130.00 - CA$130.00
CA$130.00

William Optics Mortar Pier Head Adapter - 3/8" Screw Mount

WO-YG-38-MTAD-BL

Designed to fit a 3/8" threaded pier. Universal 3/8" thread Limited lifetime warranty Description Warranty The William Optics M...

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CA$130.00 - CA$130.00
CA$130.00
CA$130.00 - CA$130.00
CA$130.00
William Optics Mounting Ring for Z61
CA$137.00 - CA$137.00
CA$137.00
CA$137.00 - CA$137.00
CA$137.00

William Optics Mounting Ring for Z61

WO-M-R-61BL-P

Designed specifically for the William Optics ZenithStar 61 I Provides a secure, rigid mounting point for the optical tube Features an integrated C...

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CA$137.00 - CA$137.00
CA$137.00
CA$137.00 - CA$137.00
CA$137.00
CA$246.00 - CA$246.00
CA$246.00
CA$246.00 - CA$246.00
CA$246.00

William Optics Mounting Rings 90mm

WO-M-M80R-B

Precise 90mm Inner Diameter Solid, All-Metal Construction Secures Optical Tube for Astrophotography Requires User Measurement for Fit Confirmation...

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CA$246.00 - CA$246.00
CA$246.00
CA$246.00 - CA$246.00
CA$246.00
CA$42.00 - CA$52.00
CA$42.00 - CA$52.00
CA$42.00 - CA$52.00
CA$42.00

William Optics Pair of Riser Blocks

Options available
10 variants in stock

Provides critical clearance for cameras and filter wheels Improves balance options for complex imaging trains Designed for William Optics Universa...

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CA$42.00 - CA$52.00
CA$42.00 - CA$52.00
CA$42.00 - CA$52.00
CA$42.00

Mount 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.