Skip to content
Price match 30-day returns* Talk to an astronomer before you buy

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.

Filters

CA$1,957.00 - CA$1,957.00
CA$1,957.00
CA$1,957.00 - CA$1,957.00
CA$1,957.00

iOptron HAE16C AZ/EQ Dual SWG

IOP-HE162C

Hybrid EQ/Alt-Az Mount Design 18 lbs (8.2 kg) Payload without Counterweight 5.7 lbs (2.6 kg) Mount Head Weight StrainWave RA Gear & Worm/Belt ...

View full details
CA$1,957.00 - CA$1,957.00
CA$1,957.00
CA$1,957.00 - CA$1,957.00
CA$1,957.00
iOptron HAE18C AZ/EQ Dual Strain Wave GoTo Mount
CA$2,309.00 - CA$2,309.00
CA$2,309.00
CA$2,309.00 - CA$2,309.00
CA$2,309.00

iOptron HAE18C AZ/EQ Dual Strain Wave GoTo Mount

IOP-HE182C

Payload Capacity: 18.7 lbs (8.5 kg) without counterweight, 26.5 lbs (12 kg) with Mount Head Weight: 6.2 lbs (2.82 kg) Payload-to-Weight Ratio: 3.0...

View full details
CA$2,309.00 - CA$2,309.00
CA$2,309.00
CA$2,309.00 - CA$2,309.00
CA$2,309.00
iOptron HAE29 Dual AZ/EQ SWG Mount - HAE29C
CA$2,797.00 - CA$5,459.00
CA$2,797.00 - CA$5,459.00
CA$2,797.00 - CA$5,459.00
CA$2,797.00

iOptron HAE29 Dual AZ/EQ SWG Mount

Options available

Dual Alt-Azimuth/Equatorial strain wave gear mount 29.7 lbs (13.5 kg) payload without counterweights (HAE29C/Original) Ultra-portable 8.15 lbs (3....

View full details
CA$2,797.00 - CA$5,459.00
CA$2,797.00 - CA$5,459.00
CA$2,797.00 - CA$5,459.00
CA$2,797.00
iOptron HAE43 Dual AZ/EQ SWG Mount - HAE43C
CA$3,917.00 - CA$6,845.00
CA$3,917.00 - CA$6,845.00
CA$3,917.00 - CA$6,845.00
CA$3,917.00

iOptron HAE43 Dual AZ/EQ SWG Mount

Options available

Payload: 44 lbs (20 kg) without counterweight, 55 lbs (25 kg) with optional counterweight Mount Head Weight: 12.6 lbs (5.7 kg) on C versions, 12.8...

View full details
CA$3,917.00 - CA$6,845.00
CA$3,917.00 - CA$6,845.00
CA$3,917.00 - CA$6,845.00
CA$3,917.00
iOptron HAE69 Dual AZ/EQ SWG Mount - HAE69C
CA$5,387.00 - CA$8,525.00
CA$5,387.00 - CA$8,525.00
CA$5,387.00 - CA$8,525.00
CA$5,387.00

iOptron HAE69 Dual AZ/EQ SWG Mount

Options available

Carries a 69 lb (31 kg) payload without counterweights; 79 lbs (36 kg) with optional counterweight Mount head weighs 19.8 lbs (9 kg) with saddle o...

View full details
CA$5,387.00 - CA$8,525.00
CA$5,387.00 - CA$8,525.00
CA$5,387.00 - CA$8,525.00
CA$5,387.00
iOptron HAZ130 Dual SWG Altazimuth Mount
CA$14,783.00 - CA$14,783.00
CA$14,783.00
CA$14,783.00 - CA$14,783.00
CA$14,783.00

iOptron HAZ130 Dual SWG Altazimuth Mount

IOP-HZ130

132 lbs (60 kg) payload capacity Dual Strain Wave Gear (SWG) system 70 lbs (32 kg) mount head weight Go2Nova® 8411 handset with OLED display; buil...

View full details
CA$14,783.00 - CA$14,783.00
CA$14,783.00
CA$14,783.00 - CA$14,783.00
CA$14,783.00
CA$2,937.00 - CA$2,937.00
CA$2,937.00
CA$2,937.00 - CA$2,937.00
CA$2,937.00

iOptron HAZ31 Strain Wave Alt-Az

IOP-HZ312

31 lb (14 kg) instrument payload capacity 8.2 lb (3.7 kg) mount head weight 3.78 payload-to-weight ratio Dual-axis strain wave gear system with a ...

View full details
CA$2,937.00 - CA$2,937.00
CA$2,937.00
CA$2,937.00 - CA$2,937.00
CA$2,937.00
CA$3,989.00 - CA$3,989.00
CA$3,989.00
CA$3,989.00 - CA$3,989.00
CA$3,989.00

iOptron HAZ46 Alt-Az Strain Wave Mount

IOP-HZ462

Supports a 44 lbs (20 kg) payload without counterweights Mount head weighs 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) with saddle Dual-axis strain wave gear system with 64...

View full details
CA$3,989.00 - CA$3,989.00
CA$3,989.00
CA$3,989.00 - CA$3,989.00
CA$3,989.00
iOptron HAZ46 Counterweight Shaft & Adapter
CA$203.00 - CA$203.00
CA$203.00
CA$203.00 - CA$203.00
CA$203.00

iOptron HAZ46 Counterweight Shaft & Adapter

IOP-8459

Enables counterweight use on the iOptron HAZ46 mount Improves balance for heavy or long optical tubes Reduces strain on the strain wave drive syst...

View full details
CA$203.00 - CA$203.00
CA$203.00
CA$203.00 - CA$203.00
CA$203.00
iOptron HAZ71 Alt-Azimuth Strain Wave GoTo Mount
CA$5,809.00 - CA$5,809.00
CA$5,809.00
CA$5,809.00 - CA$5,809.00
CA$5,809.00

iOptron HAZ71 Alt-Azimuth Strain Wave GoTo Mount

IOP-HZ712

68 lbs (31 kg) payload capacity 18.3 lbs (8.3 kg) mount head weight 3.73 payload-to-weight ratio Strain Wave Gear system with 800:1 reduction Buil...

View full details
CA$5,809.00 - CA$5,809.00
CA$5,809.00
CA$5,809.00 - CA$5,809.00
CA$5,809.00
iOptron HEM27 Mount - HEM27EC Mount
CA$2,797.00 - CA$4,983.00
CA$2,797.00 - CA$4,983.00
CA$2,797.00 - CA$4,983.00
CA$2,797.00

iOptron HEM27 Mount

Options available

Hybrid Drive: StrainWave 17 RA gear (480:1) with backlash-free worm/belt DEC 29.74 lbs (13.5 kg) payload without counterweights, 44 lbs (20 kg) wi...

View full details
CA$2,797.00 - CA$4,983.00
CA$2,797.00 - CA$4,983.00
CA$2,797.00 - CA$4,983.00
CA$2,797.00
CA$63.00 - CA$63.00
CA$63.00
CA$63.00 - CA$63.00
CA$63.00

iOptron HEM27/HEM44 Counterweight Bar

IOP-8456SL

Official iOptron accessory for HEM series mounts Enables balancing of heavier telescope payloads Compatible with iOptron HEM27 and HEM44 mounts Fe...

View full details
CA$63.00 - CA$63.00
CA$63.00
CA$63.00 - CA$63.00
CA$63.00
CA$4,087.00 - CA$6,383.00
CA$4,087.00 - CA$6,383.00
CA$4,087.00 - CA$6,383.00
CA$4,087.00

iOptron HEM44 Mount

Options available

44 lbs (20 kg) payload without counterweights 55 lbs (25 kg) capacity with optional counterweight 13.65 lbs (6.2 kg) mount head for a 3.23 payload...

View full details
CA$4,087.00 - CA$6,383.00
CA$4,087.00 - CA$6,383.00
CA$4,087.00 - CA$6,383.00
CA$4,087.00
CA$627.00 - CA$627.00
CA$627.00
CA$627.00 - CA$627.00
CA$627.00

iOptron HST MiniTracker

IOP-3650
2 in stock

Payload Capacity: 4kg (8.8 lbs) without counterweights Mount Weight: 790 gm (1.75 lbs) with battery Gear System: Strain Wave Gear (SWG) Tracking S...

View full details
CA$627.00 - CA$627.00
CA$627.00
CA$627.00 - CA$627.00
CA$627.00
iOptron Illuminating LED for CEM26/GEM28 AccuAlign Polar Scope
CA$49.00 - CA$49.00
CA$49.00
CA$49.00 - CA$49.00
CA$49.00

iOptron Illuminating LED for CEM26/GEM28 AccuAlign Polar Scope

IOP-3334

Official accessory for iOptron CEM26 and GEM28 mounts Illuminates the AccuAlign polar scope reticle Enables fast and accurate polar alignment in t...

View full details
CA$49.00 - CA$49.00
CA$49.00
CA$49.00 - CA$49.00
CA$49.00
CA$333.00 - CA$333.00
CA$333.00
CA$333.00 - CA$333.00
CA$333.00

iOptron iPolar Electronic Polarscope

IOP-3339-034

Achieves polar alignment with 30 arcsecond resolution Wide 13° field of view for robust plate-solving Simple Mini USB 2.0 interface for power and ...

View full details
CA$333.00 - CA$333.00
CA$333.00
CA$333.00 - CA$333.00
CA$333.00
iOptron iPolar Electronic Polarscope for HEM15/HEM27/HEM44 Mounts
CA$312.00 - CA$312.00
CA$312.00
CA$312.00 - CA$312.00
CA$312.00

iOptron iPolar Electronic Polarscope for HEM15/HEM27/HEM44 Mounts

IOP-3339A-HEM

Achieves polar alignment precision of approximately 30 arcseconds Designed for internal installation on iOptron HEM15, HEM27, and HEM44 mounts Sim...

View full details
CA$312.00 - CA$312.00
CA$312.00
CA$312.00 - CA$312.00
CA$312.00
iOptron iPolar Internal Electronic Polar Scope for CEM120 Mounts
CA$333.00 - CA$333.00
CA$333.00
CA$333.00 - CA$333.00
CA$333.00

iOptron iPolar Internal Electronic Polar Scope for CEM120 Mounts

IOP-3339A-120

Achieves polar alignment with 30 arcsecond resolution 13° wide field of view digital camera Designed for internal installation in iOptron CEM120 m...

View full details
CA$333.00 - CA$333.00
CA$333.00
CA$333.00 - CA$333.00
CA$333.00
iOptron iPolar Internal Electronic Polar Scope for CEM26/GEM28/SkyGuider Pro Mounts
CA$305.00 - CA$305.00
CA$305.00
CA$305.00 - CA$305.00
CA$305.00

iOptron iPolar Internal Electronic Polar Scope for CEM26/GEM28/SkyGuider Pro Mounts

IOP-3339R

Internal design for CEM26, GEM28, and SkyGuider Pro mounts Achieves polar alignment with 30 arcsecond resolution 13° wide field of view camera Sof...

View full details
CA$305.00 - CA$305.00
CA$305.00
CA$305.00 - CA$305.00
CA$305.00
iOptron iPolar Internal Electronic Polar Scope for CEM40 Mounts
CA$333.00 - CA$333.00
CA$333.00
CA$333.00 - CA$333.00
CA$333.00

iOptron iPolar Internal Electronic Polar Scope for CEM40 Mounts

IOP-3339A-040

Achieves polar alignment to a resolution of 30 arcseconds Wide 13° field of view for rapid plate solving Installs internally on the iOptron CEM40 ...

View full details
CA$333.00 - CA$333.00
CA$333.00
CA$333.00 - CA$333.00
CA$333.00
iOptron iPolar™ Electronics Polar Scope
CA$305.00 - CA$305.00
CA$305.00
CA$305.00 - CA$305.00
CA$305.00

iOptron iPolar™ Electronics Polar Scope

IOP-3339

Achieves polar alignment precision of approximately 30 arcseconds Wide ~13 degree field of view for easy pole acquisition High-resolution sensor p...

View full details
CA$305.00 - CA$305.00
CA$305.00
CA$305.00 - CA$305.00
CA$305.00
CA$189.00 - CA$189.00
CA$189.00
CA$189.00 - CA$189.00
CA$189.00

iOptron iStarFi Wi-Fi Adapter for CEM40/GEM45

IOP-7434

Wireless Mount Control for CEM40/GEM45 Mounts Supports 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi Protocol Access Point (AP) and Station (STA) Modes ASCOM and SkySafari Pr...

View full details
CA$189.00 - CA$189.00
CA$189.00
CA$189.00 - CA$189.00
CA$189.00
CA$539.00 - CA$601.00
CA$539.00 - CA$601.00
CA$539.00 - CA$601.00
CA$539.00

iOptron LiteRoc Tripod

Options available
3 variants in stock

1.75-inch stainless steel legs for enhanced stability 30-inch to 47-inch adjustable height range Weighs 15 lbs (6.8 kg) for a solid, transportable...

View full details
CA$539.00 - CA$601.00
CA$539.00 - CA$601.00
CA$539.00 - CA$601.00
CA$539.00
iOptron LiteRoc Tripod for CEM26 / GEM28 / HEM27 / HAE29
CA$539.00 - CA$539.00
CA$539.00
CA$539.00 - CA$539.00
CA$539.00

iOptron LiteRoc Tripod for CEM26 / GEM28 / HEM27 / HAE29

IOP-8283ACC

Designed for iOptron CEM26, GEM28, HEM27, and HAE29 mounts 1.75-inch diameter stainless steel legs for maximum rigidity Adjustable height range fr...

View full details
CA$539.00 - CA$539.00
CA$539.00
CA$539.00 - CA$539.00
CA$539.00

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.