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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iOptron MiniPier 6" Pier Extension for CEM40/HAE43/HEM44/GEM45
Adds 6 inches of height to the mount Prevents telescope-tripod collisions near the zenith Enables uninterrupted meridian-crossing astrophotography...
View full detailsiOptron MiniPier 8" Pier Extension
Adds 8" (200 mm) of Height to Your Mount Setup Prevents Long Telescope Tubes from Colliding with Tripod Legs Features a 150mm Top Plate for iOptro...
View full detailsiOptron MiniPier for CEM26, HEM27, GEM28 & HAE29 Mounts
Adds 5.5 inches of height to compatible mounts Prevents telescope and camera collisions with tripod legs Improves stability by keeping tripod legs...
View full detailsiOptron MiniPier for HAE69 & HAZ71 Mounts
Adds critical height between the mount head and tripod Prevents long optical tubes from colliding with tripod legs Designed specifically for iOptr...
View full detailsiOptron MiniPier for iOptron Small to Medium Mount
Adds crucial height between the tripod and mount head Prevents long telescope tubes from striking the tripod legs Improves stability and reduces v...
View full detailsiOptron MiniTower Pro/II Altitude Gear and Clutch Upgrade Kit
Altitude gear and clutch parts for iOptron MiniTower Pro and MiniTower II mounts iOptron part #8955 Description FAQ Specifications In the Bo...
View full detailsiOptron MiniTower Pro/II Altitude Locking Knob Upgrade Kit
Direct upgrade for iOptron MiniTower Pro and MiniTower II mounts Improves altitude axis locking and stability Large, easy-to-grip design Ideal for...
View full detailsiOptron Permanent Pier
360 lb (165 kg) Payload Capacity 35-inch (900 mm) Fixed Height 6-inch (150 mm) Diameter Aluminum Alloy Pier CNC Machined with Anodized Finish 8.25...
View full detailsiOptron Pier Adapter for Celestron CGX (150mm Pier Tube)
Adapts Celestron CGX mounts to permanent piers Designed for pier tubes with a 150mm outside diameter Provides a rigid, stable foundation for astro...
View full detailsiOptron Pier Adapter for CGX (180mm Pier Tube)
Designed specifically for Celestron CGX equatorial mounts Fits custom-built or prefabricated 180mm diameter piers Enables a permanent, stable moun...
View full detailsiOptron Pier Top Adapter For Tri-Pier For SBIG Paramount MyT
Directly connects a Paramount MyT mount to an iOptron Tri-Pier Compatible with iOptron Tri-Pier (#8034) and Tri-Pier 360 (#8037A) Precision CNC-ma...
View full detailsiOptron Pier Top Adapter For Tri-Pier With CEM26, HEM27, GEM28, HAE29
Connects CEM26, GEM28, HEM27, and HAE29 mounts to iOptron Tri-Piers Compatible with Tri-Pier (#8034) and Tri-Pier 360 (#8037A) Precision CNC-machi...
View full detailsiOptron Pier Top Plate
Model-Specific Fit: Ensures a precise, secure connection for various iOptron mounts. Solid Machined Construction: Provides a rigid, flex-free base...
View full detailsiOptron Pier Top Plate
Adapts select iOptron mounts to piers All-metal construction Requires modification for some mount/pier combinations Pre-threaded mounting holes ...
View full detailsiOptron Pier Top Plate for AZMP/MT Mounts
Adapts iOptron AZMP and MT mounts to compatible piers Solid metal construction for stable, secure mounting Description FAQ Specifications In ...
View full detailsiOptron Pier Top Plate for CEM40
Adapts select iOptron mounts to iOptron piers iOptron item #8032PT-CEM40, for the CEM40 mount head All-metal construction for a stable connection ...
View full detailsiOptron Pier Top Plate for CEM60 & CEM70 Mounts
CEM60 & CEM70 Compatibility: Pier top plate for iOptron CEM60 and CEM70 equatorial mounts. Pier Integration: Provides a stable, secure conne...
View full detailsiOptron Polar Scope for SmartEQ
Enables Precise Polar Alignment Designed Specifically for the iOptron SmartEQ Mount Essential for Long-Exposure Astrophotography Improves GoTo Poi...
View full detailsiOptron Polar Scope Kit for CEM26
Designed specifically for the iOptron CEM26 mount Provides a direct, through-the-axis optical view of the celestial pole Enables fast and intuitiv...
View full detailsiOptron Polar Scope Kit for GEM28
Optical Polar Alignment Accessory for iOptron GEM28 Mounts Enables Fast, Computer-Free Setup Illuminated Reticle for Easy Sighting of Polaris Idea...
View full detailsiOptron Polar Scope Mounting Bracket for PST Micro Tracker
Enables Precise Polar Alignment Designed for the iOptron PST Micro Tracker (#3680) Compatible with AccuAlign (#3330-HST) Polar Scopes Compatible w...
View full detailsiOptron Precision AZ/EQ Base
Full 0º to 90º latitude adjustment range Fine ±5º azimuth adjustment for precise polar alignment Standard Vixen-type dovetail saddle Universal 3/8...
View full detailsiOptron PST Micro Tracker
Payload Capacity: 3 kg (6.6 lbs) Mount Weight: 390 gm (0.86 lbs) with battery Tracking Speeds: Solar, Lunar, 1X Celestial, 1/2X Celestial Battery ...
View full detailsiOptron RS232-RJ9 Serial Cable
Connects a PC RS232 Serial Port to an iOptron Mount or Go2Nova Hand Controller Enables Direct Mount Control via ASCOM Required for Mount and Hand ...
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.