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

Mounts

Every experienced imager gives the same advice and most beginners discount it: buy the mount first. A modest telescope on a capable mount produces good images; an excellent telescope on an inadequate mount produces trailed stars and frustration. David Astro carries mounts in Canada — German equatorial, harmonic drive, alt-azimuth and observatory-class — shipping from Canadian inventory.

We size mounts against real imaging payloads rather than headline ratings, and we will recommend a larger mount when your setup genuinely needs one. Tell us your optic, camera and focal length.

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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 Lightweight mount head weighs only 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) Strain wave gear system with 640:1 r...

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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 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...

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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...

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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$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) with optional counterweight 13.65 lbs (6.2 kg) mount head for a 3.23 payload-to-weig...

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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...

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CA$627.00 - CA$627.00
CA$627.00
CA$627.00 - CA$627.00
CA$627.00
iOptron PST Micro Tracker
CA$321.00 - CA$321.00
CA$321.00
CA$321.00 - CA$321.00
CA$321.00

iOptron PST Micro Tracker

IOP-3680

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 ...

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CA$321.00 - CA$321.00
CA$321.00
CA$321.00 - CA$321.00
CA$321.00
iOptron SkyGuider Pro Star Tracker - SkyGuider Pro Full Package w/ Precision AZ Base
CA$503.00 - CA$755.00
CA$503.00 - CA$755.00
CA$503.00 - CA$755.00
CA$503.00

iOptron SkyGuider Pro Star Tracker

Options available
1 variants in stock

Supports a maximum payload of 11 lbs (5kg), balanced, on a 2.2 lb (1kg) mount head Φ88mm, 144-tooth aluminum alloy worm wheel with DC servo motor ...

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CA$503.00 - CA$755.00
CA$503.00 - CA$755.00
CA$503.00 - CA$755.00
CA$503.00
CA$501.00 - CA$1,285.00
CA$501.00 - CA$1,285.00
CA$501.00 - CA$1,285.00
CA$501.00

iOptron SkyHunter EQ/AZ Mount

Options available
2 variants in stock

Supports a 7 lb (3.2 kg) balanced payload on a 2.9 lb (1.3 kg) mount head Dual-axis DC servo motors with optical encoders and Φ77 mm, 144-tooth wo...

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CA$501.00 - CA$1,285.00
CA$501.00 - CA$1,285.00
CA$501.00 - CA$1,285.00
CA$501.00
iOptron SkyTracker Pro Camera Mount - SkyTracker Pro w/ iPolar
CA$315.00 - CA$517.00
CA$315.00 - CA$517.00
CA$315.00 - CA$517.00
CA$315.00

iOptron SkyTracker Pro Camera Mount

Options available
2 variants in stock

Supports camera and lens combinations up to 6.6 lbs (3kg) Ultra-portable body weighs only 2.53 lbs (1150 gm) with base and battery Internal 2000mA...

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CA$315.00 - CA$517.00
CA$315.00 - CA$517.00
CA$315.00 - CA$517.00
CA$315.00
Orion Optics UK 150mm Dobsonian Mount
CA$411.00 - CA$411.00
CA$411.00
CA$711.00
CA$711.00 - CA$711.00
CA$711.00

Orion Optics UK 150mm Dobsonian Mount

OOUK-150MM-DOBSONIAN-MOUNT-ACCEOTS-TUBES

Designed for 150mm Newtonian Telescopes Classic Dobsonian Alt-Azimuth Design Intuitive Point-and-View Operation Stable, Ground-Based Platform Manu...

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CA$411.00 - CA$411.00
CA$411.00
CA$711.00
CA$711.00 - CA$711.00
CA$711.00
Orion Optics UK 200mm Dobsonian Mount
CA$490.00 - CA$490.00
CA$490.00
CA$790.00
CA$790.00 - CA$790.00
CA$790.00

Orion Optics UK 200mm Dobsonian Mount

OOUK-200MM-DOBSONIAN-MOUNT-ACCEOTS-TUBES

Designed for 200mm (8-inch) Newtonian Telescopes Accepts Optical Tubes up to 225mm in Diameter Classic Dobsonian Rocker-Box Design Provides a Stab...

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CA$490.00 - CA$490.00
CA$490.00
CA$790.00
CA$790.00 - CA$790.00
CA$790.00
Orion Optics UK 250mm Dobsonian Mount
CA$501.00 - CA$501.00
CA$501.00
CA$801.00
CA$801.00 - CA$801.00
CA$801.00

Orion Optics UK 250mm Dobsonian Mount

OOUK-250MM-DOBSONIAN-MOUNT-ACCEOTS-TUBES

Designed for 250mm (10-inch) class Newtonian telescopes Accepts optical tubes with an outer diameter up to 280mm Classic Dobsonian rocker box desi...

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CA$501.00 - CA$501.00
CA$501.00
CA$801.00
CA$801.00 - CA$801.00
CA$801.00
Orion Optics UK 300mm Dobsonian Mount
CA$635.00 - CA$635.00
CA$635.00
CA$935.00
CA$935.00 - CA$935.00
CA$935.00

Orion Optics UK 300mm Dobsonian Mount

OOUK-300MM-DOBSONIAN-MOUNT-ACCEOTS-TUBES

Designed for Optical Tubes up to 236mm in Diameter Classic Dobsonian Alt-Azimuth Design Provides a Stable, Vibration-Free Platform Ideal for High-...

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CA$635.00 - CA$635.00
CA$635.00
CA$935.00
CA$935.00 - CA$935.00
CA$935.00
Orion Optics UK 350mm Dobsonian Mount
CA$859.00 - CA$859.00
CA$859.00
CA$1,159.00
CA$1,159.00 - CA$1,159.00
CA$1,159.00

Orion Optics UK 350mm Dobsonian Mount

OOUK-350MM-DOBSONIAN-MOUNT-ACCEOTS-TUBES

Accommodates large Newtonian optical tubes Designed for 350mm class telescopes Accepts tube diameters up to 385mm Classic Dobsonian alt-azimuth de...

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CA$859.00 - CA$859.00
CA$859.00
CA$1,159.00
CA$1,159.00 - CA$1,159.00
CA$1,159.00
Orion Optics UK 400mm Dobsonian Mount
CA$1,228.00 - CA$1,228.00
CA$1,228.00
CA$1,528.00
CA$1,528.00 - CA$1,528.00
CA$1,528.00

Orion Optics UK 400mm Dobsonian Mount

OOUK-400MM-DOBSONIAN-MOUNT-ACCEOTS-TUBES

Designed for 400mm Newtonian Optical Tubes Accepts Tube Diameters up to 434mm Classic Dobsonian Rocker Box Design Provides a Stable, Vibration-Fre...

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CA$1,228.00 - CA$1,228.00
CA$1,228.00
CA$1,528.00
CA$1,528.00 - CA$1,528.00
CA$1,528.00
CA$4,144.00 - CA$4,144.00
CA$4,144.00
CA$4,144.00 - CA$4,144.00
CA$4,144.00

Pegasus NYX-101 Harmonic Gear Mount

PEG-NYX101

Supports 20 Kg imaging payload without counterweights Lightweight 6.5 Kg mount head Strain Wave (Harmonic) Gear drive on both axes Dual Equatorial...

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CA$4,144.00 - CA$4,144.00
CA$4,144.00
CA$4,144.00 - CA$4,144.00
CA$4,144.00
CA$2,730.00 - CA$3,259.00
CA$2,730.00 - CA$3,259.00
CA$2,730.00 - CA$3,259.00
CA$2,730.00

Pegasus NYX-88 Harmonic Gear Mount

Options available
1 variants in stock

Supports up to 14 kg (without counterweights). Dual-mode operation (Equatorial and ALT-AZ). Strain wave gear system for zero backlash. Wi-Fi, USB ...

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CA$2,730.00 - CA$3,259.00
CA$2,730.00 - CA$3,259.00
CA$2,730.00 - CA$3,259.00
CA$2,730.00
CA$2,910.00 - CA$2,910.00
CA$2,910.00
CA$2,910.00 - CA$2,910.00
CA$2,910.00

Sky-Watcher AZ-EQ5 GoTo Mount

SW-S30200

Hybrid Alt-Azimuth and German Equatorial mount design 30 lb payload capacity for visual and imaging Freedom Find™ dual-encoder system allows manua...

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CA$2,910.00 - CA$2,910.00
CA$2,910.00
CA$2,910.00 - CA$2,910.00
CA$2,910.00
CA$3,960.00 - CA$3,960.00
CA$3,960.00
CA$3,960.00 - CA$3,960.00
CA$3,960.00

Sky-Watcher AZ-EQ6 GoTo Mount

SW-S30330

Dual Equatorial (EQ) and Alt-Azimuth (AZ) functionality 44 lb payload capacity for imaging or dual visual setups Belt-driven stepper motors for hi...

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CA$3,960.00 - CA$3,960.00
CA$3,960.00
CA$3,960.00 - CA$3,960.00
CA$3,960.00
CA$730.00 - CA$730.00
CA$730.00
CA$730.00 - CA$730.00
CA$730.00

Sky-Watcher AZ-GTi Mount

SW-S21110

11 lb payload capacity in a 2.6 lb mount head GoTo pointing and tracking controlled via WiFi Freedom Find™ dual-encoder system for manual movement...

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CA$730.00 - CA$730.00
CA$730.00
CA$730.00 - CA$730.00
CA$730.00
CA$650.00 - CA$650.00
CA$650.00
CA$650.00 - CA$650.00
CA$650.00

Sky-Watcher AZ5 Mount with Steel Tripod

SW-S20110

15 lb Payload Capacity V-Style Mounting Saddle 1.75-inch Steel Tripod Legs Total Assembled Weight of 17.3 lbs Included Pier Extension Descripti...

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CA$650.00 - CA$650.00
CA$650.00
CA$650.00 - CA$650.00
CA$650.00
CA$5,410.00 - CA$6,530.00
CA$5,410.00 - CA$6,530.00
CA$5,410.00 - CA$6,530.00
CA$5,410.00

Sky-Watcher CQ350 Pro Mount

Options available
2 variants in stock

77-pound payload capacity Belt-driven stepper motor drive system Integrated cable management with 4x USB and 3x power output ports D/V-style dual ...

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CA$5,410.00 - CA$6,530.00
CA$5,410.00 - CA$6,530.00
CA$5,410.00 - CA$6,530.00
CA$5,410.00
CA$1,170.00 - CA$1,170.00
CA$1,170.00
CA$1,170.00 - CA$1,170.00
CA$1,170.00

Sky-Watcher EQ-AL55i Pro Mount

SW-S30515
3 in stock

22-pound (9.97kg) instrument capacity Lightweight 8.2-pound (3.7kg) mount head Built-in WiFi for app-based GoTo control Includes illuminated polar...

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CA$1,170.00 - CA$1,170.00
CA$1,170.00
CA$1,170.00 - CA$1,170.00
CA$1,170.00
CA$3,130.00 - CA$3,130.00
CA$3,130.00
CA$3,130.00 - CA$3,130.00
CA$3,130.00

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro

SW-S30300
1 in stock

44 lb instrument payload capacity Belt-driven stepper motors for smooth, quiet slewing SynScan GoTo controller with 42,900+ object database Built-...

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CA$3,130.00 - CA$3,130.00
CA$3,130.00
CA$3,130.00 - CA$3,130.00
CA$3,130.00

What Separates a Good Mount from an Adequate One

Payload rating is the number on the box. The numbers that actually determine your results are periodic error, its smoothness, and the mount's stiffness under load.

  • Periodic error and its smoothness: A large but smooth error guides out easily; a small but jerky one does not. This is why two mounts with the same specification can perform very differently.
  • Payload margin for imaging: Load an imaging mount to roughly 50 to 60% of its visual rating. The remainder is the margin that keeps guiding stable in wind and at awkward angles.
  • Belt versus gear drive: Belt-driven mounts largely remove gear meshing error and backlash, which is why they have become the standard in mid-range imaging mounts.
  • Harmonic drive mounts: Strain-wave gearing carries very high payloads with little counterweight, trading some periodic error smoothness for extraordinary portability.
  • Encoders: Absolute or incremental encoders correct mechanical error in real time, reducing or eliminating the need for guiding at long focal lengths.
  • Focal length sensitivity: Guiding tolerance scales with image scale. A mount that is excellent at 500 mm may be marginal at 2000 mm with the same payload.

Why Choose David Astro for Mounts

A mount is the purchase people most often regret undersizing, and it is the most expensive one to correct later.

  • Sized to focal length, not just weight: We factor your imaging focal length into the recommendation, because guiding demands tighten sharply as image scale increases.
  • Cold-weather behaviour: We advise on lubrication, power supply sizing and the settings that keep a mount tracking reliably below minus 20.
  • Authorized dealer: Full manufacturer warranty and verified authenticity, with service and diagnostics performed in Canada.
  • Domestic shipping on heavy goods: Mounts ship from our Canadian warehouse, avoiding duties, brokerage fees and an extra freight handoff.
  • Setup support: Help with polar alignment, guiding configuration and firmware after the mount arrives.

Mounts in Canada — Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my mount is limiting me?
If your guiding RMS is a large fraction of your pixel scale, if stars trail at particular tube angles, or if you routinely discard subs, the mount is likely the constraint rather than the camera or optics.
Are encoders worth the cost?
At long focal lengths and for unattended operation, yes — they correct error faster than guiding can and remove dependence on a guide star. At short focal lengths, good guiding achieves most of the same result for far less.
Can a harmonic mount replace a heavy equatorial?
For most portable imaging, yes. They carry more per kilogram than any other design and set up in minutes. A high-end worm-gear mount still has an edge in raw tracking smoothness at long focal length.
What supply does my mount need in winter?
More current than the summer specification. Stiff grease raises draw, and voltage sag through a thin or long cable is the usual cause of cold-weather stalls. Size the supply and the cable together.

Buying the mount first?

Send us your optic, camera and focal length and we will size it properly. Ships from Canada with setup support.