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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$8,190.00 - CA$8,190.00
CA$8,190.00
CA$8,190.00 - CA$8,190.00
CA$8,190.00

Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Mount Head Only with Counterweights

SW-S30612

110 lb Payload Capacity Thru-Mount Cable Management Hub Whisper-Quiet Dual Belt Drive System SynScan GoTo with 42,900+ Object Database Includes Tw...

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CA$8,190.00 - CA$8,190.00
CA$8,190.00
CA$8,190.00 - CA$8,190.00
CA$8,190.00
CA$9,720.00 - CA$9,720.00
CA$9,720.00
CA$9,720.00 - CA$9,720.00
CA$9,720.00

Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Mount with Pier Tripod

SW-S30601

110 lb instrument payload capacity Whisper-quiet dual belt-drive system Integrated thru-mount cable management with 4x USB 3.0 ports SynScan GoTo ...

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CA$9,720.00 - CA$9,720.00
CA$9,720.00
CA$9,720.00 - CA$9,720.00
CA$9,720.00
CA$14,530.00 - CA$14,530.00
CA$14,530.00
CA$14,530.00 - CA$14,530.00
CA$14,530.00

Sky-Watcher EQ8-Rh Mount Head Only with Counterweights

SW-S30712

110 lbs payload capacity for observatory-class instruments Whisper-quiet dual belt-drive system for smooth, precise tracking Through-mount cable m...

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CA$14,530.00 - CA$14,530.00
CA$14,530.00
CA$14,530.00 - CA$14,530.00
CA$14,530.00
CA$15,990.00 - CA$15,990.00
CA$15,990.00
CA$15,990.00 - CA$15,990.00
CA$15,990.00

Sky-Watcher EQ8-Rh Mount with Pier Tripod

SW-S30701

110 lbs payload capacity for observatory-grade instruments Dual belt-drive system for smooth, quiet tracking with minimal periodic error Through-m...

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CA$15,990.00 - CA$15,990.00
CA$15,990.00
CA$15,990.00 - CA$15,990.00
CA$15,990.00
Save 12% Save %
CA$2,260.00
CA$2,260.00 - CA$2,260.00
CA$2,260.00
CA$1,999.00
CA$1,999.00 - CA$1,999.00
CA$1,999.00

Sky-Watcher HEQ5 Mount

SW-S30400
2 in stock

Features HEQ5 GoTo equatorial head Adjustable 1.75" diameter rolled steel tripod SynScan GoTo telescope mount wit 42,900+ object database Metal acc...

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CA$2,260.00
CA$2,260.00 - CA$2,260.00
CA$2,260.00
CA$1,999.00
CA$1,999.00 - CA$1,999.00
CA$1,999.00
Save 12% Save %
CA$2,360.00 - CA$2,360.00
CA$2,360.00
CA$2,360.00 - CA$2,360.00
CA$2,360.00

Sky-Watcher HEQ5-R Mount

SW-S30450

33-pound instrument payload capacity Belt-driven stepper motors for quiet, precise tracking Integrated WiFi for wireless control via SynScan Pro a...

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CA$2,360.00 - CA$2,360.00
CA$2,360.00
CA$2,360.00 - CA$2,360.00
CA$2,360.00
CA$810.00 - CA$810.00
CA$810.00
CA$810.00 - CA$810.00
CA$810.00

Sky-Watcher SolarQuest Mount

SW-S21170
1 in stock

One-touch, fully automatic solar alignment Built-in GPS and HelioFind solar finder technology Automatically levels and calculates Sun's posi...

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CA$810.00 - CA$810.00
CA$810.00
CA$810.00 - CA$810.00
CA$810.00
CA$550.00 - CA$550.00
CA$550.00
CA$550.00 - CA$550.00
CA$550.00

Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer 2i Photo Package

SW-S20520

10 lbs Payload Capacity Built-in WiFi for App Control Sidereal, Solar, and Lunar Tracking Rates Integrated DSLR Shutter Control Built-in Polar Sco...

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CA$550.00 - CA$550.00
CA$550.00
CA$550.00 - CA$550.00
CA$550.00
CA$810.00 - CA$810.00
CA$810.00
CA$810.00 - CA$810.00
CA$810.00

Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer 2i Pro Pack

SW-S20512

11 lb payload capacity Built-in WiFi for full smartphone control Sidereal, Solar, and Lunar tracking rates Built-in polar scope (no illuminator) A...

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CA$810.00 - CA$810.00
CA$810.00
CA$810.00 - CA$810.00
CA$810.00
CA$1,000.00 - CA$1,150.00
CA$1,000.00 - CA$1,150.00
CA$1,000.00 - CA$1,150.00
CA$1,000.00

Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer GTi

Options available

Full GoTo tracking in a portable equatorial platform 11 lbs. instrument capacity for cameras and small telescopes Built-in WiFi for full smartphon...

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CA$1,000.00 - CA$1,150.00
CA$1,000.00 - CA$1,150.00
CA$1,000.00 - CA$1,150.00
CA$1,000.00
CA$3,190.00 - CA$3,190.00
CA$3,190.00
CA$3,190.00 - CA$3,190.00
CA$3,190.00

Sky-Watcher Wave 100i Pro Mount with Carbon Fiber Tripod & Pier Extension

SW-S40013

Wave 100i GoTo strainwave head EQ and AZ modes Weighs 9.5 pounds (4.3kg) 22-pound (10kg) payload capacity without optional counterweight 33-pound ...

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CA$3,190.00 - CA$3,190.00
CA$3,190.00
CA$3,190.00 - CA$3,190.00
CA$3,190.00
CA$3,050.00 - CA$3,050.00
CA$3,050.00
CA$3,050.00 - CA$3,050.00
CA$3,050.00

Sky-Watcher Wave 100i Pro Mount with Steel Tripod & Pier Extension

SW-S40014

Supports a 22 lb imaging payload on a mount head that weighs only 9.5 lbs Includes a heavy-duty 2-inch adjustable steel tripod and extension tube ...

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CA$3,050.00 - CA$3,050.00
CA$3,050.00
CA$3,050.00 - CA$3,050.00
CA$3,050.00
CA$2,630.00 - CA$2,630.00
CA$2,630.00
CA$2,630.00 - CA$2,630.00
CA$2,630.00

Sky-Watcher Wave 100i Strainwave Mount

SW-S30900
1 in stock

Supports a 22-pound payload without counterweights Ultra-portable 9.3-pound mount head weight Dual AZ/EQ modes for visual and astrophotography Hig...

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CA$2,630.00 - CA$2,630.00
CA$2,630.00
CA$2,630.00 - CA$2,630.00
CA$2,630.00
CA$4,020.00 - CA$4,020.00
CA$4,020.00
CA$4,020.00 - CA$4,020.00
CA$4,020.00

Sky-Watcher Wave 150i Pro Mount Kit w/ Carbon Fiber Tripod and Pier Extension Tube

SW-S40015

Wave 150i GoTo strainwave head EQ and AZ modes Built-in cable management Weighs 12.8 pounds (5.8kg) 33-pound (15kg) payload capacity without optio...

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CA$4,020.00 - CA$4,020.00
CA$4,020.00
CA$4,020.00 - CA$4,020.00
CA$4,020.00
CA$3,890.00 - CA$3,890.00
CA$3,890.00
CA$3,890.00 - CA$3,890.00
CA$3,890.00

Sky-Watcher Wave 150i Pro Mount Kit w/ Steel Tripod and Pier Extension Tube

SW-S40016
1 in stock

Supports 33 lbs without counterweights, expandable to 55 lbs Ultra-portable 12.8 lb mount head weight Dual AZ and EQ tracking modes for visual and...

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CA$3,890.00 - CA$3,890.00
CA$3,890.00
CA$3,890.00 - CA$3,890.00
CA$3,890.00
CA$3,470.00 - CA$3,470.00
CA$3,470.00
CA$3,470.00 - CA$3,470.00
CA$3,470.00

Sky-Watcher Wave 150i Strainwave Mount

SW-S30905
1 in stock

Supports imaging payloads up to 33 pounds without counterweights, or 55 pounds with the optional counterweight kit Ultra-portable 12.8-pound mount...

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CA$3,470.00 - CA$3,470.00
CA$3,470.00
CA$3,470.00 - CA$3,470.00
CA$3,470.00
CA$26,627.00 - CA$34,907.00
CA$26,627.00 - CA$34,907.00
CA$26,627.00 - CA$34,907.00
CA$26,627.00

Software Bisque Paramount ME Robotic Telescope System

Options available

Observatory-Grade German Equatorial Mount Belt-driven gears for virtually zero backlash Includes two 14 kg (30 lb.) counterweights MKS 6000 contro...

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CA$26,627.00 - CA$34,907.00
CA$26,627.00 - CA$34,907.00
CA$26,627.00 - CA$34,907.00
CA$26,627.00
CA$16,277.00 - CA$24,557.00
CA$16,277.00 - CA$24,557.00
CA$16,277.00 - CA$24,557.00
CA$16,277.00

Software Bisque Paramount MX Robotic Telescope System

Options available

Transportable Observatory-Class German Equatorial Mount Includes one 20 lb. (9 kg) stainless-steel counterweight 48V DC, 4.6A power system for hig...

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CA$16,277.00 - CA$24,557.00
CA$16,277.00 - CA$24,557.00
CA$16,277.00 - CA$24,557.00
CA$16,277.00
CA$11,860.00 - CA$20,141.00
CA$11,860.00 - CA$20,141.00
CA$11,860.00 - CA$20,141.00
CA$11,860.00

Software Bisque Paramount MYT Robotic Telescope System

Options available

Robotic German equatorial mount Included 20 lb. counterweight balances 25-30 lbs. of instruments Achieves 10 to 15-minute unguided exposures Inclu...

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CA$11,860.00 - CA$20,141.00
CA$11,860.00 - CA$20,141.00
CA$11,860.00 - CA$20,141.00
CA$11,860.00
Sold out
CA$27,013.00 - CA$35,413.00
CA$27,013.00 - CA$35,413.00
CA$27,013.00 - CA$35,413.00
CA$27,013.00

Software Bisque Paramount Taurus Model 400 Equatorial Fork Mount

SB10636

Equatorial fork design for uninterrupted horizon-to-horizon imaging Supports Schmidt-Cassegrain or open-truss telescopes up to 17 inches Advanced ...

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CA$27,013.00 - CA$35,413.00
CA$27,013.00 - CA$35,413.00
CA$27,013.00 - CA$35,413.00
CA$27,013.00
Sold out
Sold out
CA$74,613.00 - CA$74,613.00
CA$74,613.00
CA$74,613.00 - CA$74,613.00
CA$74,613.00

Software Bisque Paramount Taurus Model 500 Equatorial Fork Mount Direct Drive

SB10308-01

Equatorial Fork Mount Design Direct-Drive Motors On-Axis Absolute Encoders Horizon-to-Horizon Uninterrupted Imaging Includes TheSky Universal Soft...

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CA$74,613.00 - CA$74,613.00
CA$74,613.00
CA$74,613.00 - CA$74,613.00
CA$74,613.00
Sold out
Sold out
CA$77,413.00 - CA$77,413.00
CA$77,413.00
CA$77,413.00 - CA$77,413.00
CA$77,413.00

Software Bisque Paramount Taurus Model 600 Equatorial Fork Mount Direct Drive

SB10309-01

Equatorial fork design for uninterrupted horizon-to-horizon imaging High-performance direct-drive motors for silent, rapid slewing On-axis absolut...

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CA$77,413.00 - CA$77,413.00
CA$77,413.00
CA$77,413.00 - CA$77,413.00
CA$77,413.00
Sold out
SVBONY SV225 Alt-Azimuth Telescope Mount
SVBONY SV225 Alt-Azimuth Telescope Mount
CA$175.00 - CA$175.00
CA$175.00
CA$175.00 - CA$175.00
CA$175.00

SVBONY SV225 Alt-Azimuth Telescope Mount

SV-W9181A

Payload Capacity: 10kg (22 lbs) Mount Weight: 3kg (6.6 lbs) Drive System: 120-Tooth Worm Gear on Both Axes Saddle Type: Vixen-Style Motion Ra...

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CA$175.00 - CA$175.00
CA$175.00
CA$175.00 - CA$175.00
CA$175.00
Svbony SV225 MINI Alt-Azimuth Telescope Mount
CA$126.00 - CA$126.00
CA$126.00
CA$126.00 - CA$126.00
CA$126.00

SVBONY SV225 Mini Alt-Azimuth Telescope Mount

SV-W9181B

Lightweight CNC Aluminum Construction Net Weight of 1546g Dual Axis Slow-Motion Controls Standard Vixen-style Dovetail Saddle Mounts to Tripods vi...

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CA$126.00 - CA$126.00
CA$126.00
CA$126.00 - CA$126.00
CA$126.00

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.