Equatorial Mounts
An equatorial mount aligns one axis with the Earth's rotation, so a single motor at sidereal rate holds a target still indefinitely and the field does not rotate. That single geometric fact is why every long-exposure deep-sky image is made on one. David Astro stocks equatorial mounts in Canada, from portable German equatorials to observatory-class heads, shipped domestically.
Polar alignment accuracy, payload margin and periodic error are the three variables that decide your results. Tell us your optic and focal length and we will size the mount against all three.
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Celestron Advanced VX Mount and Tripod
4.0 / 5.0
1 Review
30 lb (13.6 kg) instrument load capacity Computerized GoTo German Equatorial Mount DC servo motors with 9 slew speeds up to 4°/second Dual CG-5 an...
View full detailsCelestron CGEM II EQ Mount and Tripod
40 lb (18 kg) instrument load capacity Dual CG-5 and CGE dovetail saddle plates 2" diameter steel tripod legs for stability NexStar+ hand control ...
View full detailsCelestron CGX Equatorial Mount and Tripod
Supports imaging payloads up to 55 lbs (25 kg) Low-profile equatorial head for increased stability Dual CG-5 and CGE dovetail saddle for broad tel...
View full detailsCelestron CGX-L Equatorial Mount and Tripod
Supports a 75 lb (34 kg) instrument payload, not including counterweights 144mm worm wheels for smoother operation with heavier loads Tripod with ...
View full detailsCelestron CGX-L Equatorial Mount Without Tripod
Supports imaging payloads up to 75 lbs (34 kg) 270mm dual saddle for CG-5 and CGE dovetails Maximum slew speed of 3° per second Features 4 auxilia...
View full detailsCelestron Omni CG-4 Telescope Mount and Tripod
5.0 / 5.0
1 Review
Manual German equatorial mount for following objects across the sky Includes a 7 lb (3.2 kg) and a 4 lb (1.8 kg) counterweight for balancing Featu...
View full detailsExplore Scientific EXOS2-GT Equatorial Mount with PMC-Eight GoTo System
28 lb Astrophotography Payload Capacity 40 lb Visual Payload Capacity PMC-Eight OpenGOTO System Wireless Control via WiFi & Bluetooth® Include...
View full detailsExplore Scientific FirstLight EXOS Nano Mount
5.0 / 5.0
1 Review
15 lb Payload Capacity 10 lb Mount Weight (without Counterweight) Light-Duty German Equatorial Design Vixen-Style Dovetail Saddle 1.25" Adjustable...
View full detailsExplore Scientific iEXOS-100-02 HD PMC-Eight Equatorial Tracker System
German equatorial GoTo tracking system Approx. 9 lb equipment capacity (15 lb photographic incl. counterweights) PMC-Eight controller with WiFi, B...
View full detailsExplore Scientific iEXOS-100-02 PMC-Eight Equatorial Tracker System
3.0 / 5.0
1 Review
PMC-Eight Precision Motion Control GoTo System Integrated WiFi and Bluetooth for Wireless Operation ExploreStars App for Tablet-Based Sky Navigati...
View full detailsiOptron CEM120 Mount
Payload Capacity: 52 kg (115 lbs) Mount Head Weight: 26 kg (57 lbs) Payload to Weight Ratio: 2:1 Periodic Error: <0.15 arcsec RMS (EC/EC2 model...
View full detailsiOptron CEM26 Mount
26 lbs (12 kg) payload capacity 10 lbs (4.5 kg) mount head weight Payload-to-weight ratio of 2.60 Center-Balanced Equatorial Mount (CEM) design Go...
View full detailsiOptron CEM40 Mount
40 lb (18 kg) payload on a 17.4 lb (7.9 kg) mount head 2.28 payload-to-weight ratio Integrated iPolar electronic polar scope and built-in 32-chann...
View full detailsiOptron CEM70 Mount
5.0 / 5.0
2 Reviews
Supports a 31.8 kg (70 lbs) payload on a 13.6 kg (30 lbs) mount head Center-balanced equatorial mount (CEM) design for a 2.33 payload-to-weight ra...
View full detailsiOptron GEM28 Mount
28 lbs (12.7 kg) instrument payload capacity 10 lbs (4.5 kg) mount head weight Payload-to-weight ratio of 2.80 Go2Nova® 8409 controller with ~212,...
View full detailsiOptron GEM45 Mount
45 lb (20 kg) payload on a 17.5 lb (7.9 kg) mount head Payload-to-mount weight ratio of 2.53 < ±7.5 arcsec PE with PPEC; < 0.3 arcsec RMS on...
View full detailsiOptron HAE16C AZ/EQ Dual SWG
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 detailsiOptron HAE18C AZ/EQ Dual Strain Wave GoTo Mount
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 detailsiOptron HAE29 Dual AZ/EQ SWG Mount
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 detailsiOptron HAE43 Dual AZ/EQ SWG Mount
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 detailsiOptron HAE69 Dual AZ/EQ SWG Mount
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 detailsiOptron HEM27 Mount
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 detailsiOptron HEM44 Mount
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 detailsiOptron SkyHunter EQ/AZ Mount
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...
View full detailsEquatorial Mount Design and Performance
Every equatorial mount does the same job. What varies is how precisely it does it under load, and how much of the remaining error can be corrected.
- German equatorial layout: Counterweighted design that balances any tube on the same head, requiring a meridian flip as targets cross south — which automation software handles routinely.
- Polar alignment: Determines residual field rotation and drift. For long exposures, alignment accuracy matters more than mount cost above a certain point.
- Periodic error: Cyclical tracking error from the worm gear, measured in arcseconds. Its smoothness matters as much as its amplitude, since smooth error guides out cleanly.
- Belt drives: Replace gear meshing with toothed belts, reducing backlash and high-frequency error — a common upgrade path and a standard feature on newer mounts.
- Encoders and PEC: Periodic error correction replays a learned curve; encoders measure and correct actual shaft position in real time, which is considerably more effective.
- Balance and counterweights: Correct balance in both axes reduces motor load and is one of the cheapest ways to improve guiding.
Why Choose David Astro for Equatorial Mounts
The specification that matters is not on the box, so ask someone who has used the mount.
- Guiding-realistic payload sizing: We recommend loading to 50 to 60% of the visual rating for imaging, and we will explain why a mount that carries your tube may still not guide it well.
- Polar alignment planning: We advise on alignment method for your site, including electronic alignment when Polaris is blocked, which is common in urban backyards.
- Meridian clearance checked: We calculate whether your tube will strike the tripod at the meridian and specify a pier extension if it will.
- Authorized dealer: Full manufacturer warranty with diagnostics and service handled in Canada.
- Domestic freight: Heavy mounts ship from Canadian stock with no duties or brokerage fees for Canadian buyers.
Equatorial Mounts in Canada — Frequently Asked Questions
- How accurate does polar alignment need to be?
- For guided imaging, within a few arcminutes is generally sufficient — guiding handles the rest. For unguided or very long focal length work, aim for under one arcminute, which electronic alignment achieves quickly.
- What is a meridian flip and does it matter?
- A German equatorial must swap sides as a target crosses south, which rotates your framing 180 degrees and interrupts guiding. Automation software handles it, but you must plan for the pause and re-centring.
- Is periodic error correction enough without guiding?
- Rarely, for long exposures. PEC reduces the repeatable component but not drift, flexure or seeing. Guiding or encoders remain necessary for consistent sub-exposures beyond a couple of minutes.
- Can I upgrade an existing mount to belt drive?
- For several common mounts, yes, and it is a worthwhile improvement to backlash and high-frequency error. Tell us the model and we will confirm whether a kit exists.
Sizing an equatorial mount?
Tell us your tube, camera and focal length and we will recommend with guiding margin. Full warranty, shipped from Canada.