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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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Original price $1,099.00 USD - Original price $1,099.00 USD
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$1,099.00 USD
$1,099.00 USD - $1,099.00 USD
Current price $1,099.00 USD

Celestron Advanced VX Mount and Tripod

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...

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Original price $1,099.00 USD - Original price $1,099.00 USD
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$1,099.00 USD
$1,099.00 USD - $1,099.00 USD
Current price $1,099.00 USD
Original price $1,899.00 USD - Original price $1,899.00 USD
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$1,899.00 USD
$1,899.00 USD - $1,899.00 USD
Current price $1,899.00 USD

Celestron 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 ...

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Original price $1,899.00 USD - Original price $1,899.00 USD
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$1,899.00 USD - $1,899.00 USD
Current price $1,899.00 USD
Original price $2,699.00 USD - Original price $2,699.00 USD
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$2,699.00 USD
$2,699.00 USD - $2,699.00 USD
Current price $2,699.00 USD

Celestron 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...

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Original price $2,699.00 USD - Original price $2,699.00 USD
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$2,699.00 USD
$2,699.00 USD - $2,699.00 USD
Current price $2,699.00 USD
Original price $4,299.00 USD - Original price $4,299.00 USD
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$4,299.00 USD
$4,299.00 USD - $4,299.00 USD
Current price $4,299.00 USD

Celestron 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 ...

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Original price $4,299.00 USD - Original price $4,299.00 USD
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$4,299.00 USD
$4,299.00 USD - $4,299.00 USD
Current price $4,299.00 USD
Original price $3,499.00 USD - Original price $3,499.00 USD
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$3,499.00 USD
$3,499.00 USD - $3,499.00 USD
Current price $3,499.00 USD

Celestron 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...

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Original price $3,499.00 USD - Original price $3,499.00 USD
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$3,499.00 USD
$3,499.00 USD - $3,499.00 USD
Current price $3,499.00 USD
Original price $419.95 USD - Original price $419.95 USD
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$419.95 USD
$419.95 USD - $419.95 USD
Current price $419.95 USD

Celestron Omni CG-4 Telescope Mount and Tripod

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...

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Original price $419.95 USD - Original price $419.95 USD
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$419.95 USD
$419.95 USD - $419.95 USD
Current price $419.95 USD
Original price $999.99 USD - Original price $999.99 USD
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$999.99 USD
$999.99 USD - $999.99 USD
Current price $999.99 USD

Explore 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...

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Original price $999.99 USD - Original price $999.99 USD
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$999.99 USD
$999.99 USD - $999.99 USD
Current price $999.99 USD
Original price $149.99 USD - Original price $149.99 USD
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$149.99 USD
$149.99 USD - $149.99 USD
Current price $149.99 USD

Explore Scientific FirstLight EXOS Nano Mount

15 lb Payload Capacity 10 lb Mount Weight (without Counterweight) Light-Duty German Equatorial Design Vixen-Style Dovetail Saddle 1.25" Adjustable...

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Original price $149.99 USD - Original price $149.99 USD
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$149.99 USD
$149.99 USD - $149.99 USD
Current price $149.99 USD
Original price $99.99 USD - Original price $99.99 USD
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$99.99 USD
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Current price $99.99 USD

Explore Scientific FirstLight Twilight Nano Mount

Light-Duty Alt-Azimuth Mount Head Vixen-Style Dovetail Saddle Adjustable-Height Metal Tripod Single-Arm Control Handle for Smooth Motion Designed ...

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Original price $99.99 USD - Original price $99.99 USD
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$99.99 USD
$99.99 USD - $99.99 USD
Current price $99.99 USD
Original price $699.99 USD - Original price $699.99 USD
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$699.99 USD
$699.99 USD - $699.99 USD
Current price $699.99 USD

Explore 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...

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Original price $699.99 USD - Original price $699.99 USD
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$699.99 USD
$699.99 USD - $699.99 USD
Current price $699.99 USD
Original price $299.99 USD - Original price $299.99 USD
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$299.99 USD
$299.99 USD - $299.99 USD
Current price $299.99 USD

Explore Scientific iEXOS-100-02 PMC-Eight Equatorial Tracker System

PMC-Eight Precision Motion Control GoTo System Integrated WiFi and Bluetooth for Wireless Operation ExploreStars App for Tablet-Based Sky Navigati...

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Original price $299.99 USD - Original price $299.99 USD
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$299.99 USD
$299.99 USD - $299.99 USD
Current price $299.99 USD
Original price $499.99 USD - Original price $499.99 USD
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$499.99 USD
$499.99 USD - $499.99 USD
Current price $499.99 USD

Explore Scientific Sidara Pro GoTo Mount with SkyAssist

Automated GoTo mount with SkyAssist technology 11 lb (5.0 kg) payload capacity Alt-azimuth design for intuitive operation Dual control via smartph...

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Original price $499.99 USD - Original price $499.99 USD
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$499.99 USD
$499.99 USD - $499.99 USD
Current price $499.99 USD
Original price $299.99 USD - Original price $299.99 USD
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$299.99 USD
$299.99 USD - $299.99 USD
Current price $299.99 USD

Explore Scientific Twilight I Adjustable Angle Alt-Azimuth Mount

Light-to-medium-duty alt-azimuth mount Supports telescopes up to 18 lb (8.2 kg) Adjustable angle head for zenith clearance Manual slow-motion cont...

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Original price $299.99 USD - Original price $299.99 USD
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$299.99 USD
$299.99 USD - $299.99 USD
Current price $299.99 USD
Original price $1,419.00 USD - Original price $2,211.00 USD
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$1,419.00 USD - $2,211.00 USD
$1,419.00 USD - $2,211.00 USD
Current price $1,419.00 USD

iOptron AZ Mount Pro

33 lb (15 kg) primary and 10 lb secondary payload capacity 13 lb (5.9 kg) mount head, including CW shaft and battery "Level and Go" alignment with...

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Original price $1,419.00 USD - Original price $2,211.00 USD
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$1,419.00 USD - $2,211.00 USD
$1,419.00 USD - $2,211.00 USD
Current price $1,419.00 USD
Original price $5,649.00 USD - Original price $9,569.00 USD
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$5,649.00 USD - $9,569.00 USD
$5,649.00 USD - $9,569.00 USD
Current price $5,649.00 USD

iOptron 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...

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Original price $5,649.00 USD - Original price $9,569.00 USD
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$5,649.00 USD - $9,569.00 USD
$5,649.00 USD - $9,569.00 USD
Current price $5,649.00 USD
Original price $1,298.00 USD - Original price $3,169.00 USD
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$1,298.00 USD - $3,169.00 USD
$1,298.00 USD - $3,169.00 USD
Current price $1,298.00 USD

iOptron 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...

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Original price $1,298.00 USD - Original price $3,169.00 USD
Original price
$1,298.00 USD - $3,169.00 USD
$1,298.00 USD - $3,169.00 USD
Current price $1,298.00 USD
Original price $2,589.00 USD - Original price $4,399.00 USD
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$2,589.00 USD - $4,399.00 USD
$2,589.00 USD - $4,399.00 USD
Current price $2,589.00 USD

iOptron 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...

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Original price $2,589.00 USD - Original price $4,399.00 USD
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$2,589.00 USD - $4,399.00 USD
$2,589.00 USD - $4,399.00 USD
Current price $2,589.00 USD
Original price $3,358.00 USD - Original price $7,139.00 USD
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$3,358.00 USD - $7,139.00 USD
$3,358.00 USD - $7,139.00 USD
Current price $3,358.00 USD

iOptron CEM70 Mount

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...

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Original price $3,358.00 USD - Original price $7,139.00 USD
Original price
$3,358.00 USD - $7,139.00 USD
$3,358.00 USD - $7,139.00 USD
Current price $3,358.00 USD
Original price $1,348.00 USD - Original price $3,229.00 USD
Original price
$1,348.00 USD - $3,229.00 USD
$1,348.00 USD - $3,229.00 USD
Current price $1,348.00 USD

iOptron 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,...

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Original price $1,348.00 USD - Original price $3,229.00 USD
Original price
$1,348.00 USD - $3,229.00 USD
$1,348.00 USD - $3,229.00 USD
Current price $1,348.00 USD
Original price $2,639.00 USD - Original price $4,449.00 USD
Original price
$2,639.00 USD - $4,449.00 USD
$2,639.00 USD - $4,449.00 USD
Current price $2,639.00 USD

iOptron 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...

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Original price $2,639.00 USD - Original price $4,449.00 USD
Original price
$2,639.00 USD - $4,449.00 USD
$2,639.00 USD - $4,449.00 USD
Current price $2,639.00 USD
Original price $1,398.00 USD - Original price $1,398.00 USD
Original price
$1,398.00 USD
$1,398.00 USD - $1,398.00 USD
Current price $1,398.00 USD

iOptron 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 ...

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Original price $1,398.00 USD - Original price $1,398.00 USD
Original price
$1,398.00 USD
$1,398.00 USD - $1,398.00 USD
Current price $1,398.00 USD
Original price $1,649.00 USD - Original price $1,649.00 USD
Original price
$1,649.00 USD
$1,649.00 USD - $1,649.00 USD
Current price $1,649.00 USD

iOptron 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...

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Original price $1,649.00 USD - Original price $1,649.00 USD
Original price
$1,649.00 USD
$1,649.00 USD - $1,649.00 USD
Current price $1,649.00 USD
Original price $1,998.00 USD - Original price $3,899.00 USD
Original price
$1,998.00 USD - $3,899.00 USD
$1,998.00 USD - $3,899.00 USD
Current price $1,998.00 USD

iOptron 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....

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Original price $1,998.00 USD - Original price $3,899.00 USD
Original price
$1,998.00 USD - $3,899.00 USD
$1,998.00 USD - $3,899.00 USD
Current price $1,998.00 USD
Original price $2,798.00 USD - Original price $4,889.00 USD
Original price
$2,798.00 USD - $4,889.00 USD
$2,798.00 USD - $4,889.00 USD
Current price $2,798.00 USD

iOptron 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...

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Original price $2,798.00 USD - Original price $4,889.00 USD
Original price
$2,798.00 USD - $4,889.00 USD
$2,798.00 USD - $4,889.00 USD
Current price $2,798.00 USD

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.