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.
Filters
Tele Vue 3" Ring Mount - Satin
Telescope Compatibility: Fits any 3-inch (76.2mm) outer diameter tube Mounting Interface: Three 1/4"-20 tapped holes Accessory Interface: Dual top...
View full detailsTele Vue 4" Ring Mount - Satin
Fits: Tele Vue 4" tubes such as the NP101is Mounting: Three 1/4"-20 tapped holes; recommended for all Tele Vue alt-az mounts Hinge Type: Clamshell...
View full detailsTele Vue DSC - Computer Azimuth Spacers for 5 Head
Enables Encoder Installation on Gibraltar HD5 Mounts Provides Necessary Clearance for Azimuth Encoder Cover Precision-Machined for a Perfect Fit R...
View full detailsTele Vue Eyepiece Caddy Set
Holds three 1.25" and two 2" eyepieces 2" holes have removable 1.25" inserts Attaches with thumb knobs to the yoke arms of Tele Vue mount heads 3/...
View full detailsTele Vue Gibraltar HD4 - Encoder Equipped
Recommended for the Tele Vue NP101is Weight: 20.5 lbs (mount) Height (to altitude axis): 3.5 to 5 ft Altitude range: +80° to -12° Thick wood legs ...
View full detailsTele Vue Gibraltar HD4 Mount
Recommended for the Tele Vue NP101is Weight: 20.5 lbs Height (to altitude axis): 3.5 to 5 ft Altitude range: +80° to -12° Thick wood legs with leg...
View full detailsTele Vue Gibraltar HD5 - Encoder Equipped
Recommended for the Tele Vue NP127is Weight: 22.9 lbs (without encoders) Height (to altitude axis): 3.5 to 5 ft Altitude range: +80° to -12° Thick...
View full detailsTele Vue Gibraltar HD5 Mount
Recommended for the Tele Vue NP127is Weight: 22.9 lbs Height (to altitude axis): 3.5 to 5 ft Altitude range: +80° to -12° Thick wood legs with leg...
View full detailsTele Vue Mount Handle Assembly
Firm Grip for Slewing the Mount Improves Manual Slewing Control Reduces Vibration from Hand Contact Compatible with Tele-Pod, Panoramic, and Gibra...
View full detailsTele Vue Mounting Ring Set for 4" OTA
For tubes exactly 4" in outside diameter (NP101/NP101is) Bat-handle locks Two accessory channels per ring (#10-32 tapped) 1/4" studs on the ring b...
View full detailsTele Vue Mounting Ring Set for 5" OTA
Designed for Tele Vue 5" (127mm) Optical Tubes Two-Piece Rings with Bat-Handle Locks Felt-Lined for OTA Protection Multiple 1/4"-20 Threaded Mount...
View full detailsTele Vue NP127is Bottom Plate
Attaches to Tele Vue MRS-5000 Mounting Rings Pre-drilled for Tele Vue Mounts Solid Machined Aluminum Construction Black Anodized Finish Descrip...
View full detailsTele Vue Pano-Ash Advanced - Encoder Equipped
Tele-Pod head on solid ash wood legs Pre-installed 2160-step encoders; computer sold separately Height: about 2.3 to 4 ft Altitude range: +85° to ...
View full detailsTele Vue Pano-Ash Advanced Mount
Alt-Azimuth Yoke-Style Head Solid Ash Wood Tripod Construction Height Range: 28" to 46" Altitude Motion Range: +85° to -17° Tension-Adjustable Bra...
View full detailsTele Vue Pano-TelePod- Gib Encoder Kit
Adds Digital Setting Circle (Push-To) capability to compatible mounts High-Resolution 2160-step encoders for precise pointing Compatible with Tele...
View full detailsTele Vue Piggy-Cam
Mounts directly to Tele Vue telescope ring systems Standard 1/4"-20 camera mounting thread Machined from solid, black anodized aluminum Enables wi...
View full detailsTele Vue Tele-Pod - Head Only
Mount Type: Alt-Azimuth Head Payload Capacity: Recommended for Tele Vue 60, 76, 85, and Pronto telescopes Motion Control: Manual with adjustable t...
View full detailsTele Vue Tele-Pod Advanced - Encoder Equipped
Tele-Pod alt-azimuth head with pre-installed encoders 2160-step encoders (0.167° per step) Black-anodized 3-section aluminum tripod Tripod height:...
View full detailsTele Vue Tele-Pod Advanced - Tripod Only
Black-anodized aluminum legs 3/8"-16 hardware for Tele-Pod heads Rubber-tipped and spiked feet Bubble level Glove-friendly locking clamps Descr...
View full detailsTele Vue Tele-Pod Advanced Mount
Alt-azimuth head with handle, encoder-ready Black-anodized 3-section aluminum tripod Weight: 9 lbs Tripod height: 2.4 to 5+ ft Altitude range: +85...
View full detailsTele Vue Telescope Balance Aid
Moves the mounting point about 2.5" toward the objective Attaches to the TV-76 mount ring with the screws provided Hardware for Tele-Pod-style mou...
View full detailsTele Vue Vixen-Tele Vue Mount Adapter
Connects Tele Vue Telescopes to Vixen Mounts Designed for Vixen Porta, Sphinx, and Great Polaris Mounts Accepts Tele Vue Ring Mounts and Mounting ...
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.