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.
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iOptron 1.25" Tripod for iPANO/SkyGuider Pro/SkyTracker
1.25" Stainless Steel Legs 5 lbs (2.3 kg) Total Weight 24.5" to 42.5" Adjustable Height 3/8"-16 Standard Mounting Thread Folds to 27" for Transpor...
View full detailsiOptron 1.35kg Counterweight
1.35 kg (3 lb.) Weight For 20mm Diameter Counterweight Shafts 20.5 mm Inner Diameter Bore Compact 79 mm Outer Diameter Description FAQ Specific...
View full detailsiOptron 10kg Counterweight for CEM120
10 kg (approx. 22 lbs) Weight Designed for iOptron CEM120 Mounts Ensures Proper Telescope Balance Improves Tracking Accuracy and Motor Longevity E...
View full detailsiOptron 10kg Counterweight for CEM120 (Low Latitude)
10kg Counterweight Designed for iOptron CEM120 Mounts Optimized for use at latitudes below 10° Required by iOptron for CEM120 use between 0° and 1...
View full detailsiOptron 1kg Counterweight for SmartEQ
Weight: ~1 kg (2 lbs) Inner Diameter: 16.1 mm for SmartEQ shafts Outer Diameter: 78.6 mm Compatibility: iOptron SmartEQ & SmartEQ-Pro Mounts ...
View full detailsiOptron 2.5kg Counterweight for iEQ45, CEM40, GEM45, CEM60 and CEM70
2.5 kg (5.5 lbs.) weight for precise balancing Fits 28.5 mm (1.12 in.) diameter counterweight shafts Compatible with iEQ45, CEM40, GEM45, CEM60, a...
View full detailsiOptron 2kg Counterweight for CEM26, GEM28 and AZ mount Pro
5.0 / 5.0
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2 kg (4.5 lbs.) weight for precise balancing Fits 20mm diameter counterweight shafts Official accessory for iOptron CEM26, GEM28, and AZ Mount Pro...
View full detailsiOptron 4.5kg Counterweight for CEM26, HEM27, GEM28, AZ Mount Pro, iEQ30, ZEQ25 and CEM25
4.5kg (approx. 10 lbs) Weight Fits 20mm Diameter Counterweight Shafts Official Accessory for iEQ30, ZEQ25, and CEM25 Mounts Required for Balancing...
View full detailsiOptron 5kg Counterweight for iEQ45, CEM40, GEM45, CEM60 and CEM70
Weight: 5 kg (11 lbs) Shaft Compatibility: 28.5 mm inner diameter Compatible Mounts: iEQ45, CEM40, GEM45, CEM60, CEM70 Locking Mechanism: M8 Locki...
View full detailsiOptron 9.5kg Counterweight for iEQ45, CEM60 and CEM70
9.5 kg (20.9 lbs) Counterweight Balances Heavy Telescope & Imaging Payloads Compatible with iOptron iEQ45, CEM60 & CEM70 Mounts Genuine iO...
View full detailsiOptron AccuAlign Illuminated Dark-Field Polar Scope for SkyGuider Pro (3330-SGP)
Precision polar alignment scope for the iOptron SkyGuider Pro Fine-engraved reticle for Northern (Polaris) and Southern (Sigma Octantis) hemispher...
View full detailsiOptron AccuAlign TM Polar Scope for CEM/SkyGuider/SkyTracker Series
Enables Fast and Accurate Polar Alignment Essential for Long-Exposure Astrophotography Reduces Field Rotation for Sharp Stars Designed for iOptron...
View full detailsiOptron AccuAlign TM Polar Scope for HST MiniTracker
Enables Precise Polar Alignment Designed Specifically for the HST MiniTracker Essential for Long-Exposure Astrophotography Description FAQ Spec...
View full detailsiOptron Adjustable AZ/EQ Base
Latitude Adjustment Range: -30º to 65º Azimuth Adjustment Range: ±5º Vixen-Type Dovetail Saddle Standard 3/8” Tripod Socket Weight: 1.5 lbs Des...
View full detailsiOptron Arca-Swiss quick release plate for PST
Connects the iOptron PST Micro Tracker (#3680) to Arca-Swiss compatible clamps Quick release mounting and removal of the tracker Description FA...
View full detailsiOptron 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...
View full detailsiOptron AZ Mount Pro Altitude Lock Lever
Official iOptron Replacement Part Designed for the AZ Mount Pro Secures the Altitude Axis Restores Original Locking Function Description FAQ Sp...
View full detailsiOptron AZMP LiteRoc 1.75-inch Tripod
1.75-inch Stainless Steel Legs 30-inch to 48-inch Adjustable Height Range 15 lbs (6.8 kg) Total Weight 6-inch (Ø150 mm) Die-Cast Aluminum Top Plat...
View full detailsiOptron Ball Head Top Plate
Replacement Top Plate for iOptron Ball Heads Holds a Camera on the iOptron Ball Head Creates a Lightweight, Portable Astrophotography Platform Ide...
View full detailsiOptron Carbon Fiber Tripod
Supports a massive 50 kg (110 lbs) payload Weighs only 2.29 kg (5 lbs) for extreme portability Adjustable height from 535 mm to 935 mm (21" to 36....
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 CEM120 Pier Top Adapter
CEM120 Mount Compatibility: Designed specifically to adapt the iOptron CEM120 mount head. Flexible Pier Options: Enables mounting on an iOptron ...
View full detailsiOptron CEM26 CW Shaft Mounting House (Low Latitude)
Enables low-latitude operation of the iOptron CEM26 mount Prevents counterweight shaft collision with tripod or pier Replaces the standard counter...
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 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.