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IMPORTANT: Our store is located in Canada. All orders that include products manufactured outside of Canada or USA will be subject to tariffs and duties, regardless of the order value. US customers are responsible for all applicable duties and tariffs, and those will be billed by the carrier, except for the Lacerta upgrade kit, for which we collect them at checkout.
IMPORTANT: Our store is located in Canada. All orders that include products manufactured outside of Canada or USA will be subject to tariffs and duties, regardless of the order value. US customers are responsible for all applicable duties and tariffs, and those will be billed by the carrier, except for the Lacerta upgrade kit, for which we collect them at checkout.

Counterweights

Balance is free performance. A correctly balanced mount asks less of its motors, guides more smoothly, and holds tracking better in wind — and getting there costs nothing but the right counterweight in the right place. David Astro carries counterweights in Canada across the common shaft diameters, along with extension bars and shaft accessories, held in our Canadian warehouse.

Shaft diameter is mount-specific and not always documented clearly. Tell us your mount model and payload and we will specify the weight.

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iOptron Counterweight Shaft Extension Bar for CEM26 & GEM28
$32.00 - $32.00
$32.00
$32.00 - $32.00
$32.00

iOptron Counterweight Shaft Extension Bar for CEM26 & GEM28

IOP-8457
1 in stock

Extends Counterweight Shaft Length Designed for iOptron CEM26 and GEM28 Mounts Enables Balancing of Heavier or Longer Telescopes Reduces the Need ...

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$32.00 - $32.00
$32.00
$32.00 - $32.00
$32.00
iOptron Counterweight Shaft for iOptron SGP and HAE Mounts
$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00

iOptron Counterweight Shaft for iOptron SGP and HAE Mounts

IOP-P-SGP-CWS

200mm (7.875 in.) extended length Standard 20mm (0.79 in.) diameter Fits iOptron SkyGuider Pro and HAE mounts Dual 3/8"-16 threads for extension I...

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$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
iOptron Cube Counterweight shaft
$28.00 - $28.00
$28.00
$28.00 - $28.00
$28.00

iOptron Cube Counterweight shaft

IOP-8607

150mm (5.9 in.) Length 19mm (0.74 in.) Diameter M14 Female Thread Weight: 11 oz Description FAQ Specifications In the Box Warranty Cube C...

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$28.00 - $28.00
$28.00
$28.00 - $28.00
$28.00
iOptron HAZ46 Counterweight Shaft & Adapter
$145.00 - $145.00
$145.00
$145.00 - $145.00
$145.00

iOptron HAZ46 Counterweight Shaft & Adapter

IOP-8459

Enables counterweight use on the iOptron HAZ46 mount Improves balance for heavy or long optical tubes Reduces strain on the strain wave drive syst...

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$145.00 - $145.00
$145.00
$145.00 - $145.00
$145.00
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00

iOptron HEM27/HEM44 Counterweight Bar

IOP-8456SL

Official iOptron accessory for HEM series mounts Enables balancing of heavier telescope payloads Compatible with iOptron HEM27 and HEM44 mounts Fe...

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$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
iOptron SkyTracker Pro Counterweight Package (3324)
$99.00 - $99.00
$99.00
$99.00 - $99.00
$99.00

iOptron SkyTracker Pro Counterweight Package (3324)

IOP-3324
1 in stock

Enables balancing of heavier camera and lens combinations Improves tracking accuracy by reducing motor strain Attaches directly to the iOptron Sky...

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$99.00 - $99.00
$99.00
$99.00 - $99.00
$99.00
$78.00 - $78.00
$78.00
$78.00 - $78.00
$78.00

iOptron Stainless Steel Extension Bar for CEM40/50/60/70/etc.

IOP-8026
1 in stock

Extends counterweight shaft length Increases counterweight leverage Allows for balancing heavier payloads with fewer weights Stainless steel const...

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$78.00 - $78.00
$78.00
$78.00 - $78.00
$78.00
iOptron ZEQ25/CEM25 Counterweight Shaft Extension Bar
$30.00 - $30.00
$30.00
$30.00 - $30.00
$30.00

iOptron ZEQ25/CEM25 Counterweight Shaft Extension Bar

IOP-7126

Extends Counterweight Shaft Length Increases Balancing Leverage Allows for Heavier Telescope Payloads Compatible with iOptron ZEQ25 Mounts Compati...

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$30.00 - $30.00
$30.00
$30.00 - $30.00
$30.00
$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00

PrimaLuceLab Counterweight PLUS 1Kg

PLL-CONTRPLUS
1 in stock

Adds 1 Kg of targeted weight to your optical tube Part of the PrimaLuceLab PLUS modular system Attaches to Vixen or Losmandy plates via an optiona...

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$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
$35.00 - $35.00
$35.00
PrimaLuceLab Counterweight PLUS 1Kg
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00

PrimaLuceLab Counterweight PLUS 1Kg

PLL-CONTRPLUS
1 in stock

Adds 1 Kg for precise balance adjustments Compact 65x60mm footprint 35mm thickness Stackable design for creating heavier weights Integrates with t...

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$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
$45.00 - $45.00
$45.00
$50.00 - $50.00
$50.00
$50.00 - $50.00
$50.00

Sky-Watcher AZ-EQ5 Counterweights

SW-S30201
1 in stock

Works on AZ-EQ-5, EQ6 and EQ6-R mounts. 7.5lbs.

$50.00 - $50.00
$50.00
$50.00 - $50.00
$50.00
$55.00 - $55.00
$55.00
$55.00 - $55.00
$55.00

Sky-Watcher AZ-EQ6 Counterweight

SW-S30301

11 lb (5 kg) Counterweight Designed for the Sky-Watcher AZ-EQ6 Mount Enables Balancing of Heavier Telescope Payloads Durable, High-Quality Finish ...

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$55.00 - $55.00
$55.00
$55.00 - $55.00
$55.00
$55.00 - $55.00
$55.00
$55.00 - $55.00
$55.00

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Counterweights

SW-S30101

11 lbs (5 kg) Counterweight Compatible with Sky-Watcher EQ6-R, EQ6, and AZ-EQ5 Mounts Large Locking Knob for Secure Attachment Durable, High-Quali...

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$55.00 - $55.00
$55.00
$55.00 - $55.00
$55.00
$165.00 - $165.00
$165.00
$165.00 - $165.00
$165.00

Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Series 22 pound counterweight

SW-S30610
2 in stock

Weight: 22 lbs Compatible Mounts: Sky-Watcher EQ8-R, EQ8-Rh, CQ350 Pro Purpose: Precision balancing for heavy payloads Application: Astrophotograp...

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$165.00 - $165.00
$165.00
$165.00 - $165.00
$165.00
$125.00 - $125.00
$125.00
$125.00 - $125.00
$125.00

Sky-Watcher Wave Counterweight Kit

SW-S30914

Stainless steel counterweight kit for Wave mount heads  Counterweight bar: 0.79-inch (20mm) diameter x 12.4-inch (314mm) length, 1.6-ppound (.72kg...

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$125.00 - $125.00
$125.00
$125.00 - $125.00
$125.00
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$285.00 - $285.00
$285.00
$285.00 - $285.00
$285.00

Software Bisque 1.5" Paramount ME/ME II Counterweight Shaft

SB10235

The Standard Counterweight Shaft that is included with all original Paramount ME mounts.Specifications Length: 46 cm (18 in.) Diameter: 3.8 cm (1.5...

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$285.00 - $285.00
$285.00
$285.00 - $285.00
$285.00
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$160.00 - $160.00
$160.00
$160.00 - $160.00
$160.00

Software Bisque 1.5" Paramount ME/ME II/MX/MX+/MYT Counterweight Shaft Extension

SB10102

Extends counterweight shaft by 12 inches Adds capacity for up to 2 additional counterweights Designed for 1.5" diameter Paramount shafts Compatibl...

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$160.00 - $160.00
$160.00
$160.00 - $160.00
$160.00
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$250.00 - $250.00
$250.00
$250.00 - $250.00
$250.00

Software Bisque 1.5" Paramount MX/MX+ Counterweight Shaft

SB10270

Official Replacement for Paramount MX and MX+ Mounts 1.5-inch Standard Diameter Weighs 9 lbs Ensures Secure Balancing of Heavy Payloads Descrip...

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$250.00 - $250.00
$250.00
$250.00 - $250.00
$250.00
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$260.00 - $260.00
$260.00
$260.00 - $260.00
$260.00

Software Bisque 1.875" Paramount ME II Counterweight Shaft Extension

SB10256

Extends the Paramount ME II's 1.875" counterweight shaft Adds 12 inches of usable length for additional counterweights Weighs 7 lbs, contributing ...

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$260.00 - $260.00
$260.00
$260.00 - $260.00
$260.00
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$550.00 - $550.00
$550.00
$550.00 - $550.00
$550.00

Software Bisque Paramount ME II 1.875" Bore 30 lb Counterweight

SB10255

Nominal Weight: 30 lbs Bore Diameter: 1.875 inches Compatibility: Paramount ME II Counterweight Shaft Material: Solid Stainless Steel Descripti...

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$550.00 - $550.00
$550.00
$550.00 - $550.00
$550.00
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$680.00 - $680.00
$680.00
$680.00 - $680.00
$680.00

Software Bisque Paramount ME II 1.875" Bore 40 lb Counterweight

SB10293

43 lbs Counterweight 12 × 12 × 6 inch Dimensions Optimized for Paramount ME II Mounts Minimizes Number of Required Weights Description FAQ Spec...

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$680.00 - $680.00
$680.00
$680.00 - $680.00
$680.00
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$420.00 - $420.00
$420.00
$420.00 - $420.00
$420.00

Software Bisque Paramount ME/ME II/MX/MX+/MYT 1.5" Bore 20 lb Counterweight

SB10106

Adds 22 lbs of counterweight 1.5" (3.81 cm) center bore Compatible with Paramount ME, ME II*, MX, MX+, and MYT mounts Stainless steel construction...

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$420.00 - $420.00
$420.00
$420.00 - $420.00
$420.00
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$360.00 - $360.00
$360.00
$360.00 - $360.00
$360.00

Software Bisque Paramount ME/ME II/MX/MYT 1.5" Bore 10 lb Counterweight

SB10274

10 lb (4.5 kg) Counterweight 1.5-inch (3.81 cm) Bore Diameter Compatible with Paramount MYT, MX+, ME, and MX Stainless Steel Construction +/- 5% W...

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$360.00 - $360.00
$360.00
$360.00 - $360.00
$360.00
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Tele Vue Telescope Balance Aid 1
$42.00 - $42.00
$42.00
$42.00 - $42.00
$42.00

Tele Vue Telescope Balance Aid

TV-APB-1008

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...

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$42.00 - $42.00
$42.00
$42.00 - $42.00
$42.00

Balancing a Mount Properly

Good balance is not simply equal weight. Where the counterweight sits on the shaft changes the moment of inertia, which affects how the mount responds to guiding corrections.

  • Shaft diameter matching: Counterweight bores are mount-specific. A weight that nearly fits will either not seat or will mark the shaft, so the model matters more than the mass.
  • Weight position: A heavier weight close to the mount gives lower inertia than a light weight far out. Lower inertia generally responds better to guiding corrections.
  • Extension bars: Lengthen the shaft so a short heavy tube can be balanced with less total weight, reducing the load on the mount's bearings.
  • Declination balance: Balance in both axes, not just right ascension. Declination imbalance shows up as one-directional guiding error that is easily mistaken for backlash.
  • Slight east-heavy bias: A small deliberate imbalance keeps the gear teeth loaded on one face, which removes backlash effects in right ascension for many mounts.
  • Cable and accessory weight: A camera, filter wheel and cable bundle shift the balance point measurably, and balance should be set with everything attached.

Why Choose David Astro for Counterweights

A counterweight is a simple product with a mount-specific fit and a real effect on guiding.

  • Shaft diameter confirmed: We identify the correct bore for your mount rather than asking you to measure a shaft in the dark.
  • Balance technique advice: We explain how to balance in both axes with the full imaging train attached, including the deliberate east-heavy bias where it helps.
  • Extension bar sizing: For short heavy tubes we recommend an extension rather than more mass, which is easier on the mount and on you.
  • Authorized dealer: Genuine weights with manufacturer warranty, in Canadian stock.
  • Domestic shipping: Heavy items ship from Canada with no duties or brokerage fees for Canadian buyers.

Counterweights in Canada — Frequently Asked Questions

How much counterweight do I need?
Enough to balance with the weight roughly two thirds along the shaft, not at the far end. Sitting at the extreme end means you have too little mass and no adjustment range left.
Does counterweight position affect guiding?
Yes. A heavy weight close in gives lower rotational inertia than a light one far out, and lower inertia generally responds more crisply to guiding corrections.
Should I balance perfectly?
In declination, yes. In right ascension, many mounts guide better with a small east-heavy bias, which keeps the worm loaded against one gear face and removes backlash from the correction path.
Will any counterweight fit my mount?
No. Bore diameters vary between manufacturers and models. Tell us your mount and we will confirm the correct shaft size before shipping.

Balancing your rig?

Tell us your mount and payload and we will specify the weight and any extension. Held in Canada, shipped fast.