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Hybrid Mounts

Harmonic drive mounts changed what portable astrophotography means. Strain-wave gearing holds a substantial payload with little or no counterweight, so a mount that fits in a backpack can carry a telescope that would previously have needed a mount weighing three times as much plus 10 kg of counterweights. David Astro carries harmonic drive mounts in Canada, held in Canadian stock.

They guide well and behave differently from worm-gear mounts in ways worth understanding first. Tell us your payload and focal length and we will set expectations honestly.

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$1,398.00 - $1,398.00
$1,398.00
$1,398.00 - $1,398.00
$1,398.00

iOptron HAE16C AZ/EQ Dual SWG

IOP-HE162C

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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$1,398.00 - $1,398.00
$1,398.00
$1,398.00 - $1,398.00
$1,398.00
iOptron HAE18C AZ/EQ Dual Strain Wave GoTo Mount
$1,649.00 - $1,649.00
$1,649.00
$1,649.00 - $1,649.00
$1,649.00

iOptron HAE18C AZ/EQ Dual Strain Wave GoTo Mount

IOP-HE182C

Payload (without counterweight): 18.7 lbs (8.5 kg) Mount Head Weight: 6.2 lbs (2.82 kg) Payload-to-Weight Ratio: 3.01 Drive System: Dual Strain Wa...

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$1,649.00 - $1,649.00
$1,649.00
$1,649.00 - $1,649.00
$1,649.00
iOptron HAE29 Dual AZ/EQ SWG Mount - HAE29C
$1,998.00 - $3,899.00
$1,998.00 - $3,899.00
$1,998.00 - $3,899.00
$1,998.00

iOptron HAE29 Dual AZ/EQ SWG Mount

Options available

Zero-backlash strain wave gears in RA (480:1) and DEC (360:1) 29.7 lbs (13.5 kg) payload without counterweights (29 lbs / 13 kg on HAE29B versions...

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$1,998.00 - $3,899.00
$1,998.00 - $3,899.00
$1,998.00 - $3,899.00
$1,998.00
iOptron HAE43 Dual AZ/EQ SWG Mount - HAE43C
$2,798.00 - $4,889.00
$2,798.00 - $4,889.00
$2,798.00 - $4,889.00
$2,798.00

iOptron HAE43 Dual AZ/EQ SWG Mount

Options available

44 lbs (20 kg) payload without counterweights, 55 lbs (25 kg) with optional counterweight Strain wave gears on RA and DEC (640:1 / 480:1) with ele...

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$2,798.00 - $4,889.00
$2,798.00 - $4,889.00
$2,798.00 - $4,889.00
$2,798.00
iOptron HAE69 Dual AZ/EQ SWG Mount - HAE69C
$3,848.00 - $6,089.00
$3,848.00 - $6,089.00
$3,848.00 - $6,089.00
$3,848.00

iOptron HAE69 Dual AZ/EQ SWG Mount

Options available

69 lbs (31 kg) payload without counterweights; 79 lbs (36 kg) with optional counterweight Mount head under 20 lbs: 19.8 lbs (9 kg) HAE69C/HAE69B, ...

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$3,848.00 - $6,089.00
$3,848.00 - $6,089.00
$3,848.00 - $6,089.00
$3,848.00
$358.00 - $918.00
$358.00 - $918.00
$358.00 - $918.00
$358.00

iOptron SkyHunter EQ/AZ Mount

Options available
2 variants in stock

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...

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$358.00 - $918.00
$358.00 - $918.00
$358.00 - $918.00
$358.00
$2,960.00 - $2,960.00
$2,960.00
$2,960.00 - $2,960.00
$2,960.00

Pegasus NYX-101 Harmonic Gear Mount

PEG-NYX101

Supports 20 Kg imaging payload without counterweights Lightweight 6.5 Kg mount head Strain Wave (Harmonic) Gear drive on both axes Dual Equatorial...

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$2,960.00 - $2,960.00
$2,960.00
$2,960.00 - $2,960.00
$2,960.00
$1,950.00 - $2,334.60
$1,950.00 - $2,334.60
$1,950.00 - $2,334.60
$1,950.00

Pegasus NYX-88 Harmonic Gear Mount

Options available
1 variants in stock

Supports up to 14 kg (without counterweights). Dual-mode operation (Equatorial and ALT-AZ). Strain wave gear system for zero backlash. Wi-Fi, USB ...

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$1,950.00 - $2,334.60
$1,950.00 - $2,334.60
$1,950.00 - $2,334.60
$1,950.00
$2,095.00 - $2,095.00
$2,095.00
$2,095.00 - $2,095.00
$2,095.00

Sky-Watcher AZ-EQ5 GoTo Mount

SW-S30200

Hybrid Alt-Azimuth and German Equatorial mount design 30 lb payload capacity for visual and imaging Freedom Find™ dual-encoder system allows manua...

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$2,095.00 - $2,095.00
$2,095.00
$2,095.00 - $2,095.00
$2,095.00
$2,850.00 - $2,850.00
$2,850.00
$2,850.00 - $2,850.00
$2,850.00

Sky-Watcher AZ-EQ6 GoTo Mount

SW-S30330

Dual Equatorial (EQ) and Alt-Azimuth (AZ) functionality 44 lb payload capacity for imaging or dual visual setups Belt-driven stepper motors for hi...

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$2,850.00 - $2,850.00
$2,850.00
$2,850.00 - $2,850.00
$2,850.00
$525.00 - $525.00
$525.00
$525.00 - $525.00
$525.00

Sky-Watcher AZ-GTi Mount

SW-S21110

11 lb payload capacity in a 2.6 lb mount head GoTo pointing and tracking controlled via WiFi Freedom Find™ dual-encoder system for manual movement...

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$525.00 - $525.00
$525.00
$525.00 - $525.00
$525.00
$2,295.00 - $2,295.00
$2,295.00
$2,295.00 - $2,295.00
$2,295.00

Sky-Watcher Wave 100i Pro Mount with Carbon Fiber Tripod & Pier Extension

SW-S40013

Wave 100i GoTo strainwave head EQ and AZ modes Weighs 9.5 pounds (4.3kg) 22-pound (10kg) payload capacity without optional counterweight 33-pound ...

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$2,295.00 - $2,295.00
$2,295.00
$2,295.00 - $2,295.00
$2,295.00
$2,195.00 - $2,195.00
$2,195.00
$2,195.00 - $2,195.00
$2,195.00

Sky-Watcher Wave 100i Pro Mount with Steel Tripod & Pier Extension

SW-S40014

Supports a 22 lb imaging payload on a mount head that weighs only 9.5 lbs Includes a heavy-duty 2-inch adjustable steel tripod and extension tube ...

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$2,195.00 - $2,195.00
$2,195.00
$2,195.00 - $2,195.00
$2,195.00
$1,895.00 - $1,895.00
$1,895.00
$1,895.00 - $1,895.00
$1,895.00

Sky-Watcher Wave 100i Strainwave Mount

SW-S30900
1 in stock

Supports a 22-pound payload without counterweights Ultra-portable 9.3-pound mount head weight Dual AZ/EQ modes for visual and astrophotography Hig...

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$1,895.00 - $1,895.00
$1,895.00
$1,895.00 - $1,895.00
$1,895.00
$2,895.00 - $2,895.00
$2,895.00
$2,895.00 - $2,895.00
$2,895.00

Sky-Watcher Wave 150i Pro Mount Kit w/ Carbon Fiber Tripod and Pier Extension Tube

SW-S40015

Wave 150i GoTo strainwave head EQ and AZ modes Built-in cable management Weighs 12.8 pounds (5.8kg) 33-pound (15kg) payload capacity without optio...

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$2,895.00 - $2,895.00
$2,895.00
$2,895.00 - $2,895.00
$2,895.00
$2,795.00 - $2,795.00
$2,795.00
$2,795.00 - $2,795.00
$2,795.00

Sky-Watcher Wave 150i Pro Mount Kit w/ Steel Tripod and Pier Extension Tube

SW-S40016
1 in stock

Supports 33 lbs without counterweights, expandable to 55 lbs Ultra-portable 12.8 lb mount head weight Dual AZ and EQ tracking modes for visual and...

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$2,795.00 - $2,795.00
$2,795.00
$2,795.00 - $2,795.00
$2,795.00
$2,495.00 - $2,495.00
$2,495.00
$2,495.00 - $2,495.00
$2,495.00

Sky-Watcher Wave 150i Strainwave Mount

SW-S30905
1 in stock

Supports imaging payloads up to 33 pounds without counterweights, or 55 pounds with the optional counterweight kit Ultra-portable 12.8-pound mount...

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$2,495.00 - $2,495.00
$2,495.00
$2,495.00 - $2,495.00
$2,495.00
$1,499.00 - $1,499.00
$1,499.00
$1,499.00 - $1,499.00
$1,499.00

ZWO AM3N Harmonic Equatorial Mount with TC40 Tripod

ZWO-AM3N-KIT
1 in stock

17.64 lb. payload capacity without counterweights Weighs only 9.04 lb. for extreme portability Dual Alt-Azimuth and Equatorial modes 0-90° latitud...

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$1,499.00 - $1,499.00
$1,499.00
$1,499.00 - $1,499.00
$1,499.00
$1,999.00 - $1,999.00
$1,999.00
$1,999.00 - $1,999.00
$1,999.00

ZWO AM5N Harmonic Equatorial Mount with TC40 Tripod

ZWO-AM5N-KIT

Carries 33 lb. without counterweights 12.1 lb. lightweight mount head Dual Equatorial and Alt-Azimuth modes 0° to 90° latitude range for worldwide...

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$1,999.00 - $1,999.00
$1,999.00
$1,999.00 - $1,999.00
$1,999.00
$2,499.00 - $2,499.00
$2,499.00
$2,499.00 - $2,499.00
$2,499.00

ZWO AM7 Harmonic Equatorial Mount with TC40 Tripod

ZWO-AM7-KIT
1 in stock

44 lb. payload capacity without a counterweight 14.9 lb. mount head weight Dual Equatorial and Alt-Azimuth modes Stepper motor with 0.17" resoluti...

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$2,499.00 - $2,499.00
$2,499.00
$2,499.00 - $2,499.00
$2,499.00

How Strain-Wave Gearing Changes a Mount

A harmonic drive uses a flexible toothed cup deforming inside a rigid ring, giving very high reduction in a compact package with essentially zero backlash.

  • Payload without counterweights: The high holding torque means many setups need no counterweight at all, which removes several kilograms from what you carry.
  • Zero backlash: The gearing has no meshing slack, so guiding corrections take effect immediately in both directions.
  • Higher periodic error: Harmonic drives typically show more periodic error than a good worm gear, but it is smooth and repeatable, and guiding removes it effectively.
  • Guiding is expected: These mounts are designed to be guided. Unguided long exposures are not their strength, and that is a reasonable trade for the portability.
  • Setup speed: No counterweight balancing means setup is genuinely fast, which matters when clear nights are short and unpredictable.
  • Focal length limits: Excellent up to moderate focal lengths. At very long focal length the residual error becomes a larger fraction of your image scale.

Why Choose David Astro for Harmonic Drive Mounts

These mounts are frequently oversold on payload alone. The useful question is payload at your focal length.

  • Sized against focal length, not just weight: A harmonic mount comfortably carrying 12 kg at 400 mm may be working hard at 1500 mm with the same load.
  • Guiding setup support: We help with guiding configuration, since these mounts respond differently from worm drives and default aggressiveness settings are often wrong.
  • Tripod matched: A portable mount on an inadequate tripod loses its advantage entirely, and we specify the two together.
  • Authorized dealer: Full manufacturer warranty with service handled domestically in Canada.
  • Ships from Canada: No duties or brokerage fees for Canadian buyers.

Harmonic Drive Mounts in Canada — Frequently Asked Questions

Do I really not need counterweights?
For most payloads, no. The gearing holds the load without balance assistance. Some users add a small counterweight at heavier loads to reduce motor effort, but it is optional rather than required.
Is the periodic error a problem?
Not with guiding. The error is larger than a premium worm gear but smooth and predictable, which is exactly what guiding removes well. Unguided imaging is where it shows.
What focal length can I use?
Comfortably up to moderate focal lengths with good guiding. Beyond roughly 1000 to 1500 mm, expect to be more careful about guiding settings and seeing conditions.
How do they behave in the cold?
Generally well, with the usual increase in current draw as lubricant stiffens. Size the power supply and cable accordingly, since voltage sag is the most common cold-weather fault.

Going portable?

Tell us your payload and focal length and we will size the mount and tripod. Ships from our Canadian warehouse.