iOptron SkyHunter EQ/AZ Mount

A 7 lb Payload Capacity in a 2.9 lb GoTo Mount

Engineered for portability, the SkyHunter mount head weighs just 2.9 lbs with its battery installed, yet its metal frame securely carries small telescopes or camera and lens combinations up to 7 lbs when balanced with the 3 lb counterweight included in every package. This high payload-to-weight ratio makes it the ideal foundation for a travel astrophotography setup, fitting easily into a backpack for trips to dark-sky sites without sacrificing GoTo capability. A DSLR or mirrorless camera with a 200mm to 300mm lens, or a compact 60-70mm refractor, is right at home on the Vixen-type saddle.

GoTo Pointing and Tracking with Φ77 mm, 144-Tooth Worm Gears

At the heart of the SkyHunter's tracking system are Φ77 mm, 144-tooth worm wheels on both axes, driven through a synchronous belt transmission by DC servo motors with optical encoders. This architecture minimizes backlash and delivers the smooth, consistent motion needed for long-exposure astrophotography, with a 600-second worm period and a maximum slew speed of 4.5°/sec (1080X) for moving quickly between targets.

• Celestial: The standard sidereal rate for stars, nebulae and galaxies.
• 1/2 Celestial: Half-speed tracking for nightscapes, keeping stars tight while limiting blur in the foreground landscape.
• Solar and Lunar: Matched rates that keep the Sun (with a proper solar filter) and the Moon centered.
• N/S: Full operation in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Choose Your SkyHunter Version

Every SkyHunter version uses the same 2.9 lb GoTo mount head with built-in Wi-Fi, internal battery, stainless steel counterweight shaft and 3 lb counterweight. The versions differ in the base used for polar alignment, whether the iPolar electronic polar scope is included, and whether a tripod comes in the box.

• SkyHunter AZ: The mount head without a polar-alignment base, set up directly on a tripod for alt-azimuth GoTo. Ideal for grab-and-go visual observing of the Moon and planets and for terrestrial viewing; the optional EQ base converts it for equatorial imaging later.
• SkyHunter EQ/AZ: Adds the EQ base with a 0º to 80º latitude range and ±5º azimuth adjustment, so the same mount switches between quick alt-azimuth sessions and polar-aligned equatorial tracking for long-exposure astrophotography.
• SkyHunter EQ/AZ w/ iPolar: The EQ/AZ package plus the iPolar electronic polar scope, which replaces peering through an optical scope with an on-screen alignment routine that works even when Polaris is obstructed. The best choice for imagers who want fast, repeatable setup.
• SkyHunter EQ/AZ w/ iPolar & Precision Base: Pairs the iPolar with the Precision AZ/EQ base in place of the standard EQ base, extending the altitude range to 0º to 90º with fine ±5º azimuth control for the most precise polar alignment at any site.
• Mount Only or Tripod Kit: Mount Only packages suit owners who already have a sturdy tripod with a 3/8” connection. Tripod Kits add the #3221 stainless steel tripod and #8041 pier extension (Φ80x190 mm) for a complete, field-ready system.

Hybrid EQ/AZ Operation with 0º to 90º Polar Alignment Bases

The SkyHunter operates as both a German Equatorial (EQ) mount and a simple Alt-Azimuth (AZ) mount. For quick visual sessions, AZ mode offers intuitive setup with no polar alignment. For serious astrophotography, the EQ base (0º to 80º) or Precision AZ/EQ base (0º to 90º) tilts the mount to the celestial pole, enabling single-axis tracking that prevents field rotation during long exposures. Both bases provide ±5º of fine azimuth adjustment, so the final correction is made with the base rather than by nudging tripod legs.

On iPolar versions, alignment is even faster: a small internal camera plate-solves the stars near the celestial pole and the iPolar software on your computer shows exactly how to adjust altitude and azimuth. There is no crouching at an eyepiece, and a precise alignment takes just minutes.

Untethered Operation: 10-Hour Battery and Built-in Wi-Fi

A rechargeable Li-Poly battery is built directly into the mount, providing up to 10 hours of power at 20ºC for a full night of imaging without external power tanks or cable clutter. It recharges through the MiniUSB (5V) port from a wall adapter or portable power bank. Combined with built-in Wi-Fi, you can control GoTo slewing, tracking and settings from a smartphone or tablet using iOptron Commander Lite or SkySafari, or connect the ZWO ASIAIR over Wi-Fi.

For advanced imaging, the SkyHunter is ASCOM compatible via its USB port, allowing autoguiding and sequencing from software such as N.I.N.A. or Sequence Generator Pro. If you prefer physical buttons, the optional 8410 hand controller is available, and firmware can be upgraded through the USB port.

SkyHunter vs. Star Adventurer GTi: Weight, Payload and Integration

The SkyHunter's closest competitor is the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer GTi. The choice comes down to absolute portability versus payload headroom.

• Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer GTi Advantage: The GTi offers a higher 11 lb (5 kg) payload capacity, making it a better choice for heavier telephoto lenses or slightly larger refractors.
• iOptron SkyHunter Advantage: The SkyHunter head weighs just 2.9 lbs compared to the GTi's 5.7 lbs, a significant difference when hiking or flying. It also integrates a 10-hour rechargeable battery, where the GTi relies on 8 AA batteries or external 12V DC power, and it can be ordered with the iPolar electronic polar scope instead of an optical polar scope.