Holiday Headstart
Telescope Mounts
iOptron GEM28 GoTo EQ Mount with LiteRoc Tripod & Hard Case
- Motorized Computer-Controlled EQ Mount
- Go2Nova 8409 Computer Controller
- 212,000-Object Database
- Multiple Assisted Alignment Procedures
iOptron AZ Mount Pro GoTo Alt-Az Mount with Tri-Pier (White/Black)
- Motorized Computer-Controlled AZ Mount
- Compact Design, 33+10 lb Payload
- Go2Nova 8407 Hand Controller
- 212,000+ Object Database
Sky-Watcher Wave 100i GoTo Strain Wave Mount with Carbon Fiber Tripod and Extension Kit
- 22 lb Payload with No Counterweight
- Precise, High-Torque Strain Wave Gearing
- Equatorial & Alt-Az Modes
- Works Seamlessly with ASI Air
Celestron CGEM II GoTo German Equatorial Mount with Tripod
- Motorized Computer-Controlled EQ Mount
- Low-Cog Dual-Axis DC Servo Motors
- NexStar+ GoTo Hand Controller
- 40,000+ Database, User-Defined Objects
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial GoTo Mount with Tripod Kit
- Motorized Computer-Controlled EQ Mount
- SynScan Hand Controller
- ST-4 Autoguider Port
- 28-48" Tripod
Tele Vue Encoder-Equipped Gibraltar HD5 Alt-Az Mount
- Heavy-Duty Alt-Az Yoke Mount Head
- Pre-Installed Digital Encoder Assembly
- Recommended for OTAs up to 5"
- Mini-Pier Adds Height/Maintains Strength
iOptron HEM27 Hybrid Strain Wave Drive Mount
- Black-Anodized Metal, CNC-Machined Body
- Electronic Friction Brake
- Power Down Memory
- Strain Wave Drive Technology
Sky-Watcher Wave 150i GoTo Strain Wave Mount (33 lb Payload)
- Motorized Computer-Controlled Mount
- Precise, High-Torque Strain Wave Gearing
- Equatorial & Alt-Az Modes
- Compatible with SynScan Controller/App
Pegasus Astro NYX-88 Strain Wave Gear Mount with Preinstalled Saddle Powerbox
- 31 lb Payload with No Counterweight
- Strain Wave gears for RA and DEC
- EQ & Alt-Az Modes
- Vixen/Losmandy Saddle with Power Ports
iOptron HEM27A Mount Head with iPolar, Go2Nova 8409 Hand Controller & Case
Pegasus Astro NYX-88 Strain Wave Gear Mount
- 31 lb Payload with No Counterweight
- Strain Wave gears for RA and DEC
- EQ & Alt-Az Modes
- Vixen/Losmandy Saddle with Power Ports
iOptron HAE29C Dual GoTo Alt-Az/Equatorial Mount
- Motorized Computer-Controlled Mount
- Payload: 29.7 lb
- 212,000+ Object Database
- Vixen & Losmandy-D Saddles
Sky-Watcher Wave 150i GoTo Strain Wave Mount with Steel Tripod and Extension Kit
- 33 lb Payload with No Counterweight
- Precise, High-Torque Strain Wave Gearing
- Equatorial & Alt-Az Modes
- Works Seamlessly with ASI Air
Sky-Watcher Wave 150i GoTo Strain Wave Mount with Carbon Fiber Tripod and Extension Kit
- 33 lb Payload with No Counterweight
- Precise, High-Torque Strain Wave Gearing
- Equatorial & Alt-Az Modes
- Works Seamlessly with ASI Air
iOptron CEM40 Equatorial GoTo Mount with iPolar & 1.5" Tripod
- Motorized Computer-Controlled EQ Mount
- Go2Nova 8407+ Computer Controller
- 212,000+ Object Database
- Multiple Assisted Alignment Procedures
Celestron CGX GoTo EQ Telescope Mount with Tripod
- Motorized EQ Mount, 55 lb Payload
- High-Torque Servo Motors and Belt Drive
- NexStar+ Computer Hand Controller
- Dual Vixen/Losmandy Dovetail Saddle
iOptron CEM40 Equatorial GoTo Mount with iPolar, 1.5" Tripod, Hard Case
- Motorized Computer-Controlled EQ Mount
- Go2Nova 8407+ Computer Controller
- Multiple Assisted Alignment Procedures
- Permanent Periodic Error Correction
iOptron CEM40 Equatorial GoTo Mount with iPolar & LiteRoc Tripod
- Motorized Computer-Controlled EQ Mount
- Go2Nova 8407+ Computer Controller
- 212,000+ Object Database
- Multiple Assisted Alignment Procedures
iOptron HAZ46 Strain Wave Alt-Az Mount (44 lb Payload)
- Motorized Computer-Controlled Mount
- Payload: 44 lb
- Go2Nova Hand Controller
- 212,000+ Object Database
iOptron GEM45 Equatorial GoTo Mount with 1.75" LiteRoc Tripod
- Motorized Computer-Controlled EQ Mount
- Very Good <±7 Arcsec Tracking Accuracy
- Go2Nova 8407+ Computer Controller
- 212,000+ Object Database
iOptron CEM40-NUC Equatorial Mount
- 40 lb Payload Capacity
- Go2Nova 8407 Computer Controller
- Dual Vixen/Losmandy Dovetail Saddle
- Hard Case Included
iOptron CEM40 Equatorial GoTo Mount with iPolar, LiteRoc Tripod, Hard Case
- Motorized Computer-Controlled EQ Mount
- Go2Nova 8407+ Computer Controller
- Multiple Assisted Alignment Procedures
- Permanent Periodic Error Correction
Pegasus Astro NYX-88 Strain Wave Gear Mount with Tripod and Hand Controller Kit
- 31 lb Payload with No Counterweight
- EQ & Alt-Az Modes
- Strain Wave gears for RA and DEC
- Tripod Load Capacity: 110 lb
iOptron HEM44 GoTo Telescope Mount
- No Need for Counterweights
- Strain Wave Drive for RA
- Worm/Belt Drive for Declination
iOptron GEM45-NUC GoTo EQ Mount with LiteRoc Tripod & Hard Case
- Motorized Computer-Controlled EQ Mount
- Set Up for Optional Intel NUC Computer
- Very Good <±7 Arcsec Tracking Accuracy
- Go2Nova 8407+ Computer Controller
Guide to Telescope Mounts
Without the right telescope mounts, it's difficult to get the best performance from even the best-rated telescopes. Find mounts that are rigid and sturdy on telescope tripods and piers to prevent any movement of your telescopes. Choose from a range of mount designs and mounting mechanisms.
Telescope Mount Designs
Alt-azimuth mounts allow you to move your telescope in up-down (alt) or left-right (azimuth) movements. These mounts are easy to set up, rugged, and very sturdy, and they're best suited for large aperture telescopes. You place alt-az fork mounts in an inclined plane to tilt the azimuth axis so it's parallel with the polar axis.
Equatorial telescope mounts are made up of mount heads and tripods that allow you to move telescopes on two axes: right ascension (east-west) and declination (north-south). With this mount, you can smoothly follow the stars across a night sky. For long-exposure astrophotography, shop for German equatorial mounts with gears and polar alignment scopes for precise alignment. Remember to also get reliable telescope accessories for mounts, such as counterweight kits and adapter brackets.
Telescope Mounting Mechanisms
Whether you're using an alt-az, equatorial, or fork mount, you need to consider the mounting mechanism, and choose the best one for your needs. A motorized mount allows you to smoothly move your telescope on different axes. In addition, once you find your object, it automatically keeps it in the eyepiece by moving the telescope with a motor. This motor moves the telescope at the same speed as the terrestrial objects moving in the sky. Therefore, you spend more time sky gazing and less time adjusting your telescope.
GoTo telescope mounts help you find terrestrial objects and keep them within your eyepiece with the help of a computer, which is usually a handheld controller. These computerized telescope mounts are easy to use and won't require any special expertise or knowledge. For best performance, shop for telescope computerized accessories such as auto-alignment systems, Wi-Fi modules, GPS accessories, and power adapters.