If you’re looking to enjoy deep space Astrophotography, then using the right telescope mount is going to be absolutely crucial.
Your entire imaging experience is entirely dependent upon it, so it is, without doubt, the single most important piece of your equipment that you should invest in.
It serves as the foundation, contributes significantly to the quality and consistency of your images, and ultimately provides you with long-term consistency.
But if you’re looking to get an Equatorial Mount, where do you even begin?
With a lot of choices, expensive models, confusing terminology, and a variety of features on each model, it can be almost impossible to identify the best one most suitable for you.
So to help your research and ensure you find top models, let’s take a look at the Best Equatorial Mounts For Astrophotography that you will find online.
Best Equatorial Mount For Astrophotography
There are a lot of different brands and models of Equatorial Mounts on the market. As such, it can be hard to identify which is the best one to get, for you. I’ve been there I know how you feel – it can be quite overwhelming.
Whilst I have included a range of options below, at different price points, do not automatically disregard the more expensive ones.
When it comes to Astrophotography equipment, like anything in life, the more it costs the better it is designed, the higher quality the components, the greater the functionality, etc.
While you might be tempted, or even see a Computerized Alt-Azmuth mount available for a lot less, consider that it will not be as optimal or ideal for Astrophotography.
With the right Astrophotography mount, you will likely find that you take the hobby much more seriously and actually use the equipment rather than store it away.
Equatorial Mount Details
- Heavy-duty SkyView Pro equatorial mount and tripod provides a solid and stable foundation for astronomical telescope use
- Supports telescope tubes weighing up to 20 lbs; tubes attach via an included quick-release dovetail bar
- Slow-motion knobs on Declination (Dec) and Right Ascension (RA) axes allow fine manual motion control and tracking of celestial objects as they appear to migrate across the night sky
- Includes two counterweights (4 and 7.5 lbs) Total weight with counterweights equals 35 lbs.
- Accepts optional TrueTrack dual-axis electronic drive or our SVP GoTo upgrade kit (both sold separately)
- Heavy-duty SkyView Pro equatorial mount and tripod provides a solid and stable foundation for astronomical telescope use
- Supports telescope tubes weighing up to 20 lbs; tubes attach via an included quick-release dovetail bar
- Slow-motion knobs on Declination (Dec) and Right Ascension (RA) axes allow fine manual motion control and tracking of celestial objects as they appear to migrate across the night sky
- Includes two counterweights (4 and 7.5 lbs) Total weight with counterweights equals 35 lbs.
- Accepts optional TrueTrack dual-axis electronic drive or our SVP GoTo upgrade kit (both sold separately)
Celestron CG-4 German Equatorial Mount and Tripod
- German Equatorial mount and tripod as supplied with all Omni XLT Series telescopes
- Includes RA and DEC slow motion controls and setting circles
- Tripod has adjustable height 1.75" steel leg tripod with center brace/accessory tray
- Two counterweights - 7 lb and 4 lb
Why Use An Equatorial Mount for Astrophotography?
If you have spent any time already looking for a new mount; you may have come across terminology like ‘Equatorial’ and/or ‘Alt-Azimuth’.
These are the most common mounts, but each serves a different purpose and will benefit astronomers in different ways.
Which one is best for you will depend entirely on what, how, and when you are looking to observe the night sky.
The majority of Astrophotographers will recommend Equatorial Mounts (EQs) for Astrophotography. That’s likely why you are here.
There are several reasons for this but here are the main ones:
Alt-Azimuth mounts, the main alternative, are moved and aligned via two central axes – both vertically and horizontally.
As you can imagine, this point and observe the method of observation is ideal if you are a casual observer but is not ideal if you are looking to pursue Astrophotography.
Computerized Alt-Azimuth versions, which are typically found on most GoTo telescopes, aim to address this concern by providing star tracking as the Earth rotates.
Celestial objects will remain central through the eyepiece for extended periods of time.
Unfortunately, due to geometry, the field of view also rotates, leading to issues when looking to take long exposure shots.
Equatorial Mounts, on the other hand, is specifically designed to work in accordance with the rotation of the Earth. They do this through a rotational axis that is parallel to the Earth’s axis of rotation
By operating with a Polar Axis, which aligns with the same axis of rotation as the earth, an Equatorial Mount will lock onto a celestial object and track it – overcoming any alignment issues, or those potential blurs mentioned above.
Once polar aligned, all you need to do on your mounted telescope is aim using the setting circles on the mount’s axes.
There are also motorized drives that are built onto both axes which ensure the scope is accurately positioned. The right ascension (RA) axis follows the spin of the Earth simultaneously.
Advantages of Equatorial Mounts
✔️ You can manually position your telescope using a coordinate system. All you need to know is the coordinates of the object you wish to observe and track, and the EQ will automatically position.
✔️ It’s also possible to observe an object manually using the RA Knob provided.
✔️ Motors on either/both axes enable star tracking without the need to re-positioning the scope each time.
✔️ Observe objects for as little/as much time as you like (minutes/hours) without the need to make adjustments. This makes an EQ the most effective for Astrophotography. Whilst computerized Altazimuth mounts include motors for star tracking, images rotate in your eyepiece.
The Case For Investment
If you are looking for your first mount for Astrophotography, it’s a good idea to consider your current and future telescope.
The truth is, cheaper mounts may be suitable for your current telescope but will they be able to support any future telescope you may want to/need to buy.
When it comes to Astrophotography, the more power that your telescope has the better your observations and images will ultimately be. A new telescope, while it may not sound like a priority now, may well be something you consider in the future.
Getting a more premium mount first time round will therefore be suitable not just for now but with any future telescope you may purchase.
Beyond this, with extra investment, you can get a mount with extra features, a better design, greater component material, and also a higher payload capacity (ability to hold your equipment’s weight). Plus, it will be more durable and last longer.
Final Words
If you are a seasoned Astronomer or have looked for Astronomy Equipment in the past, you’ll know that Orion and Celestron are two of the most significant and tend to be the best brands and manufacturers around.
There is a reason why the list is predominantly filled with their models.
If you are serious about Astrophotography, then the best investment you can make is in a sturdy, durable, and well-designed Equatorial mount.
This will ensure you obtain the best results possible and make your whole experience far more enjoyable – you’ll also likely save money in the long term!
Looking for other astrophotography equipment? Then my other guides may help:
- Best Telescope for Galaxy Astrophotography
- Best Telescope For Astrophotography Under $500
- Best Light Pollution Filter For Astrophotography
- Best Tripod for Astrophotography
Hey, my name is Jeremy. I’m a passionate and seasoned astronomer who loves nothing more than observing the night sky. I also love researching, learning, and writing all things Space and the Universe. I created Astronomy Scope to share my knowledge, experience, suggestions, and recommendations of what I have learned along the way while helping anyone to get into and maximize their enjoyment of the hobby.
