As the foundational component of your astrophotography rig, your telescope mount is by far the most important piece of equipment to consider when building your imaging system. With so many choices available and technical jargon to sift through, choosing the right model can no doubt seem overwhelming at first. Here at High Point Scientific, our gear experts have done the heavy lifting for you, providing a comprehensive list of the best mounts for astrophotography in 2025!
The entries on this list have been carefully vetted based on reliability, ease of use, build quality, and their unique capabilities. This, coupled with our own hands-on experience and extensive customer feedback, provide you with the best of the best models to choose from. Whether you’re looking for an upgrade for a larger system, or in search of a star tracker to build a grab-and-go rig, we’re dedicated to helping you find your perfect fit! We’ve organized this article by mount type, giving you the convenience to skip to the section that best suits your needs. With that in mind, let’s get started!
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Star Trackers
Have a DSLR or small refractor and looking for something that prioritizes portability? Then a star tracker just might be the right choice for you, and in this class of mount, the iOptron SkyGuider Pro and Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer GTi are our top recommendations!
iOptron SkyGuider Pro —
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"Amazing Mount"
"Amazing mount, fairly easy to align and tracks beautifully. For the money and the mount’s capacity of 10 lbs of gear you can’t go wrong. Great product."
| Recommend Use | Mount Head Weight | Payload Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Milky Way Imaging Wide-Field Deep Sky Imaging |
2.2 lb. | 11 lb. |
Kicking things off with a classic star tracker, the iOptron SkyGuider Pro is a wonderful addition to any astrophotographer’s toolkit! Highly portable and super affordable, this star tracker can be used for stunning widefield images of the night sky. Easily take this SkyGuider Pro on the road with you for on-the-go imaging sessions, or set it up alongside your main imaging rig for double the fun. The 11 lb. payload capacity offers use with a host of different camera/lens setups, with even some small refractors compatible as well. Milkyway photography is where this star tracker shines, enabling capture of vast, sweeping nebulae with a wide angle lens and DSLR. Unlike the other entries on this list, the iOptron SkyGuider Pro is fully manual, meaning you will have to find your desired objects without the help of built-in software. This can prove to be tricky for some, especially beginners. No need to fret, however, as various smartphone apps can assist with manual object location, helping you learn the night sky in the process!
Advantages:
✓ Ultra-portable
✓ 11 lbs. payload can handle most wide-field camera lenses and small refractor telescopes
✓ Compatible with traditional photography gear
✓ Built-in rechargeable battery
To Consider:
✗ Does not have Go-To functionality
Star Adventurer GTi —
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"The Perfect Mount for Beginners!"
"As a beginner in the hobby of astrophotography, the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer GTi came recommended to me from seemingly all corners. Now that I have one, I can absolutely understand why. Set-up and tear down is a breeze. Calibration, alignment, and control with its amazing SynScan Pro phone app, all very intuitive. This mount has helped open the door to my stargazing adventure with ease."
| Recommend Use | Mount Head Weight | Payload Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Milky Way Imaging Wide-Field Deep Sky Imaging |
5.7 lb. | 11 lb. |
Taking the original design of the star tracker up a notch, the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer GTi blends the portability of a star tracker with the power of a GoTo mount! These GoTo capabilities open the doors to a whole new world of imaging possibilities, helping you spend less time finding targets and more time capturing them. Not only can you locate objects much more quickly and with far less frustration, but dimmer, more obscure objects that otherwise would’ve been difficult to find manually are ready for capture. Connection to your smartphone or tablet is a breeze with the built-in WiFi, and the powerful Sky-Watcher SynScan app houses everything you need for seamless operation. Once polar aligned, simply select your desired target and sit back as your mount slews directly to your chosen object. The body of this Star Adventurer GTi weighs just 5.7 lbs. while supporting an 11 lb. load capacity, making it a tool sure to be appreciated by both Milkyway photographers and deep-sky enthusiasts. While this Star Adventurer runs on AA batteries, it’s important to note that these batteries can drain fast, especially with multiple slews. This is why we recommend pairing your mount with a portable power supply like the Apertura Portable Telescope Power Supply for reliable power all night long. For a deeper dive into the qualities of this Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer GTi, be sure to check out our in-depth Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer GTi review!
Advantages:
✓ Full Go-To functionality
✓ Integrates with 3rd party controllers
✓ Easy control through mobile app
✓ 11 lbs. capacity capable for small refractors, telephoto, and wide field lenses
To Consider:
✗ While portable, the mount uses AA batteries, so we recommend using a rechargeable portable battery instead, like the Apertura Portable Telescope Power Supply - 155 Wh Lithium Battery
Conventional Equatorial Mounts
Looking for something with a bit more lifting power? Then look no further than a traditional, full-sized equatorial mount! The Celestron AVX and Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro are our top choices for solid and reliable conventionally geared mounts.
Celestron Advanced VX —
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"AVX is a great mount"
"The mount is very sturdy, easy to set up, and very reliable. I like the NextStar+ very much."
| Recommend Use | Mount Head Weight | Payload Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Deep Sky Imaging Solar System Imaging |
17 lb. | 30 lb. |
Widely popular across the astroimaging community, the Celestron Advanced VX is a reliable choice for both budding and seasoned astroimagers! This is thanks to the rugged internals and periodic upgrades from Celestron, offering a high performance, timeless option compatible with both the hardware and software of today’s newest accessories. The 30 lb. payload capacity is ideal for a host of imaging opportunities while the permanently programmable periodic error correction (PPEC), integer gear ratios, built-in adjustable backlash compensation, and autoguider support ensure maximum performance. Whether you plan on imaging with a small refractor for capturing large portions of the night sky, or eager to image the planets with a high focal length telescope, the tried-and-true Celestron AVX is here to deliver outstanding tracking precision! Weighing in at 30 lbs., this Advanced VX classifies as both a Backyard Observing and Portable Grab & Go mount, providing a stable, yet travel-friendly system for just about any astroimager. Enjoy streamlined operation a number of ways, either with your PC, the included Nexstar+ hand controller, or a user-supplied WiFi camera control device like the ZWO ASIAIR. Take a look at our highly detailed Celestron AVX Overview to learn more about this trusty German EQ mount.
Advantages:
✓ Proven to be a sturdy and reliable mount year after year
✓ Celestron has a large ecosystem of accessories
✓ Compatible with all of the newest mini PCs like the ASIAIR, as well as the newest 3rd party programs
✓ A great option for anyone starting out or upgrading a visual system to try astrophotography
To Consider:
✗ With a higher payload comes heavier weights. We recommend picking up the Apertura AVX Equatorial Mount and Tripod Soft Case Bundle for easier transport of the mount
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro —
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"I'm very impressed"
"I'm very impressed with the build, quality, and functionality of the Sky-Watcher EQ6R Pro mount. As I'm coming from a basic, manual equatorial mount, this thing delivers huge avenues to our night's sky. The good folks at High Point Scientific and the service they provide, makes it just that much easier."
| Recommend Use | Mount Head Weight | Payload Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Deep Sky Imaging Solar System Imaging |
38 lb. | 44 lb. |
Looking for a heavy duty mount for your advanced imaging rig? This Sky-Watcher EQ6-R is the perfect solution! With 44 lbs. of payload capacity to work with, have fun packing on large, heavy telescopes for a host of imaging opportunities. The internal stepper motors and belt system provide a significant reduction in backlash and periodic error, offering smooth, stable tracking even under high payloads. This means brilliant images of the night sky are right at your fingertips! Two 11 lb. counterweights come standard within the package, while the counterweight bar itself retracts for easier handling. Also, the dual D/V dovetail mounting plate offers use with a host of telescopes. With a higher payload, however, so comes a heavier build. The 38 lb. mount head pushes past our Portable Grab & Go classification, though this Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro is the perfect mount for backyard imaging! Check out our in-depth overview on this high performance Sky-Watcher mount.
Advantages:
✓ Belt-driven mount reduces backlash
✓ Compatible with the most popular astronomy programs
✓ Incredibly sturdy and resistant to vibrations from the ground and wind
✓ Whopping 44 lbs. payload!
To Consider:
✗ With all that extra weight, transportation can be a bit challenging with this mount as well
Harmonic Drive Mounts
You can't have a list of EQ imaging mounts without talking about the new harmonic heavy hitters: the exciting new offering from Sky-Watcher: the Wave 150i Mount, the incredibly popular ZWO AM5N, and the ultra-compact ZWO AM3N.
Sky-Watcher Wave 150i Strainwave —
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"Flawless. No, really."
"I bought this as part of a portable AP rig. The saddle hub means there are no wires crossing onto the DEC axis from outside - it's almost impossible to snag cables on a slew... guiding is great, go-to is quick and quiet, and it all just worked out of the box, no fiddling, no tuning, no need to scour forums for hints to iron out bugs...."
| Recommended Use | Mount Head Weight | Payload Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Deep Sky Imaging Solar System Imaging |
12.8 lb. | 33 lbs. Without Counterweight Kit 55 lbs. With Counterweight Kit (Sold Separately) |
As an industry leader in high performance astronomy equipment, Sky-Watcher has taken their years of expertise for development of this powerful harmonic drive Wave series! The largest of the two entries within this collection is the Wave 150i, a wonderful choice for those looking for a burly yet lightweight mount for their advanced imaging rig. This Sky-Watcher Wave 150i can haul up to 33 lbs. of equipment while weighing just 12 lbs. That’s about 3x lighter than the powerful Celestron CGX with the same payload capacity! This payload can be bumped up even higher to a whopping 55 lbs. with an optional counterweight kit, making the Wave 150i the perfect option for those with sizable telescopes and heavy imaging gear. It’s important to note the Sky-Watcher Wave Carbon Fiber Tripod only supports 44 lbs., therefore if you’re looking to push past the native 33 lb. payload, a stronger tripod will be necessary. As experts in the field of astrophotography, Sky-Watcher includes a host of quality-of-life features built into this mount such as an internal cable management system, integrated Bluetooth and WiFi, homing sensors, and plenty more. With its outstanding weight-to-power ratio, low backlash, and a host of premium features, it’s easy to see why this Sky-Watcher Wave 150i is a standout choice for imaging the night sky!
Advantages:
✓ Built-in cable and data management
✓ Incredibly lightweight for the payload
✓ Low backlash
To Consider:
✗ The stock tripod might not be recommended for max payload rigs, consider using an alternative steel tripod instead for those really large scopes
ZWO AM5N & AM3N — &
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"Superb product!!"
"I purchased a ZWO AM5N equatorial tripod mount a few months ago from High Point Scientific. I used it many times since then. I am extremely impressed with the excellent build quality, ease of use and the precision of this product..."
| Recommend Use | Mount Head Weight | Payload Capacity | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZWO AM5N | Deep Sky Imaging & Solar System Imaging |
12.1 lb. | 33.0 lbs. Without Counterweight 44.1 lbs. With Counterweight (Sold Separately) |
| ZWO AM3N | 9.0 lb. | 17.6 lbs. Without Counterweight 28.7 lbs. With Counterweight (Sold Separately) |
With their ever popular AM3 and AM5 setting the gold standard in the world of harmonic drive systems, ZWO takes the quality of these mounts one step further! The upgraded AM5N and AM3N harmonic drive mounts house everything users loved about the original versions, though now feature improved performance, innovative cable management, and heightened connectivity. For instance, the periodic error of the AM5N is half that of the previous generation, even with the increase in payload capacity from 28.5 lbs. to 33 lbs. On both systems, the DEC saddles now include a USB Type-C port and a 12V DC Power Port, making cable snags a thing of the past! This internal cable routing allows you to share your mount’s 12V power with DEC-mounted accessories, while also enabling streamlined, USB-C mount operation with your WiFi camera control device, such as the ZWO ASIAIR. With a comparable payload capacity of conventional EQ mounts and a footprint that rivals that of a star tracker, these ZWO harmonic drive systems are a standout choice for your astrophotography rig.
Advantages:
✓ Pairs seamlessly with the ASIAIR and other ZWO products
✓ Incredibly well made with very nicely machined parts
✓ Has set the bar for what makes a quality and high-performance harmonic mount
To Consider:
✗ The AM5N and AM3N mounts on their own can be a bit difficult to set up if you are not using them for imaging with something like the ASIAIR or other 3rd party control program
Dual EQ/Alt-Az Mounts
For those who enjoy capturing the night sky with short exposures, i.e. “lucky imaging”, alt-azimuth mounts are the perfect base for your rig! While field rotation can be an issue for exposures longer than 15 seconds, alt-azimuth mounts provide the convenience of skipping polar alignment for streamlined setup. Planetary imaging is where these mounts shine, enabling capture of Saturn’s rings, Jupiter’s cloud bands, the polar ice caps on Mars, and plenty more. If you’re in search of a high performance dual EQ/Alt-Az mount, look no further than this Sky-Watcher Wave 100i!
Sky-Watcher Wave 100i Strainwave —
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"definitely recommend"
"I used this for the first time this week. Easy to set-up, nice and compact, and VERY QUIET operation—I was pleasantly surprised since I hadn't expected this. I am using with Sky-Watcher Carbon Fiber Tripod for Wave Series Mounts, and really appreciate how light they are, with good payload. Good tracking, and would definitely recommend to others."
| Recommend Use | Mount Head Weight | Payload Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Deep Sky Imaging Solar System Imaging Visual Observing |
9.5 lb. | 22 lbs. Without Counterweight Kit 33 lbs. With Counterweight Kit (Sold Separately) |
Dual-mode in design, the Sky-Watcher Wave 100i is the perfect option for your alt-azimuth tracking needs. This quality is also featured on the Sky-Watcher Wave 150i, though the ability to carry two scopes at once makes this Wave 100i the ultimate alt-azimuth choice! Designed for lovers of both deep-sky astrophotography and planetary imaging, set up your astroimaging scope on one side and your planetary scope on the other, switching between equatorial tracking or alt-az tracking with the click of a button. You can also utilize this dual-saddle/dual-tracking system for an easy swap between deep-sky imaging and visual observing as well. Thanks to Sky-Watcher, the possibilities are near endless! A total of 22 lbs. can be loaded atop this Sky-Watcher Wave 100i, offering use with a host of telescopes. Like its bigger sibling, an optional counterweight kit is available for an additional 11 lbs. of payload capacity. However you choose to utilize this Sky-Watcher Wave 100i, you’re set up for success!
Advantages:
✓ This mount is packed with features, between the dual saddle, Alt-Az tracking, and imaging capabilities, you can do it all with the Wave 100i
✓ This mount is incredibly lightweight, coming in at only 9.5 lbs.
To Consider:
✗ While this mount still has a great payload-to-weight ratio, at a max of 22 lbs. total, this harmonic mount has a smaller payload than some others on the market today
Learn More
Interested in learning more about telescopes and choosing the right gear for you? Not sure where to begin? Check out our Astronomy Hub!
