Are you looking for the best telescope tracking mount?
Telescope tracking mounts play an important role in astrophotography. They allow photographers to take long exposures of the night sky without the stars appearing to move across the photograph. There are a variety of different tracking mounts on the market, but the best one for you will depend on your budget and the type of photography you want to do.
One of the most popular telescope tracking mounts that Besttechsmart would recommend to you is:
1. Sky-Watcher AZ-GTi with SkyMax 102 – Modular Go-To Alt-Az Tracking Mount
The SkyWatcher AZGTi with SkyMax 102 Modular GoTo AltAz Tracking Mount is a great option for portable on-the-go mobile astronomy. It has a payload capacity of 11 pounds, so it can support most available telescope tubes as well as most DSLR cameras. The included SkyWatcher 102 SkyMax MaksutovCassegrain gives observers a large visual aperture, high contrast, and long focal length in a compact package, making it ideal for planetary and lunar observing. The AZGTi also has WiFi enabled app controlled generation its own proprietary WiFi signal, which allows users to control their telescope from a smartphone or tablet. Additionally, it utilizes SkyWatcher’s patented dualencoder technology Freedom Find, which allows for accurate tracking as well as manual slewing without losing alignment.
- TRAVEL-SIZED GOTO MOUNT: Weighing just 8. 6 pounds, this computerized Alt-Az tracking mount is perfect for portable, on-the-go, mobile astronomy.
- 11-POUND PAYLOAD CAPACITY: With a payload capacity of 11 pounds, the AZ-GTi can support most available telescope tubes, as well as most DSLR cameras.
- 102MM MAKSUTOV TELESCOPE: Included in the box is Sky-Watcher’s 102 SkyMax Maksutov-Cassegrain, which gives astronomers a large visual aperture, high contrast and long focal length in a compact package, ideal for planetary and lunar observing.
- WIFI-ENABLED, APP CONTROLLED: Generating its own proprietary WiFi signal, the AZ-GTi blends 21st century technology with Sky-Watcher’s innovative astronomy equipment, allowing users to control their telescope from a smartphone or tablet.
- FREEDOM FIND DUAL ENCODERS: Utilizing Sky-Watcher’s patented dual-encoder technology, Freedom Find allows for accurate tracking as well as manual slewing without losing alignment.
2. Sky-Watcher AZ-GTi with SkyMax 127 – Modular Go-To Alt-Az Tracking Mount
The Sky-Watcher AZGTi is a small, lightweight computerized altazimuth telescope mount that is perfect for portable on-the-go mobile astronomy. At just 8.6 pounds, it is easy to take with you wherever you go. The mount comes with the Sky-Watcher 127mm SkyMax Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope, which is ideal for planetary and lunar observing. The AZGTi has a payload capacity of 11 pounds, which can support most available telescope tubes as well as most DSLR cameras.
The AZGTi is WiFi-enabled and controlled by the included Sky-Watcher app. With the app, you can control your telescope from your smartphone or tablet. The AZGTi also has a photography mode that is ready for timelapse and panoramic shots. The Freedom Find dual encoders allow for accurate tracking and manual slewing without losing alignment.
- TRAVEL-SIZED GOTO MOUNT: Weighing just 8. 6 pounds, this computerized Alt-Az tracking mount is perfect for portable, on-the-go, mobile astronomy.
- 127MM MAKSUTOV TELESCOPE: Included in the box is Sky-Watcher’s 127mm SkyMax Maksutov-Cassegrain, giving astronomers a high magnification and exceptional contrast in a compact package, ideal for planetary and lunar observing.
- 11-POUND PAYLOAD CAPACITY: With a payload capacity of 11 pounds, the AZ-GTi can support most available telescope tubes, as well as most DSLR cameras.
- WIFI-ENABLED, APP CONTROLLED: Generating its own proprietary WiFi signal, the AZ-GTi blends 21st century technology with Sky-Watcher’s innovative astronomy equipment, allowing users to control their telescope from a smartphone or tabletTIME-LAPSE AND PANORAMA READY: Create breathtaking time-lapse video and panoramas with the AZ-GTi’s photography mode, and with it’s built in SNAP port, shooting can be fully automated.
- FREEDOM FIND DUAL ENCODERS: Utilizing Sky-Watcher’s patented dual-encoder technology, Freedom Find allows for accurate tracking as well as manual slewing without losing alignment.
3. Sky-Watcher SolarQuest Tracking Mount – Safe Solar Specific Alt-Az Mount
A solarQuest tracking mount from SkyWatcher is a great way to safely view the sun. This particular mount is designed for use with small payloads, has an AltAz motorized tracking mount, and comes with a built-in 8-way joystick for centering the sun.
The solarQuest mount is a great way to safely view the sun. The mount is designed for use with small payloads, so it is perfect for use with a telescope or other optical instrument. The AltAz motorized tracking mount ensures that your view of the sun remains centered, and the built-in 8-way joystick makes it easy to adjust the position of the sun.
The only downside of this mount is its payload capacity. The solarQuest mount is only able to support a payload of up to 11 pounds. So, if you are using a large telescope or other instrument, you may need to look for a different mount.
- 11-pound payload capacity
- Alt-Az motorized tracking mount for safe viewing of the Sun
- V-style dovetail
- HelioFind auto alignment and tracking
- Built-in 8-way joystick for centering of the Sun
FAQs
There are a few things to consider when purchasing a telescope tracking mount. Here are the five most frequently asked questions:
1. What is the payload capacity of the mount?
The payload capacity is the maximum weight that the mount can hold. It is important to make sure that the mount can handle the weight of the telescope and any accessories that will be attached to it.
2. What type of mount is it?
There are three types of mounts: equatorial, altazimuth, and Dobsonian. An equatorial mount is designed to track the stars as they move across the sky. An altazimuth mount is designed to move up and down and side to side. A Dobsonian mount is a type of altazimuth mount that is designed to move the telescope in altitude (up and down) and azimuth (left to right).
3. Is the mount motorized?
Some mounts are motorized and some are not. A motorized mount will move the telescope automatically, while a non-motorized mount will require manual movement.
4. What is the mount’s slewing speed?
The slewing speed is the speed at which the mount can move the telescope. It is important to choose a mount with a slewing speed that is appropriate for the type of observing that will be done.
5. What is the mount’s latitude range?
The latitude range is the range of latitude that the mount can be used in. It is important to make sure that the mount can be used in the location where it will be used.
