Telescope Mounts

A sturdy tripod and mount for any telescope is a prerequisite. It is important as the telescope itself. Often overlooked when deciding a purchase, the choice of mount is crucial to getting the most out of any telscope.

The choice of mounts now available is greater than ever but making the correct choice is just as important. We can advise on which type, make and model is best suited to your needs, but the descriptions here may also help in understanding the pros & cons of each one.

Name	Type	Motors	Notes
AZ3, Porta, VersaGo, EZ-Touch, SkyTee	Alt-Azimuth	Manual only (Porta can be upgraded later)	Ideal for terrestrial spotting scopes or the casual astronomical observer. Generally quite portable.
EQ1	Equatorial	RA optional	EQ1 mount is the most suitable for its portability. It is ideal for smaller and lighter astronomical telescopes and it's two slow-motion cables allow precise tracking of celestial objects. Aluminium tripod with adjustable legs and accessory tray. May be fitted with a single axis motor drive for automatic tracking. No Goto available
EQ2	Equatorial	RA optional	This equatorial mount is for greater stability and tracking precision. The EQ2 mount rests  on an adjustable-height aluminium tripod. The EQ2 can be fitted with single axis motor drive. No Goto available
EQ3-2	Equatorial	RA and Dual Axis optional. Goto available.	A good compromise for stability and portability for visual use. The heavier-duty EQ3-2 mount features 360 degree worm-gear tracking controls on both axes, large knob-style R.A. and Dec. lock bolts, dual metal setting circle dials, a latitude adjustment screw, and a built-in polar scope holder. It can be fitted with both single and double axis motor drive for auto-tracking. Goto kit now available
EQ5, Vixen GPE	Equatorial	Single & Dual axis optional. Goto available.	The EQ5-class mount provides the precision and stability needed for serious observing or basic astrophotography. With motor drive attached, it can be ideal for deep-sky photography. Standard features of the EQ5 include a built-in holder for polar scope, a latitude adjuster with micrometer scale, an azimuth polar-alignment adjuster, aluminium setting circles, large manual slow-motion tracking controls, and a bubble level.
HEQ5	Equatorial	Dual Axis built in/ Full Goto	This heavy-duty mount is a smaller version of the class-leading EQ6 mount and possibly the best value on the market. It is specially designed for observers who need the steadiness of the EQ6 mount, but find the EQ6 mount too physically demanding. Also features engraved aluminium setting circles and a latitude scale, built-in polar scope, large R.A. and DEC. locking clamps, electric slow-motion controls on both axes, and retractable counterweight shaft. The strong and rigid field tripod is remarkably stable with adjustable height, incorporating 1.5"-diameter steel tripod legs.
HEQ5 SynScan	Equatorial	Full Goto	Same spec as above but with a powerful GOTO system.
EQ6	Equatorial	Dual axis built in	A very sturdy telescope mount for the serious observer requiring a platform for larger amateur telescopes. The EQ6  should be considered by the more determined astronomer or at least one with a permanent set up.
EQ6 SynScan	Equatorial	Full Goto	Same spec as above but with a GOTO system.
Vixen GP	Equatorial	Single and Dual Axis Optional. Vixen Goto available	Beautifully made Japanese mount. Very smooth motions, built in polar alignment scope, rated for 7kg telescopes. The computer drive system is Vixens own and very user friendly. Especially the built in clock that does not forget the time, date or last observing position when switched off. This makes set up very much quicker than other systems.
Vixen GP-D2	Equatorial	Single and Dual Axis optional. Vixen Goto available	This is a heavier duty version of the GP above capable of handling up 10kg of telescope.
Vixen Atlux	Equatorial	Dual axis built in with Skysensor 2000PC	An even heavier duty mount rated for 22kg of telescope. Supplied with the computer system for ease of use. Larger worm gears also mean smoother motion and accuracy over the GP's.
Intes-Micro Alter D6	Equatorial	Built in Dual Axis with programmable Periodic Error Correction	The biggest equatorial mount for the amateur that is 'off the shelf'. Rated for 35-40kg telescopes it has very smooth motion. For permanent installation or the very determined amateur. Two counterweights suplied with a split length counter weight rod. See below for further information.

Drive Motors

You will find that using a telescope at high power is an education. The objects keep moving out of sight. At 300x magnification, Jupiter (or anything else) seems to move 300 times faster, and will disappear out of the field of view in a few seconds. A drive motor fitted to your equatorial mount will make the telescope follow the sky. So the objects stay in view all the time. A motor also is needed if you wish to start trying to do any astrophotography.

There are different motor sets for each type of mount. The EQ-1 mount and EQ-2 mounts have only RA motors available. The EQ-3 and EQ-5 mounts have single and dual axis drives and will also accept the new Sky-Watcher GoTo system. If you are ordering the motors for your mount make that you specify which mount you have.