A tracking equatorial telescope mount is required to take long exposure images of the night sky without star trailing. There are many excellent astrophotography mounts available today from portable harmonic drive mounts like the ZWO AM5 to robust observatory-grade platforms like the Sky-Wather EQ8-R Pro.
If you are looking for a telescope mount that is well-rounded for almost all forms of astrophotography, I highly recommend the versatile Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro. With a maximum payload capacity of 44 pounds, it can handle a wide range of telescopes and imaging configurations.
If you are looking for the ultimate level of portability, you can also take a look at the many excellent star trackers available for astrophotography.
Last updated: December 1, 2025. If you find this helpful and buy through my links, I may receive a small commission. I am often asked for my opinion on the best route to take when building a deep-sky astrophotography kit for the first time. You need three main items: a camera, a telescope, and a…
The Sky-Watcher Wave 150i strain wave mount is the latest equatorial tracking telescope mount from a brand known for its reliable astrophotography mounts. For the first time in Sky-Watcher’s history, this mount doesn’t require a counterweight. Strain wave gear telescope mounts are designed to be compact, portable, and lightweight. In fact, the Sky-Watcher Wave 150i…
Last updated: November 6, 2025. If you find this helpful and buy through my links, I may receive a small commission. If you’re new to astrophotography, an equatorial telescope mount is one of the first pieces of equipment you will need to purchase. Whether it’s a star tracker or a heavy-duty astrophotography mount capable of…
The ZWO AM5 is the astrophotography mount I didn’t think I needed. Yes, it perfectly matches the color of my existing ZWO cameras (and ASIAIR Plus), but do I really need a tracking telescope mount that doesn’t require a counterweight? I have casually observed a number of harmonic drive telescope mounts appear in the astrophotography…
The Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro is a computerized equatorial telescope mount with GoTo capabilities. This equatorial (EQ) mount is capable of providing precise, accurate tracking of the night sky, and is suitable for long-exposure astrophotography. The core specifications of this equatorial mount include having a built-in ST-4 autoguider port, a payload capacity of 44 pounds, and…