Ranking 35+ Equatorial Mounts for Astrophotography

Under $1000 EQ Mounts

Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer GTi

The Star Adventurer GTi is a GoTo equatorial mount that works well for imaging with smaller instruments (up to around 500 mm focal length or 5 lbs). There are some advantages, such as a built-in illuminated polar scope, easier autoguiding capability, and a beefier latitude adjuster with a center of mass that’s more correctly placed above the center of the tripod. A 70 mm astrograph refractor or telephoto lens plus autoguiding equipment is the largest feasible astrophotography payload the Star Adventurer GTi can handle.

iOptron SkyGuider Pro

Rank 2

4.4^_/5

The iOptron SkyGuider Pro is a great motorized star tracker for the smallest astrophotography rigs and can hold a 4” Cassegrain or 3” refractor for light visual use, though aiming is complicated by the lack of fine adjustments or drives on the mount’s declination axis.

Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer 2i Pro

Rank 3

4.2^_/5

The Star Adventurer 2i Pro makes for a great astrophotography star tracker and can also be used for holding a small Cassegrain or refractor telescope, though the declination axis of the mount has no adjustments besides a coarse manual pivot. You’ll also need to find yourself a suitable tripod for the Star Adventurer or purchase the separately sold unit from Sky-Watcher.

Explore Scientific EXOS-2GT with PMC-8

Rank 4

4.1_^/5

The EXOS-2GT uses quality stepper motors and is easy to interface with over WiFi or with a PC cable. The EXOS-2GT can just barely hold a 15 lb telescope for visual use, such as an 8” Schmidt-Cassegrain, and for imaging you’re limited to smaller instruments of 800 mm or so focal length and no more than 10 lbs, a far cry from the 40 lb claimed visual and 20 lb photographic payload advertised.

Explore FirstLight EXOS-2

Rank 5

4.1_^/5

The regular EXOS-2 GoTo mount has full GoTo and tracking, steered by stepper motors. At first glance, this would seem like a huge boon; however, the clunky firmware, hand controller, and low-quality motors mean that the mount is poor for imaging and rather time-consuming, if not outright frustrating, to use for visual observation. You would probably be better served by a manual or more expensive GoTo mount.

Explore Scientific FirstLight Exos Nano

Rank 6

3.9_^/5

The FirstLight Exos Nano is a lightweight equatorial mount that can hold telescopes no bigger than a 3” refractor or 5” Cassegrain, though Explore Scientific does sell it bundled with an unfortunately undermounted 4” f/10 refractor. The Exos Nano, like its alt-azimuth counterpart, the Twilight Nano, is really best as a replacement mount for an existing low-cost telescope. It is decently constructed and easy to add a motor drive to but lacks the ability to be precisely aligned with a polar scope or carry heavy loads.

$1,000-$2,000 EQ Mounts

Sky-Watcher HEQ5

$1625 at AgenaAstro

This is the mount that I learned astrophotography on, and it is a really solid choice.

The Sky-Watcher HEQ5 is a medium-duty equatorial mount with a high payload capacity and excellent tracking/guiding accuracy—it often guides in under an arc second—and is still quite lightweight and portable. The HEQ5 is compatible with EQMod drivers and a variety of hardware accessories to allow you to get the most out of it and have plenty of room to grow, and there are some who have made the belt and tuning modifications to further improve tracking and guiding accuracy with this mount. I would recommend putting a scope no heavier than 15 pounds or longer than 1200 mm in focal length on the SkyWatcher HEQ5. It struggles with my 6” f/9 Ritchey-Chretien, for instance, which is right around those limits.

iOptron GEM28

Rank 2

4.3^_/5

The iOptron GEM28 is an excellent mount but is harder to get used to than offerings from other brands. The iOptron GEM28 is well-designed, with capacity and performance similar to that of the Sky-Watcher HEQ5, but its interface and some of the mechanical aspects, such as its locks instead of normal clutches as well as quirks with power connectors and using the GoTo system, make it confusing for visual astronomers and difficult to use for astrophotographers.

iOptron CEM26

Rank 3

4.3_^/5

The iOptron CEM26EC isn’t the heaviest duty mount out there, but it has a built-in digital polar scope that you’d otherwise have to pay hundreds of dollars for to stick on as an aftermarket unit (such as the QHY PoleMaster). It also has built-in WiFi. As such, while capability-wise it’s quite similar to the Sky-Watcher HEQ5, the convenience factor is much higher. Additionally, its center-balanced design makes it rather lightweight given its payload capacity of 26 lbs. The iOptron CEM26 is a bit sturdier than the GEM28 but otherwise identical.

Celestron Advanced VX

Rank 4

4.1_^/5

Despite all the hatred it seems to receive, the Advanced VX is a workable—if not perfect—mount. It uses servo motors rather than steppers, and the declination axis has no bearings whatsoever—the result is that it has lots of backlash when slewing the mount around the sky and during autoguiding. However, there are plenty of fine images taken with Advanced VX mounts. If you can swing the extra $250 to buy the Sky-Watcher HEQ5 Pro, I would definitely recommend doing so, but there is absolutely no shame in owning or using a VX. I would not recommend loading anything over about 14 pounds for imaging on the Advanced VX.

Vixen Optics Advanced Polaris-M Motorized EQ Mount with Star Book One

Rank 5

3.9_^/5

The Advanced Polaris-M is a lovely mount, but it occupies a similar niche to lower-tier mounts at half its price. The mount does use stepper motors, but it is not nearly as supported by software such as ASCOM, while the StarBook controller is extremely antiquated and hard to use.

$2,000-$3,000 EQ Mounts

Sky-Watcher AZ-EQ6

$2850 at HighPoint

The Sky-Watcher AZ-EQ6i resembles the EQ6R but with numerous small improvements benefiting both visual astronomers and astrophotographers. For starters, the AZ-EQ6i features Sky-Watcher’s FreedomFind technology to allow you to aim manually, which makes it great for use at outreach events when you’re worried about small bumps or if you’re in a hurry. You can use the AZ-EQ6i as an alt-azimuth mount, and in alt-azimuth configuration it can actually support two telescopes side-by-side! Lastly, the AZ-EQ6i can be plugged directly into a PC with a USB-C port instead of the usual serial port and adapter shenanigans common to most other equatorial mounts, a huge bonus for astrophotographers.

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro

$2250 at HighPoint

The Sky-Watcher EQ6R is a heavy-duty equatorial mount with a high payload capacity and precise tracking capabilities thanks to its built-in belt drives. It has a dual saddle for both Vixen- and Losmandy-style dovetail plates, an integrated carry handle, a built-in polar scope, and a retracting counterweight shaft like the HEQ5. The EQ6R’s huge 44 lb payload capacity is ideal for deep-sky astrophotography use with 8” SCTs, Newtonians, or Ritchey-Chretien telescopes, as well as big refractors. Downsides? Weight. The mount head alone weighs 38 pounds, with the tripod coming in at another 16.5 pounds. Maneuvering the mount head onto the tripod is difficult, to say the least, and then there are the counterweights and your scope itself.

Sky-Watcher AZ-EQ5

$2095 at HighPoint

The AZ-EQ5 offers many of the features of the AZ-EQ6 but in a slimmed-down package similar in size and capacity to the HEQ5 Pro, though slightly more capable of holding heavier instruments for visual use and with the added bonus of a belt drive for even smoother tracking/guiding. You also get a pier extension provided by default, which serves to raise the height of long refractors.

ZWO AM5

Rank 4

4.8^_/5

A well-designed mount that’s on the light side as far as capacity goes, the iOptron GEM28 requires some getting used to in its operation and is not exactly a beginner-friendly mount, though it’s sturdy, tracks accurately, and is jam-packed with features.

Losmandy GM-8 Gemini II

Rank 5

4.7_^/5

The venerable GM-8 is a high-quality mount with a weight capacity of around 30 lbs for visual use and 15-20 lbs for imaging. Its GoTo system is hardly the most sophisticated or easiest to operate, but the mount offers superb mechanics and accurate tracking. You can also upgrade it to a GM811G or convert it to an AZ8 fairly easily, thanks to the unique interchangeable parts of the Losmandy equatorial mounts.

iOptron CEM40C

Rank 6

4.6_^/5

The iOptron CEM40C is a well-made mount but doesn’t offer much payload capacity for the money.
It’s a center-balanced version of the GEM45 and suffers from many of the same benefits and drawbacks.

Celestron CGEM II

Rank 7

3.8_^/5

The Celestron CGEM II borrows many parts of the Advanced VX, including its so-so declination axis and motor drives, but isn’t much cheaper than the vastly superior Sky-Watcher EQ6R. The Celestron CGEM II is essentially a beefed-up Advanced VX with a similar visual capacity to the Sky-Watcher EQ6R. However, the CGEM II lacks the EQ6R’s belt drives, polar scope, or WiFi operability by default, and there’s no carry handle. The lower-quality drive system compared to the EQ6R means the CGEM II is significantly inferior for astrophotography, and the Sky-Watcher EQ6R occupies essentially the same price range, with bonus features and improvements for both visual and astrophotography use compared to the CGEM II.

Vixen SX2

Rank 8

3.7_^/5

The Vixen SX2 is similar in design and payload capacity to the Sky-Watcher HEQ5 Pro but without the latter’s simple interface, instead coupled to the calculator-like StarBook controller, and offered at a price that competes with heavier-duty mounts with superior harmonic or belt drive systems.

$3,000-$4,000 EQ Mounts

Celestron CGX

$2999 at HighPoint

The Celestron CGX hardly weighs more than the EQ6Ri or AZ-EQ6i but has an improved visual payload capacity of 55 lbs, enough to carry the heaviest optical tubes like Celestron’s C14; heavier mounts typically suited for such a task are more or less intended for permanent observatories and hard to set up yourself. For astrophotography, it is sturdy and well-designed enough to work with most 8” and 10” optical tubes, provided you, of course, use autoguiding and have good polar alignment. 6” apochromatic refractors are usually fine on the CGX for imaging, though the heaviest triplets may need a beefier mount. A dual Vixen/Losmandy saddle is standard, and the CGX can track past the meridian without having to be “flipped” like most equatorial mounts. However, you don’t get a polar scope, and the tripod is not the beefiest, arguably serving as the weakest link in the CGX mount when it comes to tracking accuracy and stability.

Losmandy G11 Gemini II

Rank 2

4.9^_/5

The Losmandy G11 was one of the first high-quality German equatorial mounts offered for astrophotographers, and its design has changed little since its debut, including the Gemini II GoTo system, which is beginning to show its age. The G11 offers both a modular design—easily upgraded to a heavier-duty G11GT or shrunken into a GM811G—and high-quality mechanics and tracking abilities. It can carry payloads of around 35 lbs for imaging or up to 60 lbs for visual use, enough to hold a 14” Schmidt-Cassegrain in the case of the latter.

Losmandy GM811G

Rank 3

4.9_^/5

The GM811G is a hybrid between the G11 and GM-8, with the G11’s right ascension axis attached to a GM8 tripod and declination shaft. You can purchase it as is or upgrade your GM8 to one. The GM811G is a lot more portable and substantially cheaper than the G11 and offers similar features to the Sky-Watcher EQ6R but with slightly better mechanics and tracking. However, the interface is a bit outdated, as with other Losmandy mounts.

Takahashi EM-11

Rank 4

4.4_^/5

An extremely expensive mount for its weight capacity, but with high-quality parts fitting the Takahashi name, the EM-11 is an old-school equatorial mount that’s excellent for visual or imaging use, though not nearly as hefty as other mounts offered at such a high price.

iOptron CEM70

Rank 5

4.3_^/5

The iOptron CEM70 has many of the same features—and confusion—as other iOptron mounts and is best for the experienced or technically inclined imagers out there. It has conveniences such as built-in USB ports, and its center-balanced design aids portability, but it’s not as capable or as consistent in quality as simpler and more robust mounts such as those from Losmandy and Sky-Watcher.

Vixen SPHINX SXD2

Rank 6

4.2_^/5

The Vixen SPHINX SXD2 offers a capacity of around 20 lbs for imaging and 35 lbs for visual use and is high-quality in construction with excellent tracking and guiding. However, it fares poorly in user interface and value for the money, as with other Vixen mounts.

$4,000-$5,000 EQ Mounts

Mounts in this price range offer high-quality parts and heavy payload capacity, though some are pushing the limits of what can be called portable. All three of our top picks in this category are amazing mounts with different specializations that some users may prefer.

Sky-Watcher CQ350 Pro

$4695 at HighPoint

The Sky-Watcher CQ350 Pro is the heaviest-duty portable equatorial mount to date and features many of the latest and greatest technologies meant for imaging use. It has a 77 lb stated payload capacity and will hold even a 14” telescope for long-exposure deep-sky imaging without a problem (as well as being, of course, rock-solid for visual astronomy). The mount head is not really any heavier than the CGX, though the massive tripod legs are quite bulky and awkward to carry around. The CQ350 features direct USB ports like the AZ-EQ6i and comes with a hand controller by default, though it’s easy to add a WiFi adapter or just control the mount directly via your PC.

Losmandy G11GT

Rank 2

4.9^_/5

The G11GT combines the G11’s declination axis with the heavier-duty right ascension drive and tripod of the HGM Titan mount. It is a huge mount with plenty of payload capacity, though it’s not the most portable option.

Rainbow Astro RST135

Rank 3

4.9_^/5

The Rainbow Astro RST135 is an excellent harmonic drive mount, offering high payload capacity in a lighter and more portable package than many other mounts of similar weight class.

Explore Scientific Losmandy G-11 PMC-8

Rank 4

4.8_^/5

The PMC-8 system from Explore Scientific simplifies interfacing with it using your smartphone/tablet or PC and cables, as well as offering a few other perks to improve tracking and guiding quality.

Celestron CGX-L

Rank 5

4.6_^/5

The Celestron CGX-L is not very portable but is largely similar to the CGX apart from larger shafts and other heavier-duty parts. The Celestron CGX-L is essentially a “beefed up” CGX with various mechanical improvements, a wider counterweight shaft, a longer and stiffer dual dovetail saddle, and of course a bigger tripod. It can hold up to 75 lbs and is similar in performance and overall portability to the Sky-Watcher CQ350, though the CQ350 is less tall and quite a bit steadier.

Takahashi EM-11

Rank 6

4.4_^/5

$5,000+ EQ Mounts

Most mounts above $5000 USD or so are specialty premium products, and even if they are technically advertised as “portable” and have piers or tripods that can be broken down, you probably should be looking at a permanent observatory setup for many of the heavy-duty ones of this size.

Software Bisque Paramount MYT: 5/5
Losmandy HGM Titan w/ Gemini 2 GoTo: 4.9/5
Sky-Watcher EQ8-R Pro: 4.8/5
iOptron CEM120: 4.7/5
Takahashi EM-200: 4.7/5

9 thoughts on “Ranking The Best from 35+ Equatorial Mounts for Astrophotography”

Said

Jul 31, 2020 at 4:13 am

Hi,
I wonder if I can ask your thoughts on the sky-watcher AZ-GTi with updates software as an EQ Mount for astrophotography. Coupled with the Sky Watcher 72 ProEd you mentioned above.

Thanks for your time
- Zane Landers
  
  Aug 1, 2020 at 4:55 am
  
  Not enough capacity for that scope, it’s marginally better than a Star Adventurer
Akhil

May 10, 2021 at 5:58 pm

I have a Skyview Pro and was looking to buy the Truetrack dual axis motors for it so I can start doing astrophotography with my ED80T CF. Do you think this will be adequate or should I save up for a HEQ-5? I will also have to buy the polar alignment scope for the SVP if I decide to get the motors.
- Zane Landers
  
  May 10, 2021 at 6:06 pm
  
  The TrueTrack is kind of a pain for astrophotography as it doesn’t have guiding capability nor GoTo. The SVP is heavy duty enough for the ED80T but has the aforementioned issues and doesn’t give you room to grow, I’d get the HEQ5.
  - Akhil
    
    May 10, 2021 at 10:25 pm
    
    I’ve been looking around online at different brands that sell GoTo mounts at around the same price point as the HEQ5 and have seen a few iOptron mounts that look nice (visually have no idea how they preform) but they all look the same but seem to be different variations of each other. Do you know if iOptron mounts are good and do you have any recommendation for versions?
    - Zane Landers
      
      May 10, 2021 at 10:49 pm
      
      Honestly I’m not that knowledgeable on the iOptron mounts, I would ask on /r/telescopes but I know some of them are pretty nice.
Monica Aguilar

Aug 13, 2021 at 6:10 pm

hello so they are selling me a 600 dll skywatcher eqm 35pro.but i have a celestron nexstar8se and im not sure if its ok can anyone let me know before i buy it.. ty in advance. or what would be the best yet cheapest eqm
Jose Hernandez

Jul 17, 2022 at 1:12 pm

Hi Telescopic Watch!
The offer of equipment for astronomy in my country is very limited, almost non-existent, I have been looking for automated equatorial mounts for a while and finally found the Explore Scientific iexos-100 pcm, I would like to know your opinion, I plan to use it with a Zhumel Z130
- Zane Landers
  
  Oct 3, 2023 at 12:44 am
  
  That should work reasonably well.

Ranking The Best from 35+ Equatorial Mounts for Astrophotography

Under $1000 EQ Mounts

$1,000-$2,000 EQ Mounts

$2,000-$3,000 EQ Mounts

$3,000-$4,000 EQ Mounts

$4,000-$5,000 EQ Mounts

$5,000+ EQ Mounts

Zane Landers

9 thoughts on “Ranking The Best from 35+ Equatorial Mounts for Astrophotography”

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