A selection of equatorial mounts used and recommended by members. The mount is the single most important piece of astrophotography equipment. The payload will limit the size of scope and the quality will limit the tracking capability.
The mounts are shown in order of payload and therefore price.
Star Adventurer GTI
At last a fully capable mobile equatorial mount with built in polar scope that can be fully computer controlled using standard control software or using the free SynScan App. Connection by wifi, USB or EQ-Mod cableNot to be confused with previous versions such as the star adventurer tracker (no goto etc) or the AZ gti that had no polar scope. Payload Capacity 5kg (11 lb). Can be guided but maximum focal length is realistically around 300mm. It is an ideal platform for the Samyang 135mm lens. The head weighs only 2.6kg but there is also the 2.6kg counterweight. 12v power by adapter or 8 AA batteries.
Skywatcher HEQ5-Pro (belt adapted)
The classic first serious equatorial mount, that might be the only mount you ever need. worth getting the basic model upgraded so that the drive is replaced y a Rowan Belt. The HEQ5 Pro mount is considered by many to be Sky-Watcher’s ‘sweet spot’. A mount costing less than £1k (before the Rowan upgrade) with an impressive combination of ease of use, stability and tracking performance. It is probably the mount most recommended to someone wanting to begin astrophotography.