Hybrid Telescope Mounts
Hybrid mounts can operate in both equatorial and altazimuth modes. Learn more in our helpful Hybrid Mount Guide!
- ZWO AM5 Strain Wave Drive Equatorial Mount and TripodOur Price: $2,298.00In StockFree Contiguous US Shipping
- ZWO AM3 Strain Wave Drive Equatorial Mount and TripodOur Price: $1,798.00Out of StockFree Contiguous US Shipping
- DiscontinuedZWO AM3 Strain Wave Drive Equatorial Mount and Tripod - Redcat EditionOur Price: $1,798.00Out of StockFree Contiguous US Shipping
- Pegasus Astro NYX-101 Strain Wave Gear Portable EQ / ALT-AZ MountOur Price: $2,960.00In StockFree Contiguous US Shipping
- On SaleSky-Watcher AZ-EQ5 Mount with Pier Tripod # S30200Our Price: $1,599.00In StockFree Contiguous US Shipping
- Sky Watcher AZ-EQ5i WiFi Mount with Pier Tripod # S30205Our Price: $1,815.00In StockFree Contiguous US Shipping
- iOptron HAE43EC Strain Wave AZ/EQ Dual Mount Head with High Precision Encoders # HAE43ECOur Price: $4,248.00Out of StockFree Contiguous US Shipping
- iOptron HAE29EC Strain Wave AZ/EQ Dual Mount Head with High Precision Encoders # HE294PAOur Price: $3,348.00Out of StockFree Contiguous US Shipping
- iOptron HEM44EC Hybrid Strain Wave EQ Mount Head with High Precision Encoders # H444AOur Price: $4,148.00In StockFree Contiguous US Shipping
- iOptron Strain Wave AZ/EQ Dual Mount Head with iPolar # HAE43Our Price: $2,898.00In StockFree Contiguous US Shipping
- iOptron HAE29 Strain Wave AZ/EQ Dual Mount Head with iPolar # HE292PAOur Price: $2,098.00In StockFree Contiguous US Shipping
- iOptron HEM15 Hybrid Strain Wave Gear Mount Head with iPolar # H152AOur Price: $1,498.00In StockFree Contiguous US Shipping
- iOptron HEM44 Hybrid Strain Wave EQ Mount Head with iPolar # H442AOur Price: $2,798.00In StockFree Contiguous US Shipping
- iOptron HEM15 Hybrid Strain Wave Gear Mount Head # H152Our Price: $1,348.00In StockFree Contiguous US Shipping
- ClearanceClearance: *2nd* ZWO AM5 Strain Wave Drive Equatorial Mount Head CLN-255Sale Price: $1,979.00 Our Price: $1,999.00Out of StockFree US Shipping
- ZWO AM3 Strain Wave Drive Equatorial Mount HeadOur Price: $1,499.00Out of StockFree Contiguous US Shipping
- Pegasus Astro NYX-101 Strain Wave Gear Mount with Saddle Powerbox # PEG-NYX101 + PEG-SADDLEPBOXOur Price: $3,350.00In StockFree Contiguous US Shipping
- DiscontinuedZWO AM3 Strain Wave Drive Equatorial Mount Head - Redcat EditionOur Price: $1,499.00Out of StockFree Contiguous US Shipping
- NewiOptron HAE432P Strain Wave AZ/EQ Dual Mount Head w/o iPolar # HAE432POur Price: $2,748.00In StockFree Contiguous US Shipping
Hybrid Mount Guide
Hybrid telescope mounts feature the best of both worlds: they can work as an equatorial mount for astrophotography, or be angled parallel to the ground to work as an altazimuth mount for visual observing. Though sometimes more expensive than a dedicated equatorial or altazimuth mount, hybrid mounts are the clear best choice for those who do both astrophotography and visual observing.
Types of Hybrid Mounts
Harmonic Drive Hybrid Mounts
The ZWO AM5 harmonic drive mount is a hybrid alt-az/equatorial mount
Some hybrid mounts are based off a harmonic drive design. Many of today's harmonic drive mounts can operate in both equatorial and altazimuth modes thanks to their stronger strain wave gears. The ZWO AM5 and Pegasus NYX-101 are great examples of hybrid harmonic drive mounts.
German Equatorial Hybrid Mounts
Other hybrid mounts are based on a more traditional German Equatorial Mount design. These mounts have a counterweight system and many are modeled after a matching German Equatorial Mount. For example, the Sky-Watcher AZ-EQ5 and AZ-EQ6 mounts are modified versions of the popular HEQ5 and EQ6-R mounts.
The Sky-Watcher AZ-EQ6 mount operating in dual OTA mode
The AZ-EQ5 and AZ-EQ6 mounts have a trick up their sleeve: they're able to operate in dual OTA mode. This allows you to mount two telescopes opposite each other on the same mount. This is a great option for those who do public outreach with two telescopes and would like to do astrophotography — all on the same mount!