Optics
Advanced VX Computerized German Equatorial Mount — 30 lb Capacity
Product description
What’s in the kit
The package includes the computerized German equatorial mount head, a 2" stainless-steel tripod, the NexStar+ hand controller, counterweight and shaft, and the necessary cabling and power input. Total packed kit weight is about 47 lb, making it manageable to transport to backyard or dark-site sessions.
Build and materials
The tripod’s 2" stainless-steel legs provide a solid foundation that reduces vibration at higher magnifications. The mount head houses RA and Dec motors with integer gear ratios and a worm gear that supports permanently programmable Periodic Error Correction to reduce recurring tracking errors.
Performance and range
Rated to carry up to 30 lb, the mount accommodates a broad range of telescopes and accessories. Latitude adjustment covers 7° to 77°, enabling accurate polar alignment in most locations. It supports sidereal, solar and lunar tracking rates, and can operate in both EQ North and EQ South modes for flexible setup.
Control and features
The NexStar+ hand control contains a large object database (40,000+ entries) and several alignment routines for quick GoTo pointing. Improved motors and electronics offer stronger drive authority and more memory for future firmware expansions. Design updates allow imaging or viewing across the meridian with less hardware interference, while multilingual support (English, French, Italian, German, Spanish) is built into the controller.
Pros
- Solid 2" stainless tripod reduces vibration
- 30 lb capacity suits many mid-size scopes
- NexStar+ GoTo with large object database
Cons
- Some users report occasional QC or electronics issues
- Heavier than simple alt-az rigs — less single-trip portability
- Hand controller appearance and packaging can vary
VerdictA versatile EQ mount that balances portability and capability. The 30 lb payload and rigid 2" stainless tripod make it suitable for medium-sized refractors and SCTs for both observing and starter-level astrophotography. The NexStar+ controller, multiple tracking rates and programmable periodic error correction give accurate GoTo and long-run tracking. Some users report occasional quality-control o
Reviews
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nachteule hb. 5/5
Highly recommend for imaging
Excellent model — ideal for astrophotography. Very good tracking, easy to operate, stable and resistant to wind.
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Orion 4/5
I got a solid unit after a learning curve
There are reports of QC problems, so I kept the box just in case. After a handful of nights and dialing in alignment, it’s been very stable. The axes start stiff — making balance more fiddly — and I had software hiccups with a mini PC, so I often rely on the hand controller. Tracking has been better than I expected.
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Todd 5/5
Excellent value transitioning to a GEM
My first German equatorial mount after using an alt-az. Setup and calibration are straightforward; I recommend using extra calibration stars for best accuracy. It’s a bit heavier with the counterweight and not as easily moved in one trip. I run it from a 12 V battery pack (uses a vehicle-style DC plug) which works well for field sessions.
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Orrin aragon 5/5
Very pleased — performed flawlessly out of the box
Well packed and fast delivery. I assembled and polar-aligned the same day, achieved very tight alignment and smooth tracking. Quality feels good and it ran smoothly during my session.
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Jessie 5/5
Solid starter/intermediate mount
After reading mixed opinions I bought it anyway. With good polar alignment I regularly get under 1" tracking error using an 8" SCT and accessories (~20 lb). Great mount for beginners stepping up to a GEM; I don’t plan to change anytime soon.
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Robert Williams 1/5
DOA DEC motor — disappointing first impression
When I assembled mine the declination motor didn’t work. Returning such a large item will be costly and frustrating. The mechanical build seemed decent but some connector choices and electronics layout raised red flags for me as an engineer. Considering other brands now.
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Joel G 4/5
Good product
Good product, works well; durability to be judged over time.
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NJ Tinkerer 5/5
Good mount; arrived quickly but controller needed attention
Shipped very fast and arrived in one box. The mount and hardware all looked fine, but the hand controller showed wear and a cracked display. I contacted the seller and they arranged a replacement promptly after I checked warranty options with the manufacturer. Aside from the controller issue, the mechanical parts were intact and easy to inspect.
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StarDale 5/5
Nice ergonomic upgrade from older mounts
Upgraded from an older CG5-style mount. Tripod remains sturdy with 2" stainless legs, but the new head has improved knobs and smoother adjustments. Ergonomics are much better and the latitude/altitude scales and knobs feel more refined for precise alignment.
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Baz Gui 5/5
Impressive for DSLR astrophotography
I needed better performance than my alt-az for long exposures. The tripod and head are very sturdy — vibration is effectively eliminated. The 2-star + calibration method reliably centers targets and I’ve achieved clean, non-trailed exposures up to about one minute without autoguiding.
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