Up-down, left-right, and nothing to align · review
An all-metal alt-azimuth base for iOptron's SkyTracker Pro and SkyGuider Pro, with −30° to 65° of latitude so the load can sit on either side, ±5° of azimuth and a bubble level.
Small star trackers have to be tilted so their axis points at the pole, and then turned until it points at true north. This base does both with dedicated adjustments while the tripod stays put: latitude from −30° to 65°, azimuth ±5°, and a built-in bubble level so the starting point is level.
Nobody observes from minus thirty degrees of latitude. The maker explains the figure: the range lets the device or scope be mounted on either side of the base for better balance.
A tracker carrying a camera and a long lens is lopsided. Being able to tilt the base the other way lets the weight sit where it balances instead of where the geometry put it, and a balanced tracker runs more smoothly.
Getting the azimuth right by shuffling tripod legs on grass in the dark is slow. Five degrees of adjustment at the base finishes the job by hand, which is the use the listing names.
The top is a Φ80 mm (3.15 in) base with a Vixen-type dovetail clamp and dual-direction mounting. The listing adds that it can serve as a wedge to convert a small alt-azimuth mount to equatorial, with a dovetail plate possibly needed.
iOptron also sells a CNC-machined Precision AZ/EQ base with 0° to 90° of latitude. On November 7, 2026 it cost about three times as much. Below 65° north, which covers almost all of North America, this one does the same job.
On November 7, 2026, Amazon.com listed it at about $91 from a third-party seller.
Figures as Keepa reported them on the day this page was last updated. Stock and pricing shift without warning.
Prices quoted in this text were read on November 7, 2026. The live price is at the top of the page.
Same aisle, closest price — what the same spend else shows.
| Payload rating | Not published by the maker · Stated for iOptron SkyTracker Pro and SkyGuider Pro, and other small camera mounts |
|---|---|
| Slow-motion control | Latitude adjustment −30° to 65° and azimuth adjustment ±5°, stated, for repositioning during polar alignment with the mount on the tripod |
| Clutch | Not published by the maker. |
| Tension | Not published by the maker. |
| Dovetail fitting | Φ80 mm (3.15 in) base accepting a Vixen-type dovetail bar · Dual-direction mounting |
| Tripod construction | None: a base for a tripod · All-metal construction · Built-in bubble level |
| Setup time | Not published by the maker. |
| Supplied optics | None: this is a base · Stated usable as a wedge to convert alt-azimuth to equatorial, a dovetail plate possibly needed · Listing model number 3327 |
| Amazon reference | B07VGPC5D8 |
| EAN | 0758277664202 |
Because the range is about balance as much as geography. The maker says the −30° to 65° range lets the device or scope be mounted on either side of the base. A tracker with a camera and long lens is lopsided, and tilting the base the other way lets the weight sit where it balances.
It swings the mount a few degrees left or right without moving the tripod, which is how a polar alignment is finished once the latitude is set. The maker names exactly that use.
For almost everyone in North America. The polar axis is tilted to your latitude: 40° in Denver, 48° in Seattle, 61° in Anchorage. Only observers north of 65° need iOptron's [Precision base](/reviews/alt-azimuth-mounts-ioptron-precision/), which goes to 90°.
This model is listed on Amazon.com, at ≈ $91 at the last reading. Listed is not the same as in stock: availability changes daily, and the buy box shows the live price.
Details checked on November 7, 2026.
Polar-aligning a small camera tracker without moving the tripod legs
Specifications: the manufacturer sheet for telescopes and observing optics and the matching Amazon product page. Prices and availability: Keepa. Every figure on this page names its source.
126:1 worm gear on both axes · ALT/AZ scales · die-cast aluminum head · 32 mm (1.26 in) aluminum legs
An all-metal alt-azimuth mount and tripod with 126:1 worm-gear slow motion on both axes and altitude and azimuth scales, sold for 130/650 reflectors and 90/1000 refractors.
Best for: A 130/650 reflector or 90/1000 refractor that needs geared movement and setting scales
32 to 45 in height · two slow-motion controls · slotted 1/4-20 plate · aluminum legs · no dovetail
A metal alt-azimuth head on two-section aluminum legs, with slow-motion controls on both axes and a slotted 1/4-20 plate for balancing a spotting scope, binocular or small telescope.
Best for: Giant binoculars or a spotting scope that needs geared movement rather than a dovetail
≈ $115
0° to 90° latitude · ±5° azimuth · CNC-machined metal · Φ80 mm (3.15 in) base · Vixen bar · 3/8 in tripod thread
A red CNC-machined alt-azimuth base for iOptron's SkyTracker Pro, SkyGuider Pro and SkyHunter, with 0° to 90° of latitude, ±5° of azimuth, a bubble level and a Vixen-type dovetail clamp.
Best for: Polar-aligning a small camera tracker at any latitude, on a photo tripod
≈ $268
