Gear Database

RST-135E Weightless Mount

Rainbow Astro

RST-135E Weightless Mount is a GoTo equatorial mount for guided astrophotography rigs.

mount flagship
RST-135E Weightless Mount

Best Current Offer

Starizona logo
Starizona
In stock
$5,990.00

Specifications

Mount

Mount type
Dual German equatorial / alt-az strain-wave mount
Drive system
Strain wave gear / harmonic drive
Payload capacity
13.5 kg without counterweight; 18 kg with counterweight
Mount weight
3.4 kg
Latitude range
0 to 90 degrees

Capacity

Payload-to-weight ratio
5.3:1

Motion

Slew rate
1,800x (7.5°/s) at 16 V DC
Periodic error
±2.5 arcsec (430 sec period)
Encoder
Renishaw high-resolution encoder on RA axis

Electronics

Controller
Computerized GoTo control
Power
DC 12-16 V

Mechanical

Interface
ASCOM Driver

Astrophotography Fit

A general-purpose GoTo mount that should be chosen by realistic imaging payload, not headline capacity alone.

RST-135E Weightless Mount is a flagship GoTo equatorial mount for computerized tracking and guiding.

For long-exposure astrophotography, use a conservative imaging payload. The telescope, camera, guide hardware, dew heaters, dovetails, and cables all count, and guiding performance matters more than the catalog payload number.

Best paired with

  • Autoguided refractors or corrected reflectors within conservative payload limits
  • Stable tripod or pier and balanced counterweights
  • Computer or hand-controller workflow with good polar alignment

Not recommended for

  • Payloads at the rated maximum for imaging
  • Users who need an airline-portable rig above all else
  • Long focal length work without guiding and careful balance

Where To Buy

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Retailer Price Availability View Offer
Starizona logo
Starizona
Starizona
$5,990.00
In stock
Updated 5/13/2026
View Offer - $5,990.00