# Best Counterweights for Balanced Equatorial Mounts (2026) Source: https://stargazernest.com/best/counterweights Updated: 2026-09-14 Publisher: Stargazer Nest. Our score is an editorial rating out of 10 (fit 35%, features 25%, build 20%, value 20%), not a customer rating. Method: https://stargazernest.com/how-we-research#our-score A counterweight balances a German equatorial mount against the telescope's weight, taking load off the motors and gears so tracking stays smooth. Compare the mass of each weight, the bore diameter that must match your mount's shaft, and whether the design allows fine positioning along the bar. Rubber bumpers and secure locking knobs prevent slipping and protect the mount if a weight drops. Having the right total mass lets you balance in both right ascension and declination for accurate tracking. These suit anyone running an equatorial mount, especially imagers who need precise balance for clean guiding. They are irrelevant to altazimuth and Dobsonian setups. A practical tip: confirm the bore diameter against your specific mount before buying, since counterweight shafts vary between brands and models, and a weight that does not slide onto your bar, or wobbles loosely on it, cannot balance the load safely. ## Picks ### 1. Sky-Watcher S20530 Star Adventurer Latitude EQ Base and S20540 Counter Weight Kit Accessory Our score: 8.4/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10) Sky-Watcher S20530 Star Adventurer latitude EQ base and S20540 counter weight kit accessory bundle. Pros: - Latitude EQ base makes polar alignment adjustments much easier - Counter weight kit adds balance for heavier camera setups - Bundle upgrades a basic Star Adventurer for serious tracking Cons: - Only useful with Star Adventurer trackers - Bundle adds weight and bulk to a portable kit Details: https://stargazernest.com/product/B07TK97QW5 ### 2. Sky-Watcher S20540 Star Adventurer Counter Weight Kit Telescope Accessory Black Our score: 8.1/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10) Sky-Watcher S20540 Star Adventurer counter weight kit in black, a balance accessory for the Star Adventurer tracker. Pros: - Balances camera and lens loads for smoother Star Adventurer tracking - Designed specifically for Star Adventurer mounts for a proper fit - Helps reduce strain on the tracker motor Cons: - Only useful for Star Adventurer owners, other trackers use different shafts - Adds weight to an otherwise light travel setup Details: https://stargazernest.com/product/B00XX646MG ### 3. Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Counterweights 11 lb Compatible with AZ-EQ5 EQ6 and EQ6-R Mounts S30101 White Our score: 8.1/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10) Sky-Watcher EQ6-R 11 lb counterweight in white, S30101, compatible with AZ-EQ5, EQ6 and EQ6-R mounts. Pros: - 11 lb weight helps balance heavier telescopes and imaging gear - Compatible with several Sky-Watcher mounts, including AZ-EQ5 and EQ6-R - Official Sky-Watcher part ensures correct shaft fit Cons: - Sky-Watcher mounts only, so other brands need different weights - Heavy to carry when transporting a full imaging rig Details: https://stargazernest.com/product/B0758P6QQZ ### 4. Sky-Watcher AZ-EQ6 Counterweight 11 lb S30301 for Equatorial Telescope Mount Our score: 8.1/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10) Sky-Watcher AZ-EQ6 counterweight, 11 lb S30301, for balancing equatorial telescope mounts. Pros: - Adds balance for heavy imaging trains on the AZ-EQ6 - 11 lb size gives flexible fine balancing with other weights - Official part designed for Sky-Watcher shafts Cons: - Compatibility is limited to specific Sky-Watcher mounts - Most heavy setups need more than one weight Details: https://stargazernest.com/product/B0BBK1F35N ### 5. Celestron 11 lb Counterweight for Advanced VX CG-5 CGEM CGEM II CGX Equatorial Mounts Our score: 8.1/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10) Celestron 11 lb counterweight for Advanced VX, CG-5, CGEM, CGEM II and CGX equatorial mounts. Pros: - Fits a wide range of Celestron equatorial mounts - 11 lb size is ideal for fine-tuning balance with mid-size scopes - Official Celestron part for reliable fit Cons: - Not compatible with non-Celestron mount shafts - Extra weights add up quickly when carrying gear to the field Details: https://stargazernest.com/product/B002PZLW78 ### 6. Celestron 17 lb Counterweight for Advanced VX CG-5 CGEM CGEM II CGX Telescope Mounts Our score: 8.1/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10) Celestron 17 lb counterweight for Advanced VX, CG-5, CGEM, CGEM II and CGX telescope mounts. Pros: - 17 lb weight balances heavier telescopes and camera trains - Compatible with multiple Celestron equatorial mounts - Reduces the number of smaller weights needed on the shaft Cons: - Heavier weight is harder to handle when setting up in the dark - Oversized for lighter telescopes on smaller mounts Details: https://stargazernest.com/product/B002PZJUMC ### 7. Celestron 22 lb Counterweight for CGX-L CGE Pro CGEM DX Computerized Telescope Mounts Our score: 7.9/10 (Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10) Celestron 22 lb counterweight for CGX-L, CGE Pro and CGEM DX computerized telescope mounts. Pros: - 22 lb weight balances large telescopes and heavy imaging gear - Compatible with Celestron's heavy-duty mounts - Single large weight simplifies balancing big setups Cons: - Very heavy and awkward to transport to a dark site with the rest of the rig - Only suitable for Celestron's largest mounts Details: https://stargazernest.com/product/B002PZLW7S ### 8. Celestron 12 lb Counterweight for Advanced VX International Equatorial Telescope Mount Our score: 7.6/10 (Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10) Celestron 12 lb counterweight for Advanced VX international equatorial telescope mount. Pros: - 12 lb weight helps balance medium telescopes on the Advanced VX - Designed for the international version of the mount - Balanced setup improves tracking accuracy Cons: - International version may not fit every regional Advanced VX shaft - Only relevant for Advanced VX owners, so check your mount model first Details: https://stargazernest.com/product/B00BNPMLGM As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.