The best start tracker is essential if you want bright, clear, razor-sharp night sky photos. They help your camera move with the stars, making astrophotography easier for any photographer.
Star trackers might sound complicated. And they can be pricey. But they are well worth it if you love shooting the night sky. You can find the best star tracker suited for you in our article, as we have ones for different skill levels and budgets.
The Sky-Watcher Sky Adventurer 2i Astro Pack is our top star tracker. The pack has a motorized star tracker platform for your camera. It has a built-in polar finderscope. It’s ideal for precision star tracking and astrophotography. And all its elements exhibit top-notch build quality.
What Is the Best Star Tracker?
The best star tracker keeps your camera aligned with specific stars or celestial bodies as they move across the sky. Of course, the stars aren’t actually moving. The Earth is rotating, which makes the stars look like they’re moving across the sky.
This is one of the biggest problems in astrophotography. You often need a long exposure to get the light you need when shooting the night sky. And your camera becomes very susceptible to motion when the shutter is open for a long time.
If you leave the shutter open for a long time without a star tracker, the stars become steaks across the image. They won’t look like pinpoint drops of light, as we see them with the natural eye.
That’s why star trackers are so important for astrophotographers. They keep your camera aligned with the same point, rotating with the stars. It compensates for the Earth’s rotation, keeping your stars looking sharp.
Here’s a rundown of the best star trackers for astrophotography. Skip to the next section to see each star tracker in more detail. And if you need more information before you buy, go to the FAQ section at the end of the article.
- Makes a tripod a powerful astrophotography tool
- Wide-field astrophotography and time-lapse
- Built-in illuminated polar finderscope for easy alignment
- Compact, lightweight, 11 lb / 5 kg payload capacity
- Compact design for easy portability
- Precision tracking for stunning astrophotography
- User-friendly interface with smartphone control
- Long battery life for extended sessions
- Compact design, perfect for travel
- Exceptional accuracy for astrophotography
- Easy polar alignment process
- Long-lasting battery life
- Transforms any tripod into a celestial tracking platform
- Offers wide-field astrophotography and time-lapse
- Upgraded with Wi-Fi for smartphone control
- Compact and lightweight with a hefty payload capacity
- Ideal for both beginner and seasoned astronomers
- Advanced tracking features for stellar photography
- Ultra-portable for stargazing on the go
- Exceptional customer satisfaction rating
- 3-way tilting head for precision mounting
- Load capacity of 15.4 lb / 7 kg
- Built-in battery gives you up to 24 hours of use
- Wi-Fi enabled with companion smartphone app
- Ensures sharp, clear star photos
- Perfect for wide-angle astrophotography
- Simple setup, no batteries needed
- Lightweight for easy travel
7 Best Star Trackers for Astrophotography
Now, we provide more information on all seven of the best star trackers. Please note these are the best star trackers for camera astrophotography. That means they are compatible with cameras like DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. These are not star trackers for telescopes.
1. Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer 2i Astro Pack
| Brand |
Brand
SkyWatcher
|
| Dimensions |
Dimensions
6 x 5.6 x 5.3 inches / 15 x 14.4 x 13.6 cm
|
| Weight |
Weight
3.6 lb / 1.6 kg
|
| Max Load Capacity |
Max Load Capacity
11 lb / 5 kg
|
| Connectors |
Connectors
Mini USB
|
| Power Method |
Power Method
AA batteries / mini-USB
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
All-metal gears, declination bracket, polar finderscope, pre-programmed settings
|
| Best For |
Best For
Astrophotographers looking for a high-quality, precision star tracker for cameras
|
The Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer 2i Astro Pack is the best star tracker for astrophotography. The build quality is fantastic, making it a durable piece of kit. But it also has specialist features that make it easier to shoot the Milky Way.
Firstly, all the internal gears are made of brass or aluminum. You don’t have to worry about flimsy, fragile plastic components. These are made to last. They also give you superb accuracy when tracking.
And thanks to the pre-programmed track settings, you can shoot almost anything in the night sky. You have track speeds for sidereal, solar, and lunar photography. And there are four speeds for time-lapse photography during the day or at night.
The tracker also has a built-in polar alignment (finderscope). This feature gives you a huge helping hand in finding night sky objects and setting up your camera for the perfect shot.
Its excellent build quality and materials make it a strong star tracker. It can support any camera weighing up to 11 lb (5 kg). That’s strong enough for full-frame mirrorless and DSLR cameras. It can even support larger medium-format cameras.
Weighing 3.6 lb (1.6 kg), it is a bit hefty. You’ll need to make sure your photography tripod can support the weight of the camera, lens, and star tracker.
The Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer 2i isn’t a budget star tracker. You’ll need to fork over some cash. But the overall quality and accuracy make it worth the price if you’re passionate about Milky Way photography.
2. Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Mini
| Brand |
Brand
Sky-Watcher
|
| Dimensions |
Dimensions
6 x 6 x 5 inches / 15.2 x 15.2 x 12.7 cm
|
| Weight |
Weight
1.5 lb / 680 g
|
| Max Load Capacity |
Max Load Capacity
6.6 lb / 3 kg
|
| Connectors |
Connectors
Mini USB
|
| Power Method |
Power Method
AA batteries / mini-USB
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
All-metal gears, polar finderscope, wireless camera remote, Wi-Fi enabled
|
| Best For |
Best For
Astrophotographers wanting a small yet precise star tracker
|
The Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer Mini is more compact than the 2i. But you still get the same high-quality build. In fact, thanks to the Wi-Fi compatibility, it gives you even more versatility and a better user experience.
Like the Sky Adventurer, the Mini has all-metal gears and components. That ensures smooth and accurate operation. And it means it’s a star tracker that’ll survive many nights shooting the stars.
A top selling point of the Star Adventurer Mini is that it’s Wi-Fi enabled. You can connect it to a Wi-Fi network and control the tracker from an app using your smartphone. The app lets you control the tracking speed, exposure time, and number of photos you want it to take.
And if you don’t want to use the app, you can use the wireless camera remote. You connect it using the SNAP port. And while you don’t get the same range of commands as in the app, you can control the shutter remotely.
The built-in polar finderscope makes aligning your camera super easy. And that’s the case even if you don’t have polar alignment experience. The finder lets you align your camera so it follows the path of the stars in the sky.
It’s lighter and more compact than the 2i model. So, it also has a smaller load capacity limit. It can support camera setups weighing up to 6.6 lb (3 kg). But full-frame DSLRs will be too heavy. But it’s still strong enough for most full-frame mirrorless cameras. Of course, smaller cameras are no problem.
The Star Adventurer Mini set includes a mount, a ball head adapter, and a scope illuminator. You can also buy the Pro Pack, which includes a declination bracket and equatorial base. But we think the standard pack is enough to get you started with astrophotography.
3. iOptron SkyTracker Pro
| Brand |
Brand
iOptron
|
| Dimensions |
Dimensions
9 x 6.2 x 5.2 inches / 23 x 15.7 x 13.2 cm
|
| Weight |
Weight
2.6 lb / 1.2 kg
|
| Max Load Capacity |
Max Load Capacity
6.6 lb / 3 kg
|
| Connectors |
Connectors
Micro USB
|
| Power Method |
Power Method
Internal battery
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Brass 3/8-inch and 1/4-inch threaded ball head mount, polar finderscope, Micro USB charging cable, padded carry bag
|
| Best For |
Best For
Astrophotographers looking for a simple, compact, and easy-to-use star tracker
|
The SkyTracker Pro is a fantastic star tracker for astrophotographers. And that’s especially true if you need something lightweight and portable. It’s also easy to set up and use. And it’s a surprisingly robust piece of kit.
While it doesn’t have the durability of the Sky-Watcher trackers, it is strong. And due to fewer metal parts, it’s lighter and more compact. It isn’t featherlight, but it’s still less of a burden in your camera backpack.
It’s surprisingly strong for its size, with a max load capacity of 6.6 lb (3 kg). That’s strong enough for mirrorless cameras of all kinds. You can also use compact cameras and APS-C DSLRs, though the full-frame models might be a bit much.
Aligning your camera is easy with the polar scope. It has sharp optical quality and eight brightness levels to help you accurately align your camera with the passage of the stars.
You have four pre-programmed tracking rates, including sidereal, solar, and lunar. And all four tracking rates work in the northern and southern hemispheres.
The 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch brass threads let you mount the tracker on a ball tripod head. Just make sure the ball head and tripod you’re using can support the weight of the tracker and your camera setup combined.
The built-in bubble level makes staying level with the ground easy. And with the built-in battery, you can use the tracker for up to 24 hours uninterrupted when fully charged.
The iOptron SkyTracker Pro isn’t the flashiest star tracker. But it’s a top-quality tool to help you capture the Milky Way in all its glory. It’s reasonably priced and reliable. It belongs in your astrophotography toolkit.
4. Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer 2i Pro Pack
| Brand |
Brand
Sky Watcher
|
| Dimensions |
Dimensions
13.9 x 9.6 x 6.3 inches / 35.3 x 24.4 x 16 cm
|
| Weight |
Weight
7.8 lb / 3.5 kg
|
| Max Load Capacity |
Max Load Capacity
11 lb / 5 kg
|
| Connectors |
Connectors
Mini-UBS
|
| Power Method |
Power Method
4 AA batteries / mini-USB
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Ball head adapter, declination bracket, equatorial base, polar finderscope
|
| Best For |
Best For
Professional astrophotographers
|
The Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer 2i Pro Pack is ideal for high-end astrophotography. The main tracker is the same as number one on our list. But this Pro Pack includes more tools to help you get better results.
Being the same tracker, you still get the high-quality internal components. It also has the same weight capacity, letting you mount cameras weighing up to 11 lb (5 kg). You also get the same set of pre-programmed tracking speeds. And it has the same polar finderscope for easy camera alignment.
The difference here is what’s included. You still get the mount adapter and declination bracket. But you also get a high-quality equatorial base, which gives you incredibly smooth and accurate tracking. The new counterweight helps the camera balance when mounted to the tracker and base.
You also get an adapter for tripod ball heads, letting you securely mount the base onto your tripod head. But remember, with the added weight of the tracker and equatorial base, you need a capable tripod to support the weight. You might have to go for a heavy-duty tripod.
The Star Adventurer 2i Pro Pack is the complete package for pro astrophotographers. The Astro Pack is enough to get you started. But the Pro Pack has everything you need to excel at the highest level when shooting the sky at night.
5. Sky-Watcher AZ-GTI Portable Mount
| Brand |
Brand
Sky-Watcher
|
| Dimensions |
Dimensions
43.3 x 42.3 x 42.3 inches / 110 x 107 x 107 cm
|
| Weight |
Weight
8.6 lb / 4 kg
|
| Max Load Capacity |
Max Load Capacity
11 lb / 5 kg
|
| Connectors |
Connectors
Mini-USB
|
| Power Method |
Power Method
AA batteries / DC power supply
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
All-metal gears, altazimuth mount, tripod stand, Wi-Fi enabled
|
| Best For |
Best For
Anyone who wants a complete star tracker kit with mount and tripod
|
The Sky-Watcher AZ-GTI is a fantastic tool for astrophotography. It’s pricey but also the most complete package on our list. You get the motorized mount, Wi-Fi connectivity, and a tripod stand.
The star tracker has excellent build quality. The interior components are all made of brass or aluminum. So, this all-metal design ensures performance, accuracy, and longevity.
Thanks to the Wi-Fi connectivity, you can control the tracker and camera remotely. Once connected to the Wi-Fi, you can link it to your smartphone using Sky-Watcher’s SynScan Pro app. (Available for Android and iOS smartphones.) The app helps you align the camera, set timers, and trigger the shutter.
It’s the complete package with a built-in tripod stand. It has three sturdy aluminum legs and a mid-leg spreader for extra stability. The spreader also has a handy shelf for keeping other accessories at hand.
Weighing 8.6 lb (4 kg), it is the heaviest tracker on our list. But that weight does include the tripod. It’s also one of the strongest trackers, letting you mount a camera weighing up to 11 lb (5 kg).
The AZ-GTI is a great investment if you’re passionate about astronomy and astrophotography. It simplifies the astrophotography process, making it easier to capture the night sky with your camera.
6. Benro Polaris Astro Edition
| Brand |
Brand
Benro
|
| Dimensions |
Dimensions
5.7 x 5.5 x 4.3 inches / 14.5 x 14 x 11 cm
|
| Weight |
Weight
3.3 kg/ 1.5 kg
|
| Max Load Capacity |
Max Load Capacity
15.4 lb / 7 kg
|
| Connectors |
Connectors
Micro USB
|
| Power Method |
Power Method
Built-in battery
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
3-axis tilting, built-in SD card slot, HDMI connection
|
| Best For |
Best For
Astrophotographers with a big budget
|
The Benro Polaris Astro Edition is one of the most advanced star trackers. It’s well-equipped with sockets and useful features. But all that comes at a price. It is the most expensive star tracker in our article.
It’s a smart tripod head that you can sync to the Polaris app. The app has a night-sky map, helping you find constellations and specific objects. And it lets you use the tracker and camera remotely.
The head has several tracking modes built in. These include panorama, motion time-lapse, and star tracking. And these aren’t just great for astrophotography. You can use them for landscape photography, too.
You have three-axis tilting for precision camera mounting. You can lock the head in any position using the three joints and the twist locks. It gives you incredible mounting flexibility.
Made with stainless steel and aluminum alloy, it’s a durable piece of kit. It’s also IPX6 water-resistant. Of course, you need a clear sky for astrophotography, so rain isn’t an issue. But dew and condensation can be a problem at night. That’s no problem with the Polaris.
It also has a built-in battery. And when fully charged, it gives you 24 hours of uninterrupted use. You can shoot all night without changing the batteries or finding a socket to plug in.
With a max load capacity of 15.4 lb (7 kg), it can hold a wide variety of cameras and lenses. Full-frame DSLRs are no problem. And you can even use some medium-format cameras with heavy lenses.
The Benro Polaris Astro Edition is a brilliant piece of gear for astrophotography. It’s a big investment and worth making if you’re passionate about star gazing and astrophotography.
7. Omegon Mount MiniTrack LX3
| Brand |
Brand
Omegon
|
| Dimensions |
Dimensions
12.5 x 9 x 6.8 inches / 32 x 23 x 17.3 cm
|
| Weight |
Weight
2.8 lb / 1.2 kg
|
| Max Load Capacity |
Max Load Capacity
6.6 lb / 3 kg
|
| Connectors |
Connectors
None
|
| Power Method |
Power Method
None
|
| Other Key Features |
Other Key Features
Polar scope
|
| Best For |
Best For
Astrophotographers looking for a mechanical tracker
|
The Omegon Mount MiniTrack LX3 is a simple yet effective star tracker. It’s compact and easy to carry with you. And as a mechanical tracker, you don’t need batteries or a power socket. It runs with a clockwork mechanism.
It’s a well-constructed piece of equipment. The metal contraption can hold a camera and lens combo weighing up to 6.6 lb (3 kg). That’s enough for APS-C DSLR cameras. And it’s enough for most APS-C and full-frame mirrorless cameras. The problem is that you can’t use large lenses.
The star tracker has a built-in polar scope, helping you align the tracker and camera to the celestial object you want to view. You can attach the tripod ball head for more camera mounting versatility. But it’s best to have a 3-way tilt and pan tripod head underneath to get the perfect mounting angle.
The main downside to this mechanical tracker is the time limit. Due to the limitations of the clockwork interior, it can only track for a maximum of 60 minutes. That’s enough for most astrophotography shots. But it can be frustrating if you want longer viewings.
The MiniTrack LX3 is well-priced for a sophisticated piece of kit. It’s portable. And you don’t have to make secondary purchases of batteries or cables. It literally works like clockwork!
Best Star Trackers for Astrophotography FAQs
Star trackers and astrophotography are complicated topics, especially for beginners. That’s why we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions about them. This will help you make an informed decision when you buy a star tracker.
Why Do You Need a Star Tracker?
With a star tracker, you can expand exposure times without limit. You can keep the shutter open for 15 seconds to minutes or even hours. And the results are sharp, well-exposed Milky Way photos.
Due to the Earth’s rotation, stars appear to move across the night sky. You cannot detect this with the naked eye because it happens so slowly. But it can be a problem when photographing the sky at night.
Of course, there’s very limited light when shooting at night. You need to use long exposures to capture the light you need. But when you keep the shutter open for long periods, the stars’ movements cause them to blur. They look like streaks of light rather than stars.
On a stationary camera, 15 seconds is the maximum exposure time before the camera detects the stars’ movement. If 15 seconds is all you need, then life is easy. But astrophotography often requires much longer exposures, especially if you want to keep your ISO as low as possible.
That’s why you need a star tracker. Once you’ve aligned them properly, they track the movement of the stars. They move the camera, keeping it aligned with the subjects you shoot. This means the stars stay in the same place within the frame of your image.
What Is the Best Smartphone App for Astrophotographers?
A smartphone app is a great way to find stars, constellations, and planets in the night sky. It makes it far easier to find your celestial subjects. Although, you can still use a stargazer’s atlas if you prefer doing things the old-fashioned way.
We recommend the PhotoPills app. It has fantastic features for all kinds of photography. It has tools like calculators for time-lapse or sun tracking for sunset photography. It also has excellent options for astrophotography.
PhotoPills informs you of celestial events and where you get the best view. It helps you track the sun and the moon. And it can help you set up exposure times and camera settings for the best results.
It is an incredible photography app. It isn’t free, but it’s worth the cost if you want an all-in-one smartphone app for photographers. It’s available for Android and iOS smartphones.
What Is the Best Lens for Astrophotography?
Our top astrophotography lens is the Canon RF 15-35mm f/2.8L IS USM. It has a fast aperture, a wide viewing angle, and super optical quality. And the image stabilization is another bonus for astrophotographers.
If you don’t have a Canon camera, you can get a Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 or a Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 ED GM lens. You can also go over our full list of the best astrophotography lenses.
An astrophotography lens needs a wide field of view. That means you want a short focal length for a wide angle. Anything between 14mm and 35mm is fine. The wide angle lets you see more of the night sky. You get a broad view of the sky above, which makes for stunning Milky Way shots.
Maximizing your light intake is vital. That’s why you need a lens with a fast maximum aperture. Something like f/2.8 is good enough. But apertures like f/1.8 or f/1.4 are even better. It helps you keep your ISO low, and your shutter speeds short.
Do I Need a Lens Filter for Astrophotography?
While not needed, astrophotography filters are recommended. They are a highly effective way to improve your astrophotography. And while there is a lot of scientific terminology related to astro filters, they are simple to use. And there are several different types you can use.
The most common filter is a light pollution filter (broadband filter). It blocks light from artificial sources, like house lights and street lamps. They are essential if you’re shooting in an urban area. And they greatly improve star visibility in built-up areas.
The K&F Concept Clear Natural Light filter is the best for astrophotographers. You can get the circular version, which screws directly onto your lens. If your lens doesn’t have a filter thread, you can also get the square K&F natural light filter.
If that’s not the filter you’re after, you can review all the best light pollution filters we recommend. Or you can read more about the best filters for astrophotography.
What Is the Best Budget Telescope?
If you’re more interested in stargazing than astrophotography, you need a telescope rather than a camera. You might assume you need to spend a fortune on a good telescope. But that’s not the case. There are plenty of excellent telescopes at reasonable prices.
The Celestron AstroMaster 130EQ Newtonian Telescope is our favorite budget telescope. It has a reflective Newtonian design. It has an f/8.7 focal ratio, giving you excellent magnification. And it comes with an equatorial mount for easy alignment and tracking.
The AstroMaster 130EQ might not be the telescope you’re looking for. In that case, see our full article on the best budget telescopes for stargazers. We have telescopes for everyone, from kids to grown-up hobbyists!
Conclusion: The Best Star Tracker
The best star tracker keeps your camera aligned with the stars as they move in the night sky. They vastly improve your astrophotography, letting you capture stunning Milky Way images. You’ll never have blurry night sky images again!
The Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer 2i Astro Pack is our top choice for astrophotographers. It’s a motorized star tracker with all-metal internal workings. It’s strong, reliable, and has pre-programmed settings for tracking stars and other celestial objects.
