A powerful, portable strain-wave mount built for serious imaging without the burden of a conventional heavyweight equatorial head.
The ToupTek ATLAS SH20 brings direct strain-wave drive, brushless servo control and a compact 5.1kg mount head together for astrophotographers who want a capable setup at home or under darker skies. Its manufacturer-rated payload is 20kg without counterweights, increasing to 30kg with appropriate counterweights, both specified for a 20cm lever arm. Your telescope's length, balance and accessory placement still matter: a long instrument can impose more demanding forces than a compact telescope of the same weight.
Choose the ATLAS SH20 package for your setup
Start with the mount head if you already have a suitable support, or choose a complete support package for a new imaging rig. The T-Forty carbon fibre tripod provides a portable foundation; an optional EP160 160mm pier extension or EP200 200mm pier extension raises the mount to accommodate a particular telescope and imaging train.
| Package | Equipment |
|---|---|
| Mount only | ATLAS SH20 mount head |
| Mount + T-Forty + power | ATLAS SH20 mount, T-Forty tripod and UK-version 12V/5A power adapter |
| Mount + T-Forty + power + EP160 | As above, plus the EP160 160mm pier extension |
| Mount + T-Forty + power + EP200 | As above, plus the EP200 200mm pier extension |
Why the SH20 is different
Strain-wave drive without the bulk
Direct 100:1 strain-wave reduction is driven by brushless servo motors rather than a conventional worm-gear arrangement. For the travelling astrophotographer, the combination of a relatively light mount head and significant rated carrying capacity makes transporting and assembling a complete system more practical.
Capacity is not the same as a guarantee of tracking performance. Appropriate polar alignment, a rigid tripod or pier, sensible cable management and guiding where required remain essential to obtaining good long-exposure results.
Equatorial for imaging; Alt-Az for suitable observing setups
Choose equatorial operation for tracking the apparent rotation of the night sky during deep-sky imaging. For compatible visual configurations, the SH20 also supports alt-azimuth operation. An Alt-Az configuration is not automatically suitable for long unguided deep-sky exposures because field rotation must be considered.
Flexible electronic control
The SH20 provides USB-C data connectivity, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Low Energy 5. It supports integration with ToupTek StellaVita and compatible ASCOM and INDI workflows. Choose your control method around the devices, software and cabling already used in your imaging setup.
Practical mechanical details
A dual-format saddle is designed for Vixen-style and Losmandy-style dovetail bars. Confirm your dovetail's profile, engagement and clamping before loading the mount. The RA axis incorporates an automatic brake for power-loss protection, but it does not eliminate the need to secure the telescope and follow the manufacturer's operating instructions.
Build a stable imaging system
Include the weight of the telescope, camera, focuser, guiding equipment, filter wheel, adapters and mounting hardware when assessing payload. Also consider the distance of those components from the mount axes, the stability of the support and whether a counterweight is required by the chosen configuration.
The ToupTek T-Forty tripod is a natural companion within this manufacturer package range. It has carbon-fibre legs, a reinforced brace and a removable mounting plate. If the rear of the telescope or the imaging train approaches the tripod, compare the shorter EP160 extension against the taller EP200 extension; the extra 40mm can matter, but neither accessory guarantees clearance in every mount position.
ATLAS SH20 technical specifications
| Mount | ToupTek ATLAS SH20 strain-wave equatorial / alt-azimuth mount |
|---|---|
| Drive | Direct 100:1 strain-wave reduction; brushless servo motors |
| Mount head weight | 5.1kg |
| Rated payload without counterweights | 20kg at a 20cm lever arm |
| Rated payload with counterweights | 30kg at a 20cm lever arm, with appropriate counterweights |
| Operating configurations | Equatorial and Alt-Az |
| Saddle | Vixen / Losmandy-style dovetail compatibility |
| Control connections | USB-C data, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy 5 |
| Software integration | ASCOM, INDI and ToupTek StellaVita |
| Power | 12 V DC; 5.5 × 2.1 mm centre-positive barrel connector; regulated 5 A supply recommended; mount input current 5 A maximum |
| Protective feature | Automatic RA brake on power loss |
| Motor encoder resolution | 18-bit motor feedback on each axis |
| Quoted periodic error | ≤30 arcseconds peak-to-peak (±15 arcseconds) |
| Periodic-error period | 432 seconds |
| Maximum slew rate | 6° per second |
| Software slew settings | 0.25×, 0.5×, 1×, 2×, 4×, 8×, 20×, 60×, 720× and 1440× |
| Hand-controller speed presets | 10× / 720× |
| Latitude adjustment | 0°–90°; overlapping 0°–60° and 30°–90° scales |
| Azimuth adjustment | ±6° |
| Counterweight shaft thread | M12 × 1.75 mm |
| Accessory DC output | Always-on 12 V DC, 5 A maximum; follow the manufacturer's overall power limits |
| Home reference | RA and DEC home sensors |
| Operating temperature | −20°C to +40°C |
Tracking feedback and drive specifications
The SH20 uses 18-bit motor encoder feedback, with a size-20 strain-wave drive on the RA axis and a size-17 drive on the DEC axis. Both use 100:1 reduction. ToupTek specifies periodic error of no more than 30 arcseconds peak-to-peak (also expressed as ±15 arcseconds) over a 432-second period. An individual periodic-error test report is included with the mount.
Motor encoder feedback supports the servo control system. It does not establish a guaranteed unguided exposure time or guided RMS figure. For demanding deep-sky imaging, plan accurate polar alignment and an appropriate guiding setup for your focal length and image scale.
Brake, homing and movement limits
The automatic RA-axis brake engages on power loss, while home sensors on both axes provide a reference for the mount's mechanical zero position. Adjustable movement limits, stall detection and overcurrent protection support careful operation. Check clearance around the telescope, focuser, camera and cables throughout the intended movement.
What is included with the mount?
ToupTek's supplied standard packing illustration identifies:
- ATLAS SH20 mount head
- Hand controller
- Coiled hand-controller cable
- USB cable
- Two hex keys
- Periodic-error test report
- Quick-start guide
A counterweight shaft, counterweights and carrying case are not listed in this standard packing illustration. Optical tubes and cameras shown in the feature images illustrate example setups.
Frequently asked questions
Does the £2,149 mount-only option include the T-Forty?
No. The T-Forty tripod and the two pier extensions are separate products unless a package specifically includes them.
Do I need a counterweight?
The manufacturer quotes a payload of up to 20kg without counterweights and up to 30kg with suitable counterweights, at the specified 20cm lever arm. Follow the full manufacturer's guidance for your specific rig; do not treat a headline payload figure as a universal configuration rule.
Which pier extension should I choose?
The EP160 adds a nominal 160mm and the EP200 adds 200mm. Check your telescope's overall length, the camera and focuser projection, available space and the mechanical fitting details. More height is not always necessary.
Will my existing telescope bar fit the saddle?
The saddle accommodates Vixen-style and Losmandy-style profiles. Confirm that the exact bar is securely clamped; similarly named dovetail profiles can vary in dimension.
Is USB-C enough to power the mount?
USB-C carries data. Power the SH20 from an appropriate regulated 12 V DC source with a 5.5 × 2.1 mm centre-positive connector. ToupTek recommends a 5 A supply and specifies a maximum mount input current of 5 A. Check the complete accessory load against the manufacturer's overall power limits.
Can the SH20 work with an astro-imaging controller?
ASCOM, INDI and StellaVita integration provide several routes to computer-based control. Check the software and accessory versions required for your preferred workflow.
Related ToupTek equipment
- ToupTek Astro T-Forty carbon fibre tripod — standalone support for a portable rig
- ToupTek EP160 160mm pier extension — shorter height option
- ToupTek EP200 200mm pier extension — taller height option
- ToupTek StellaVita astrophotography controller — explore a compatible imaging-control workflow, with our StellaVita app user guide
If you are planning a complete setup, contact Dark Clear Skies with your telescope, optical tube length, camera and existing tripod details so the required support and interfaces can be checked before ordering.