Meet AP-11: A New $399 Portable Astrophotography Mount

After months of designing, prototyping, testing, and refining, I can finally introduce the AP-11 — my own compact equatorial mount designed specifically for portable astrophotography. Discover AP-11 and the full ecosystem: https://diyastro.com/ Starting at $399, the AP-11 weighs just 1.6 kg, supports astrophotography setups up to 5 kg, and features a 1:375 reduction ratio on both axes, powered by oversized NEMA 17 motors. But AP-11 is more than just a mount. The Appearance of all the product may change a little bit for production. I’ve designed an entire modular ecosystem around it, including SmartAlign, a dedicated solution for polar alignment that works with N.I.N.A. TPPA or directly through the dedicated iOS and Android app, and the AP Controller, featuring a TFT display, joystick, and integrated battery for standalone physical control. The ecosystem also includes a dedicated equatorial Wedge, designed not only for the AP-11 but also for smart telescopes and other compact mounts, with a payload capacity of up to 10 kg. Every part of the AP ecosystem has been designed with modularity and repairability in mind. I want these products to be accessible, easy to maintain, and built to last. This is one of the biggest projects I’ve ever worked on for Astrophilos, and this video is just the beginning. Expected shipping: Q4 2026 In this video, I’ll show you the AP-11, explain how it works, take you through the ideas behind its design, and introduce the ecosystem I’ve built around it. Welcome to AP-11. #Astrophotography #AP11 #Astrophilos #TelescopeMount #EquatorialMount #Astronomy #DIYAstrophotography