Upgrading to GoTo tracking usually means replacing the entire telescope system. The Explore Scientific Sidara Pro is a standalone GoTo alt-az mount with SkyAssist smartphone integration and a Vixen dovetail saddle, letting you add automated tracking to optical tubes you already own.

Select targets from the hand controller or the SkyAssist smartphone app, and the mount slews to position and tracks automatically. The Vixen dovetail plate accepts a wide range of optical tubes from Explore Scientific and other manufacturers, from small refractors to mid-sized Mak-Cassegrains. Battery power — AA cells or an external power bank — keeps the system portable for field use without requiring AC mains.

The mount's object database includes thousands of celestial targets accessible through both control methods. For visual observers who have outgrown manual navigation but don't want the weight and complexity of an equatorial GoTo system, the Sidara Pro fills a practical gap: it brings automated convenience to an alt-az form factor that sets up in minutes.

Key Features

• GoTo alt-az mount with automated slewing and tracking across a comprehensive object database
• SkyAssist smartphone integration — browse, select, and slew to targets from your phone
• Vixen dovetail saddle accepts a wide range of optical tubes from multiple manufacturers
• Hand controller included for standalone operation without a smartphone
• Battery-powered via AA batteries or external power bank for portable field operation
• Lightweight alt-az design — quick setup and breakdown compared to equatorial GoTo alternatives

Ideal For

Telescope owners looking to upgrade their manual mount to GoTo automation without replacing the entire system. Sidara series owners who started with a Nano or Essential mount and want to add tracking capability to their existing optical tube. Star party organizers who need to move quickly between targets for audience engagement. Observers with multiple OTAs who want one GoTo platform they can swap tubes onto depending on the session.