Welcome to DarkFrame Ltd

We are the only full-time dedicated UK based lab/workshop in the world, for computerised telescope EQ mounts. Since 2015 we have provided testing, servicing, repair and optimisation of the widest range of EQ mounts available.

What we do is precisely re-engineer far higher tolerances into your Sky-watcher/Orion USA and Celestron mounts, and other leading brands. This provides very cost-effective high-end mount comparable performance. We have independent customer PHD2 data across nearly every permutation of mount and telescope. This not only verifies the quality control standard we work to, but what potential your mount really has.

Our Multi-Award winning work, takes your existing equatorial mount and fully re-engineers it to perform as a high-end low sub-arcsecond imaging mount at full payload.  

No longer do you have to take up to a third off the stated total visual payload for a stock OEM mount. Our SellarDrive EQM 35 images at 11kg better than a stock HEQ5, for example.

Our proven custom engineered rebuilds can now last for up to 10 years before a service, so can offer a far greater economic value over getting a new replacement mount, telescope, or even a camera upgrade. Anyone that tells you that a mount doesn't need servicing obviously has never opened one up! All lubricants expire and degrade tracking, usually within 7-10 years, even on higher end mounts. That's why you need to protect your investment before any wear or damage may occur. Regular servicing means your EQ mount could last you decades, if looked after. 

Zero Dropped Frames. More Detailed Images. 
You will save a lot of time.

With clear dark skies getting longer to wait for, you don't want to waste hours collecting useless data with an unreliable mount. Typically we receive reports of up to 25-30% of images being lost or more every night on a stock mount, before our rebuilds. A StellarDrive mount makes every exposure count. It's a massive time and frustration saver.

Because our mounts have proven to be so consistent and dependable, some are being used for remote imaging in various locations around the world. This recent discovery has driven us even further to pursue new ways to make these mounts even better than before. This is behind our new 'Atacama' build type for StellarDrive X™

Our unique experience is truly vast. We have successfully re-engineered and modified more EQ Goto mounts than any anyone else in this industry worldwide to date. These are helping to produce some of the most amazing published Astrophotography in the UK, Europe, the USA and Worldwide! This track record of consistently detailed output, has created a unique independent data resource of over 80,000+ hours PHD2 guide data.

The data demonstrates our engineering practices work. We the only re-manufacturer that publishes comparative independent owners data here, in our regularly updated Mount Performance Chart.

Balance. Perfected.

Your EQ mount is the most important part of your imaging rig. If that doesn't work, then nothing else will work well either. Our mount rebuilds not only improve both guided and unguided tracking, but does it very consistently. The lower periodic error and reduced amplitude improves image detail and resolution from your existing telescope.

Fainter detail is revealed, because those weaker photons aren't being dissapated across the image sensor, effectively rubbing out detail. Think of it as native dithering from your mounts tracking. Isn't Physics great!  You will see the results as tighter, rounder stars, richer colourful starfields and amazing target detail, maximising the images from your telescope. It helps makes more of your existing imaging camera too.

The maximum OEM visual payload of your mount, is now your full imaging payload, as either a StellarDrive X™ or StellarTune™ EQ mount. Balance can be perfected, as is it now effectively stiction-free. This help make things like meridian flips more precisely and worry-free. Imaging while you sleep is possible, when skies permit.

We are also a Celestron Technical Specialist Dealer.  This has led to developed drivetrain solutions to improve the tracking of AVX, CGEM-II, CG-X and CG-XL, notably via our SGv3 and SGv3.1 reduction gearboxes. We also have a lot of upgrade experience with their range of EDGE-HD and RASA telescopes. 

Each BRAND NEW (BTO) and custom rebuilt and fully optimised StellarDrive X™ or StellarDrive ULTRA™ EQ mount comes with Two years FULL worldwide mechanical warranty and support.

After a continuous eight year development history of our three custom made SIDAC36-XDA Dual Axis Test Rigs, we have precisely optimised the built the mounts to test payloads since 2016. Now fully programmable and PHD2 modelled, we can reduce turnaround times faster than before.

Our work is backed up on all other rebuilt and StellarTune™ and StellarDrive X™ customer used mount rebuilds from 06/2024, with a reassuring and industry-leading One year worldwide RTB mechanical warranty. 

An up to 6 month* RTB mechanical warranty for older Restoration and Legacy mounts up to 25 years old in stock condition, subject to evaluation and condition. These mount warranties are unmatched in the industry for any used and resold mounts.

We do accept DIY, modded EQ mounts up to 10 years for rebuild as a StellarTune™ or StellarDrive X™ EQ Mount (subject to owner declaration). All other mounts over 15 years old are classed as restoration or legacy work, and therefore may take longer to do, depending on condition and parts availability. For mounts older than 10 years, please get in touch via email first and supply photos for appraisal and a fixed price quotation (usually inline with our rebuild pricing), and will do our best to help where we can.