iOptron PST Star Tracker Travel Kit – Carry-On, Laser-Free Polar Alignment

Carry-On Star Tracker Kit for Travel Astrophotography

Ideal for: cruises, national-park road trips, international flights, and eclipse travel.

Airline and Cruise-Ship Compliant

Some travel-size tracking packages rely on high-powered green lasers for polar alignment that are illegal to import into countries like Australia or New Zealand, and completely banned across major cruise lines like Carnival, Holland America, Princess, Royal Caribbean, and more. The Mile High Astronomy Global Carry-On Travel Kit avoids the compliance risk with a high-precision, completely passive iOptron AccuAlign Optical Polar Scope. You can cross international borders and board cruise fleets with absolute confidence.

Internal Rechargeable Battery for All-Night Imaging

What's Included

• iOptron PST Micro Star Tracker Head: High-precision tracking block featuring Sidereal, Solar, Lunar, and 1/2x tracking speeds, built-in USB-C charging port, and an integrated Vixen dovetail foot.
• iOptron Adjustable AZ/EQ Latitude Base: Precision micro-adjustable travel wedge for effortless altitude and azimuth adjustments during polar alignment.
• iOptron AccuAlign Passive Optical Polar Scope: Traditional glass-reticle dark-field polar scope for precise manual alignment without illegal laser beams.
• iOptron High-Load Travel Ball Head: Robust, low-profile fluid-friction ball head engineered to lock heavy mirrorless and DSLR bodies perfectly over the center of mass.
• iOptron PST Micro Tracker PST Polar Scope Mounting Bracket: Polar scope adapter bracket for the PST Micro Tracker.

What you'll Need

• Bring your own Camera and lens.
  
• Bring your Tripod with a 1/4-20 or 3/8" attachment screw. We also carry compatible tripods.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a camera or tripod included?

No. This is a bring-your-own-camera kit. You'll need your camera and lens, a sturdy camera tripod with a 3/8"-16 or 1/4"-20 mounting screw, and a USB-C cable for charging.

How much weight can it carry?

Up to 6.6 lb (3 kg) of camera and lens. For heavier setups near that limit, iOptron offers an optional counterweight kit.

How long does the battery last?

Up to 10 hours per charge at 20°C (68°F). Lithium batteries lose capacity in the cold, so expect less on winter or high-altitude nights. The tracker can also run from any external 5V USB power bank.

Can I take it on a plane?

The kit is small enough for a carry-on or personal-item bag. Pack it in your carry-on rather than checked luggage, since it contains a built-in lithium battery, and check your airline's current battery rules before you fly.

Why doesn't it use a laser for polar alignment?

It uses iOptron's AccuAlign optical polar scope, so there's no laser. That avoids the laser restrictions some countries and cruise lines apply. Always check your destination's and carrier's current rules.

What can I photograph with it?

It has four tracking rates: sidereal (1×) for stars, nebulae and galaxies; lunar and solar rates for the Moon and Sun (use a certified solar filter); and ½× for Milky Way shots with a sharp landscape foreground.

Can I use it for the August 2, 2027 total solar eclipse?

Yes. Use the solar tracking rate with a certified solar filter on your lens during the partial phases, and remove the filter only during totality. The August 2, 2027 eclipse crosses southern Spain, North Africa, and Egypt, and this kit's carry-on size makes it easy to bring along. Shop solar filters.

Does it work in the Southern Hemisphere?

Yes. It tracks in both the northern and southern hemispheres.

How does it attach to my tripod and camera?

The tracker mounts to a tripod through its 3/8"-16 or 1/4"-20 connection, or to the included AZ/EQ latitude base through its Vixen-style dovetail. Your camera attaches to the included ball head, which fits the tracker's 48 mm mounting block with a 3/8" post.

What's the warranty?

One-year limited from iOptron, and 90 days on the battery.

PST Micro Tracker Details

Weighing only 390 g (0.86 lbs), it features 4 tracking rates:

• 1X for stars and deep space objects (sidereal)
• ☾ for Moon (lunar)
• ☼ for Sun (solar)
• ½X for Milky Way with terrestrial foreground

Small and light enough to fit in your pocket, yet capable of carrying up to 6.6 lbs of imaging gear. The iOptron PST Micro Tracker is the ultimate portable DSLR sky tracking device.

Featuring a powerful motor and worm gear drive train to operate silently as it precisely tracks the target subjects. The metal CNC-machined body provides for rugged durability. The PST has a Vixen-style dovetail that slides into the included AZ/EQ base, or it can mount directly to a tripod by a 3/8"-16 or 1/4"-20 post. Powered by an internal rechargeable Li-Poly battery or external 5 volt power bank for extended use.

Includes the side bracket and iOptron AccuAlign optical polar scope for precise polar alignment for serious astro imaging. It also has a “peek hole” for basic alignment.

The PST Micro Tracker is the optimal tracking solution for an on-the-go imager!

Features

• All CNC metal structure
• Accepts cameras weighing up to 3kg (6.6 lbs)
• Light weight (390gm with battery)
• Silent tracking for smooth camera motion, perfect for long-term exposures
• 4 tracking speed (1X, 1/2X, solar and lunar). 1X celestial tracking for imaging the sky and stars; 1/2X tracking speed for imaging both the starry night and the landscapes at the same time
• Quick slew for camera framing adjustment
• Operation in both northern and southern Hemisphere
• Built-in rechargeable battery with Type-C USB port for power and charging
• Attaches to a camera tripod with 3/8” or 1/4” threads

Specifications

Compliance statements were accurate as of the time the product description was written (09/2026) and to the best of our knowledge. We recommend always verifying current restrictions with your travel provider.