Our Story

We started Astro Gear to address a problem we know all too well as fellow astrophotography enthusiasts. We love capturing the night sky—but too often, the gear we want is only available overseas, with all the extra costs, delays, and frustrations that come with it.

Astro Gear AstroGear was created to change that. Our mission is simple: make world-class astrophotography gear easier to get here at home.

We began with Player One Astronomy, bringing their full lineup of cameras and accessories to South Africa. But that’s just the start—we’re already expanding to include Sharpstar Optics and Optolong, and more suppliers will follow based on what the community asks for.

Community-Driven Approach

Many top suppliers require large upfront orders before granting dealer access. Realistically that is not viable for most people and tough or a small shop, especially in South Africa, where the demand for these products are not high. It becomes possible if we work together. Astro Gear acts as the bridge: we secure dealer pricing, handle all the admin—payments, shipping, import duties, local logistics—and pass the benefit on to you with only a minimal markup to keep things running.

It’s not about chasing big profits. It’s about building a community where enthusiasts can access the gear they want, at fair and transparent prices.

To make your journey even easier, we built the AstroBot, our evolving AI chatbot. Think of it as your new best friend for finding gear—it’s still learning, but it’s always ready to help with product comparisons and recommendations. We’d love your feedback as you use it to help us make it even better!

What We Offer

  • Curated Local Stock – A hand-picked selection of high-quality gear kept in stock locally, which will be expanded based on community interest.
  • Full Catalogue Access – Looking for something specific? We offer back-orders from full supplier catalogues, so you’re not limited to what’s on the shelf.
  • Simple and Transparent Pricing – All shipping, duties, and taxes are included in the price you see. No hidden costs.
  • Local Support – Get advice and help from someone who actually uses the gear.
  • Hassle-Free Service – Local warranty and after-sales support mean no overseas headaches.
  • Used Gear Marketplace – A community space where you can buy or sell second-hand equipment, helping gear find a new home while lowering the barrier for others to get started.

Why We Do It

AstroGear isn’t just a store — it’s a passion project. Our goal is to make buying astronomy gear simpler, more affordable, and less frustrating, while supporting fellow enthusiasts and helping grow the local astrophotography community.

And since this is community-driven, your voice matters. Registered users can request new products or brands directly from their dashboard, and if there’s enough interest in a specific manufacturer, we’ll do our best to make it available. Together, we can shape the future of AstroGear.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach us at support@astrogear.co.za

Thanks for stopping by, and clear skies!