98 replies to this topic

[mjanzou]

Looks like a new posting for a strain wave AZ/EQ ioptron model, no preorder in link but does on product description page?? looks interesting.

Utilizing state of the art strain wave gear technology for the both RA and DEC movement, Payload capacity of 20 kg (43 lbs) weighs in at 12 lbs, cable mgmt, dual-saddle, wifi, oh-my,,, schweet...

To bad my property taxes are due the 15th..... DOH!

 

https://www.ioptron....egory-s/264.htm

 

They also have a placeholder for the HAZ strain wave AZ models but nothing posted yet.....

 

https://www.ioptron....egory-s/263.htm

 

Looks like ioptron is goin all-in......

Edited by mjanzou, 02 November 2022 - 09:53 PM.

[Voyager_sr2]

They made a mistake in their own name. Are they a trustworthy company? Another question is: who will buy HEM44 now if AZ-EQ mount with same payload capacity and 1.5 lb lighter will require just a hundred $ more?

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Edited by Voyager_sr2, 02 November 2022 - 09:37 PM.

[mjanzou]

They made a mistake in their own name. Are they a trustworthy company?

Yah, me to, I capped the wrong letter in the title... 

description paragraph says 43 lbs payload and just below (same page) in features it says 44.... whatever.

$2898 bones with a free ipolar, since we cant sell any individually......

I shouldnt be so harsh, if it runs as good as it looks, they may just have a winner here?

Edited by mjanzou, 02 November 2022 - 09:41 PM.

[Xeroid]

..and the Food Fight is about to begin...

 

[Wow!]

Impressive. iOptron are covering all bases!

[mjanzou]

They posted up the EC version for $4248, again at just $100 more then its HEM44 counterpart. However the pic looks the same as the nonEC, what, no red ring???

For an extra $1350, I expect a red ring dude.

[Skymind]

So iOptron has 3 types strain wave mounts, HEM, HAE, HAZ.

HEM, hybrid strain wave/worm gear, EQ only (15, 27, 44, and EC), latitude range 15º - 65º or 0º - 22º 

HAE, strain wave gears, AZ/EQ (29, 43, and EC), 0º - 90º

HAZ, strain wave gears, AZ only (31, 46)

 

Since HAE covers both AZ and EQ, I am puzzling why another HAZ?

[akdwivedi]

very interesting.. the HAE is similar to Skywatcher Az Eq6 in terms of specs, but with strainwave gear in both RA and Dec.. in a way its similar to zwo am5 (which has swg in both axes and can operate in both az and eq mode). Its also similar weight class as am5 with higher payload capacity (20kg).

 

This looks exciting as it works in my latitude, but if it was 3kg, I would snap it as a perfect grab and go.

[luxo II]

They seem a bit coy about the resolution of the “high precision encoders”… has anyone worked out what they are ?

[mjanzou]

 

For an extra $1350, I expect a red ring dude.

Updated pic looks more appropriate...

No other encoder details except for: High precision encoder with realtime PEC (RPEC)

 

[M31Nut]

So I’m on the waiting list for an HEM44EC. My initial reaction to yesterdays new release was to re-consider for the new dual axis strain wave versions. But a major feature of the strain wave mounts (all of them) is a very large periodic error which requires fast guiding periods. Although there is an EC version of the new dual axis mount, won’t this automatically require fast guiding periods due to the Dec axis not having an encoder? The hybrid version still looks the better buy.

 

One thing I have noticed for all the new iOptron strain wave mounts - they all seem to lack GPS and also lack an iPort for connecting one of the iOptron GPS units. Seems an odd omission for mounts that have portability as a major attractor. 

Edited by M31Nut, 03 November 2022 - 06:43 PM.

[honyi]

So I’m on the waiting list for an HEM44EC. My initial reaction to yesterdays new release was to re-consider for the new dual axis strain wave versions. But a major feature of the strain wave mounts (all of them) is a very large periodic error which requires fast guiding periods. Although there is an EC version of the new dual axis mount, won’t this automatically require fast guiding periods due to the Dec axis not having an encoder? The hybrid version still looks the better buy.

 

One thing I have noticed for all the new iOptron strain wave mounts - they all seem to lack GPS and also lack an iPort for connecting one of the iOptron GPS units. Seems an odd omission for mounts that have portability as a major attractor. 

Since Dec guiding involves north/south corrections in both directions, which is very different from RA guiding, my understanding is that the periodic error in Dec does not matter materially. So the Dec not having an encoder does not mean that fast guiding is needed for the EC version of the dual axis mount.

 

 

As for there being no GPS, iOptron did explain it in their FAQ on the HEM27 (pt 5 - https://www.ioptron....es.asp?ID=346):
Why HEM27 does not come with a GPS?
When designing HEM series, we judged between WiFi and GPS, and chose WiFi instead of GPS. When Commander Lite is in action (WiFi version ASCOM), a GPS module is redundant. One may easily port the GPS info from a smartphone to the mount/hand controller. There is no worry about lacking of internet, WiFi, or cell phone signals in rural areas. Commander Lite can always get GPS info from a smartphone to the HEM mount/hand controller, no dead corner.

[akdwivedi]

I think most of these new swg mounts from zwo and ioptron rely on location sync from mobile apps or from asiair/nuc based apps.

[akdwivedi]

Since HAE covers both AZ and EQ, I am puzzling why another HAZ?

Its dedicated AZ only mount designed to cater needs of people who use heavy binoculars or binoscopes. It is lighter than the AE mounts so you could carry it easily to dark sites for viewing the dark skies with binoscopes. The binocular folks like top mounted binocs rather than mounting on the side like most of AZ mounts have. So far companies like oberwerks have been offering a dedicated adapter to mount large binos to ioptron azmp.
 

[StarAlert]

Interesting option. Is there any info on how the HAE43 works? I might consider upgrading my AZMP with this. How does alignment work in AZ mode? 

[Silver Bear]

Interesting thread so far, and this definitely has my interest peaked - but here's a noobie foolish question about the iOptron's HAE or HAZ strain wave mounts....

 

At what point does the investment of another ~$1400 for the HAE43 high precision encoders make good sense?

 

Ted

[Xeroid]

me thinks not enough is known at this time to make that determination.

 

Interesting thread so far, and this definitely has my interest peaked - but here's a noobie foolish question about the iOptron's HAE or HAZ strain wave mounts....

 

At what point does the investment of another ~$1400 for the HAE43 high precision encoders make good sense?

 

Ted

[lancing]

me thinks not enough is known at this time to make that determination.

Bump on this. I'm looking at either an AM5 or iOptron strain wave mount probably first half of next year.

 

iOptron makes this a little more confusing to compare given their mounts come with or without precision encoders.

 

How exactly does an iOptron mount with or without a precision encoder compare to say a single configuration AM5?

[Skymind]

AM5 does not have precision encoder model, therefore, the comparable iOptron model to AM5 is HAE29. 

[lancing]

AM5 does not have precision encoder model, therefore, the comparable iOptron model to AM5 is HAE29. 

Hmm, that definitely gives iOptron a massive bump in terms of competitiveness when you look at the prices.

[Skymind]

Hmm, that definitely gives iOptron a massive bump in terms of competitiveness when you look at the prices.

I think so. 

 

AM5,     $1999, 12.11 lbs, 28.63 lbs payload
HAE29, $1998,   7.93 lbs, 29.74 lbs payload
HAE29 with iPolar, 2098

[StarAlert]

So iOptron has 3 types strain wave mounts, HEM, HAE, HAZ.

HEM, hybrid strain wave/worm gear, EQ only (15, 27, 44, and EC), latitude range 15º - 65º or 0º - 22º 

HAE, strain wave gears, AZ/EQ (29, 43, and EC), 0º - 90º

HAZ, strain wave gears, AZ only (31, 46)

 

Since HAE covers both AZ and EQ, I am puzzling why another HAZ?

Where do you see the HAZ46? 

[honyi]

Where do you see the HAZ46? 

Points 6 and 7: https://www.ioptron....cles.asp?ID=346

[mjanzou]

Most of the new sw geared mounts use stepper motors except the rainbow 135 which uses servo. Most are belt driven but others do not specify in their spec sheet. So that begs the question are some direct/ gear driven? Id like to know for the obvious reason that belts dry out, fray, stretch, teeth wear and eventually need to be replaced. Are belt changes on these mounts doable from a user perspective?
I just did both the belts on my cem26 at 2.5 years of moderate usage which was an easy job compared to the gem28 (have to remove the entire dec assembly to get to the ra)

Edited by mjanzou, 07 November 2022 - 07:39 AM.

[Skymind]

I don't think any is with "direct" drive. Statistically, lifetime of stepper motor is much longer than servo motor, unless the servo is brushless. Belt drive is backlash free, so belt + strain wave makes more sense than gear + strain wave.