7 replies to this topic

[Northrim]

Hi all.

 

I currently use an AVX mount.  I want to get a second mount and relegate the AVX to backup status and for use when I do outreach with more than one scope.

 

Because I have no backyard and need to go to a site 20 minutes away every time I image (and I'm 67 with neck and shoulder issues) equipment weight is very important to me.

 

My current OTA's are:
Primary imaging scope - RASA 8
ES ED80
Meade 2080 LX6  f6.3  -  Used mainly for visual and maybe planetary images

 

Eventually I plan to have just one small refractor to use in my decrepitude but for now I want a mount that is very light weight but can also handle my current equipment.

 

I've therefore decided to get a harmonic mount.  I'm deciding between the ZWO AM5 and the iOptron HAE29. 

Right now I'm leaning toward the HAE29 because it's a bit lighter and my (uneducated) guess is that it might be inherently more compatible with ASCOM compared to a mount designed with ASIAIR in mind.  Also, I like that fact that I can have self contained goto with the HAE29. 

 

On the other hand I've read very good reports about the AM5 and my AVX tripod could be easily modified to hold it if I wanted a heavier/more stable tripod for awhile. 
 
So I'm dithering (no pun intended).

 

Whichever mount I get I'll be controlling my imaging sessions with a mini PC running NINA, Phd2 and Stellarium.  I will not be getting an ASIAIR.

I'd love to hear pros and cons from anyone who has used either of these mounts.

 

Thanks.

Taylor

[lancing]

I'm in exactly the same boat right now. I have an AVX and want a strainwave mount. Both of these are currently on my short list. I couldn't find many reviews for the HAE29 out yet the last time I looked. I also won't touch the Asiair due to the camera restrictions.

 

In my case I've also got the additional factor of budgeting. The new strainwave mounts are not cheap so I likely won't be able to put the cash aside for one until this fall.

 

The second issue is both of these mounts are super new so I'd like to see them out in the field for a year first anyway to determine if either of them have any serious issues.

 

I've mostly been seeing good things about the AM5 so far. Very curious to see any feedback on the HAE29 and especially any feedback if there is anyone out there who has used both.

Edited by lancing, 29 January 2023 - 12:37 PM.

[nwcs]

All I can say is I have an AVX and last fall I bought an AM5. I wouldn’t go back. Ever. It is on every level superior to the AVX. I’m using a 90mm scope with it and the TC40 tripod. Works every time. While you don’t have to have everything balanced like on the AVX you do want to roughly balanced to make altitude adjustments for polar alignment easier.

[AstroVagabond]

Hi all.

 

I currently use an AVX mount.  I want to get a second mount and relegate the AVX to backup status and for use when I do outreach with more than one scope.

 

Because I have no backyard and need to go to a site 20 minutes away every time I image (and I'm 67 with neck and shoulder issues) equipment weight is very important to me.

 

 

Taylor

I'm in a similar boat as you at age 68 and the AM5 will be my next purchase. Last new moon weekend I got to lift the AM5 and it's as light as a feather compared to my EQ6-R Pro. Several people in our Astronomical Society have one and find the performance excellent. 

 

In full transparency I'm a ZWO fan and ASIAir Plus user for both my scopes. I have N.I.N.A. capability sitting on the top rail of my EdgeHD 8 if I need it but for now the ASIAir Plus is my favorite. I'm figuring out the weight of my EdgeHD set up to compare to the payload capacity of the AM5 without using counterweight.

 

 

~ Bill

Edited by AstroVagabond, 29 January 2023 - 12:54 PM.

[idclimber]

The one disadvantage to the strain wave mounts is their higher periodic errors that require guiding at one second or lower intervals (what I have read in the AM5 thread).  I suspect these larger and steeper PE curves are why these mounts are not recommended at longer focal lengths by ZWO. I see some who pair these with SCTs but I wonder if they are getting equivalent tracking to a more traditional belt driven mounts like a CEM70. 

 

The Ipotron units are offered with absolute encoders and I would want to know if that mitigates the need for frequent guiding. 

[Mstafforini]

I just received the HAE29EC and it looks quite nice and is incredibly light.  I’m recovering from rotator cuff surgery and won’t be able to use my Paramount MyT mount (which I use with NINA) for a while. 
I have not had a chance to use the mount for imaging, but I did connect it to my laptop and used iOptron Commander to control the mount after downloading drivers and firmware updates. Later, when I restarted the computer, connected the mount again and turned it on, NINA launched automatically and the iOptron mount was listed so I connected it. NINA controlled the mount as you would expect, so the HAE29EC clearly works just fine with both NINA and ASCOM.  

I’m still awaiting delivery of the tripod, but will post again when I have had a chance to test it out with camera and scope. 
 

Mark

[Northrim]

I just received the HAE29EC and it looks quite nice and is incredibly light.  I’m recovering from rotator cuff surgery and won’t be able to use my Paramount MyT mount (which I use with NINA) for a while. 
I have not had a chance to use the mount for imaging, but I did connect it to my laptop and used iOptron Commander to control the mount after downloading drivers and firmware updates. Later, when I restarted the computer, connected the mount again and turned it on, NINA launched automatically and the iOptron mount was listed so I connected it. NINA controlled the mount as you would expect, so the HAE29EC clearly works just fine with both NINA and ASCOM.  

I’m still awaiting delivery of the tripod, but will post again when I have had a chance to test it out with camera and scope. 
 

Mark

Mark,

 

I would definitely love to hear your experiences with the HAE29 when you start using it.  As lancing mentioned above.  There are not many reviews of the HSE29 out there so far.

[Mstafforini]

Between a tripod issue and clouds, I haven’t been able to use the mount yet.

One warning to anyone buying the the 8061 carbon fiber tripod, there two versions: the 8061 standard and the 8061-A.  The HAE29 mount requires the 8061-A.  I did not know this, and neither did the vendor, and was sent the standard tripod.  It’s center post bolt is too big for the HAE29 mount hole. I’m waiting for the vendor to find out if iOptron will just send me the correct center post bolt or if I have to return the tripod. The vendor did not have the A version available. I discovered this difference at another vendor’s site, but they didn’t have the tripod either. 

Mark