74 replies to this topic

[ShinySteelRobot]

 

Wave 150i Specifications:

• Payload: 33 pounds w/o counter weight & 55 pounds with counter weights

With counterweights, do you believe this mount could effectively handle a Celestron EdgeHD 14" OTA (46 lb) along with some accessories for visual use, even though it would be close to the maximum recommended weight?

[daedalus]

We will have adapters to mount the Wave mounts to some of our steel tripods. The Wave 150i will have an optional extension that will mount it to the EQ6-R's tripod. We hope to have more details soon.

I just pulled the trigger on a Wave 150i, and I'm very interested in the proposed EQ6-r's tripod adaptor plate.

I would like to use an adaptor plate to mount the Wave head to a pier.

Thanks!

[Rawdo]

It’s not mentioned on Skywatcher site, but is there any kind of carrying case included with the mounts.?

[ShinySteelRobot]

It’s not mentioned on Skywatcher site, but is there any kind of carrying case included with the mounts.?

They don't explicitly say "case included", but they do imply that there are cases for them on their Wave 150i web page:
 

Boasting 22 and 33 pounds of payload capacity respectively (33 and 55 pounds
with optional counterweight kits), the Wave 100i and 150i are incredibly compact
and lightweight (9.5 and 12.8 pounds) and stow in durable carry cases with dense,
machine-cut foam perfectly suited for travel.

[bokemon]

belt or direct drive?

[daedalus]

belt or direct drive?

I don't know why it is not on the Sky Watcher USA site, but the information you are looking for is here:

https://skywatcherau...cher-wave-150i/

[skyward_eyes]

Belt drive for the Wave mounts.

The mounts do come with a hard case.

[Moravianus]

I don't know why it is not on the Sky Watcher USA site, but the information you are looking for is here:

https://skywatcherau...cher-wave-150i/

Also this

 

RA Harmonic spec: 17-100
DEC Harmonic spec: 14-100

[bokemon]

what do these numbers mean?

[bokemon]

I just realized that the counterweight system is not enough to balance a 55 lbs scope.  The connection point is too weak and would probably bend or rip out of the body.

[aabusara]

I just realized that the counterweight system is not enough to balance a 55 lbs scope.  The connection point is too weak and would probably bend or rip out of the body.

 

You don't need to balance a harmonic drive. You just need enough weight to avoid the system from tipping over and provide some counterbalance.

[greenmonk]

These mounts will be shipping late summer but can be pre-ordered through your favorite dealer. More details on accessories will come to the website other the next few days.  

So I watched your “What’s up? Webcast: Wave Mounts” on YouTube and I was wondering if you had any updates. It was extremely informative and since we haven’t heard anything more in the last month….how has the testing been going? Any new information you can give us? I’m also really interested in finding more out about the black non-carbon fiber mount you were mentioning. Do you have more information and a price for that yet? You still haven’t added that as an accessory on the website. 
 

I hope the “late summer” estimate is still on track and doesn’t mean September 21st. LOL

[ewave]

I also have a follow up question for the smaller 100i, can the saddle be replaced with a slightly larger 3rd party saddle (like one from ADM, etc.) ?

 

The saddles provided on these looks no more than 3" long. 

[Sky King]

Be nice to see a imaging review with a C11 on a 150i or other strain wave mount. I'm considering a Cem70 or a G11, but a lighter weight alternative would be sweet.

[skyward_eyes]

I also have a follow up question for the smaller 100i, can the saddle be replaced with a slightly larger 3rd party saddle (like one from ADM, etc.) ?

 

The saddles provided on these looks no more than 3" long. 

For the 100i because it doesn't have the internal cabling like the 150 I do not see why this wouldn't be possible. ADM did come over during NEAF to check it out. 

[ewave]

For the 100i because it doesn't have the internal cabling like the 150 I do not see why this wouldn't be possible. ADM did come over during NEAF to check it out. 

Thanks for your response, something else for me to ponder. 

 

Also, any revised lead times for expected release? 

[Sky King]

Looks like the 150i can support a C11, but I wonder what kind of guiding you would get. It does look like the best bang for the buck. Can you mount one to a iOptron Tri-Pier? Is there an adapter? I also like that Sky Watcher is there to stand behind their product if needed. My EQ6-R has been rock solid so I will wait for reviews and availability.

[hyiger]

Looks like the 150i can support a C11, but I wonder what kind of guiding you would get. It does look like the best bang for the buck. Can you mount one to a iOptron Tri-Pier? Is there an adapter? I also like that Sky Watcher is there to stand behind their product if needed. My EQ6-R has been rock solid so I will wait for reviews and availability.

If it's like the AM5 (I think the RA motor is the same) then it should guide 0.3-0.5"/pixel. My harmonic mounts seem to guide as well as a hyper-tuned EQ6R-Pro. You will not get the same performance as a Mach-2 or MYT but then you are paying a premium for those. 

[ShinySteelRobot]

My previous question in this thread regarding a Wave 150i with a C14 never got answered, so I assume the Wave 150i isn't capable of it. No worries. Understandably, the initial Sky-Watcher strain wave mounts target the mass-market ZWO equivalents, and C14 capability is more of a niche market.

 

I really like Sky-Watcher products, so I'll keep an eye out for a future model, perhaps a larger "Wave 300i" or whatever they call it. In the meantime, I ordered an iOptron HAE69.

[hyiger]

My previous question in this thread regarding a Wave 150i with a C14 never got answered, so I assume the Wave 150i isn't capable of it. No worries. Understandably, the initial Sky-Watcher strain wave mounts target the mass-market ZWO equivalents, and C14 capability is more of a niche market.

 

I really like Sky-Watcher products, so I'll keep an eye out for a future model, perhaps a larger "Wave 300i" or whatever they call it. In the meantime, I ordered an iOptron HAE69.

Just the C14 OTA + AP gear weighs more than 50lbs. It's not though the weight that is the concern, it's the torque on the RA axis. I wouldn't dare put a C14 on it. The HAE69 that you ordered is a better choice. If it were me though I would be putting a C14 on a MYT or Mach-2 mount. That's a lot of focal length to be guiding on a strainwave mount. 

Edited by hyiger, 18 June 2024 - 03:38 PM.

[ShinySteelRobot]

Just the C14 OTA + AP gear weighs more than 50lbs. It's not though the weight that is the concern, it's the torque on the RA axis. I wouldn't dare put a C14 on it. The HAE69 that you ordered is a better choice. If it were me though I would be putting a C14 on a MYT or Mach-2 mount. That's a lot of focal length to be guiding on a strainwave mount. 

Hey, Hyiger! I agree it's quite a bit of weight to handle on the axes. In my previous post, I mentioned that I'd mainly use the C14 for visual purposes (so, not including extras for imaging). With the diagonal, finder, and eyepiece, it'll be around 50 lbs in total (Sky-Watcher says Wave 150i can handle up to 55 lbs with counterweights, but maybe it's prudent to let someone else's scope be the guinea pig ).

 

Also, thanks for the vote of confidence regarding the HAE69. I might consider doing Hyperstar imaging with a C14 in the future, but not right now. In the meantime, any imaging would be done on a smaller scope on a smaller mount.

Edited by ShinySteelRobot, 18 June 2024 - 04:56 PM.

[hyiger]

Hey, Hyiger! I agree it's quite a bit of weight to handle on the axes. In my previous post, I mentioned that I'd mainly use the C14 for visual purposes (so, not including extras for imaging). With the diagonal, finder, and eyepiece, it'll be around 50 lbs in total (Sky-Watcher says it can handle up to 55 lbs with counterweights).

 

Also, thanks for the vote of confidence regarding the HAE69. I might consider doing Hyperstar imaging with a C14 in the future, but not right now. In the meantime, any imaging would be done on a smaller scope on a smaller mount.

I would take the weight limits with a grain of salt. I was 80% of the limit of my AM5 and had an Alt adjustment bolt loosen up and the entire mount head snapped back. Fortunately the damage was minor. Anyway, this is the reason I swapped out my C11 for the Edge925

[Kane0304]

Do these mounts use classic homing switches inside them to determine the home position? How accurate are they?

[hyiger]

Do these mounts use classic homing switches inside them to determine the home position? How accurate are they?

The AM5 is extremely accurate. You can even set and calibrate the home position. 

[Victory Pete]

 

Introducing the highly anticipated Sky-Watcher Wave series of strain-wave mounts.

 

The Wave series consists of two mounts, the Wave 100i and Wave 150i. Both mounts share features as well as have their own unique offerings. 

 

These mounts will be shipping late summer but can be pre-ordered through your favorite dealer. More details on accessories will come to the website other the next few days.  

 

Shared Features:

• AZ/EQ modes 
• WiFi and Bluetooth for wireless control 
• D/V mounting saddles 
• 10 degrees per second slew rate
• Compatible with SynScan hand controller for visual and easy field work
• EQMOD compatible
• Homing sensors on RA and Dec axis

Optional Accessories:

• Carbon Fiber tripod
• Stainless steel counter weight kit
• Pier extension
• We will also be offering heavy duty rolled steel tripods in the future to maximize the payload.

Wave 100i Specifications:

• Payload: 22 pounds w/o counter weight & 33 pounds with counter weights
• Head Weight: 9.5 pounds
• Includes secondary saddle for side by side configuration

Wave 150i Specifications:

• Payload: 33 pounds w/o counter weight & 55 pounds with counter weights
• Head Weight: 12.8 pounds
• Includes cable management system feature USB, guider port and 12v power ports in the saddle plate 
• Dec and RA balance clutches. These clutches provide a small amount of movement in each axis to allow you to balance the mount's payload. 

 

I am very interested in these new mounts; I look forward to working with you soon.