4 replies to this topic

[Odysea]

I currently have an Ioptron HAE29 I picked up used last year. I love the mount and it fits my APM 123-738 and with all setups perfectly.

The only issue for me is that the AZ adjustment requires a hex wrench, which in the dark is annoying to fumble with if I need to adjust after initial setup.

Are there any strain waves out there with novel tool-less and easy to adjust AZ/ALT adjustments?

Other things I need to keep in mind:
Similar weight capacity has HAE29 (if not a little more)
Similar goto and tracking functionality
Relatively portable is desire-able but not a hard requirement

[Tapio]

I believe EM31PRO is pretty good in that respect.

[hyiger]

Interesting, most strain wave mounts (at least the ones I own) have knurled knobs for AZ and either a lever or knob for ALT. A bit odd that yours can only be adjusted with a hex wrench. 

 

Viable alternatives are the ZWO AM3 or AM5N. I would preface this though by saying you can probably either find or have someone make a knurled knob replacement. 

Edited by hyiger, 18 May 2025 - 11:15 AM.

[honyi]

I currently have an Ioptron HAE29 I picked up used last year. I love the mount and it fits my APM 123-738 and with all setups perfectly.

The only issue for me is that the AZ adjustment requires a hex wrench, which in the dark is annoying to fumble with if I need to adjust after initial setup.

Are there any strain waves out there with novel tool-less and easy to adjust AZ/ALT adjustments?

Other things I need to keep in mind:
Similar weight capacity has HAE29 (if not a little more)
Similar goto and tracking functionality
Relatively portable is desire-able but not a hard requirement

You can swap out the two azimuth adjustment screws with new ones which have better flanged heads. That is what i did with my CEM40 and HAE43. Check if they are M8 or M6. There are many possible options on AliExpress or Taobao.

[Jethro7]

Hello Odysea,

If the AZ adjustment is the only thing about the HAE29 mount that you don't like. The occasional need to adjust, is something that I would just live with. Have a hex wrench and a red light on hand. I have a mounts with a similar issues, I keep the wrenches or special tools tucked under the tripod heads attached to magnets where they are handy. Or a decent machinest could easily make a replacement AZ adjustment screw that has a knurled knob for easy adjustment. No mount is perfect and every mount has its quirks and buying a new mount to fix a quirk may just trade a quirk for others quirks.

 

HAPPY SKIES AND KEEP LOOKING UP Jethro

Edited by Jethro7, 18 May 2025 - 02:30 PM.