With precision synchronous belt transmission that improves tracking accuracy with reduced vibration, the iOptron CEM40 Equatorial GoTo Mount makes an ideal mount for your astronomy and astrophotography needs. A payload capacity of 40 pounds and a saddle that accepts both Losmandy and Vixen-style dovetail plates allows it to handle just about any optical tube assembly (OTA) and gear you have. This version of the CEM40 comes with a standard 1.5" stainless steel tripod that offers solid support while still being highly portable for off-the-grid observation sessions.
Mount
- German equatorial configuration provides smooth and accurate celestial tracking for observation or astrophotography
- Center-balanced "Z" design places the weight over the mount's center of gravity to provide greater stability, smoother movement, and quieter running while requiring less counterweights
- 40-pound payload capacity, excluding included counterweight
- 0-60° latitude; ±6° azimuth adjustment range
- Integrated iPolar electronic polar finder works globally; no Polaris (north) or Sigma Octantis (south) necessary; no need to rotate the mount during alignment
- Built-in 32-channel GPS receiver transmits accurate date, location, and time to the hand controller, so when you change your position, the telescope can be set up quickly with accurate information
- Dual-fit 8" Losmandy and Vixen-style dovetail saddle accommodates most OTAs on the market today
- Retractable 28mm diameter & 11" long counterweight bar prevents hitting the tripod or otherwise interfering with the mount's movement; 11-pound counterweight included
Motors and Gears
- Less than ±7 arcsec tracking error
- 1.8° stepper motor with 128x microdivision
- 110mm, 216-tooth right ascension (RA) and declination (dec) worm wheels with zero backlash
- 68mm RA and declination ball bearings provide smooth movement with minimal vibration
- 45mm steel RA and dec axis shafts
- Synchronous belt transmission improves tracking accuracy, with reduced vibration, especially with heavy loads
- RA and declination gear switches release the gears for balancing OTA
- Precise 0.08 arcsec (200 pulse/sec) motor resolution
- Low-power consumption: 0.6A (tracking), 0.9A (using GoTo)
- Runs on included 12 VDC 5A power adapter; plugs into a standard 110-240 VAC North American outlet
Go2Nova 8407+ Hand Controller
- 212,000+ object database includes the moon, sun, planets, stars, comets, asteroids, and constellations
- Multiple assisted alignment procedures use the built-in GPS module and iPolar electronic polar finder
- Slew speeds: 1x, 2x, 8x, 16x, 64x, 128x, 256x, 512x, MAX (4.5°/sec)
- Permanent periodic error correction eliminates tracking errors for long-exposure astrophotography
- Tracking rates: Sidereal, Lunar, Solar, King's, user-defined from 0.99x to 1.01x of Sidereal
- Star Identification function will tell user what star the mount is pointed at after proper alignment
- Computer control with planetarium software via integrated autoguiding port
- Control for optional electronic focuser
- Control optional illuminated polar scope light intensity
- Fully compatible with mount's integrated GPS module to automatically determine day, date, time, and location
- Serial port for firmware upgrade
- Adjustable key and display brightness
- Integrated heater that ensures the LCD display will work at temperatures as low as -4°F (-20°C)
- 8-line/21-character LCD screen; backlit 19-button user interface
Database details:
- Solar system: 9 objects, including the sun, moon, planets (& Pluto)
- Named objects: 92 deep-sky objects with their common names
- Messier catalog: 110 objects
- NGC catalog: 7840 objects
- IC catalog: 5386 objects
- PGC catalog: 73,197 objects.
- Caldwell catalog: 109 objects
- Abell catalog: 4076 objects
- Herschel catalog: 400 objects
- Named stars: 259 stars with their common names
- Double/multi stars: 208 stars
- Hipparcos catalog: 120,404 stars
- 88 modern constellations with their names
- 15 comets
- 116 asteroids
- 60 user-defined objects, including comets
Tripod
- 1.5" stainless steel, two leg sections
- Adjustable height of 25-42"
- 48" maximum leg spread
- Accessory tray with a locking leg spreader
- Spiked feet for greater stability on uneven ground
- Weight: 10 lb (5 kg)