Building on the successes of earlier CEM mounts, the iOptron CEM70EC Equatorial GoTo Mount Head has an impressive payload capacity with a suite of hardware and software improvements that produce highly accurate alignment and tracking capabilities to make this an ideal mount for observation and astroimaging applications—even with large-aperture OTAs and large imaging systems that include filter wheels and guidescopes. Included with the mount is their iconic Go2Nova hand controller, iPolar electronic polar finder, and a hard carrying case to hold it all. You will need to supply a reliable support system for the mount head, such as iOptron's LiteRoc tripod or a permanent pier.
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 counterweight
- 70-pound payload capacity, excluding included counterweight, allows the use of larger catadioptric OTAs with imaging systems, filter wheels, and guide scopes
- 0-65° latitude; ±4° azimuth adjustment range
- Able to go -10° past the meridian when viewing from high locations like a mountain or balcony with automatic meridian flip
- 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 for accurate day, date, time, and location information
- 16" counterweight bar with massive 21-pound counterweight included for proper OTA and load balancing
- Cable management system utilizes two panels with strategically placed ports to help prevent cord wrap and snag hazards
Motors and Gears
- Real-Time Periodic Error Correction system with high-resolution encoders continuously and automatically identifies and corrects intrinsic tracking errors to constantly improve accuracy over time
- Precision tracking with less than ±0.25 arcsec error
- 128x microdivision 0.07 arcsec resolution stepper motor
- 151mm, 248-tooth right ascension (RA) and declination (dec) worm wheels with zero backlash
- 80mm RA and declination ball bearings provide smooth movement with minimal vibration
- 55mm steel RA and dec axis shafts
- RA and declination gear switches release the gears for balancing OTA
- Low-power consumption: 0.6A (tracking), 0.8A (using GoTo)
- Runs on included 12 VDC 5A power adapter
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 (3.5°/sec)
- 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 ASCOM-compliant 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
Mounting
- Mount head only—tripod or other support system required for proper use; iOptron recommends their LiteRoc tripod or pier
- Large dual-fit 8" Losmandy and Vixen-style dovetail saddle accommodates most OTAs on the market today
- Mount head weight; 30-pounds, so make sure the tripod or pier can accommodate that weight plus any accessories, filter wheels, guidesopes, or imaging systems
Hard Case
- Safely carry, transport, and store mount head, hand controller, and counterweight shaft
- Aluminum case with reinforced corners
- Dual latches
- Molded hinged handle
- Foam-lined lid and custom-cut foam insert prevent items from shifting