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Which mount for remote in Spain

Equipment Equatorial Mount Remote Astrophotography
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Valentin JUNGBLUTH avatar
Valentin JUNGBLUTH avatar
Hello everyone,

I’m creating this post to ask for your opinion on the mount that might be sent to Spain for remote use at Roboscope (E-Eye) in August 2025.

The setup would be as follows:
  • TS Optics 102/714 refractor
  • Guiding with OAG
  • Prodigy + Falcon rotator + RAF 50mm + IMX571

So, roughly around 12 kg in total.Currently, we have several mounts available:
  • EQ6-R (equatorial)
  • AZ-EQ6 (equatorial)
  • NYX 101 (harmonic)

The mount's reliability, tracking, and its "homing" function are key factors, as it needs to last for many years without issues.We initially considered placing the NYX 101 on-site.
However, we’re questioning the tracking quality of this lightweight mount (which is better suited for mobile use) and its ability to achieve an EP of around +/- 20".

We would like to be confident, especially if there’s a bit of wind (20-25 km/h), as the tests with the NYX101 and the 200/800 setup have not been satisfactory so far.

The budget would be around 6000-7000€ maximum.

Everything would be controlled via NINA with a NUC + Pegasus Astro PowerBox Ultimate.

Possible options:
I’m eyeing the Skywatcher EQ8-R or RH (with encoder), which would be much heavier, and therefore, in my opinion, more rigid in case of wind. The stated EP is around +/- 3" for the R version and close to +/- 0.5" for the RH version.

What do you think? What advice would you give?

Thanks
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Stjepan Prugovečki avatar
Stjepan Prugovečki avatar
Hi, CEM70 has PE of roughly +/- 3" , and is quite solid.  Serves me quite well for last 3years and is always outside on the pier , just wrapped.   For my setup (quite long and heavy Esprit 120) , direct wind south in my case) of 2.5m/s is a kind of cut off , where I give up. Would really like to see and learn about the mount that would  handle 25 km/h wind , with 200/800 on it . Would perhaps buy one immediately .😊
CS
Valentin JUNGBLUTH avatar
Valentin JUNGBLUTH avatar
In your opinion, would the CEM70 be better than the EQ8-R or EQ8-RH? We need a reliable mount with high-quality tracking.The budget is limiting, but it can still allow for some projections.Regarding the wind, I made a mistake in the measurements indeed. But I wanted to indicate a mount capable of handling more constant or gusty wind than a NYX101 =)
Stjepan Prugovečki avatar
Stjepan Prugovečki avatar
Valentin JUNGBLUTH:
In your opinion, would the CEM70 be better than the EQ8-R or EQ8-RH? We need a reliable mount with high-quality tracking.The budget is limiting, but it can still allow for some projections.Regarding the wind, I made a mistake in the measurements indeed. But I wanted to indicate a mount capable of handling more constant or gusty wind than a NYX101 =)

Can't say really as I never tried/saw EQ8 . For my CEM70 I can say it is very reliable. Never failed to perform as expected , guides usually with RMS of 0.4" in average (if that means anything) . It is lighter than EQ8 though.  CEM70 has also a bigger brother (CEM120) , which is heavier and if I can make a conclusion from 3 iOptron mounts I have, CEM120 would be the ultimate mount (within the respective price range) . 
CS