Next mount once iOptron SkyGuider Pro become too weak? - Forums

Topic starter

Apr 26, 2020

Hey there, currently I use iOptron SkyGuider Pro, but already reaching/go past the boundaries of weight limits.
I'm looking for portable(I travel a lot) GEM EQ GoTo mount (weight limit for astrophotography should allow approx. 7-15kg), which is easy to set-up/use, at the moment budget is around 1 - 1.5k EUR.

Maybe you could share some of your experiences of how & why you decided to go with the X option, considering Y/Z?

matthew.maclean

Apr 27, 2020

I use an IOptron CEM25p. I have no other personal experiences to compare to, but when I was shopping, it seemed to consistently be reviewed among the best options for its class. It does everything I want from it, and my impression is that it’s a very popular choice. I definitely do auto guide with it, but my unit at least does have pretty good native tracking if the polar alignment is carefully done.

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Marc Agostini

Apr 27, 2020

Same here; I upgraded from a Star Adventurer to the CEM25p. Ultra-portable, low power consumption, silent and low PE out of the box. I have since run it for ca. 60 hours, and I'm super satisfied with it, the hardest test I have put it through was 15min exposures at 1,1 arcsec/pixel, I didn't loose one single subframe in 12h exposure time due to trailing. Pointing accuracy is also great after proper setup, the polar scope is nice and well aligned. There were some loose-ish screws on the handset and the tripod, but nothing a screwdriver and a hex-wrench won't fix.

Only issues I had in the beginning were balancing issues, which can be sorted out easily, and motor stalling due to me not understanding the mechanics and putting to much pressure on the worm gear, it's a bit particular in that way. I only loaded it with 4kg, so I can't say if it lives up to the proclaimed 14kg(which would mean about 8 kg for astrophotography), but I have seen people who use it with a 150/750 Newton, DSLR and guidescope to good effect.

Other choices would be the SW HEQ5, which may need a belt drive mod to outperform the CEM25P (which comes with belts as is), or the SW EQ6-R which may hit the limit money-and weight wise, but is most capable in terms of capacity.

I went for the CEM25P because it was cheapest, least fuzz and offered a lot for the money. With a small APO I think it's the way to go.

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Lukas Šalkauskas

Topic starter

Apr 29, 2020

Thanks to you!
I'm thinking about CEM25p or CEM25-EC the one with encoders, but the price difference is huge, so not sure yet if it's worth the money, need more research..

oymd

Apr 29, 2020

I had a CEM25P and it was excellent. Very silent with accurate performance and tracking. Would take up to 180s subs with pin point stars. Was loaded with an ED80mm. It was a cracking portable setup. From what I read on various forums, it’s best to avoid the EC variants due to software issues, but I cannot confirm or refute that view. Good luck.

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Robert Huerbsch

Apr 29, 2020 · Edited: Apr 29, 2020

CEM25p is good up to 20lb ~ 9kg if its not windy and well balanced, etc.

Tim Hutchison

Apr 30, 2020

I use a Rainbow Astro RST-135. They are a bit pricey but they are great. Easy, very light weight (no counterweights) and can carry a lot of weight. You should definitely check it out.