The advantages at a glance:
- A new design, center-balanced equatorial mount (CEM) for maximum payload with natural stability
- Ideal for both visual observation and astrophotography
- Payload of 70 lbs (31.8 kg) with the mount weight of 30 lbs (13.6 kg)
- Easy to use and reliable gear clutches
- Precision altitude and azimuth adjustment.
- Precision stepper motor with 0.07 arcsec accuracy for precise GOTO and accurate tracking
- iPolar electronic polar scope
- Go2Nova® 8410 controller with advanced GOTONOVA® technology and a built-in heater
- High precision tracking with low periodic error (PE <0.3 arcsec rms)
- realtime periodic error correction (RPEC)
- 32-channel Global Positioning System (GPS)
- USB 3.0 powered connection
- Integrated ST-4 autoguiding port
- Advanced cable management system with more choices
- Spring loaded 8" Vixen/Losmandy dual saddle
- Built-in Wi-Fi connectivity
Following up on the success of the iOptron CEM60 center balance equatorial mount, iOptron is introducing two new medium payload center balance mounts. The CEM70 series mounts are new standard bearers for equatorial mounts in the 70lb payload segment. The mounts are packed with advanced features, while streamlining the components resulting in a more portable imaging setup.
Retaining the inherent properties of the center balance design, these relatively compact medium payload mounts deliver what astronomers expect in an efficient, accurate and portable mount. With precise GOTO pointing and accurate tracking, the CEM70EC is a solid performer for observers and imagers alike. Innovative operational features such as the internal iPolar electronic polar scope, easy lock drive gear engagement (levers large enough to use with gloves), an advanced cable management system for the mount, iPolar, guider, and camera assure users that the CEM70 was designed with their needs in mind.
Our expert comment:
The CEM70 ECW has a high precision encoder on the RA axis.
The CEM70 ECW2 has precision encoders on both, the Dec and RA axis. Both versions have an iPolar.
(Jan Stroeher)
If there are small discrepancies when the “zero position” is first activated, iOptron has provided advice to resolve this:
"Search zero position is a function to bring the mount to a rough zero, a few degrees off is possible. At the end of Search Zero, it will ask calibration. Use arrow keys to move RA and DEC to adjust the positions to physical zero position. When done, set zero position. This position will be memorized in the controller as Zero Position.
One may further refine zero position by the following steps:
Search zero -> goto a bright star and center it ->sync to target -> goto zero position ->set zero position.
This is a true (accurate) zero position."
(Jan Ströher)
