iOptron CEM mount

[JimsShed (Jim)]

I've read bits and pieces about iOptron mounts and they seem to have some innovative features. Does anyone here on IIS actually own a CEM25 or CEM60, or maybe an eq45?
I'd be very interested to read about your thoughts, especially around reliability and usefulness for unguided astrophotography.
Jim

[JimsShed (Jim)]

Bump. There must be someone out there who owns a CEM.

[bigjoe (JOSEPH)]

Jim don't have one ;but this might help?

https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&s...3RxFT6C4FAGrYw

Cheers bigjoe

[Retrograde (Pete)]

IIS user Zardos123 (Brad) has an iOptron ieq45 mount.
Maybe send him a PM?

[JimsShed (Jim)]

Originally Posted by bigjoe

Jim don't have one ;but this might help?

https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&s...3RxFT6C4FAGrYw

Cheers bigjoe

Thanks for that bigjoe. All happy customers in that thread. Would be good to hear from some people here about Australian customer support.

[HenryNZ]

I had a zeq25. Not the ones you are after but made by the same manufacturer. Biggest piece of junk IMO. Spent more time in parts than in one piece. Ymmv.

[robulaic (Robert)]

I had a CEM60 and found it underwhelming, there was a lot of wobble once set up and the magnetic clutches where awful to use, you could never tell if they were engaged correctly since you couldn't just tighten them. I went back to the CGEM DX

[JimsShed (Jim)]

Originally Posted by robulaic

I had a CEM60 and found it underwhelming, there was a lot of wobble once set up and the magnetic clutches where awful to use, you could never tell if they were engaged correctly since you couldn't just tighten them. I went back to the CGEM DX

That's interesting. I've read about others with wobble but it seems the tripod was the cause. Those using peers (portable or fixed) report no issue. Was yours on a tripod?

[robulaic (Robert)]

No, I am using a pier. it could have had something to do with the magnetic clutch system.

[brian nordstrom (As avatar)]

I had the. IEQ45 and found it very good , solid and well made but by far it was the electronic,s that made it a pleasure to use. , awesome GOTO,s easy to learn and it was so intuitive compared to Celestron , skywatcher and especially Meades there was no comparison IMO , it never missed a beat in over 2 years hard work. , I only sold it because I had to move .

I really liked it and still regret selling it to this day.

I had a Tak Mewlon 210 and a heavy 127mm f7.5 triplet (not at the same time ��) and it performed beautifully , I remember one night viewing Saturn at 806x and the mount was tracking perfect , rock solid and smooth.

Brian.

[stefang (Stefan)]

+1 thumbs up for the CEM60 EC. A very solid mount, that I cannot fault on the ioptron TriPier.

You will want it on a very solid pier for good tracking and dampening.

Good fit and finish. The heated hand controller is a nice touch. 12v and USB in the saddle plate is great for your cameras and guiders etc. The only short coming is the need to screw off the polar scope cover to access the power input for the illuminated polar scope.

No biggie really, and the saddle plate USB ports are unpowered, however I have read that other users on CloudyNights have modded and soldered powered USB connectors in their place as an after market modification.
Clear skies
Stefan

[JimsShed (Jim)]

Thanks for the responses so far guys, and a special thanks to Stefan for the call. The discussion and helpfulness of people in this community is amazing.