CEM60 first impressions

[robulaic (Robert)]

I've recently bought the CEM60 direct from iOptron.

Very positive first impressions so far - decent build quality overall. They've released the ascom drive and getting it to work with Astrotortilla was painless. I'm still getting used to a few quirks like the magnetic switches. If I had to change a couple of things it would be knobs that are more comfortable to grip, making the USB hub on the mount a powered one and setting circles.

Regrettably the weather has been abysmal so I haven't had time to do much testing, although I do note the mount didn't come with the firmware currently on the iOptron site so I'll need to upgrade that.

But as an shift from the CGEM DX it feels a great deal lighter.

[pluto (Hugh)]

Congrats on the new mount
I've been thinking this could be my next mount for a while so I look forward to hearing your experience with it.

What are you putting on it?

[robulaic (Robert)]

An 8" newt +mono ccd and filters - strangely enough the 10kg counterweight isn't enough, but was enough on the DX, but the bar is noticeably heavier on the DX

[allan gould]

Interested to see how this mount performs as Ive been watching it on Cloudynights. So the Hub on the mount is not powered which is a pity and I guess the 12V out is also meant to be powered by the owner.
Did you get the normal or CE mount? Be interested to see the PE of your mount.
How much was it to import direct (if you dont mind)?
Allan

[robulaic (Robert)]

I'll try to upload the PE chart they sent with the mount - I'm not 100% certain how to interpret those.

Ioptron sent it straight from their factory in China - the cost of shipping (no tripod) was about 350 USD. Even after taxes I paid less overall than the CGEM DX which cost a large mount more to send simply because of the massive 20 kilo tripod.

They also offered a pier plate for the mount for about $40 - but I'd already got a dans pier plate so that wasn't needed

[AndrewJ]

Gday Robert

Is it the EC or non EC model???
If EC, it will be interesting to see if it exhibits the same motor feedback ripple that is showing up in the current test units.

As to attaching the graph, just use the "Manage attachments" button
in the "Additional Options" section
(scroll down below the main reply screen )

Andrew

[Hal 9000 (Phil)]

Hi Robert
Is the Cem60 belt drive and does your mount have the GPS built in.

Phil

[robulaic (Robert)]

I have the non-EC version. The firmware it came with was the older firmware which still seems to have a tracking bug in it. I've ordered a serial to usb converter to update it with so that shouldn't be a problem for long.

One thing I've noticed is that standard serial to usb converters work fine for ASCOM control, but not for the firmware updater, not sure why. According to the cloudy nights thread the keyspan model works fine for updating.

I don't thing the cem60 is a belt drive system, but both versions (encoder and non-encoder) have gps

[AndrewJ]

Gday Robert

I know the CEM60 EC uses a stepper motor and 3:1 Belt drive
Not sure on the std CEM60.

One thing I've noticed is that standard serial to usb converters work fine for ASCOM control, but not for the firmware updater, not sure why.

Its the same with Meades. It is suspected that in download mode, the data being streamed sent can include control characters and sometimes the cheaper USB2Ser units get confused.
FTDI based units seem to work well, as do the keyspans. Belkins are notoriously inconsistent with meades.

Andrew