Telescope-Mounts-iOptron CEM40G Center Balance EQl Mount with iGuider, Hard Case, and 1.75″ LiteRoc Tripod

40 lb. Payload Center-Balanced Equatorial Mount
As opposed to German equatorial mounts which have the center of mass placed disproportionately over the tripod, center-balanced equatorial mounts (CEM) offer increased stability, in-turn significantly reducing strain on the mount head itself. How does this work? By placing the counterweight shaft and dovetail saddle at a 90 degree angle with respect to the RA axis, the weight of the telescope and counterweights evenly straddle the tripod. As a result, these mount heads do not have to grapple against the effects of gravity, allowing for much higher weight-to-payload ratios than their German equatorial mount counterparts. This CEM40G, for instance, weighs only 17.4 lbs (7.9 kg) and has the ability to carry OTAs of up to 40 lbs (18 kg)! Delivering high precision tracking, iOptron has fitted this mount with an ultra-quiet, low-power consumption stepper motor drive system with 0.8 arc seconds of resolution. These powerful internals produce a tracking accuracy of < +/- 7 arc seconds, low periodic error of < +/- 7.5 arc seconds, and comes furnished with permanent periodic error correction (PPEC) for increased accuracy.

Included Go2Nova 8407+ Hand Controller
Giving you the power to discover the cosmos right out of the box, this iOptron CEM40G comes standard with a Go2Nova 8407+ hand controller. Select and slew to your favorite celestial objects with the extensive 212,000 database and easily navigate through the user-friendly interface with the large back-lit 8-line, 21 character display. Furnished with an internal heater, this hand controller operates at temperatures as low as -4° Fahrenheit (-20° Celsius). The 1-9 number keys allow you to control your mount with 9 different slew speeds to help you hone in on your desired target. This controller comes with a serial port for firmware upgrades.

Multiple Means of Control
When it comes to operating this mount, a couple of options ensue. The addition of a user-supplied iOptron iStarFi Wi-Fi Adapter gives you the ability to connect your smartphone or tablet to this CEM40G. Utilize the powerful SkySafari Pro software for both iOS and Android and point your telescope to a plethora of celestial objects. If wishing to affix to your PC, the onboard USB-B 2.0 port found on the RA axis allows just this! After downloading the ASCOM/Commander driver, the Commander interface allows full control of your mount, and the ASCOM driver offers support with your favorite third-party software such as N.I.N.A., Sequence Generator Pro, and plenty more.

Numerous Ports and Internal Cable Management
On the main body of this mount, you’ll find a HBX port to connect the included Go2Nova 8407+ hand controller, as well as an auxiliary iPort for additional accessories such as an iStarFi Wi-Fi Adapter, the included GPS module, or an observatory dome. The rear of the RA axis houses a power switch, a DC 12V 5A power socket, and a USB-B 2.0 for computer connection. Thanks to innovation from iOptron, this CEM40G is furnished with an internal cable management system. On the back of the dovetail saddle itself, a USB-A 2.0 port allows connection of additional accessories, and two DC 12V power ports supply power to your accessories. The front of the dovetail saddle includes an ST4 guide port as well. By embedding these ports into the dovetail saddle themselves, there is less of a worry of cable snag during slewing/tracking!

Readied With the iPolar Polarscope
Equipped with the iOptron iPolar Polarscope, polar alignment is a breeze! This accessory utilizes a camera that works in conjunction with software, determining the exact positioning of your mount’s polar axis. Simply adjust your mount’s altitude and azimuth knobs until the “+” symbol is placed over the graphical representation of the celestial pole. As few as four stars are needed to locate the celestial pole, making this accessory useful in situations where the pole itself is shrouded by clouds, trees, or other obstructions. Another plus, this accessory omits the need to uncomfortably crouch behind the mount to look through the polar scope, as everything is displayed on your computer’s monitor. To make things even easier, this iPolar comes fitted with an embedded driver which is automatically installed during connection to your PC through the USB-B port on the rear of the RA axis. Operating this accessory is effortless through the iPolar software interface, which can be downloaded by visiting the iOptron website.

1.75″ LiteRoc Steel Tripod
Providing a stable base for your iOptron CEM40G is the LiteRoc tripod. To effectively reduce weight while still providing incredible stability, this tripod is made of two sections: an upper 1.75” leg section and a lower 1.5” leg section. These stainless steel legs are fitted with an improved leg cuff and socket design for further rigidity. The locking leg levers have also been upgraded to better secure the extension positions. A metal spreader bar ensures the legs stay at optimal positions for equal weight distribution, and doubles as an accessory tray to hold your accessories that are not in use. This tripod features a minimum height of 30” (765 cm), a maximum height of 47” (1168 cm), and weighs 15 lbs. (6.8 kg).

Optimized for Backyard Observing
Numerous features make this iOptron CEM40G the perfect mount for at-home observing! The incredible 40 lb. payload is optimal for a wide range of telescopes, from refractors to Newtonians. Weighing just 17.4 lbs. itself, set up is much more manageable than other mounts within this payload class. The internal cable management system helps protect against cable snags giving you heightened peace of mind during your night of imaging. Also, the included accessories enhance your experience even more! Polar alignment is quick and effortless with the integrated iPolar Polarscope, allowing you to accurately polar align even if your backyard includes obstructions of the north or south celestial poles. Also, the iGuider that’s fitted into the dovetail saddle provides increased convenience as there is less equipment to set up. With features like these, the iOptron CEM40G earns out High Point Scientific Mount Classification Badge of Backyard Observing!