Telescope-Mounts-Sky-Watcher Wave 150i Strainwave Mount Head

Strainwave Tech
At its core the Wave 150i is the incredible strainwave gearing that gives this mount its name! Powerful internal motors and gears deliver exceptionally high torque and zero backlash. This results in beautifully accurate GoTo slews, and impressively sharp images thanks to its high performance tracking. Designed to work under pressure, this gearing can move up to 33 lbs. of equipment without any counter balancing required. When counter balanced with the Wave Counterweight Kit (sold separately) like a typical worm-drive mount, this adds an additional 22 lbs. lbs. of payload capacity, for a max payload capacity of 55 lbs. The best part? This revolutionary drive system isn’t just strong, it’s light too, allowing the Wave 150i head alone to come in at half the weight of a traditionally geared mount in the same weight class! Also, Sky-Watcher has included additional features that make this 150i a cut above the rest. During power failures, the RA brake is automatically engaged to help keep your equipment from falling, and the option to track in AZ mode is perfect for visual observing!

Multiple Control Options Covered
Wireless, wired, or standalone control — regardless of which style you prefer, Sky-Watcher has you covered. With WiFi and Bluetooth built in, you’ll be able to easily control the Wave 150i from a distance, with wired PC control available for those who prefer the tried-and-true reliability of a physical connection. We recommend the Apertura Braided USB 2.0 Cable for this type of connection. For those interested in cutting out the PC entirely, this mount is also compatible with the Sky-Watcher SynScan v5 hand controller (sold separately) which places manual control and a GoTo library of 42,000 objects in the palm of your hand!

Power and Ports
The Wave 150i big payload capacity is powered by just 12V 2A DC power, supplied to the mount via a 2.1 mm barrel connector cable. Please note: this mount does not come standard with a power supply. We recommend pairing this with the Apertura 5A AC Adapter for performance you can rely on! For wired PC control, this mount uses the ubiquitous USB-B connection, making finding a suitable cable easy! Finally, for those looking to connect accessories, this mount features a hand controller port for use with the Sky-Watcher SynScan v5 (sold separately), as well as an ST4 port that can be used with many popular user-supplied guide cameras. Please Note: The power input for supplying power to the DEC saddle ports is 5.5×2.5mm. The power input for the mount itself is 5.5×2.1mm.

Cable Management Built-In!
Designed with astrophotographers in mind, Sky-Watcher has furnished this Wave 150i with cable management mechanisms to help avoid dreaded cable snags. The ports to operate this strainwave mount can be found on the mount head itself, meaning your cables remain stationary during tracking or slewing. This helps prevent any cables from getting caught throughout your imaging sessions. Also, the dovetail saddle is fitted with its own ST4 port, USB 3.0 port, and two DC power ports that route internally through the mount, with their outputs found on the mount head as well! Provide power to the dovetail saddle through the 2nd power port on the mount head, and connect your gear to your PC with the DEC USB port found in the same location. Please Note: The power outputs on the DEC saddle are the 5.5×2.5mm standard seen with some iOptron and Meade mounts, and not the 5.5×2.1mm connection used for equipment like the ASIAir, cooled cameras, or other common accessories.

DEC & RA Balancing
Something quite unique to strainwave mounts, this Wave 150i comes standard with balancing mechanisms in the RA and DEC axes. While these types of mounts do perform well under unbalanced loads, balancing the weight of your gear when utilizing the Wave Counterweight Kit helps maximize its performance! So, how does it work? The Sky-Watcher Wave 150i features two knobs on the DEC axis that, when loosened, provides slight back and forth motion to allow you to find balance. On the RA axis, you will find one removable large knob that delivers approximately 180° of motion when loosened. Once ideal balance is achieved, simply retighten the knobs and you’re all set!

Ideal For Portability and Backyard Observing
Looking for a powerful travel mount or a highly capable mount for at-home use? Then look no further than this Wave 150i! The mount itself only weighs 12.8 lbs., with the addition of with the dedicated Sky-Watcher Carbon Fiber Tripod or other 3/8″ compatible carbon fiber tripods options like the Apertura Premium Carbon Fiber Tripod only adding about 5lbs. more, making it effortless to pack away and carry. The option to add SynScan hand controller (not included) and the built-in WiFi and Bluetooth simplifies your setup even more, meaning less cords and wires. Speaking of cables, this Wave 150i comes equipped with built-in cable management for reduced possibility of dreaded cable snags. For backyard use, this Wave 150i connects to your PC through the USB-B port. While operating your backyard rig remotely from inside your home, the included RA brake helps keep your equipment safe from toppling over during accidental power failures. This helps give you peace of mind during your night of imaging! Also both RA and DEC axes feature homing functions to make setting the home/zero position a breeze. With features like these, the Wave 150i Strainwave Mount earns our High Point Scientific badge of New Wave Harmonic!