iOptron HAE43CEC SWG Mount and Case
The HAE43CEC SWG Mount from iOptron Has Been Further Optimized!
iOptron's EC mounts have been pushing the envelop of performance for years, offering incredible precision on top of their conventional design's great performance and excellent payload ratio, and with the advent of the New Wave of strain wave gearing, they're only continuing to optimize their designs further! The iOptron HAE43C EC SWG Mount takes the increased payload ratio and tracking precision of the original HAE43EC streamlines it further with a new hand controller-free design. Put your astrophotography rig on the cutting edge with the HAE43C EC!
The strain wave gears at the heart of the HAE43CEC SWG mount provide a hefty amount of equipment lifting muscle in a small package. With an incredible 640:1 and 480:1 gear reduction for the RA and DEC axis respectively, this mount is capable of holding 44 lb. of gear with the housing weighing just shy of 13 lb.! For those looking to maximize performance, this mount can also attach a counterweight shaft and counterweight (both sold separately) to increase its payload capacity up to 55 lb. Shouldering all this equipment has been made simple with a dual DEC saddle that supports both D-style and V-style dovetails for compatibility with just about every popular telescope on the market today. Controlling this mount is simple too. The C version of the HAE43EC mount now integrates everything you need inside the mount housing, including two USB ports (one on the main housing and one on the DEC saddle), a WiFi radio, and the mainboard that drives it all. This means a hand controller is no longer necessary. This mount package includes a carry case that makes packing away this sleek and streamlined mount for transport and storage a breeze. When combined with the iOptron 40 mm Carbon Fiber Tripod (sold separately), you will have an ideal, ultra-portable setup! This mount accommodates a variety of use cases with its dual Alt/Az and EQ functionality, able to switch from the astrophotography geared EQ design to the more visual observation setup Alt-Az mode with just a few easy adjustments.
High Precision Encoder Equipped
While Periodic Error Correction (PEC) technology has improved mount tracking performance, to truly push unguided exposure times you need more precision. This is where the iOptron EC mounts come in, featuring high precision encoders that elevate your mount's unguided tracking to a new level of accuracy. The HAE43C EC mount integrates this technology into the imaging-critical RA axis and delivers a boost in performance that may just have you considering imaging without guiding. While those looking to push exposure times into the double digits may not want to leave their autoguiding solution at home, the EC models have proven to still be a powerful upgrade to overall guiding accuracy!
Power, Portability, and so Much More!
Strain wave gearing, a high precision encoder, wide variety of control options, all the essential connections, and more come together to make a fully featured mount! For more information on what iOptron has packed into this compact titan, read on!
Strain Wave Strength, EC Precision
The Strain Wave Gear heart of the iOptron HAE43CEC SWG mount provides an incredible rayload ratio: shouldering 44 lb. on a housing weighing just 12.8 lb. That's enough capacity to effortlessly carry a 9.25" Celestron EdgeHD without a counterweight! For those interested in pushing this incredibly mighty mount even further, adding the iOptron Counterweight Shaft and iOptron 10 lb. Counterweight (both sold separately) adds an additional 11 lb. of payload capacity for a total of 55 lb.! Helping direct all this lifting power is a high precision encoder on the tracking-critical RA axis. This encoder takes PEC technology to new heights, providing a level of tracking precision that will make freezing your targets in place easier!
Streamlined Control
Designed to streamline your astrophotography rig, this revision of the HAE43EC mount has consolidated everything you need into the mount itself. The C version of this iOptron HAE43 EC mount no longer requires a hand controller, though the iOptron 8411 Go2Nova (available separately) is still compatible for those looking for a more hands-on control experience. With USB ports for controlling the mount on both the main housing and DEC saddle, the HAE43C EC can be controlled by either an external computer or telescope mounted control solution for those looking to build a sleek and snag-free imaging system. Wired control can be established via ASCOM (Windows), INDI (MacOS and Linux), or iOptron's Commander software (Windows) with a built-in WiFi radio providing connectivity at a distance through the iOptron Commander for PC or the Commander Lite app for mobile devices (with support for some 3rd party solutions like SkySafari available as well).
Strong Connections
The iOptron HAE43C EC SWG mount features all the essential connections you need to build a number of setups! For PC and WiFi camera control builds, the mount features the two USB connection ports. Power is connected to the mount via a 5.5x.2.5 mm, 12V DC barrel connection and can either be supplied by the included 5A AC adapter or from a user supplied industry standard 5.5x2.1 mm solution like the Pegasus Astro Pocket Powerbox Advance Gen2 with the Apertura DC Power Cable for iOptron and Meade Mounts! Finally, for those seeking to use the sold separately iOptron 8411 Go2Nova hand controller this mount features a dedicated hand controller port.
Polar Alignment Possibilities
Designed for equatorial use with popular PC imaging suites, the streamlined HAE43CEC does not feature a polar scope. Instead users will need to use the tools included with many popular imaging software suites like SharpCap Pro, integrated system tools like the assistant built into ZWO's ASIAIR Plus WiFi Camera Controller system, or use the mount in Alt/Az mode with the star alignment tools.
Join the New Wave
Weighing in at just under 13 lb. for the mount head itself and only about 18 lb. when mounted to a user supplied iOptron 40 mm Carbon Fiber Tripod, this mount offers high performance in a compact package! Combined with the included hard carry case, this makes for a setup that is just as at home in your backyard as it is on-the-go, and with a 44 lb. payload, it can accommodate everything from a portable to backyard sized telescope as well. This mount also features all the benefits inherent to strain wave/harmonic gearing, such as functionally no backlash, no counterweights or balancing required, and compact physical footprint. With all these features, wide variety of control options, and safety features like a power-off friction brake, the iOptron HAE43C EC SWG Mount and Case accordingly earns our New Wave Harmonic badge!
Let’s Delve Into the Details!
iOptron mounts are renowned for their exceptional performance, crafted with high precision internal elements that help deliver accurate tracking and spot-on GoTo slews. For those gear-heads who like to get into the nitty gritty details of their equipment, check out this comprehensive table denoting specifications such as the type of motor utilized, the power consumption of the mount, and plenty more! This way, you can compare and contrast what each iOptron mount offers, better informing you in choosing the right mount for your needs.
| iOptron Mount Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Maximum Payload (lbs.): | 44 w/o Counterweight, 55 w/ Counterweight (Sold Separately) |
| Mount Weight (lbs.): | 12.8 |
| Motor: | Stepper |
| Power Consumption: | 0.7A(Tracking), 1.2A(GOTO) |
| Max Slew Speed: | 6º/sec |
| Operation Temperature: | -4ºF ~ 104ºF |
| Latitude Adjustment Range: | 0º ~ 90º |
| Azimuth Adjustment Range: | +/- 5º |
| Period: | 270 seconds |
| Right Ascension Gearing: | Strain Wave |
| Declination Gearing: | Strain Wave |
Astronomy Hub: Your one-stop-shop for Astrophotography Knowledge!
Our Gear Experts have compiled a wealth of information to help expand your astrophotography knowledge! Below you’ll find links to articles, videos and "how-to" guides. Just one more reason that our Astronomy Hub is a one-stop-shop for all your astronomy and astrophotography needs!
| Astrophotography Mount Buying Guide |
| Autoguiding |
| Top Astrophotography Accessories of 2024 |