iOptron HEM27EC Hybrid Equatorial Mount Head with iPolar and Case
iOptron HEM27EC Hybrid Strain Wave Drive with RA Encoder and Soft Case
iOptron has revolutionized the equatorial mount! The iOptron HEM27EC is an equatorial hybrid strain wave drive mount that is unparalleled in its weight-to-payload efficiency. Weighing only 8.15 lbs. (7.49 lbs. without the dovetail saddle), this mount head has a payload capacity of 29.74 lbs.! You don't even need a counterweight or shaft to reach that impressive weight to payload capacity ratio. In order to make this vision a reality, iOptron utilized strain wave drive technology for the right ascension (RA) movement in tandem with a conventional, lightweight declination (DEC) worm drive. This is the premier mount for astrophotographers looking for a portable, lightweight EQ mount that can securely hold their imaging equipment while tracking desired celestial objects with high accuracy.
The HEM27 EC version comes with Real-time periodic error correction (RPEC). This means that the HEM27 EC mount head comes with a high precision RA axis encoder that delivers incredible tracking accuracy. With this feature, many users will choose to image the night sky without guiding.
iOptron rates this mount as having a payload capacity without counterweight of 29.74 lbs, and an OTA size of ~220 mm. Video is for demonstration purposes only.
The body of the HEM27 EC Hybrid EQ mount head is made from black anodized, CNC machined metal for a rugged platform in an appealing aesthetic able to accompany you on many observations and imaging sessions to come! The body comes complete with a dual saddle (Vixen and Losmandy D-style) and an internal cable management system so you will have no hanging exterior cables or moving parts. A unique feature of the HEM27EC mount head is the electronic friction brake and power-down location memory that allows the mount to safely stop and resume GoTo slewing or tracking, even if there is an abrupt power loss. This means you will not need to re-align or start from the beginning and can make the most of your night!
All the Necessary Accessories
The iOptron HEM27EC hybrid strain wave mount comes with all the essentials needed: the HEM27 mount with RA encoder, an 8409 Go2Nova hand controller with Wi-Fi capability, an iPolar electronic polar scope, a dual Vixen-/Losmandy-D-style saddle, and a soft carrying case.
Hybrid Strain Wave Drive with Right Ascension Encoder
The strain wave mount system from iOptron provides high payload capacities in small and lightweight form factors. This HEM27 mount with right ascension encoder weighs in at just over 8 pounds and can carry up to 29.74 pounds! Talk about weight-to-payload efficiency! And all of this is achieved without the need for a counterweight and shaft! Tracking accuracy is additionally improved with the inclusion of the RA axis encoder.
Go2Nova 8409 Hand Controller
This hand controller with built-in WiFi makes controlling the GoTo HEM27EC mount a breeze! With a large database of objects--from galaxies and nebulae to the planets and other objects in our solar system--you have endless options for exploring the night sky! The controller itself features a 4-line, 21-character backlit LCD screen and backlit buttons to see the controls in dark, observation settings. The Go2Nova 8409 also allows slewing at nine different speeds in order to keep the object under observation within view of the camera or eyepiece. This hand controller utilizes a USB port for connection to a computer and for firmware updates. It also has a Wi-Fi adapter for control with a computer or tablet.
iPolar Electronic Polarscope
With iPolar, accurate polar alignment is simple! All you have to do is place the plus symbol over the graphical representation of the celestial pole's location. When these two symbols are aligned, they represent a precise polar alignment, allowing you to get the best performance possible from your HEM27 EC hybrid strain wave equatorial mount. The iOptron iPolar utilizes an electronic camera that is aligned with both the axes of your mount. The downloadable Windows software processes the camera's images to calculate the true location of the celestial pole (north or south) and then guides you through any adjustments needed to align your mount precisely to the pole. Gone are the days of crouching behind a "through the mount" polar scope! Instead, the iPolar facilitates making altitude and azimuth adjustments by just glancing at your PC's monitor. This system needs as few as four stars to locate the pole and can do so even when the pole location itself is blocked by clouds, tree branches or other obstructions. Please note this mount comes with iPolar built-in, not the standalone unit pictured.
Soft Carrying Case
Included with the HEM27EC mount head is a convenient carry case. This case will protect your mount during times of storage and transportation. You can rest assured that your equipment will be safe whether you are moving it to your favorite backyard viewing spot or taking it to a star party.
