CEM60 Max Payload Test

[@dinosworkshop6870]

Thanks Guy, You just answered a burning question I have been kicking around for quite a while.

[@rustyshackleford8647]

Thank you for this video Paul. I'm a little upset that it was a leading factor in me loosing several thousand dollars.... Clear Skies!

[@zakry3323]

Thing of beauty. Thanks for sharing.

[@JohnS916]

Great demo of what the mount can handle. I didn't detect any strain in the motors. It would be asking too much for the mount to handle that kind of weight and expect it to guide and track accurately while imaging, that would be a fun test, but unrealistic. Visually however, looks like a piece of cake.

[@bb108]

Hi Paul - thanks for this video. I know the payloads are different for visual vs. astrophotography. I am trying to put a RASA 11 on CEM70G for astrophotography only. Do you think that would work?

[@paulchasse4744]

I think the 40+ pounds of the RASA will feel right at home on the CEM70. Good luck!

[@astrageekette9692]

Wonderful! Can hardly wait to use mine. But I can't align using the polar scope :( I'm supposed to use the Latitude and Azimuth adjustment knobs but they don't move the mount. I can loosen or tighten the knobs, but the mount does not move. The doc doesn't mention it, but wouldn't I need to loosen the locking nuts first, make the adjustments, and then re-tighten?

[@ryu3180]

THAT is incredible!!! I just got into bigger scopes (terrific deal on a Meade 2120 in immaculate condition on a LX6) but I'm thinking even now I want to go even bigger. I wish I had your budget lol.

[@alcopa1fan]

Hi Paul, I just purchased a CEM 40 and I am having a good time with it. Since you are familiar with Ioptron product, I thought I would ask you a question about the 8407 hand controller. I compared the RA and DEC from two different sources (Star Walk 2 and Stellarium) and I found that the RA and DEC are different by almost 5 minutes of arc. Is this an issue? I tried the go to after using iPolar and getting two star alignments, yet when I went to the Messier object (M-82) there was no galaxy there. I am using an 8" RC telescope. I checked all parameters, so what am I doing wrong? Bill

[@paulchasse4744]

Bill, 5 minutes of error is a lot of space in the sky. Simple check, make sure your time, date and hemisphere are correct in the handset. Also, proof check your settings by slewing to several bright stars. If your slews to easily visible objects are correct, then a slew to a dim object probably is correct also? Grats on the new mount and best of luck sorting out the issue.

[@alcopa1fan]

Paul, thank you for your response. If I can bother you for one more question. When using the GPS module and it returns an "OK" the time and location is at the local place, yet why is the time about 8 hours early? Or is that because the time is at GMT and the -480 hours is actually the correct time locally? Does that make sense to you?

[@michaelaldan6969]

on a strong pier or very heavy duty tripod (houston type) these things can move a lot of weight

[@hernando0712]

Please, I want to know if this mount works well for the TPO 12 inch f/4 Imaging Newtonian telescope. That OTA weighs 40 Lbs and Focal Length: 1220mm. Including accessories, counterweights, suddenly a small camera and possibly an APO telescope but small and light, I will not go beyond the total 60 Lbs with all that I mentioned. ... With all that, will not the telescope wobble?

[@axnyslie]

I'd like to see this test on a clear night with a video cam. That way we can see how much vibrations there are on a centered star.

[@nettyvoyager6336]

try a side by side rig on that

[@geminijk]

Any overcurrent issues yet with a similar payload? I have a 12" f5, which is kind of long, but at about 48lbs, you think this is too much for the CEM60 simply because of the length?

[@DavidBrownTheTechDjinn]

For visual it could probably work. Not sure how well if there is a breeze. My astro club has an f/4.8 12.5" reflector, but it's in a dome and it has a large fork mount. The Orion HDX110 EQ-G (110lbs payload) might be a better choice if you want to stay in the same price range.

[@paulchasse4744]

Hi John, the mount didn't even break a sweat with this 60 pound payload. I do not have any practical experience with a very long/heavy ota, but the mount is very beefy with the 146mm worm wheels and has almost no backlash when the switches are properly adjusted. The CEM60 series will not usually give an overcurrent message. (At least I have never experienced one) If the payload is not balanced, or if the gear switch is set too tight, the stepper motor will howl quite loudly and you will lose your zero position. When/if this occurs, you must back off the switch slightly and return the mount to the zero position manually. You can also use the HC function "Search for Zero Position" and the mount will automatically return to the last good zero position. It is much faster just to do it manually, then power the mount off/on to set the Zero Position and then resume from there. If you are operating the mount remotely, then the 'Search for Zero Position' is your only choice, but you are still faced with the fact that the switch engagement is too tight. You will still have to physically go to the observatory/mount to loosen the setting? That particular function is good for a momentary loss of power though.

[@MrBrenden830]

Hi I am looking at buying this mount have you had any issues with it , I am looking for some advice on it as a product.

[@DistantGlowingStar]

Is the CEM60 with high end encoder or standard ?

[@prima946]

The one in this video is the CEM60 EC(has the red knobs) it comes with high precision encoder

[@Babine125]

This is not a real test, 30 minutes exposure under windy condition, that is a real test. Plus nobody would piggyback 3 scopes, they would have a parallel configuration! If you want something worth it go for Astro-Physics, Paramount, Takahashi or 10Micron.

[@wongelfski4681]

It says max payload test Benoit. Not Max ego test. If you want something worth it trade out that volkswagen for a mercedes and the toyota for a hummer. Suggesting a mount that costs almost double the cem60 is ridiculous, especially when you consider the EC guides on par with the above mentioned. So I guess yea you are upset that you could have spent less money.

[@Babine125]

***** Keep it , I don't want it and I am happy for you. A friend of mine went to New Mexico for imaging with two IOptron mounts, a 4000 km journey from here and guess what , they both fail and broke down after 3 nights !! I myself am very happy with my new Paramount MX+ :)

[@nataala_]

Benoit Gagnon and Wong Elfski, At 3:12 he said; "I'm never gonna image like this..." And indeed nobody should. It is clear that this is merely a demonstration of the payload capacity of this mount - nothing more. Lets maintain the peace guys.

[@JohnS916]

+Benoit Gagnon You missed the whole point and focus of the demo Benoit. It was about max payload, period. Nothing related to imaging and it was understood by any imagers reading this that you wouldn't set your gear up in this fashion. Yeah, you can buy your suggested scopes, just be willing to fork out another 4 grand and up. Granted the CEM60EC had start up issues, the base model CEM60 did not. However, those were resolved with a series of firmware updates, it took some time and maybe they shouldn't have released it when they did. They learned a valuable lesson and that is why the forthcoming CEM120, even though modeled after the CEM60 series, won't be released until it's ready.