Equatorial Mount REVIEW: iOptron CEM70EC-NUC

[@OutlandishJourneys]

This was truly an excellent review of the CEM70 and the best that I’ve seen on KZbin…clear, concise and covered the relevant points that are important to the end user, without the fluff. Appreciate your time in compiling this and sending you best wishes from Scotland! Keep up the great work…😀

[@nocturneastro2539]

Thank you for your kind words! This review took a while for me to complete because of weather and well, I didn't feel confident in using it to the point where I could talk about it and make a recommendation. Thank you for visiting the channel and there'll be more content to come! Clear skies.

[@edroberts5193]

Thanks for a helpful video. I have the standard CEM70 and I learned some useful new stuff from your presentation.

[@nocturneastro2539]

You're very welcome!

[@highpointscientific]

Great review!

[@nocturneastro2539]

Thank you for catching my videos! 🙂

[@jortega222]

Really great review, I'm looking at my 1st anything in astrophotography and based on your review this is my choice so far for a mount. Thank you for doing this review.

[@nocturneastro2539]

Are you sure you need something as big as the 70? Unless you have a big telescope, do consider looking into a smaller mount such as the CEM26 and CEM40 as they will be both less expensive and easier to handle. Especially if this is your first mount.

[@gregmckay666]

Excellent review. I also own the CEM70EC (non NUC version) and really love the mount. I agree with you on the tripod mounting method as well. When I first got my mount and started using it I would curse it almost everytime I was attaching it to the tri-pier. Now though, it's just second nature. As for the handcontroller, I rarely use my handcontroller too but when I do, the little strap on the top of the controller can easily be hung on either one of the two AZ adjustment knobs. That's where mine usually ends up. You didn't bother mentioning why you could care less about the iPolar but after seeing your setup location, it's fairly obvious that your view to the north is completely obstructed. NINA's 3-point polar alignment routine works great too!

[@baszonneveld7740]

Own the basic 70 now for a year and love this mount! Guiding under 0.5" rms is no problem (asiair pro/plus). Keep up the good work mate! CS Bas (AstropiaNL)

[@nocturneastro2539]

Thank you! Will do!

[@KumarChalla]

Awesome video! I loved all the gaffes, made the video much more enjoyable to watch rather than a list of specs!

[@nocturneastro2539]

Thank you! Stay tuned for more videos to come.

[@TScottT]

GREAT review. I agree with all your positives and negatives. I'd emphasize that the tracking, even on the non "EC" version is spectacular. Cable management is also a plus, although a bit confusing because the manual seems unclear about whether you need all or one of the power inputs, etc. (e.g., one only need use the primary power input, and that will power the saddle 12v ports). FYI... the hand-controller comes with an elastic strap/handle that can be used to hang it from any number of places on the tripod, or even an azimuth adjustment knob on the mount. Also, the Allen wrench can be slid underneath the mount in a rectangular hole, and you can hang the hand-controller off of that. Another minus for me: I have the CEM70-G model. I cannot get the EKOS/Raspberry Pi to work and play well with the integrated polarscope or the integrated guidescope. I think it's a driver problem that the INDI community will eventually fix.

[@Jbulwer]

That is a beautiful mount!

[@nocturneastro2539]

Thanks buddy!

[@ag538]

Great review on the CEM70! I just got mine a week ago, looking forward to using it as soon as we get some clear skies here. BTW, you don't need a holder for the HC as u just use the attached lanyard and hook it onto one of the azimuth adjustment knobs; learnt this from my buddy that have the CEM120 for 2 years :) Yes, I have to agree the length of the power cord is a way too short! However, there is hope as you could buy an extension cord for this. I've made my own power cable for the mount using flexible silicone wires (great for the cold) and Anderson powerpole connectors. My entire rig is all powered from a 30A regulated power supply.

[@nocturneastro2539]

Thank you! I hope you'll like your CEM70 as you start using it! I just stick the hand controller in one of slots in my pier's legs. Or I don't even connect it since it isn't necessary for computer control.

[@aquillae]

Thank you for the review, i have one question, do we have to loosen the "ikea" tripod connection in order to adjust azimuth fine adjustment? Thanks

[@freeandcriticalthinker4431]

Great video, hey question for you. You stated you didn’t like the Ipolar, well I don’t either as I can’t even get mine to recognize the Ipolar and I am at a standstill (no the vendor and manufacturer has been zero help…long story). Anyway being a beginner I am trying to figure out if I can get around this problem and polar align a different way. I have the CEM40 and not the 70 like yourself but otherwise I assume the mounts are similar other than capacity. Any suggestions would be so greatly appreciated! Cheers.

[@rafat7575]

I am going to change my Losmandy G11 into CEM70EC and I watch all material available in net, so thank you for your review

[@nocturneastro2539]

Let me know what you think of it when you make the switch!

[@ApoorvaIyer]

Hi Rafał, I was considering a G11 vs a CEM70. What made you give up the G11?

[@nocturneastro2539]

@@ApoorvaIyer interested in hearing this as well!

[@Core-vu6mc]

I'm also looking to make the same switch. I've had my G11 for about 9 years. The last six its been in the closet. It is the model with the high precision worm. It has never been great for astrophotography. Aside from the zero position issue it has by design, it never tracked well. I had much better luck with an Atlas that I "hyper-tuned". It handled guiding much better than the G11 ever did. Having the motors sticking out has always been a problem. Glad they finally fixed that. I'm not going to waste anymore money on it to get that upgrade done however.

[@nocturneastro2539]

@@Core-vu6mc I hope if and when you get the CEM70, you'll enjoy it! Mount problems is no fun :(

[@Luftbubblan]

About the clutches. You like this because it's more secure. One thing that comes to my mind is, can this clutch "slip"? Incase of an accident it could be nice to be able to slip rather than burning your motors or destroying other stuff.

[@Wheeljack678]

Great review, I enjoyed watching that. Felt honest. The mount seems to cost around the same as a Sky-Watcher EQ8 (which also has an encoder if I'm not mistaken). Like you mentioned in the video, it's more of a second mount, perhaps more suited for a permanent setup.

[@nocturneastro2539]

Thanks! I forget, does the EQ8 has an encoder on both axis? I honestly wished I had the space for a permanent setup. Haha 🙂

[@nocturneastro2539]

I just looked it up, I am not sure the Sky-Watcher EQ8-R line is comparable to the CEM70. The EQ8-R is a 110lbs mount the base model starts at $5000 with no encoder. The encoder version is $9000+. Hahaha I think the EQ8-R is more comparable to the CEM120 line.

[@dept9203]

Great video. Just one suggestion -- for a long video like this it would be helpful if you time stamp the sections in the timeline bar. For example I have a CEM70, but I am particularly interested in the EC and NUC-ready features of the mount.

[@nocturneastro2539]

Thanks for the recommendation and I've been wanting to add time stamps to my videos! I'm embarrassed to say this but I don't know how to... 😅 Any tips for me? Haha

[@dept9203]

@@nocturneastro2539 I don’t know either I just know clicking on them 😂

[@nocturneastro2539]

@@dept9203 ok, I'll see if I can figure it out for my future uploads. Thanks for the recommendation! 🙂

[@colesurf]

@@nocturneastro2539 Not sure if you've figured it out by now, but you simply write the timestamp in the description of the video followed by the name of the chapter. Just google "youtube chapters" and you'll find more info if you need it.

[@StarlancerAstro]

I have the base version for over a year now and it's been great, just had it out last night with .53 guiding but it's not a very portable mount, definitely beefy

[@nocturneastro2539]

Agreed, it's a heavy mount. I would even suggest that this is an observatory grade mount.

[@pemongillo]

Good work, but the slow blur to focus at the beginning is really unpleasant .

[@shrekshrek]

Is this mount good for the c11 edge hd?

[@johnprigge1750]

Which model of the Intel NUC fits the CEM70? I can't find the physical dimensions of the NUCs I looked at.

[@nocturneastro2539]

Any as long as it is the "slim" version.

[@ahmetyilmaz7495]

I have SW eq6r pro and I use it unguided. my telescope is 130 mm triplet f7. and I use 0.75 ricardi reducer. I have 2 minutes subs. I want to know cem70's unguided performance. So how many minutes can you take subs with cem70 ? 2 minutes ? 3 minutes ? 5 ? Thanks

[@nocturneastro2539]

Unfortunately, I've never tried unguided sessions.

[@Astro_Ophiuchus]

Great video. I really enjoyed watching it but what was that in the beginning? Almost 3 minutes of nothing… To be honest, it was very annoying. I skipped all of that. Anyhow, 10-15 seconds would have been plenty of time. Other than that, it was a great video. Thank you.

[@hael8680]

I agree. It was annoying to the max.

[@nocturneastro2539]

@@hael8680 that's nice. Nobody asked you watch it.

[@hael8680]

@@nocturneastro2539 And I didn't.

[@nocturneastro2539]

@@hael8680 then why are you even commenting? Hahahaha you sure are perfecting the art of a true keyboard warrior. You should try to do better, oh wait... Nevermind. I keep forgetting you're a keyboard warrior.

[@hael8680]

@@nocturneastro2539 I commented on the awful 3 minute intro. That's all I could take. A quick glance down the comments for this video sure show I have much to learn from you about being a keyboard warrior. And since you obviously like to have the last word and seem to be unable to take any criticism, I will not respond to your upcoming reply. You'll win and be a happier person. Peace.

[@shibumi5210]

First visit- please speed up the out-of-focus fade-ins, gets really old fast... and turn the music way down... and when you're talking turn the music OFF...

[@fredmercury1314]

It's NUC like DUCK. Intel said so. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Frankly, I think it's a stupid name but I don't work in marketing, so what would I know?

[@nocturneastro2539]

Haha, I never knew that!

[@stevenpanish1115]

Too slow.

[@Psychlist1972]

I normally like your videos, but the slow focus on the opening shots was so annoying. It just kind of put me in a grumpy mood for the rest of the video. I just wanted to see the thing. I appreciate the artistic attempt, but need to fade in much faster than that for a product review, IMO. Agena is great. They sent you this for review. When do you need to return it? If it's open-ended "loan" or a gift, that should be disclosed as that also makes this a sponsored video. Agreed on iPolar. I have it on my CEM40 and CEM26 and am not a fan of that. I do like the CEM design overall, though with the exception of how the mount secures to the pier. They aren't captive screws like the CEM70, but they are even more annoying because they are easily lost, and it's always hard to get the right tension on them because they are also what allows the mount to move when you adjust the az screws. The CEM70 design for that looks a bit different. When removing or inserting the locking wrench, make sure you unlock the axis. You can put pressure on the gears if you don't unlock it first. You also should never move the mount around unless you have the gear unlocked and the allen wrench inserted. I designed a 3d printed holder for the hand controller for the CEM40. I believe it's the same. It slots into the tri-pier leg opening. I'd post a link but then this message would go to spam. It's on Thingiverse. FWIW, according to Intel, NUC is pronounced like "duck", not like "duke" :) It stands for Next Unit of Computing.

[@jlecomte0719]

The review vs advertisement/sponsored video has become a HUGE problem on KZbin lately. We now all know about AstroBackyard. It’s very surprising when it comes from smaller KZbinrs as is the case with this channel. I am a little disappointed with that, for sure! I no longer trust any of these “reviews” now, which is sad. I own a CEM70. It performs very well, but after I had to completely open it up and solder a few wires. Yeah, true story! As much as I like my mount, I doubt I’ll ever buy another iOptron product. I will save more and spend more to get something like a 10micron or AP mount, which are much better products with more consistent quality.

[@Psychlist1972]

@@jlecomte0719 I don't mind some amount of sponsored content as long as it's relevant and very explicitly disclosed up front. And sponsored doesn't just mean paid, it can be long-term "loan" or gift of expensive items. Many KZbinrs seem to think that makes it non-sponsored and that they can be completely objective when given expensive stuff for free. Human nature is that people like to continue to get free stuff, and so will go the extra mile to say nice things to continue getting free stuff.

[@nocturneastro2539]

1) I didn't say this was a sponsored video because it isn't sponsored. I thanked Agena for sending this unit out to me for review because it was just that. So, thank you very much for the assumptions and jumping to a conclusion. 2) If I like the mount, I have the option to PAY and keep the mount. So once again, thank you for jumping to a conclusion.

[@Psychlist1972]

​@@nocturneastro2539 You're replying to me, so I'm going to guess you didn't quite read what I wrote above. I asked if it was open-ended loan or a gift, and if so, then you should disclose that. I think folks are jumping to conclusions because you didn't provide adequate information, and sponsored/gifted/"loaned" items are pretty common on KZbin. You can take offense on that, but in any review video, it's best to make the relationship VERY clear up front. All the fancy camera work at the start made it look like an ad for the product. You thanked Agena for sending it to you, but left it unclear what that meant. In most videos, that implies a gift or long-term "loan". Thank you for clarifying here. Do you get a discount if you decide to buy it? How long do you have to make a decision?

[@nocturneastro2539]

@@Psychlist1972 what does any of that have to do with my thoughts on the mount? Are you clicking to see the mount and hear my own personal unbiased thoughts on it, or are you clicking to see how I got the mount? It's an open-ended "loan" if I have to categorize it. Does that impact my opinions? No, it doesn't. Otherwise I wouldn't spend the middle portion of the video to go over some of its annoying tendencies.

[@hael8680]

3 minute music intro...life is too short....

[@nocturneastro2539]

Have you tried the fast forward button?

[@hael8680]

Too late, you put me in a grumpy mood. I found another video somewhere else.

[@nocturneastro2539]

@@hael8680 that's nice. That's all it takes for you to be grumpy? What was it that you said? "Life is too short"? 🤔

[@anata5127]

This is really bias review. Tell us about inherent crap CEM design. Tell us about big issues with imbalance of CEM system. It is all over net. This imbalance becomes dramatic for heavy scopes. My mount was so bad that it was 10 degree off verticality for DEC axis!

[@nocturneastro2539]

I'd tell you about those problems when I see them. But so far, I'm going to let my ~0.5 arc secs guiding say that the experience has been nothing but positive.

[@anata5127]

@@nocturneastro2539 Problem is that they sent you good mount for review. They did not want to piss off bloggers like you. This trick is used by many companies. 30-50% their mounts and products are total sh***. I need to bang them to get attention. Bottom line, your example doesn’t disprove reality.

[@nocturneastro2539]

@@anata5127 no... They sent me the first mount that arrived at their warehouse. I was waiting for a shipment to arrive and they sent it out to me the next day. My own Sky-Watcher HEQ5 came whacky and continued to get worse where I was getting 2+ arc seconds guiding. I investigated the problems and realized the polar alignment bolts were seizing, solved that problem and now the mount is working well. But back to your issue with my review. Next time I'll find a way to get 5 of the same product and review them all before I do a video. Cause that's practical right? Also, I can say that your comment is really bias but you wouldn't like that, would you. Please don't project your own problems onto others.

[@anata5127]

@@nocturneastro2539 This is why I don’t do comments on products 😀

[@nocturneastro2539]

@@anata5127 I'm not going to comment on something I haven't experienced. I'm not a village reviewer. If you have a problem with your equipment, take it to the manufacturer.

[@MrSummitville]

5 minutes into the video and you have said nothing of value.

[@nocturneastro2539]

That's nice, kind of like how your comment accomplished the same thing right? Bye!