Sky-Watcher Wave 100i and 150i Strainwave Mount Head | Full Review | High Point Scientific

[@聖帝サウザー-s7n]

I wanted to know which one is better compared to the rival ZWO's AM5N. Thank you for your support.✨

[@TheDragonfly256]

Im just gonna say we would appreciate Metric conversions, at least on screen.

[@HeavenlyBackyardAstronomy]

Looks like this will be heavy competition with the ZWO AM3/5 mounts. As an owner of the EQ6R-Pro, I am looking at the 150i to host my Celestron 11" Edge HD. Now, I just need to get my bank account to rise a bit.

[@andresvargasch.8771]

Hello Have you bought it? I'm thinking in buying this one and a C11 EdgeHD as well.

[@ferenc-x7p]

Since there is a lot less bulk and weight when it comes to strain wave mounts, compared to similar performance traditional ones (Like the HEQ6pro) , shipping should be cheaper for distributors and the factory. I'll be waiting for the prices to calm down a bit. Strain wave tech is not new, it's been around in construction and heavy machinery it just hasn't been utilized this way before.

[@Dustin17-w1v]

Thanks for the review. I’m very interested in the 150i. Is the “home” issue a hardware or firmware issue? Has skywatcher identified a fix for the problem.

[@highpointscientific]

As far as we can tell, the homing position was a firmware issue. Once we updated the firmware, we no longer had any issues!

[@nikaxstrophotography]

Awesome mounts not so awesome price, also can you at least superimpose the metric conversions for weights? pounds mean nothing outside the US

[@jongroubert4203]

So, the one spec that I haven't been able to find about the 100i is how much weight can the second saddle carry? I wanna put my C9.25 (20 lbs.) as the main scope on the 22 lb. side, but how much more can I put on the other side?

[@markhelton8032]

I was very interested in the 100i, as I am looking for a smaller mount for a more portable setup. However, I was very disappointed when I saw that they did not put any power outputs on the saddle. I know there are other ways to get power to my astro gear, but having that power output to run a pegasus power distribution box, without having to run an extra power port, is kind of a deal breaker. Especially from a cable management place. I would have preferred that they did two versions, one with the duel saddle, and one with the added power port outputs on the mount. To have duel saddle on a mount that small, to me, does not make much sense. Maybe for solar. I will keep looking. Pegasus might win this one with their newer smaller mount. Just an opinion. Clear Skies

[@lawrenceklein3709]

Good review of the S- W strain wave mounts. Fire intro! Loving my Apertura Carbonstar 8" RC! Wizard Nebula = perfect target for this setup.

[@NikonJax]

Can I use the 100i on a camera tripod?

[@highpointscientific]

Great question! The Sky-Watcher Wave 100i can be used on a heavy duty camera tripod with a 3/8" stud!

[@wattswheelhouse]

I've been suffering with an LX85 full of backlash for years, and these new strain wave mounts are calling my name.

[@theCC87]

Thank you for the review! I've been looking forward to hearing more about these two gems. Has Sky-Watcher mentioned when the mounts expected to be released?

[@MazzifLOL]

Late to the party, but some interesting features to set them apart. Is it enough though? Or too little too late?

[@brainandforce]

I picked up the same setup listed here (Apertura Carbonstar 8" RC + Sky-Watcher Wave 150i). I do have a few questions 1. Is the pier extension recommended for visual users? I am 6 feet tall and plan to use the RC visually as well. 2. Do you have a recommendation for an autoguider solution for this setup? I assume I'll need an off-axis guider.

[@highpointscientific]

Great questions! 1. The Sky-Watcher Carbon Fiber Tripod for Wave Series Mounts is only 29" when fully extended and, therefore, we would indeed recommend the optional pier extension for the most comfortable views through the telescope. 2. An off axis guider would be the most accurate way to go when imaging through a long focal length telescope like the Apertura Carbonstar 8 RC. However, we would need to know which camera you are planning on using before we can recommend an OAG.

[@brainandforce]

@@highpointscientific Thanks for the response! I'm actually not sure what guide camera to get. I'm guessing one of the ZWO options is a good start?

[@highpointscientific]

ZWO will likely be a good place to start! If you'd like any help choosing a camera, we recommend submitting a contact form on our website (www.highpointscientific.com/email-us) so one of our gear experts can talk to you in more detail about your goals and guide you in the right direction!

[@brainandforce]

@@highpointscientific I'm uncertain about a guide camera but I was thinking of grabbing the ZWO ASI174MM - perhaps a bit overkill, but I figure it may be usable as a monochrome camera with a lower focal length OTA I have. If you mean the camera I'll be using to image, I have a Canon EOS Rebel T5.

[@brainandforce]

@@highpointscientific Also, I got my 8" CarbonStar and took it out for visual first light under Bortle 3 skies - it was a fantastic experience!

[@wf7754]

Thanks for the thorough review!

[@jesuschrist2284]

Can both saddles be used in eq mode?

[@highpointscientific]

Yes, both saddles can be used in eq mode! The double saddles are meant for imaging (using two telescopes to get double the data), so they'll want to be in eq mode for that.

[@jesuschrist2284]

@highpointscientific ty so much for the great reply

[@photonqopt]

If I want to use NINA on Windows to control this mount, I guess I have to rely on ASCOM synscan pro app driver. I have a lot of trouble and finally gave up. Will Skywatcher release drivers (ASCOM or not) that can be used without Synscan Pro app ? Otherwise, I may have to go with ZWO AM5N.

[@photonqopt]

If Eqmod works with these mounts, what I wrote above would be moot.

[@a16383]

Hi! Can anybody give me with some details on the SW Q-AL55i Pro mount? I have seen very little info/reviews about this Adventurer GTi "big brother". Do you guys at HPS have this? I appreciate any feedback you may have. Thx!!

[@abisography]

Why 150i doesn't have dual saddle?

[@highpointscientific]

Great question! We believe that the 150i does not have dual saddles due to the through-mount cabling and the powered hub that are built into the saddle of the 150i.

[@Luftbubblan]

Looks like interesting mounts. Still about 1000$ too expensive imo but among the regular brands i guess it sits where it should.

[@brunoqueiros2971]

Godd to know i cant even afford the most basic eq mouints, fells awesome to be poor while loving astronomy and astrophotography and ot being able to get proper gear for DSO

[@shkeller55]

Nice review, thanks! Can’t wait to get mine (my order is in your queue)! 🪐🙂