iOptron CEM60 - 10" SCT Balance, Zero Position and Stalling the Gears!!

[@petert2098]

And the info on not over-tightening the RA lock was just what I needed. I wondered why I was getting that moaning sound sometimes ! Thanks.

[@szaki]

I had an older Ultima C-11 SCT, it weighed 30 lb on my bathroom scale, so the 10 " would be somewhat lighter, I think? Mounted the C-11 on my Vixen GP D a few times, it was an over kill on the Vixen mount rated for 25 lb, but careful balancing I was able to use it for visual observation.

[@otrondal]

Very nice mounting and scope. Remember also to rebalance after you put on dewcap, camera, guidscope and other things you want.

[@whatmattersmost6725]

Thank you! Hope you will do more videos on the CEM60 PLEASE..

[@danfactor123]

Nice videos on your new mount. I've been fan-boying over this mount, currently saving my beans so I can own one myself. Your videos have been informative, affirming, and also helped to scratch my itch haha. Clear skies! From New Zealand

[@_Astrovert]

Glad they helped out! There was not a lot of in-depth stuff on youtube about this mount when I got mine so I'm hoping to fill in some gaps for people.

[@smboelaars]

Great video, Jeff. Thank you! Nice and clear. I just received my CEM25-EC and 8" RC and this really helped me get a feel of if I'm understanding and handling this thing correctly. Time to go and take it into the New Zealand countryside and get imaging!

[@_Astrovert]

Glad it helped. Report back on your impressions when you can!!!

[@dylanlikeavillan5165]

So two years later, do you still love this mount? Any AP with this setup?

[@JohnS916]

Thanks Jeff. I will try the "find zero position" using the hand controller method next time.

[@catherinegrimes2308]

With my iOptron GEM45 I always tighten the saddle clamps using an Allen/Hex key. You can get it nice and tight. I always put on the end stops just to make sure.

[@_Astrovert]

Great tip!!

[@samirpatel8585]

Jeff excellent video, timely video as I had some confusion on zero position. I was going to use bubble level to find the zero and mark it but I’ll try the find zero option on the hand controller and see how it goes.

[@_Astrovert]

Glad it helped!!

[@movax20h]

Out of curiosity does the electronics inside detects the stall, and stops driving motors? Using too much current to the motor or using encoder maybe?

[@area51xi]

Nube question. Just got a CEM40. Do you run it with the RA and DEC knobs locked?

[@vajraayudha5062]

Nice setup , have you done any photographs and astro photography setup's ?

[@manasyadav1993]

This is really helpful. Thank you sir.

[@freeandcriticalthinker4431]

Jeff, hey I remember you mentioned that had a Losmandy GI Mount and you said you were having to tinker with it a lot. I have heard this before, but is this mainly for the older ones or does that apply to the newer model? I wasn’t sure which generation you were referring to. Thanks a lot for any input you may have as a I am a newbie looking to get into astrophotography. I got a used Celestron Edge HD but now rethinking it for first time scope and may return it. The other mount I had my eye on was that CEM60 but when you total up everything you are approaching the cost for a Losmandy G-11 and that’s why I ask about which generation you had

[@_Astrovert]

HI! I had an Atlas EQ-G for a long time and yes, I tinkered with it a bit. It was really good for a 20-25lb setup (600mm FL Refractor) and I had a lot of success with it. I wanted to get into a little longer focal length photography (and a bit of I wanted a new mount) so I settled on the CEM60. I've never owned a Losmandy but a lot of buddies have them and I hear really good things about them.

[@bb108]

Hi Jeff, I noticed you have a ring around the focus knob. Curious as to what that is?

[@_Astrovert]

It's a "Fine Focus Knob" from scopestuff.com ($29). To be honest it doesn't make that much of a difference. There are also DIY things you can make for it too.

[@brianlitwin2198]

Very helpful. Thanks

[@Astro-George]

Hey Jeff, How is the guiding look?

[@N4GW]

Great video

[@nbsrsailor]

Jeff, how good is your guiding with the 10" SCT? Im looking at either a CEM60 or a G11 for my 11" SCT for AP and would appreciate your feedback

[@_Astrovert]

I haven't had a chance to image with the 10" on there, only a 110mm refractor which it handled well. I'm looking forward to trying it this summer. Stay tuned!!!

[@MEDDERX314]

I have had a cem60 for a year and a half now and have a 9.25 on it weighing in at 37lbs. Nowadays i pretty much only do 15 minute exposures except on bright objects and it handles it just fine, I have done some 30 minute ones and they are still good. On good nights it sits just over 1 arcsec, average night just below 2" and bad nights below 3" but usually those nights its because sky conditions are not good.

[@MEDDERX314]

​@@arun120977 People dont have low standards, they have low budgets. Not everyone can afford a AP or Paramount, once I'm done saving it will have taken me 9 months to a year to save for a 1100gto. And for anyone that is getting sub arcsec guiding from any mount, its because they have seeing conditions that allow for it, which again most people dont have the privilege of.

[@orlando0076]

Hey i have a question i want to buy a cem60 for a 23-24kg setup and i am wondering if the mount would handle long exposure photos I know the weight limit is 27 but i also know for long exposure the more your setup weight the worst it would be

[@_Astrovert]

I honestly don't think it would work well. The CEM120 is better suited to that kind of weight. That being said, there are better and worse setups. For example a 10" SCT would ride better than a long 6" Refractor of the same weight. Adding more counterweight closer in is much better than less CW out farther on the CW shaft. Near the max weight the distribution and balance becomes very important. Hope this helps.

[@carbonbadu]

You should balance with all gear On Jeff. and in video DEC is not balanced.

[@whatmattersmost6725]

You should always balance with all of your EQ so it's all set to using. But you are only showing OTA balancing.

[@astronomiaaovivo3415]

In Brasil is very money😔