iOptron GEM45 NUC Review

The review of the iOptron GEM45 NUC Equitorial Mount
I made a mistake in this video. The latitude angle bolts are NOT to switch between Northern and Southern hemisphere. They are to set your location angle to the pole regardless of northern or southern hemisphere.

[@thegorgatron1]

Great review! Only comment I have is to say that if you have a NUC computer, or any other computer that you might mount with the telescope like and AsiAir or and Eagle, the USB port is in the ideal position as it is since it will not move relative to the scope or computer. For me the USB port position is one of the selling points of this mount.

[@marvinwhisman3333]

I appreciate your review. I am considering buying an iOptron either a GEM45 or a CEM40(EC?) or possibly even the CEM70 if I can afford it. Thanks for going over some important issues that could affect setup. I assume you spent a fair amount of time looking at the various iOptron mounts and wondered if you had some suggestions about choosing between the CEM or GEM lines. I plan on using it with a Celeston EdgeHD 9.25 and my next scope which will be a refractor in the 120mm range. I know there were some issues with your mount but to be honest most of them sound more like personal preferences rather than a consideration on whether to get or not get an iOptron. I look forward to more videos on the mount since as you know there isn't as much info out there on these mounts as there are on mounts like the Celeston and EQ series of mounts.

[@AndyofAstro]

Thanks for the message. I am going to put an 8 inch classical cassegrain on the mount (when the counter weights come into UK stock). It should cope easily with this loading with guiding. Therefore I would imagine the Edge will be fine. The loading capacity is similar to an Eq6. With regards to Centre Balanced EQ and German EQ differences, I am more familiar with German EQ designs and have little knowledge of the CEM however for me it was loading capacity, guiding and reliability. I also have to rig and then derig, and weight is a consideration. The GEM45NUC has good balance between these. The alternative for me was an Eq6, and I am not keen on the latitude bolts. I never like following the crowd, I wanted something different. The cem70 would have been another choice and Astrofarsography on KZbin did a good run through and review of this mount. I was considering the 70, but I don't think I can lift it. I will keep the ioptron content coming I've got a run through of the software and ipolar coming. Good luck and all the very best.

[@Zealor365]

You can also use the magnetic allen wrench to adjust the altitude knob very accurately. Just put it in the allen holes on the knob.

[@anata5127]

You need to get plate solving software and align your mount using it. Then mount’s previous data will not matter. Have you used NUC?

[@msacco]

Besides the locking clutch, which I strongly disagree as I find it amazing and overall it's a huge improvement over previous designs, great review, thanks.

[@gabrielex]

Great review, and a very objective one!

[@louisrosner7902]

Absolutely spot on with your review. the usb works fine as a hub through the main mount usb cable. everything passes through just fine although usb 2 only. another miss on Ioptron's part. Very delicate mount. I cringed every time I saw you lean on the cw bar. My mount actually was shipped with the allen wrench in the small hole in the RA motor housing which I'm sure would have destroyed the mount for sure. The pads on the tripod feet are a nice touch but you have to manually rotate them into a flat position every time or the legs are prone to shifting. My guiding is not quite as good as yours but maybe it will improve when i clear the align data. Transporting the mount is like a flailing octopus as you have to release the clutches for travel. All in all a great mount with lots of little annoying quirks. To be continued. Great review.

[@schst]

Thanks for the insightful review. I fairly recently acquired the GEM45 mount and I'm struggling to achieve the level of guiding performance that you're getting. A couple of questions. 1) Are you using iPolar to polar align or some other method? I've read reports of a lack of accuracy using iPolar. 2) I was under the impression that whenever one performs a new star alignment with the mount, it will automatically erase the previous alignment data. You seem to claim that's not the case. Does that mean that you're running "Clear Alignment Data" everytime that you're setting up the mount? 3) Regarding the faulty USB cable, did PHD2 or some other software indicate during a guiding session that the connection was lost temporarily?

[@AndyofAstro]

Thank you for the message. I have actually had a few problems with the mount and I'm learning my way through it. In answer to your questions 1. I am using the ipolar to polar align, it seems quite accurate. 2. I don't use a hand controller when imaging, I use APT and platesolve to objects. However I was not sure if alignment data is stored in the mount or not (I don't believe it is stored on the mount - but it is hard to know). I have not yet used the hand controller for Star Alignment, however I would clear alignment data before a session and then re calibrate because the hand controller does store the last alignment. This is to prevent errors. Each time you calibrate this should over write previous data in the hand controller, however I would clear this data so that your first slew to a star is starting from a clear data - I apologise if I've made a mistake, I'm on a steep learning curve with the mount, it's quite different to my previous Skywatcher. More importantly, the Zero position in both the software and hand controller seem to influence the accuracy of the slewing to objects. Therefore I set my zero position each session and then slew in APT and platesolve to object. 3. The usb was odd, APT reported disconnecting sometimes, but not all the time, then the mount would just stop, or it would be guiding, and suddenly stop, it was so odd. However the USB lead was the cause and changing this has stopped the disconnecting. Hope this helps clarify, good luck with your mount.

[@schst]

@@AndyofAstro Thanks for the quick response. I will give clearing alignment data a try to see if it makes a difference. How exactly do you set your zero position? Do you run "Search Zero Position" and then follow it by running "Set Zero Position"?

[@AndyofAstro]

Correct, search for zero, let it do a little dance and then settle. Then set it as your zero position. Hope this helps.

[@schst]

@@AndyofAstro Got it. Thx

[@timurahmedov514]

Thank you for your reviews, the day before yesterday I ordered a gem 45, since it is not possible to buy an eq6-r pro, maybe it is better. I'm waiting my new GEM 45. I think it will be much easier, which will allow me to travel with it.. ps. apo apm 140 or ed 80 will be installed on the mount.

[@WalidFeghali]

Hey! Where did you get the APM140? :) Have you gotten the GEM45 yet? How is it? Cheers, W.

[@Dudleydogg]

I realize this also I was told it will be another Year or so to get this Mount. Same ole story I go blockbuster finally decide on a Video and sure enough its sold out.

[@timurahmedov514]

@@Dudleydogg Yes, equipment has become scarce. But I managed to pick up the GEM45 and it was delivered to me.

[@Dudleydogg]

Excellent Just what I was looking for an Honest Opinion. thank you for pointing out all the quirks.

[@AndyofAstro]

Thanks. Unfortunately I did actually return the mount in the end. I wasn't feeling happy with it. Mounts are the most troublesome and temperamental things, I did hope for more. Good luck with your astro!

[@Dudleydogg]

@@AndyofAstro I was totally conflicted with the Sky-Watcher EQ5-6 Pro and this one, Sales guy was pushing the GEM45, I watched this Video and I have been down this road before with my Meade Mount its a pain, Can I ask what brand you switched to eventually, you have changed my mind now after seeing this. Thank you so much

[@AndyofAstro]

I went for an AZ-EQ6GT from Skywatcher. It only arrived a couple of days ago so I've not used it yet. I so wanted the GEM45 to be the mount, and I'm not even sure the Skywatcher will be, however the build quality on the new mount is like a tank. I went for AZ because it doesn't use the easily bending latitude bolts, which is a plus.

[@Dudleydogg]

@@AndyofAstro Did it come with the Lynx computer control cable or is that a separate purchase? I believe this is also the mount I would like to find.

[@AndyofAstro]

My one has a built in USB connector. A normal USB A to B lead will control the mount from Eqmod.

[@geniexmay562]

Nice 🙂