Ioptron HEM44 EQ Mount 6 Month Review

Today I provide my 6 month review of the Ioptron HEM44 Hybrid Equatorial Mount. This is a non-sponsored (I bought it) review and you get the good, bad, and ugly.

[@alandyer910]

Thank you for your review. Very informative. Clear skies!

[@Zealor365]

Glad it was helpful!

[@fjrodrick]

Sorry to hear of your problems, but this is very helpful for me. I was considering the new HAE43EC but maybe I’ll stick with the CEM40EC a little longer. Good luck with yours.

[@Zealor365]

I am considering going back to the CEM40EC

[@KJRitch]

Still having issues with this mount? Try it with NINA. I have Goto issues with ASIAir and my AVX mount. Always syncing mount after slewing helps. Thanks.

[@Zealor365]

Thanks for the tip!

[@DrunkferretKG]

I think it's a bug between the Asiair+ and the mount. My GEM28 does it. It is something in the goto commands from the Asiair. My work around is to take a preview image after a capture session, plate solve it, sync it, then have the Asiair move to the next target. The freeze seems to be in the goto function as I can manually move the mount with the AA+ and ioptron hand command. Telling it to go home doesn't work either. It's like the mount and the AA+ get stuck on the target. As long as I take previews and sync the plate solving things are fine. Although I have not tested it, I think this is an issue with the Asiair. If you run your mount with a computer does it do this?

[@Zealor365]

NOTE: I am getting a lot of feedback from Facebook groups that other users are experiencing the same problem.

[@DrunkferretKG]

@@Zealor365 I bought an AM5 in December and sold the GEM28. The AM5 has been solid.

[@KJRitch]

ASIAir is the gateway to their AM5. My AVX mount has several issues with my ASIAir Plus 256. GoTo problems. Mount disconnect errors and manual slews in DEC don’t stop when lifting my finger off my iPad screen. Opened several bug reports with ZWO and working with them in their new beta release the problems still exist. Don’t think the ZWO techs care. I’ve moved on to NINA with a Mele MiniPC and no issues ith the mount because I’m using the CPWI driver.

[@stevehershberger5432]

PLEASE TELL US WHAT TRI-PIER YOU ARE USING WITH HEM44 MOUNT on the 6 month review. Thanks!

[@Zealor365]

The Tri pier in use is the William Optics Mortar 800.

[@markvoigt5474]

Which ioptron driver on the ASIAir are you using ? I don’t see the HEM44 listed ??

[@Zealor365]

The ASI AIR considers this mount the same as the CEM40 mount. Both of them use the same firmware for operation.

[@user-md8rb7zx9o]

Hello! I'm considering demounting my 8" LX200 classic and putting it on a HEM44. I'd like to find out the distance from the RA axis to the base of the dovetail saddle. The enclosure I have it in has 24" from the east wall to the west wall. So, when the mount rotates all the way over so the the OTA is completely on one side, I would like to calculate whether there is enough clearance - 8" plus dovetail plate plus distance to the RA axis. I called Ioptron, but they did not have any any hand to measure. Best regards. Mike

[@Zealor365]

I believe it is 5.7 inches.

[@russell1234]

Hi what tripod are you using?

[@Zealor365]

This is the William Optics Mortar 800

[@anata5127]

2-3 degree differences! So, you didn’t figure out which one is right. Neither. Surprised? Moreover, guiding numbers from ASAir is not correct either. It shows 0.5”, but could be 1” in PHD2 software. IOptron never sees problem until someone sues them. If you really like lightweight mount. You could get Rainbow Astro with encoders. You could change scope as well and get Tak 85 or Esprit 80. All my recommendations will increase quality of astrophotography and enjoyment of the hobby.

[@Zealor365]

Thanks much for the insight!