Sky-Watcher Wave 150i Strain Wave Mount REVIEW 🔭

[@lukomatico]

Superb video mate, you really showed everything that people need to know! :-) That 2017 flashback to the HEQ5 made me seriously nostalgic though, so I'm gonna go back and watch some of your early vids again for old times sake now :-D Clear skies!

[@AstroReyak]

Thanks, this is the mount I have my eye on, and your review is very helpful, also, the image of the bubble nebula is just stunning!

[@SpiriScope_Kaleidoscopes]

Oh yes Sky-Watcher, finally in the game!

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

Nice review!! Those clutches though, as you mentioned... Scary!! I already know scopes will die because of them. I love that you warned viewers about them multiple times in your video! But they might have an unforeseen advantage: in case of tripod collision, the system can maybe act as a fuse, as the clutch can slip, so the mount doesn't keep smashing the scope into the tripod? Also unrelated, but man, your editing and production values. So freaking tight as usual!

[@larrycable984]

surely the clutches are there to enable one to balance equipment (with the optional counterweight in place) there is little if no need to touch them if you dont care...

[@SkyWatcherUSA]

The clutches are there to allow the owner to balance the mount, mainly when pushing it to the upper limits. Provides better stability. Most people will likely not need them but we will make a dedicated video going over this process and when to use them.

[@CuivTheLazyGeek]

@@SkyWatcherUSA By the way any chance to get a review sample of those mounts so I could test them and feature them on my channel?

[@juliand2107]

@@SkyWatcherUSA when do you expect to release that video?

[@baselsalam]

​@@SkyWatcherUSAplease see the comment from CUIV. Im looking forward to his review.

[@shkeller55]

I have one of these on order so I’m glad to see a positive review. Thanks!

[@vince953]

I'm headed out tonight for my first image attempt. Thanks for all the great videos.

[@KevinRudd-w8s]

Good review. I have just bought a 100i, still getting used to using it but already impressed even though I had to install a firmware upgrade to get the guiding to work (still playing around to find optimum settings). I'm currently using it with a Red Cat 51 with an ASIair mini but I have also used it with a laptop running ASCOM/ EQMOD. Eventually it will be used with a WO 81GT controlled by a Stellarmate Pro. Here in the UK this mount is about £100 cheaper than the AM3, but the main reason I went for it was because my other Skywatcher mounts have been great. (I won't be retiring my EQ6-R Pro, this is to be permanently mounted outside with the 100i used as a portable rig)

[@michaelsaltsman7550]

your videos are just awesome keep up ur awesomeness Trevor and clear skies

[@joedenisco6033]

Im getting one of these because of you. Thanks Trevor.

[@AstroBackyard]

Enjoy!

[@frankenstein77777]

Nice review Trevor. One suggestion - since the payload weight is such a relevant factor, could you also give the weights in kilograms as well as pounds, since much of the world uses the metric system?

[@fixxforlife1569]

He did

[@AstroBackyard]

Noted!

[@Bills_APCh]

Great, small lightweight mounts like these might be less expensive maybe 600 dollars or less perhaps, a lot less expensive than heavy EQ6-R Pro mounts!

[@longhornastro]

Very easy conversion, lb x 0.45359237 = kg 🤣

[@baselsalam]

​@@longhornastroor / 2.2

[@tommyozzy317]

I just ordered the am5n. Same price and pretty much same with no counter weight but a lower top weight which is interesting. Funny thing about this hobby. Yoy can keep waiting and get better tech but keep waiting and youll never buy anything.

[@AstroBackyard]

Absolutely agree. And yes the AM5N is really similar in specs to the 150i!

[@bfgmetalworks]

Awesome review and like always, you pick the best music to go along with your images !!

[@apa_astro]

Good stuff as always man! Clear skies!

[@AstroBackyard]

Thank you brother! Clear skies!

[@guzzialfa]

I really appreciated your honest comparison to the AM5 and AM5N with the new Skywatcher strain wave mount. It says a lot about both the mount and your honest reporting and insights. Thank you Trevor Jones. I feel I can say now to others pick your favorite they are both comparable.

[@juliand2107]

Wait, whats the difference between AM5 and AM5N?

[@Minevi39]

Hi Trevor! Would you feel comfortable using the Wave100i with the Esprit100 or the C8 (given you use the CW I guess)?

[@shreyaskanetkar4697]

Thanks Trevor! Great video. What I would love to know is the performance at higher focal lengths with sct’s. AM5 officially says to use upto 900 mm FL. But I’ve not seen any information from sw on this.

[@AstroBackyard]

Great point. will dig into this

[@juliand2107]

but thats without counterweights, right? Does AM5 even have the ability to attach counterweights?

[@shreyaskanetkar4697]

@@juliand2107 yeah both AM5n (even old) and wave 150i and 100i can be used with their respective optional counterweights

[@perry3928]

Great review as always Trevor. Nice to see the competition. Hopefully it will reflect in the pricing.

[@StarScaperPhoto]

Getting back into deep sky just got a lot more interesting again...

[@genevievemayet630]

Great review and I always love your music! ❤

[@lcmattern]

I am loking to update to this mount from my Star Adventure - GTI. Right now I have a bit of a sketchy setup with it. My mount has an 11 lbs payload, my short refractor and gear weights 9lbs and my RC reflector with gear weights 15lbs. Really need that mount update, but it does work! (even if I need to toss 15-50% of my data ) I do wonder if I have to buy another tripod or if I can use the steel tripod from the sa-gti? it seems sturdy enough.

[@Markaras]

0:03 are expensive and immposible to own like everything 🥵

[@Dennis-tf2cs]

Will eventually get rid of my EQ6R- PRO, it's a great mount and has served me very well, it's just very heavy and not really "portable" like these new mounts. Maybe someday.... Thanks for the review!!

[@callumsastrophotography4859]

Looks promising Trevor. Do Skywatcher suggest a max focal length for deep sky like ZWO due to the difference in centre of gravity been refractors and large aperture scopes like SCTs? As I understand the torque is very different between two scopes of same weight but different centre of gravity. You don't need to remember to record your guide graphs, the PhD logs are stored on the ASIAIR and can be loaded in Phd2 log viewer afterwards.

[@nicholasp8978]

I think that the SW is bulkier than the AM5.....what you think ?

[@fromupthere.2209]

I have a heq5pro and it is great, the weight is always. an issue bringing it in each night and at some point I will be going to a bigger ota so I will have to upgrade. I was looking at the Am5 but now it looks like the Skywatcher. As for price, what isn't expensive in this hobby. Great review as always mate. Thx and clear skies to you.

[@DanWipper]

Been curious about that one, SkyWatcher builds some good standard mounts it will be good to see how their new line does. YES, I was wondering about using one without counter weigh and was worried about it tipping over. I'd use counterweight at all times and am guessing the mounts will also last longer not carrying the extra load.

[@chattywalrus8485]

That's one of the coolest cellestial objects I've ever seen, right up there with Saturn, Eta Carinae, the Ring Nebula in Aquarius and the Pillars of Creation in the Eagle Nebula❣️

[@gigastrike11]

"They just cannot get this forecast right", hahahaha as a Canadian I concur!

[@shkeller55]

Where do you hang the hand controller when you're not using it?

[@shkeller55]

You can buy a holster that fits on a tripod leg separately, as I found out after receiving a hand controller from High Point Scientific with no holster. High Point referred me to the manufacturer or Agena. I bought a two-piece holster kit from Agena for around $20 USD. One piece is the bracket you hang the controller in, the other is a clamp that is sized to fit the diameter of your tripod legs. Agena has a list you go through to select your size. The parts come with pre-drilled screw holes and screws; you just fasten them together with a screwdriver and clamp the assembled holster onto your tripod. It was a very easy installation.

[@TarnsYT]

Thanks for the review! I have my 100i coming hopefully within the next week. Been waiting a while to have a usable mount >.

[@jaytroxel3495]

Love your videos...WHEN do you sleep? And are your sleep rhythms off from the day/night schedule?

[@pickes]

Coming back to your channel after some time. It’s the second video in a row in which you show like a “live preview of the night sky and the nebula image overlay on top of it”. What software is that? Does it come with one of the accessory hardwares?

[@alin936]

Any plans to review the Skywatcher EQ-AL55i?

[@paulwood6729]

It'd be very interesting to know whether the premium strain wave mounts like Rainbow Astro are actually better and/or worth the extra money over this or the ZWO range.

[@laurynaszubrickas1061]

Nice one! I'm going to drive my HEQ5 into the ground and then move to these new mounts.

[@AstroBackyard]

That HEQ5 will never die!

[@mtnphot]

Why do you not use the mative usb port on the mount? Have done tgat with an az-eq5 for as long as I have owned the mount. It frees up the hand control for first akignment. Mind you, it is prmanently mounted to a pier.

[@richardgifford3456]

I use an asiair to control the am5 using the wifi connection, people say it's not as reliable as a cable but I've had no issues, it works very well. Do you know if the 150i can also be controlled by the asiair in the same way? Also, the saddle looks a little short.. Great review by the eay :)

[@GediAstro]

If you see this T, how does this one rotate that 60 degrees when you do PA with the ASIAir compared to the AM5? Are they rotating in the same direction or opposite?

[@OldGirlPhotography]

Thanks, Trevor. Great to have met you and Ashley at Starfest. Got a chance to see these mounts up close at Kevin's booth. I love my ZWO series mounts, but glad there are some options now. I wondered about those clutches too.

[@jeanhero]

Does this mean that the EQ6 is getting more affordable?

[@eugennaiman1195]

Thank you for the review, I was looking for one for a long time since i jumped into the 150i boat very early. Indeed the choice of using DC pins 2.1 and 2.5 mm is weird; they could have used simply 2x 2.5 mm if that was a concern. A friend made me a custom Y cable so I can use only one 1A power brick. Unlocking the clutches seemed like a good idea until I unlocked the DEC clutch then tightened back the bolts; those 2 bolts came loose many times by themselves adding some ugly backlash. Those 2 bolts need to be super tight. Tripod and pier extension is something I wouldn't recommend to anyone because they feel cheap - really cheap and the tripod does not spread the legs wide enough. Not worth the money - the tripod for ZWO mounts is much better and the 150i will fit perfectly without any adapter; that's what I did. Haven't got to use it much because of the clouds; I hope I made the right choice

[@caracolrpower]

Hi Trevor nice review, can you tell if the conterweight of older skywatcher mounts like neq6 or eq6 pro can be use in this new mount? It was good if we can use it like the command. Thanks and clear skies

[@AmatureAstronomer]

Mighty fine looking. Way too expensive, but mighty nice.

[@crateer]

For 55pounds payload, this is regularly priced though.

[@bakerfx4968]

Isn’t it less expensive than the AM3 and AM5? At least a similar price point for a higher payload capacity. It’s likely just that you aren’t the target audience for this product… yet

[@SkyWatcherUSA]

The price is pretty much on par with any other mount of this type.

[@kernalrom]

Really enjoy your videos and realize that are geared towards beginners and/or getting people interested in our hobby. Have you ever considered producing some content on intermediate and advanced topics such as pixinsight workflows and advanced hardware / filters reviews?

[@JanosLenart]

You probably have a TC40 tripod somewhere around. How would you compare the stability of the two tripods themselves? Thanks.

[@ddompecr]

Also interested to see if you can mount the 150i on top of the TC40 or attach the silver plate. I'm planning to upgrade from an AM5 and compatibility would be awesome

[@AstroBackyard]

Yup - you can mount it to the TC40. I did that when the mount arrived (before I realized they sent the tripod, too!)

[@eugennaiman1195]

The SkyWatcher tripod is a joke - too small, legs not spreading enough, looks and feels cheap. Not worth the money, go for the TC40 instead.

[@PlanetaryDefenseFoundation]

Hi Trevor, what Audio track is that in this intro video :) ?

[@TamasdrSolymosi]

Hi. I have a simple question about the 150/100i and AM5/3. When the mounts are not in use, can the devices be stored with the optics (without disassembling it)? In many of your videos I see devices stored fully assembled. Won't the mechanics be damaged if I store them with a load (7kg), not disassembled? Thank You!

[@dcinzona]

Great review, as always. I’m trying to find if you posted this before, but what is the red tripod / pier you’re using?

[@AstroBackyard]

That one is the Starfield Pier 1000

[@davids2000]

Hi Trevor, my name is David. It was nice to have met you at Starfest. Thank you for your advice. Have you ever used Bisque mounts? If youd ever like to do a critique on one, you can try my mx+.

[@AstroBackyard]

Hi David! It was nice meeting you too! I have used a Bisque mounts - yes! I had the MyT in my observatory a few years back!

[@jongreen2362]

I got too impatient waiting for your wave 150i review and received my AM5n a couple of weeks ago. Much prefer the black & green combo but shouldn't complain 😂

[@tubedude54]

I guess I'm 'old school' when it comes to balancing your rig and when the strain wave mounts first came out and I saw that balancing wasn't 'needed' I just thought 'that can't be a good thing'. Now with the addition of the clutches on this mount I can't see NOT balancing it for that inevitable mishap that will occur when someone loosens a clutch and the scope swings and falls against the tripod/pier and dents their scope tube or knocks a camera rig to the pavement and cracks filters and sensors!

[@blobrana8515]

I would like to see an optional counter weight bar attachment built into the head mount. (For times when ease of mobility is not needed).

[@arthurwiegman5512]

Would you use the big Newtonian in the background on this mount with a counter weight on an EQ 6 tripod?

[@MrBonger88]

Do you think that the tracking accuracy of strain waves can eventually be improved or is it an inherent flaw that can’t be fixed? Thanks

[@MrVulpecula-yo6wp]

Hi Trevor a fan here! Love your video. You got the real synthwave style. Love it! So if understood correctly, you took first and second night with a monochrome camera and then the third night you took the RGB colour stars using a colour camera. Is it correct? Thank you in advance for your help!

[@juliand2107]

Hey man, love your channel. Youre the best astro vloger out there, always inspiring! This is on my list for next mount 🤤 Btw, im in the market for a new tripod. Can you recomend a couple in the 3-400$ range? I got a 5-10kg setup, and currently a EQ5 mount. Clear skies from Norway!

[@pongokamerat8601]

5:07 , 8:33. Why be nervous? I would always balance with a counterweight. Less strain on the equipment and possibly more accurate as well, meaning clearer pictures. It only takes a minute, or less even...

[@robinalford2186]

I'm like the Shoemakers, I like to look at the sky.

[@schmooovin]

Hey Trevor, I want to get into beginner astrophotography and I was wondering would the EOS R100 work just as well as the T7?

[@jimwaters304]

Good video. I am not sure about the clutch assembly. This feels risky to me. I am considering an AM5N mount.

[@alexrelexer]

Which mount would you prefer with a Celestron C8, this new 150i, ZWO AM5 or maybe an iOptron for visual, planetary and some deepsky imaging? At this moment I have the Celestron CPC800XLT with the AZ mount and would like to replace the mount. The quality of the sky here in the Netherlands is pretty bad, so very long exposures are out of the question. For the time being I use my full frame Canon R8 camera which till now works very nice with stacking.

[@jmoreno6094]

Sorry, are you using a Skywatcher mount with AsiAir ??

[@gspinin]

What the nm of your filters with the duo? I presume the 2600mm duo or is that the OSC?

[@DoktorApe]

Can you comment on cable management? It looks like the mount head has a USB-A port rather than a USB-B port, suggesting its intended to connect to a camera or hub rather than a PC. Does the mount act as a hub with a PC controlling everything through the USB-B port in the mount base? This would be opposite the AM5N where the head's USB-C port is apparently device only and assumes your PC is riding on the telescope.

[@fouriousbanana6966]

It's funny because I just got an eq6r like 2 months ago and it's kinda sad that these new mounts are coming out right after me getting an older one. Hope it holds up well :)

[@astrofromhome]

The AsiAir easily accepts a 5.5x2.5 power plug. The way the the port on the AsiAir is designed in will accept both 2.1 or 2.5mm plugs. Why do you use the EQ Mod cable? Just use a USB A to USB B cable from the AsiAir to the Wave mount.

[@grahamprescott9426]

I'm looking at the 100i hoping it will connect to my eq5 pro tripod??

[@lasercorn2399]

WANT!

[@wackyismfishing9023]

Hi Trevor, would you recommend the ASI Air Plus for someone who only uses a Star Adventurer GTI and a DSLR camera?

[@ElemeStudios]

Can you use the counterweight and balance the mount and OTA with the clutch disengaged? Even though the mount does not need to be balanced, balancing it can't hurt, correct?

[@bennythebutcher3435]

so i have a svbony 503 102ed with a heq5 pro and soon to be getting a ZWO ASI294MC-PRO and was wondering if ill be able to decent photos

[@richyp46]

I have just sold my eq6r as issues with my lower back just made it unusable for me. These Strain Wave mounts sound like they could work though! I'm glad I at least kept the Esprit 100 😊

[@gianlucabeccani6812]

Hi Trevor, I read about issues when powering the mount FROM a powerbox giving (along with other connected devices) less than 12 volts: that could potentially damage the circuit board. I would like to power the mount FROM a Pegasus Astro Powerbox connected to a LiFePO4 battery running at 13.6 volts and never under 12.6 volts when partially discharged: can I assume I should have no problems at all???

[@SKYST0RY]

Does the ZWO AM5N have the same clutch issue?

[@Thisandthat-e7m]

It does not. As far as I know this, the 150I, is the only mount with strain wave gearing that have clutches.

[@SKYST0RY]

@@Thisandthat-e7m Thanks for letting me know.

[@GXS_lxo]

Im shooting the Bubble nebula right in this moment haha

[@jmd1743]

Scope Quick disconnect mounts that retain zero would be cool for such telescopes.

[@broscutzacupar]

I know these mounts can be bought also without a tripod, mainly because they are probably aimed at people who already have one they've got with an older mount, but also I haven't had any luck finding someone who can clearly say that it can be used with a photographic tripod, and if they can, do they need any adapter ? In my case, I have a carbon fiber Innorel ST244C which is rated spending up to max 35Kg payload, and avoiding spending another 300 more on another tripod would be clearly desirable (I can spend that money on an Asiar mini/plus that way). TIA

[@ian408]

That’s two or three strain wave devices now. Seems like it should be less expensive to mfg and should be less expensive as a result. Any thoughts? As always, good review!

[@sergiodigiulio62]

Do you believe that the 150i is capable of holding a Skywatcher Quattro 10” with the photo equipment?

[@daviderepice7874]

Please Trevor review the Umi 17R mount!! It's working great, I think it deserver a proper review like yours!

[@BLastrophoto]

Great stuff. I've been waiting to see some results from these mounts before jumping in. Might get one for the 127 and throw my C11 on the EQ6-R. You headed to Black Forrest Star Party this year? I'll be there!

[@alphaadhito]

The clutches though are handy, it can be a double-edged sword. A GEM/CEM mount with unbalanced counterweight is scary but without any counterweight? 😱

[@drdentin3215]

Hey Trevor, a favor to ask. I would really appreciate if you could send out a notification when you first hear of T CrB going nova. I am checking it often visually. Thanks for all your content Bill.

[@LinehanRyan]

Hmmm I’ll think about this mount maybe next year. If you continue to use it and report back over the next 3 months and give your pros and cons, I will pull the trigger on this mount.

[@IonutNedelcu]

Curious how this compares to the AM5N. Asking from the POV of someone who is looking for their first "proper" mount and is coming from a Star Adventurer GTi.

[@alexsphot0]

I just started testing the Wave 100i and the guiding numbers look very close to the Wave 150i numbers.

[@AstroBackyard]

Great to hear that!

[@jcims]

For all of the negative outcomes, covid has been incredible for the hobby. All of the interest and investment is driving innovation in the products on the market. The synergy with all of the great content that's available now has had a wonderful effect.

[@jokerace8227]

Makes me wonder about how much periodic error it has, both with and without a counterbalance.

[@MrKhagol]

if you can, later share how it went higher FL ones. That'll be interesting.

[@anon3573]

Been waiting on a review on these since they announced.... I think I may end up going for the am5n now. In australia the am5n is $300 cheaper than the wave 150i... is that the same over there? As I feel that's a noticeable difference for something that appears to be very similar. Am I also understanding correctly that the am5n can power the asi air with its power pass through and only requires one power source plugged into the mount to do so.... whilst this wave 150i requires 2 separate power sources to achieve the same thing? Coming from a skywatcher gti that runs on batteries, only needing one external plug to power everything else is a huge plus. So that's a downgrade for me on the wave 150i on that front. The only thing this appears to have over the am5n is in australia it has a 5 year warranty... vs zwo 2 year warranty... but I'm unsure that's enough to tip me onto this given the separate power sources needed and the proven reliability of the am5 thus far

[@LucynaKushinada1603]

Nice

[@WhatHappen-sm2ir]

Bro you saw the M64 galaxy please tell me telescope name you used in this video and their price please bro

[@blaujokel]

I just received the wave 150i. So, all i can say, these knobs are locking pins and not a clutch! You can use it to Balance the scope. To unlock it, you have to screw it all the way out. If you just loose them a little bit nothing will Happen!

[@mintjdm89]

Dang! 🔥🔥

[@asingularhuman]

this mount costs more than my current telescope, mount, and camera combined.

[@HumbleLife8]

@AstroBackyard @SkyWatcherUSA or anyone How easy or hard is it to use the 150i in ALT-AZ mode just to observe, can we align or do the goto setup easily and quickly? what is needed for viewing or observation use of the 150i? not many talk about this, we are interested in this mount becaue its lighter weight but mostly will be using it to observe, but not sure how easy or hard it is to setup the goto alt az mode, I know in other bulkier mounts you could align 2 or 3 stars and get going, my understanding is on 150i you have to use app or software to polar align, but for alt-az I think you dont need to polar align right? please correct me if I am wrong anyone, I am new, have mercy on me please lol. thanks in advance for any help

[@NathanLewisVideos]

spotted spigen tough armor phone case

[@ObservaDome]

🥴"This Makes Me Nervous"🥴 ❤Trevor Your Vids R The Best❤

[@TanishqVarshney-l3h]

Sir big fan i am from India

[@shahiastro6343]

Ey big bro can u do review for dwarf 3 telescope under 500 dollar , im thinking to buy it but seestar s50 confuses me :))