Surprised by the iOptron HAE29

I pushed the HAE29 to it's limits to find out how good it was. This video dives deep into the iOptron HAE29 including; how to set up the HAE29, what guide settings I used to get the best results, how the performance was and if it had any problems.
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
1:03 In the box
2:01 Setting the mount up
7:04 Portability & polar adjustments
8:50 The dual saddle
10:32 iPolar polar alignment
16:54 USB & power considerations
18:40 Slewing & payload capacity
19:30 Dual brake and memory function
20:58 Guiding & periodic error
24:02 What's there to HAET?
24:41 Acknowledgements
25:08 Image gallery
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[@saschamoritz1446]

I'm waiting since weeks for a review of this mount... thanks a lot

[@rtpman1953]

Fantastic little mount. It is pretty impressive. Thanks for the video.

[@AstroWithRoRo]

Glad you liked it, I was very impressed by how well it performed and really do love the dual brakes.

[@Abaunzamarco]

Hey Rowan, first of all, thanks for all the time you take into putting these videos. I really like the way you prepare them and how easy to understand they are. I always run to see whenever you post something. I wish you all the best and have happy holidays. Oh BTW, you convinced me and I just ordered this little marvel ;)

[@astrophoto_andy3335]

Thanks Rowan! Very excellent review.

[@AstroWithRoRo]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@thierrymartin8715]

Thanks Rowan for the first serious revue about the Ioptron HAE 29 . Ioptron offers an alternative to the AM5 , for 2000US$ range price , with the modern communications options and the Ipolar which it is a must when you know how it is easy to loose tracking precision even with a good equatorial mount. The weight target can explain some of not handy choices that AM5 doesn't have. HAE 29 is sold with a full Goto hand controller . but without GPS ! Ioptron thinks you have a smartphone with you when you leave home , because this mount is made for travelling. It is so light for the payload capability, even with the suitcase it can fly in Cabin. Ioptron has choosen the black color which is not the best choice when you are far away from any light source . The Ioptron HAE29 is not the cheap solution for visual observation. AM5 is in the same category, but at least it is done in red color and some people will choose the AM5 mount for that choice because it is easier to work with, when you use a red torch. The amateur community is still mainly using the eyepieces and the Red light doesn't disturb the night vision. It will be nice if Ioptron could choose a brighter color than black for this type of mount . The HAE 29 was the first Ioptron true Strainwave mount ,capable to touch the 0.4 RMS with software controle . The EC version is good for 0.4 RMS making a very strong contender of traditional expensive mounts able to run without computer . but much more heavier too. The USB port is the missing part on the mount . Maybe in the coming months Ioptron will provide a kit to please the customers . Thanks for this video showing an true alternative choice to the AM5 , the main choice today for starting in Strainwave technology . Thanks Ioptron with the HAE29...

[@derekbaker3279]

Greetings! Thanks for doing a very thorough review of this mount!👍👍 First, I am pleased that you have given both the mount & customer support a good grade, as there have been some real issues experienced by folks I know who live in North America, who have purchased one of their smaller traditional mounts, have had real problems with mount performance, and have not received timely & thorough customer support. Second, I have an RST-135E, but I anticipate wanting to add a harmonic mount with higher capacity, so its good to know that iOptron's latest harmonic mount performs well.👍 Finally, one feature I think would be very helpful, but is not featured on this mount (nor is it on my harmonic mount) is through-the mount-cabling. Ideally, there would be connections between a part of the mount that remains still (e.g. base of RA axis) and the top of the Dec. axis (e.g. the end of the dovetail), so that risks of cable snags, cable pulling, etc are eliminated. I see that iOptron claims to have something like this on their very latest, larger capacity harmonic mounts, but I don't now how well the concept has been implemented.🤔 cheers!🙂

[@ijontichy7179]

The first in depth review of the AM5 direct rival. Thanks!

[@AstroWithRoRo]

No problem! Hope it was helpful.

[@ijontichy7179]

@@AstroWithRoRo Hope my HAE29 will see coordinates like those some day! Australia is great! :)

[@AstroWithRoRo]

It will be a great travel mount! I know my 135 has allowed me to go and image in places I never thought possible!

[@donbarlow6435]

Great video Rowan! I am currently looking at the HAE29 and the AM5. You have provided a wealth of information pertaining to the HAE29, which is very scarce. If you could could you'd please provided a more detailed picture for connecting the AA+ and Say Safari for MAC users. That would be most appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to present this great review.

[@rnspeed]

I’ve had the HAE29 mount since last December 2022 and Im very happy with it. So light and easy to transport with my AP Stowaway. I power it with a Agena (Talentcell) battery that last a long astrophotography session

[@derekbaker3279]

Hi. Does the HAE29 have the means to provide through the mount cabling (i.e. feed power & USB into RA axis, then have the cables exit the declination axis at the saddle)??

[@deep_space_dave]

Dual brakes!? Oh man now I really regret not waiting for this mount head. I have HEM27EC and it works great but the DEC sometimes is funky due to it still needing to be balanced and that it is the traditional worm gear. Maybe one day I will get this one or it's bigger brother. Thank so much for the review, this was really helpful! Clear Skies!

[@KJRitch]

Hope all is well since you haven't posted in a while. Thank you for the review. I'm looking to upgrade from an AVX mount which I'm currently using with a C8, Starizona reducer/corrector/ Celestron OAG, ASI174MM guide and ASI071MC. Weight is shy under 19lbs (8.6kg) and this one of only two reviews. Thanks.

[@ntaylorblanchard]

Nice review. I love my HAE29. I will note that the bolts that are used in the adjustable saddle on mine will not take the hex key that lives on the mount. I need to use a smaller hex key. This is not a problem because i set up the saddle before taking the mount out of the house.

[@maxru5591]

ty for your review

[@robaro7866]

Love to know if you had the choice would you plump for the HAE29 or the AM5 and why? I am looking at these two and just cant make my mind up!

[@jeroenwojis]

I would like to know if you sued the mount with the asiair pro and if it is having any limitations. Very nice review and helped me a lot!

[@lavers_1]

interesting. So do you do polar alignment before mounting the scope?

[@ddierick]

Well, having to take the controller with you does have an advantage... If ever you forgot your iPolar, the polar alignment routine in the controller works like a charm ;)

[@addos999]

glad to see you post a video! intrigued at another review for a harmonic mount... is this a new series?? selfishly, can you get a review copy and do one on the Pegasus Nyx101 at some point? :)

[@AstroWithRoRo]

It’s reasonably new. I believe it was released early this year. I would love to review the NYX101 but I don’t think PA ships review units out. Will have to try and find someone who can loan one to me.

[@TiagoRamos79]

Good evening, I have a question. When using the Mount with the Nina or Air, is it necessary to have the hand command /GOTONOVA ? Thanks

[@MrSummitville]

When the polar alignment turned green then what is the minimum error from perfect?

[@arthurwiegman5512]

Can you use the mount on a Berlebach tripod instead of an iOptron? Why is the power connection not at the back of the mount instead of the front?

[@carlosgomez2428]

Hi, how are you ! Thank you very much for the video! What computer do you use the Ipolar application with? I bought an Ipolar and I'm waiting for it to arrive, so your video comes in handy. Do you use a laptop? or Tablet? thank you so much! Greetings Carlos from Argentina

[@Jamesee777]

I'm having a hard time deciding between the HAE29 and the AM5. Good info everywhere about the AM5 but hardly any for the HAE29 (same goes with HEM27). But when I learned about the 100% harmonic drive version of the HAE29 and price wise and about $100CAD more compared to the HEM27 (now that it's not on sale anymore), it looks like a better choice for me, but the lack of info and why iOptron did not market this more or send it out for reviews on youtube mystifies me since it looks like it meets or exceeds AM5.

[@mouseylikesnuts6437]

Per the comment below I would love to know your thoughts on how this compares to the RST 135E.. thank you in advance 😊

[@kowalskik.1333]

do you think 9.5 kg is too much for this mount when I still wanna have RMS values

[@ricklaird2218]

Excellent review. I have been looking for an in-depth review of the HEA29 for ages. Nice work. How does it compare with the RST-135E that you reviewed?

[@mouseylikesnuts6437]

I really want to know this too!!

[@parruda7196]

According to the manual, you can route cables inside the mount through the saddle and down to the polar adjustment knobs. Have you found this works well? I also wonder how much of an upgrade the EC version would be.

[@AstroWithRoRo]

There is a cable channel you can thread cables through, I found I didn't use it much though. I am often moving between mounts & rigs and so pack away my cables after each session. If you are using a single mount back to back then it may be of use to you. I also find with harmonic mounts there is less of an issue with cables as they are so small in size there is less movement of cables vs traditional mount heads. The passthrough channel is there though, but it isn't overly big so would only fit 1 or maybe 2 cables max depending on wire gauge and connector size.

[@GregMcCall]

Great Rohan

[@AstroWithRoRo]

Thanks Greg, given the familiarity many people have with iOptron & their software already I think this is a strong contender for the non-encoder harmonic mount market.

[@GregMcCall]

@@AstroWithRoRo I wonder what the encoder version will be like

[@AstroWithRoRo]

Unfortunately I only received the non EC model, but I am also curious about how the encoder & realtime PEC works.

[@derekbaker3279]

@@AstroWithRoRo I agree, especially given the graph you shared, in which there appeared to be at least one moment (..early in the 'cycle'..) where there was a very rapid & sizeable change in RA tracking. Furthermore, if you need to be making guide corrections at least two times per second, it may be that the encoder and/or real-time PEC may be approaching the category of 'a necessity'. 🤔

[@VikramHarinath]

Could you not use an EQMOD/EQDIR cable to connect from the Hand Controller port on the mount to a USB 2.0 port on a computer or on the ASIAIR?

[@AstroWithRoRo]

Yes you can use a usb cable to go from the hand controller to the computer/ASIAIR.

[@127Foxtrot]

What a brilliant and useful review Rohan, many thanks! Did you mention it can be used in Altazimuth mode ? How easy is it to convert EQ to AZ, plus are there any tube length limits when in AZ mode ?

[@AstroWithRoRo]

Yes it can be used in AZ mode too. It's easy to convert to AZ mode, just remove a locking pin and take it to 90*. If you used the standard CF tripod then there would be some tube limits, but you should be able to get a pier extension to fix that.

[@127Foxtrot]

@@AstroWithRoRo Just another question, is the adjustment for the altitude angle a smooth worm screw adjustment type, or is it the (more crude) push/pull type. Judging from the video and online info, it looks like a worm screw type...?

[@AstroWithRoRo]

@127Foxtrot your guess is correct, it’s the worm screw type. 🙂

[@kowalskik.1333]

Hello friend, are there no metal spikes for the tripod legs? Is it true it has no GPS? So does it mean I have to enter GPS coordinates from my smartphone each time i go out?

[@AstroWithRoRo]

The tripod has both metal spike and rubber feet. I used the commander lite to get GPS coordinates.

[@user-wm4rp5ew4y]

I have a hae29ec, how do you use with commander lite? I don't see any wifi net when turn it on.

[@thierrymartin8378]

On the menu you canf find wifi menu. My phone detects it Commander lite transfers the GPSvand time to the teescope . Of course no web access. Same for the laptop. But just one connection is possible . Once GPS and Time by phone I cancel the phone connection and switch to the laptop Commander . Of course software must be installed .

[@phillipjones4743]

How did the Goto functionality work? There is no way to do star alignment. Did Goto work every time? If it failed, what did you do to correct?

[@AstroWithRoRo]

I don't use star alignment as NINA uses platsolving for it's goto's. I didn't have any issues with goto's though.

[@Nabby13]

Could you upload a guide log please? The one graph of guiding that you showed had no axes labels, and neither did you say what declination this was at.

[@AstroWithRoRo]

Oops! Didn't mean to cut the scale off, each line is 1 arcsecond. I believe this specific one was when the mount was around -40 degrees dec.

[@sainatarajan7770]

Can you tell me the tripod that you use in the video while shooting outside?

[@AstroWithRoRo]

I used the iOptron carbon fibre tripod with this mount.

[@esanof]

having to connect the pc to the hand controller seems so unnecessary. but i guess this lets manufacturers list their mount as smaller. its a pain to have to carry that thing though

[@hael8680]

The lack of USB port on the mount is a show stopper. Ioptron loves those Allen keys...don't they? That's show stopper #2. Can't see myself looking for those bolts or Allen key in the snow at -20°C.

[@martinpalenik]

Agreed!

[@josephfoster6110]

Well done Sir. Would ask, how about wind? Seems like overall mass is not too much. Could you tell or was there no wind to test with. Peace Joe

[@AstroWithRoRo]

There were a few nights with some moderate winds. Because you are guiding at such a fast rate and the mount responds quickly to guide commands it is pretty good at correcting for gusts. I found the biggest issues came from when I had my large mak-newt attached whilst it also being windy. This wasn't due to the mount itself, but rather the carbon fibre tripod. As stiff as CF is, it still flexes compared to a steel or wood base (this also happens on my Rainbow Astro CF tripod). As such, if you are out in windy conditions with a large payload make sure you have a heavy duty tripod or add ballast from your battery to give it a solid base. Otherwise, given how small the setup is I found it easy to move the whole thing to the downwind side of my car which acted as a wind break and helped greatly.

[@josephfoster6110]

That you for a real answer! Again… well done

[@adrianphotovisions2308]

Nice little mount and good to see competition in the harmonic field. But the AM5 is cheaper, does the same job and has none of those fiddly assembly bolts, nor the nuisance reversing top plate for Vixen/Losmandy.

[@clearskiesastro1028]

While its a nice to have, but hopefully not for an extra expense....the brake on the DEC is kind of unnecessary for the payloads supported on this mount, or the AM5 (which doesn't have a DEC brake). You will never have enough weight on either side of the DEC to require the brake. You'd have to go out of your way to load up one side to absurd precarious levels to make a brake on the DEC even needed....so basically its a non-feature. The RA brake though can have all 18kgs of payload to one side which then requires the break. You'll never get close to that much weight on one side of the DEC in a normal setup.

[@bobonajbolji]

I don't think the min move values in your video should be blindly copied, because they are related to local seeing. One should use PHD2 Guiding Assistant every night and accept those values instead.

[@AstroWithRoRo]

I added all my guide settings as a point of reference so you can understand generally how I used the mount and got the results I did. I agree people should use GA to find the values that work best for them. :)

[@bobonajbolji]

@@AstroWithRoRo the provided values are fine and very welcome - except the min move settings which are related to local seeing and equipment.

[@AndreH3d]

I like ioptron, I have a GEM28 and very happy with it, but I cant understand a world where you can get a AM5 that has a 44lb payload for just 300 dollars extra and you woudl still choose the HAE29, also the AM3 is also out that is $200 cheaper...

[@brutushusse]

4lbs more for 300USD and more weight isn't a nobrainer. HAE29 is even lighter than AM3. Plenty of reasons for the Ioptron as I see it.

[@AstroWithRoRo]

There's certainly a lot of competition in this space now which is great for customers. The HAE29 is smaller and lighter than the AM5, it's in between the AM5 and my RST-135 for both weight and size. It will be interesting to see how the AM3 compares though! I think local pricing & brand awareness will play into buying decisions heavily on these.

[@saschamoritz1446]

Here in Germany, it's more like: 620€ more for the AM5.... so the HAE29 is very attractive

[@yetiman5752]

@@saschamoritz1446 Especially if you need buy an Asiair to get all AM5 features and need to have an expensive ZWO camera. So the bill for a ZWO mount would be much muchjexpensive