TheSkySearchers

This past week I took delivery of the iOptron CEM 70 AG. The big difference between this mount and the vanilla first produced CEM 70s is the addition of USB3 ports all around, iPolar camera for use for the PA, and iGuide a built-in telescope with guide camera for guiding the mount. Otherwise, the mechanics are the same between the two models. It now sits atop my iOptron Tri-Pier pier and will be permanently installed in the obsy next spring.

Here are the pics so you know it happened. These last two show the iPolar scope set into the RA axis and the iGuide scope set into the saddle. Right now, obviously, it's cloudy and will be till mid-next week at the earliest. But you can expect a review on mount, iPolar, and iGuide performance as soon as I can get out there.

Cheers

Congrats JT! I hope it will serve you well.

wow , very nice setup .
cant wait for a report on it .
thx .

That is one beefy looking mount! Let's hope this one sticks around

Bob

Congratulations! Hope it exceeds expectations.

Congratulations JT. A friend of mine locally has one. His other mount is an AP1600GT. He is really impressed with the 70 and is getting 3.5" p-p PE and excellent sub arc sec guiding. I don't know which flavour of 70 he has but he's had it for more than a year and is delighted with the performance despite comparing it to the AP.

His AP1600GT carries a 12.5" RCOS in a ROR. The CEM 70 carries a Takahashi TOA150 in a small fibreglass dome that he bought 2nd hand. He uses it for wide field photography and for visual either alone or with his young kids.

Joe

Nice JT - enjoy the clouds!

Nice mount! Congrats JT!

Congratulations JT first of all but I have some questions. Isn't the CEM70 is just an upgraded CEM60? After you posted your CEM60 up for sale that you used only 6 times I couldn't resist searching for your name and CEM60. It was funny how you had it shipped to your son, have him bring it to you including the tripod pier when he visited, then use it only 6 times and upgrade, lol. Make sure he doesn't find out! Your complaints were about balancing the weight. In my experience it takes many more than 6 times to find out how a mount really works and how to get the most out of it. Balancing the G11S also has its peculiarities that are important to know. I hope it's going to be better this time around. Good luck and keep us posted.

Looking forward to a report on your new mount!!!

SSSWWEEEEEEET !
I LOOK FORWARD TO UPDATES ON THIS BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF KIT !

Awesome!

Your new mount is certainly beautiful!

I know that it feels good to have it finally. My HEQ5 Pro is due to arrive on Tuesday. Completely different playing field, but I am just as excited!

Congratulation JT! Very much looking forward to your first light!

Nice deal JT, that is a serious looking mount! Hope it serves you well and your skies clear up!

All the best,

Hi JT. What a beautiful and hefty new mount and should be great addition to your astronomy arsenal. Thanks for sharing your new equipment report and the several nice photos JT and hoping to see a first light report after your skies finally clear up.

Looks very familiar! Good luck with it! May the cloud gods be merciful.