kraman63

On 18/11/2021 at 20:47, Dean Hale said:

May as well create a thread for the CEM26. No doubt i'll have many more questions to ask in addition to the two below. Hopefully other owners chip in with any tips, thoughts, opinions.

I used to have an AZ-GTI which was fantastic however needed something that would hold around 6KG so so opted for the CEM26 (up to 11.8KG) my first EQ mount. 

Some users (not on SGL) have commented on the CEM26 and backlash issues. Reading further it's seems to be a simple fix of tightening a couple of grub screws. The Facebook group has a slightly different perspective and seems to have quite a few positive reviews and tips. So added to the basket and purchased.

To the mount itself. Looks solid. Good quality materials used, nice look and feel. Very quiet in operation. Nice touch on the tripod to have vibration pads included.

I will upgrade the saddle to the ADM version just for the added security and it would have been nice to have a holder included for the hand controller. At the moment using some hook and loop velcro. Luckily FLO sell a bracket.

My inexperience so not a criticism of the hand controller.  It took a little getting used to owing to the 80s Casio screen - but finding my way around.

Humped it up three flights of stairs to the attic where my computer is to update the firmware and do some rough testing. The mount head may be classed as light at 4.5kg but after then bringing up the mount, the accessories and tripod i needed a breather. I think next time i'll bring the computer downstairs.

Setup was pretty painless. The most time taken was re-learning how to use a PC to update the software (shudder) owing to me being a mac user.

• Upgraded the firmware 1st attempt
• Installed the iPolar software (it works but never polar aligned, shall try when a clear night arrives)
• Connected to the ASIAIR Plus 1st attempt. Just plug in the cable from the handset to a ASIAIR USB port. Works great no more pointing to the ground when selecting send to home etc.
• Balancing a 460mm scope was a cinch, the StellaMira a little more tricky - RA fine just the DEC, maybe a couple of minutes but think that's due to my inexperience.

So far very pleased with the mount and initial worries using an EQ are unfounded. Let's see if its still the case when used in the wild.

And onto my questions -

1. I cannot connect to SkySafari pro. Has anyone done this? I've tried both iOptron CEM/iEQ and CEM120 as suggested on the SkySafari forum however no luck.
2. Twice when switching on the mount the Hand Controller has shown the error 'communication failure'. If i unplug and plug back in all ok. Just wondering if this has happened to others?

Obligatory photos. Looking a little dark. I may have to add some colour.

Cheers

Hi, 

I recently bought the Cem26 with iPolar. Am having issues trying to connect the Mount to Laptop. The Commander is showing me the port #, but when I click OK to connect it shows an error “cannot find any supported iOptron devices”. I am able to upgrade the firmware on the same port though. I have tried all the suggestions given by support but not sure where I am going wrong. Any one faced this before?
thanks