iOptron CEM60 Advanced - On it's way

[Jkulin]

Well after doing my research and coming to the conclusion that I really couldn't afford to buy a 10micron GM1000hps, I did some further research and at every corner the iOptron CEM60 Advanced ticked all the boxes, so I have bit the bullet and ordered one from Ian at Altair Astro, although there were cheaper CEM60's in Europe, Ian tempted me with a few extras that made it impossible to turn down.

https://www.ioptron.com/product-p/7201.htm

The technical specs seem to indicate a rather special mount: -

Reading around, although acknowledged to be not quite as good as the 10Micron, which would come at just under £8K the CEM60 looks like it will come in at around £2.8K, I couldn't find any negative reports, the only word of caution was that as it uses magnets and frictionless clutches that you had to be careful when balancing as it could swing totally free and potentially damage your equipment, so as long as you didn't let it swing freely it really is reported as a very good mount.

I have a triple slip disc which makes it very difficult to lift so I had to get something that wasn't going to cripple me (let alone my bank account) so at 12.3Kg's this is lighter than my AZ-EQ-GT which is reported as weighing 15.4Kg and it's carrying capacity is 27.2Kg's, I very much doubt that I will go larger than a 10" OTA, especially considering the light pollution in my area.

I decided to go with the enhanced version which although about a grand more than the standard unit, I felt the addition of the encoders was a worthwhile investment.

Another advantage was that on my pier I am using an Altair Astro pier adapter, that will also accommodate the CEM60, thus saving me having to have my pier modified ?

Ian at Altair reckons that he sold another two this morning and has enough to put an order into the factory and I should take possession in about 7-10days.

I had a number of questions for Ian, and wanted to understand the interface with my laptop as I have been spoilt with the simplicity of the Lynx Astro FTDI EQDIR USB Adapter as I really didn't want to go over to using R232 port and ST4 guiding.

Ian assured my that the interface is through the built in USB hub and the proprietary software "Commander"

Another thing which I liked about this mount is that it retains the capacity to use my QHY Polemaster and Ian is going to sort an adapter for me.

I'm just waiting for Ian to confirm the exact price and then I will be itching to get my hands on it.

I'll report back when I have it, does anyone else have one of these mounts and can advise about it?

[Ken_nneth]

Congratulation, already got mine, but I chose to go without EC. Looks good but have not tried it yet. Think we will enjoy these, the PE test looks good.

[r3i]

Congratulations - always an exciting time when a new mount arrives.  Please post a review at some stage on how you get on with it.

I like the look of its bigger brother the CEM120 which has recently come onto the market - maybe tempted when I finally retire whenever that may be.

[Jkulin]

Right, Ian tells me that I should have my new mount next week, can anyone advise how they are interfacing it through their laptop.

I wrote to iOptron last night, but apart from an acknowledgement haven't had a reply, this was part of the message I sent them, can anyone give me a clearer answer, as unless absolutely necessary I don't want to use the handset, but acknowledge that it might be essential: -

I have the following already: -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/StarTech-com-USB-Serial-RS232-Adapter/dp/B000067SNB/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1528479079&sr=8-1&keywords=icusb232

And will be interfacing through my laptop that does not have any serial ports on board, however amongst my collection of cables and adapters I have the following: -

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/astronomy-cables-leads-accessories/lynx-astro-ftdi-eqdir-usb-adapter-for-sky-watcher-eq6-or-neq6-syntrek-pro-mounts.html

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/astronomy-cables-leads-accessories/lynx-astro-rs232-serial-cable-for-sky-watcher-mounts.html

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/astronomy-cables-leads-accessories/lynx-astro-ftdi-eqdir-usb-adapter-for-sky-watcher-eq5-pro-heq5-syntrek-pro-az-eq5-gt-az-eq6-gt-and-eq8-mounts.html

I would like to be able to operate the mount without going through the handset, would any of the above cable work even with a small adaption or would you not recommend it?

Am I going to be duplicating anything by ordering your cable:  - http://www.ioptron.com/product-p/8412.htm

I use Cartes du Ciel for controlling my slewing and targets and do that through the Ascom interface.

I have been researching everywhere I can, but can't get a definitive answer.

Any help would be welcome, thanks.

[Davey-T]

I use a standard RS232 / USB FTDI adapter on the iEQ45 and use the ASCOM driver to pulse guide with Artemis Capture, see no reason it can't be run on any ASCOM compliant software.

Dave

[Jkulin]

Thanks Dave, I have this https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000067SNB?tag=stargloung-21

Do I just ignore that and use this straight through https://www.firstlightoptics.com/astronomy-cables-leads-accessories/lynx-astro-ftdi-eqdir-usb-adapter-for-sky-watcher-eq6-or-neq6-syntrek-pro-mounts.html

Have you got a link to the cable you use?

As there doesn't appear to be a 9pin socket on the mount are you using an rj45 connection direct into you laptop if so how are you connecting it?

 

[Davey-T]

If there is no DSUB socket on the mount then you need a cable with an RJ plug of some sort to USB via a USB / RS232 converter.

I'd have hoped that iOptron would list something suitable.

Dave

[Jkulin]

Thanks Dave,

I think impatience is not one of my virtues and I should probably wait until it arrives.

[GraemeC]

how did you get on?

[Jkulin]

Hi Graeme, I did a review here: -

I am trying to work with FTDI in Glasgow to resolve the Cable/RS232 improvement, so hopefully will know soon.