Ioptron CEM25P vs HEQ5

[Maho]

Hi all,

Newbie here.

I've been awaiting for a HEQ5 to come into stock for ages now but due to Covid it looks like it will be sometime before they come back into stock. I've missed out of some on the second hand market, which sold in a matter of minutes.

I have an option to purchase the Ioptron CEM25P and wondered how it compared to the HEQ5 Pro in terms of performance and ease of use. Essentially, the pros vs cons of each mount. I understand that it's discontinued, but are there any risks associated with purchasing discontinued products, even if bought new?

I have a Skywatcher 130PDS.

 

Many thanks

 

[szymon]

If you're getting a good price I would go for it.  The CEM25P is as you say discontinued, but I am sure that it will be supported for a good while yet.  It has a good reputation and it is very lightweight compared to other options.  Also, if you find you want a different mount in future it will be trivial to sell on.  If you're not going to get it please DM me a link so that I can do so 😉

[Maho]

Just ordered now from FLO.

Edited September 4, 2020 by Maho
smiley

[Ouroboros]

Funny. I thought the CEM25s weren’t available anymore. 

[Maho]

I believe they ordered a large shipment when they heard it was being discontinued.

Edited September 4, 2020 by Maho

[Ouroboros]

54 minutes ago, Maho said:

I believe they ordered a large shipment when they heard it was being discontinued.

I see.  That presumably explains why they’re available on FLO now but not available on the iOptron website. 

[gilesco]

Just now, Ouroboros said:

I see.  That presumably explains why they’re available on FLO now but not available on the iOptron website. 

I think they ordered what was available, because this mount just doesn't have a replacement in its class. The CEM40 is significantly more, and also slightly heavier (although still lighter than a lot of mounts).

I wonder what replacement might fill the gap that the CEM25P will leave...

[Ouroboros]

I don’t know. It would be nice to know if it was something really interesting. I’m shopping around at the moment for a more portable mount.