HEM44

Experience astronomy like never before with the HEM44 mount from iOptron!

These revolutionary hybrid strain wave gear mounts are compact, lightweight, and capable of supporting medium payloads of up to 44lbs – all without the need for cumbersome counterweights or shafts. With its 13.65lb mount head and state-of-the-art strain wave gear technology for RA movement, combined with a backlash-free DEC worm/belt drive design, the HEM44 delivers unparalleled efficiency.

Strain Wave Technology

Harmonic drive or strain wave mounts offer several advantages over typical worm gear mounts for telescopes:

1. Improved accuracy: Harmonic drive mounts use a flexible metal wave generator and a rigid ring gear to transmit torque. This design provides high accuracy and reduced backlash compared to worm gear mounts, which can have play or slop in their gears.
2. Higher Load Capacity: Harmonic drive mounts can handle higher loads and have a higher load capacity compared to worm gear mounts, making them ideal for use with heavy telescopes.
3. Higher Speed: Harmonic drive mounts can rotate faster than worm gear mounts, providing quicker and smoother tracking of celestial objects.
4. Quieter Operation: The smooth operation of harmonic drive mounts generates less noise compared to the meshing gears in worm gear mounts, making them ideal for use in quiet observing locations.
5. Longer Life Span: The lack of physical contact between gears in harmonic drive mounts leads to reduced wear and tear, extending the life of the mount compared to worm gear mounts.

Overall, harmonic drive or strain wave mounts offer improved accuracy, higher load capacity, higher speed, quieter operation, and longer life compared to worm gear mounts, making them an attractive option for use in high-end telescopes.

The black anodized, all-metal CNC machined body not only looks great but is built to last. Unique features like an electronic friction break and power down memory ensure your mount remains safe and secure during power loss or sudden slews. Control your HEM44 mount using a computer, smartphone/tablet, or even a Raspberry Pi device!

iPolar Version

iOptron‘s iPolar system is an electronic polar scope designed to aid astronomers in aligning their telescopes accurately to the North Celestial Pole.

High Precision Encoder (EC) Version

The HEM44EC takes it to the next level with its high precision RA axis encoder, delivering incredible tracking accuracy that will make guiding a thing of the past. The high precision Right Ascension (RA) axis encoder in iOptron EC mounts operates by measuring the rotational position of the RA axis with high accuracy. The encoder typically consists of a disk with evenly spaced markings and a sensor that reads the position of these marks as the axis rotates. The information gathered by the sensor is then processed by the mount’s control system to determine the precise position of the RA axis. As the mount tracks celestial objects, the control system uses the information from the RA encoder to make small adjustments to the axis position in real-time, ensuring that the object remains precisely centered in the field of view. The high precision of the encoder allows the mount to make these adjustments accurately and smoothly, resulting in improved tracking performance and reduced error.

Get ready to experience a new level of astronomy with the HEM44 mounts!