iOptron HEM27 GoTo Mount with iPolar up to 13.5 kg

iOPtron HEM27 with iPolar - a revolutionary hybrid harmonic drive mount

These light weight, high payload mounts will deliver an performance like never before. Imagine a mount head weighing in at 3.7 kg with a payload capability 13.5 kg, without needing a cumbersome counterweight. Applying iOptron´s multi decade experience creating precision mounts, the HEM27 brings this to reality.

Utilizing state of the art harmonic drive technology for the RA movement in tandem with backlash-free DEC worm/belt drive design, the HEM27s deliver unparalleled weight to payload efficiency. Its black anodized all metal CNC machined body is not only appealing to the eye, it´s a rugged platform that will perform at the highest level for many years to come. Unique features such as an electronic friction break and power down memory allow the mount safely stop and resume a GoTo slew or continue tracking even after an abrupt power loss (No need to realign and start from the beginning).

Weight only 3.7 kg
Although the carrying capacity is 13.5 kg, the mount weighs only 3.7 kg. It is very compact and easy to transport. The lighter the mount is, the more often it will be used.

No counterweights required
No counterweights are required even when fully loaded. This is especially convenient for mobile observing.

Balancing unnecessary
Mounts with worm gear drives are sensitive to balance. The HEM27, on the other hand, does not need to be rebalanced when you change cameras, for example.

Strain Wave Gear (Harmonic Drive)
Instead of worm gears, a new type of reducer called strain wave gear (harmonic drive) is used. Almost no backlash and no maintenance is required. As it is widely used in industrial robots, it is very durable.



iPolar, the electronic polar finder
The mount features the iPolar integrated electronic polar finder scope. The polar finder ensures accurate alignment of a telescope even when Polaris is obscured.

HEM and HAE mounts do not have GPS, but they do have WiFi:
The mount does not have a GPS module. The location information can be easily synchronized with Commander Lite for iOS or AOS.

When designing the HEM and HAE series, iOptron judged between WiFi and GPS, and chose WiFi instead of GPS. When Commander or Commander Lite is in use (WiFi version ASCOM), a GPS module is unnecessary; you can simply transfer the GPS information from a smartphone to the mount/hand controller. There are no problems with lack of internet, WiFi or cell phone signals in rural areas; Commander Lite can always transfer GPS information from a smartphone to the HEM/HAE mount/hand controller.

Testimonial from a satisfied customer

After using an HEQ5 for several years, which I had already tuned with the Rowan belt set shortly after purchase, I have been looking for a mount since 2021 that I can easily take with me on vacation (by car).
I started with an AZ-GTI, which was a great fit for my 61EDPH, but was already at its limit with the Skymax 127 and could no longer handle my 102mm TS Photoline (with accessories approx. 5kg) photographically.
The second attempt was an EQ5 SynScan Pro, but I wasn´t satisfied with it because it was still quite heavy and didn´t work well mechanically (even after removing the Chinese adhesive grease).
After much deliberation, I decided on the HEM27A as a travel mount. Of course, it was considerably more expensive than all the previous ones, but I haven´t regretted the decision for a second.
The HEM27A is mechanically very well made, not only very light but also very quiet. With a weight of only 3.7 kg, it can carry up to 13.5 kg according to the data sheet.

By the way, I can only strongly recommend the built-in iPolar, especially since the mount with iPolar is hardly more expensive than without.
After a polar alignment with the built-in iPolar, I no longer do any star alignment at all, yet the mount has always approached everything so precisely that in 80% of cases it can be seen on the sensor of the ASI533 immediately after the first slew and one or two centering operations using plate solving have centered the object perfectly. However, plate solving always centers the object perfectly even if it is not immediately on the sensor.
The Windows program "Commander" for controlling directly from the PC is very convenient (similar to EQMOD) but offers a number of nice additional features such as "Search Zero Position", several parking positions, e.g. even one that you can define yourself, a button "Sync Time from PC" and much more. Unlike EQMOD, the PC is connected to the handbox via a normal USB cable. So even when connected to the PC via "Commander", you can work manually with the handbox at the same time, e.g. correct the position when using it visually.
All in all, ist´s a great mount, not just for vacation.

Addition:
Since I absolutely want to operate the mount without counterweights and also want to protect it, I didn´t want to photographically operate my 127mm triplet APO and my 8" RC, which I use at home, on it, since both already weigh around 10kg with all attachments.
That´s why I´ve now bought the slightly larger H442A for my home and sold my HEQ5 (which is actually working very well). The H422A (own weight 6.2kg) is with 20kg maximum load according to the data sheet then also for my 127mm triplet APO and my 8" RC still far from the load limit and without counterweights should even carry a 150mm refractor like the TSAPO150F8 without any problems, which should then be about 12kg with attachments. I can even easily carry the H442 from the garage to the terrace with my 70 years, including stainless steel tripod and 30cm extension between tripod and mount. The HEM27A sits on a 25cm extension on a Vixen ALU tripod and I can even carry it out with an 80mm triplet APO attached. Simply attach the power supply, attach the camera and off you go. A real grab´n´go solution.

Jürgen

Safety informations: PDF Download