Freedom from cumbersome counterweights and shaft is here!

Introducing the HEM44 and the HEM44EC, iOptron’s latest revolutionary hybrid strain wave gear mounts. These light weight, compact, medium payload titans will deliver an astronomy experience like never before. Imagine a mount head weighing in at 13.65lbs with a payload capability 44lbs, without needing a cumbersome counterweight or shaft. Applying iOptron’s multi-decade experience creating precision mounts, the HEM44 brings this vision to reality.

Utilizing state of the art strain wave gear technology for the RA movement in tandem with backlash-free DEC worm/belt drive design, the HEM44s 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).

A HEM44 mount can be controlled by a computer, either via ASCOM/Commander for a Windows PC or a third party INDI driver for a MacOS software; a SmartPhone/Tablet via iOptron Commander Lite or an App like SkySafari; or a Raspberry Pi device via INDI driver.

The HEM44EC features a high precision RA axis encoder that delivers incredible tracking accuracy, enough that many will choose to image “sans” guiding.

HEM44 mounts with low latitude range (0~22 degree) are available via special order.

Learn more about HEM44 mount

Features

Advanced strain wave drive technology
Payload capacity of 20 kg (44 lbs) with the mount weight of 6.2 kg (13.65 lbs)
CNC machined
Unique friction brake to safely stop movement during a planned or unplanned power interruption
270 second gear period
Go2Nova® hand controller with ~212,000 object database
iPolar electronic polar scope for easy and accurate polar alignment
Cable management system, no hanging exterior cables to moving parts
Dual saddle (Vixen and Losmandy-D styles)
Built in zero position search and locator
Power down position and location memory
Integrated ST-4 autoguiding port
Built-in Wi-Fi (via hand controller)
USB port for firmware upgrade and computer control
Aluminum carrying case
Two year warranty

Specifications

HEM44

Mount	Hybrid Strain Wave Equatorial Mount
RA gear system	StrainWave
DEC gear system	Backlash-free worm/belt system
RA reduction ratio	800:1 (SWG 160:1, Sync belt 5:1)
Payload w/o CW *	44 lbs (20 kg)
Mount weight	13lbs (5.9kg) w/o dovetail saddle 13.65lbs (6.2kg) with dovetail saddle
Payload/Mount weight	3.23
Payload with CW*	55 lbs (25kg)
Period	270 second
Drive motor	Stepper motor
Structure Material	All metal, CNC machined
Exterior finish	Anodized black
Latitude adjustment range	15º ~ 65º
Azimuth adjustment range	± 6º
Polar scope	No
Level indicator	Level bubble
Control system	GOTONOVA/Commander
Hand controller	Go2Nova® 8409 with ~212,000 objects database
Tracking	Automatic
Maximum slew speed	4.5º/sec
Power consumption	0.6A(Tracking), 1.2A(GOTO)
Power	DC12V-5A (5.5/2.5mm DC plug)
AC adapter	100V ~ 240V (included, indoor use only)
Cable	No moving/wrapping
Cable management	2X12V (4A max.), 1X USB2.0
Power off brake	Electronic friction brake
Power-down memory	Yes
Wi-Fi	Built-in
Communication port	Yes (Wi-Fi and USB, via HC)
Autoguide port	Yes (ST-4 compatible)
Firmware upgrade	Yes
Dovetail saddle	Vixen & Losmandy
Tripod	Optional
Counterweight Shaft	SS Φ20X200mm, M16 thread (Optional)
Counterweight	10 lbs (4.5kg)(Optional)
Operation temperature	-20ºC ~ 40ºC (hand controller -10ºC ~ 40ºC)
Warranty	Two year limited

HEM44 with iPolar

Mount	Hybrid Strain Wave Equatorial Mount
RA gear system	StrainWave
DEC gear system	Backlash-free worm/belt system
RA reduction ratio	800:1 (SWG 160:1, Sync belt 5:1)
Payload w/o CW *	44 lbs (20 kg)
Mount weight	13lbs (5.9kg) w/o dovetail saddle 13.65lbs (6.2kg) with dovetail saddle
Payload/Mount weight	3.23
Payload with CW*	55 lbs (25kg)
Period	270 second
Drive motor	Stepper motor
Structure Material	All metal, CNC machined
Exterior finish	Anodized black
Latitude adjustment range	15º ~ 65º
Azimuth adjustment range	± 6º
Polar Scope	iPolar electronic polar scope
Level indicator	Level bubble
Control system	GOTONOVA/Commander
Hand Controller	Go2Nova® 8409 with ~212,000 objects database
Tracking	Automatic
Maximum slew speed	4.5º/sec
Power consumption	0.6A(Tracking), 1.2A(GOTO)
Power	DC12V-5A (5.5/2.5mm DC plug)
AC adapter	100V ~ 240V (included, indoor use only)
Cable	No moving/wrapping
Cable management	2X12V (4A max.), 1X USB2.0
Power off brake	Electronic friction brake
Power-down memory	Yes
Wi-Fi	Built-in
Communication port	Yes (Wi-Fi and USB, via HC)
Autoguide port	Yes (ST-4 compatible)
Firmware upgrade	Yes
Dovetail saddle	Vixen & Losmandy
Tripod	Optional
Counterweight Shaft	SS Φ20X200mm, M16 thread (Optional)
Counterweight	10 lbs (4.5kg)(Optional)
Operation temperature	-20ºC ~ 40ºC (hand controller -10ºC ~ 40ºC)
Warranty	Two year limited

HEM44 with High Precision Encoder

Mount	Hybrid Strain Wave Equatorial Mount
RA gear system	StrainWave
DEC gear system	Backlash-free worm/belt system
RA reduction ratio	800:1 (SWG 160:1, Sync belt 5:1)
Payload w/o CW *	44 lbs (20 kg)
Mount weight	13lbs (5.9kg) w/o dovetail saddle 13.65lbs (6.2kg) with dovetail saddle
Payload/Mount weight	3.23
Payload with CW *	55 lbs (25 kg)
Period	270 second
Drive motor	Stepper motor
Structure Material	All metal, CNC machined
Exterior finish	Anodized black
High precision encoder	Yes (RA)
PEC	Yes, Realtime PEC
Latitude adjustment range	15º ~ 65º
Azimuth adjustment range	± 6º
Polar Scope	iPolar electronic polar scope
Level indicator	Level bubble
Control system	GOTONOVA/Commander
Hand Controller	Go2Nova® 8409 with ~212,000 objects database
Tracking	Automatic
Maximum slew speed	4.5º/sec
Power consumption	0.6A(Tracking), 1.2A(GOTO)
Power	DC12V-5A (5.5/2.5mm DC plug)
AC adapter	100V ~ 240V (included, indoor use only)
Cable	No moving/wrapping
Cable management	2X12V (4A max.), 1X USB2.0
Power off brake	Electronic friction brake
Power-down memory	Yes
Wi-Fi	Built-in
Communication port	Yes (Wi-Fi and USB, via HC)
Autoguide port	Yes (ST-4 compatible)
Firmware upgrade	Yes
Dovetail saddle	Vixen & Losmandy
Tripod	Optional
Counterweight Shaft	SS Φ20X200mm, M16 thread (Optional)
Counterweight	10 lbs (4.5kg)(Optional)
Operation temperature	-20ºC ~ 40ºC (hand controller -10ºC ~ 40ºC)
Warranty	Two year limited