iOptron HAZ31 Alt-Az Strain Wave Mount

iOptronSKU: HZ312

Price:
Sale price$2,791 CAD
Stock:
Back-Ordered - Place an Order to Reserve Yours, Otherwise Enter Your Email Address Further Below to be Notified When it's Back in Stock.      Click Here to ask us about back-ordered product availability

Customer Reviews

Based on 1 review
0%
(0)
100%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
D
David Silburt
A few quirks but very very good

Telescopes Canada had the best price for this, and delivery was fast and efficient. I love this thing. The HAZ31 is very compact, solid and precision made. It comes in a nice foamed transport case. The manual is only available online, and it is inadequate. But I subtracted a rating star not for the documentation but because the 'Level and Go' marketing claim, for mine at least, was false. Still, the mount works splendidly, although buyers should know about the following quirks, which I report here because I am the servant of Truth. These issues may or may not affect any other example of the HAZ31.

First, the bubble level on mine was useless. No matter how it was adjusted, when the bubble was centered in one orientation, slewing the mount made it vary wildly. The solution was to remove it and cast it far away into outer darkness, which left a nice flat spot on top of the mount to rest a phone with a properly calibrated level app to use instead.

Second, my mount auto-aligned itself way off by about 45 degrees in azimuth, and the reason is most likely that its magnetometer compass is not shielded from the drive motors. If you bring a real compass close to the mount while it's on, that too shows a wrong reading by the same amount. Without a proper compass reading the automatic alignment software is unable to do its mojo. I suspect iOptron knows about this because their manual says 'if the Alignment Wizard produces poor results, do this instead...' and then describes the alternate procedure.

Which turns out to be faster and better. Use a hand compass or phone app, clear of the mount, to align the saddle plate to the West. Then raise the OTA to vertical with the scope capped and place your level on the cap to verify it's pointed straight up. You then set this position as the zero point using the hand control, pick an alignment star, use Select and Slew followed by Sync To Target, and Bob's yer uncle.

The third issue pertains to use of the Wi-Fi with Sky Safari V7. That software's instructions say to use the Sky Safari preset for iOptron's earlier Alt-Az mount, the Az Mount Pro. In my case this did not work, despite being the given procedure. The effective procedure is to complete a star alignment first with the hand control, then try the other iOptron presets in SS7 if the AZMP preset does not produce a connection. I found the iOptron CEM-120 preset worked for me. You may need to find an alternate preset as well.

My minor cavils, however, are all easily bypassed with phone apps and using the HAZ31 turns out to be a real treat. It's chunky for its size but lightweight considering it can bench 31 pounds. You can freely switch between either the hand control or your Wi-Fi control, once you set it up, at any time during a session -- handy for finding a target, then using the slow-mo arrows on the HC to prowl around.

I also like this mount because it's quiet. My previous mount, a Celestron Evolution, made a funny noise. It sounded like, 'KNOCK IT OFF OUT THERE! DECENT PEOPLE ARE TRYNA SLEEP! S'WRONG WITCHOO?' The HAZ31 doesn't make that sound. Just a thin whine as it slews, and then a barely audible ticking-over as it tracks.

So: Is this thing worth working through its little issues to use it without the Alignment Wizard? Yes. Is it worth three grand? Yes.

Kudoes to Telescopes Canada for their customer service, which helped guide me as I worked the hardware problem. You sure don't want to buy something like this from someone who doesn't have your back. Also a shout-out to Simulation Curriculum Corp., writers of Sky Safari, for their help re SS7.

David Silburt, Brampton, ON
davidsilburt.com

Description

Two exciting new Alt-Az strain wave mounts, HAZ31 and HAZ46, are added into iOptron strain wave gear mount family!

This light weight, compact, medium payload HAZ31 mount will deliver an astronomy experience like never before. With a mount head weighing in at 8.2 lbs, HAZ31 has a payload capability 31 lbs, without needing a cumbersome counterweight or shaft. HAZ mounts will support a large variety of instruments that flexibility is needed for outreach programs and satellite tracking. The multi position saddle (can be placed on top or to the side) uniquely sets up the HAZ31 to accommodate binoculars. Just turn the mount on, it will calibrate itself and GoTo the first target utilizing our time tested "Lever and Go" technology.

Utilizing state of the art strain wave gear technology for the both RA and DEC movement, the HAZ31 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 HAZ31 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.

(Actual contents may differ from the image)

Features

  • Advanced strain wave gear system technology
  • Payload capacity of 14 kg (31 lbs) with the mount weight of 3.7 kg (8.2 lbs, include dovetail saddle)
  • CNC machined
  • Unique friction brake to safely stop movement during a planned or unplanned power interruption
  • Go2Nova® hand controller with ~212,000 object database
  • Dual saddle (Vixen and Losmandy-D styles)
  • Level & Go
  • Large binocular mounting
  • Satellite tracking ready (with third party software)
  • Built in zero position search and locator
  • Power down position and location memory
  • Built-in Wi-Fi (via hand controller)
  • USB port for firmware upgrade and computer control
  • Carrying case
  • Two year warranty

      Specifications

      HAZ31

      Mount Strain Wave Altazimuth Mount
      RA gear system Strain Wave Gear
      DEC gear system Strain Wave Gear
      RA/DEC reduction ratio 480:1 (SWG 120:1, Sync belt 4:1)
      Payload* 31 lbs (14 kg)
      Mount weight 8.2 lbs (3.7 kg) with dovetail saddle
      Payload/Mount weight 3.78
      Drive motor Stepper motor
      Structure Material All metal, CNC machined
      Exterior finish Anodized black
      Level indicator Level bubble
      Control system GOTONOVA/Commander
      Hand Controller Go2Nova® 8409 with ~212,000 objects database
      Tracking Automatic
      Maximum slew speed 8º/sec
      Power consumption 0.6A(Tracking), 1A(GOTO)
      Power DC12V-5A (5.5/2.5mm DC plug)
      AC adapter 100V ~ 240V (included, indoor use only)
      Power off brake Electronic friction brake
      Power-down memory Yes
      Wi-Fi Built-in
      Communication port Yes (Wi-Fi and USB, via HC)
      Firmware upgrade Yes
      Dovetail saddle Vixen & Losmandy
      Tripod Optional
      Operation temperature -20ºC ~ 40ºC (hand controller -10ºC ~ 40ºC)
      Warranty Two year limited


      Additional Resources
      You may also like
      Recently viewed