iOptron CEM26EC Center Balanced go-to mount with high precision encoders, iPolar, hard case, 1.75" LiteRoc tripod

The iOptron CEM26EC center-balanced go-to equatorial mount has high precision optical encoders for a periodic error of less than 0.3 arc seconds RMS. It is light weight, easy to transport, whisper quiet, and uses up to 60% less go-to power than other mounts in its category. All of which makes it ideal for serious astrophotography at remote dark sky sites.

The iOptron "Z" design mount puts the weight of the payload over the mount's center of gravity, allowing for greater natural stability. Given its payload capacity, this means the "Z" designed mount is unusually light, a nice benefit when transporting and setting up at a remote observing site. The mount features a very stable tripod with 1.75" stainless steel legs. An adjustable counterweight bar that allows low latitude use without the counterweight hitting the tripod. And polar aligning is quick and accessible all the time since the polar scope is not blocked by the declination shaft.

The iOptron CEM26EC is equipped with the latest advanced GOTONOVA go-to technology, making it one of the most powerful and accurate go-to mounts available. Its go-to database includes over 212,000 objects. The hand control is intuitive to use and its large 4-line LCD screen simplifies the process of aligning your scope on the night sky and locating objects.

The iOptron CEM26EC features a new design center-balanced CEM26 equatorial mount for a maximum payload of 26 lbs (11.8 kg), with mount-only weight of only 10.4 lbs (4.7 kg). It has a spring loaded gear system with customer-adjustable loading force. Gear switches on both R.A. and DEC axes allow easy balancing when disengaged. A pivoting counterweight shaft allows for 0º latitude operation. There is a spring loaded Vixen-style saddle for mounting optical tubes with a V-style dovetail mounting bar.

The included iOptron iPolar electronic polar scope has dark-field illumination and an easy polar alignment procedure, allowing for fast and accurate polar alignment. There is also a polar alignment routine in the software for those who can't see the Pole Star.

The iOptron mount's stepper motor has low power consumption for extended use in the field. The drive has inherently low periodic error (< ± 10 arc seconds) to begin with. High precision optical encoders, combined with new electronics and a control adapter from the more than twice as expensive iOptron CEM70 cut that already low periodic error to an astonishing

The tripod weighs a mere 13 lbs (6kg), for situations where mount weight is an important consideration. It has 1.75" diameter stainless steel tripod legs, with a die-cast metal tripod spreader and accessory tray. A hard case for the equatorial head is standard.