Hey. Just bought a refurbished CEM60EC like you recommended. Really looking forward to using a mount I can relay in Bortle 6 skys (My CCD needs some long exposures to get to it's Mean ADU). Thanks for the video 🙂
Hi, John Appreciate the video.....glad you also touched on its faults, btw. The video is timely for me because I'm at the decision point of pulling the trigger and purchasing it. So, I'm already significantly incined in that direction. Do want too know, though, almost 4 mos later, anything you'd be willing to share...especially if it's a significant change in your mount. I've read all the todo about the encoders, but I tend to take unguided images especially when it's just for EAA......and only have a few minutes in the evening to enjoy the skies. Back to work early, so......... Let me know, please. Look forward to your response, either way. Al
Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm looking for a new mont and considering a iOptron CEM60. What is your experience with the three-star alignment? I have read in some forums that the CEM60 would seem imprecise in positioning the three stars for alignment, although once done manually then the goto is correct. However, I consider this aspect important especially if the alignment is not done visually but with the ccd mounted and therefore with a relatively small field. Thank you.
I have aa C14 on the CEM60EC mount (which has RA encoder) Do you know what PHD2 algorithm I should use with the encoder? Would I be better off to turn the encoder off and allow PHD2 to correct for both mount axis errors? I am running at F7 with the ZWO071MCpro camera at bin2 and off axis guider ZWO290mm mini. Thanks
Thank you for the review. I really want the EC version, but $1,300 more? Difficult decision. Is it possible to get 4 minute subs without an auto-guider?
Thank you for the video. Can this mount be run directly from a computer without going thru the hand controller? A bit like eqmod with the EQ6 and a shoestring cable? Thank you!
Ha El , yes, you can fully computer control the scope using the same kind of cable. That’s how I run it. IOptron’s version of Eqmod is called iOptron Commander and it works great.
Christopher, I may have misspoken there or forgotten. I don’t know of a non-tool way to work the az knob other than just gripping it with your hands. That works, just takes more effort and isn’t as precise. Maybe someone had hacked together a replacement knob that’s easier, but I’m not aware of it.
Thank you for very instructive video. I would like ask you for your judgement... I just bought new CEM 60 EC and I am testing it. Unfortunately, the tracking (SDRL) noise sound not so good for me. I just placed video on my UA-cam channel. Could you look at and hear this noise ? Is it normal ? Produce your CEM60EC same noise ? I carefully red Instruction manual and tried to adjust it with Gear switch knob, but this adjustment has no influence on this noise. Please be so kind and give your feedback. Many thanks in advance.
I watched your video. I don't have the same noise on mine. Mine is not completely silent, but the noise I have is very quiet and very smooth, more like an electronic whine. I don't know what is causing yours or if it means that the mount has a problem.
Thanks a lot for the video John. One year later, have you found a good solution to the USB 3.0 question? I am asking because I have an older version of the CEM60 and I am considering upgrading the USB ports to USB 3.0 in the USB hub, but as the port on the input panel is USB B 2.0, I'd like to know if a USB B 3.0 would fit in there if I cut out the input panel to the correct shape.
Come Raczy I actually use the Pocket Powerbox Advanced from Pegasus Astro for both power and USB3 and bypass the onboard connections of the mount. The onboard stuff is nice in theory, but I found I needed more power and better usb flexibility, so I don’t use it. I still like the mechanics of the mount though, and I enjoy it just fine.
I don’t recommend it. 24kg comes out to over 50 pounds. Since the Cem60 is rated for 60 pounds, it can probably handle the weight, but I don’t think it would be stable enough for 2-3 minute exposures. The Cem 120 is the equivalent mount for that kind of payload.
orlando007 even with a guidescope I don’t think it will track well with that much weight on it. The rule of thumb for astrophotography is up to 1/2 the stated payload is usually what works well for long exposure guided. Beyond that, most mounts struggle with the minor corrections needed for guiding.
"sometimes you spend the extra money so you don't have to think about it' . YES, YES , YES ,,, well said!
Hey. Just bought a refurbished CEM60EC like you recommended. Really looking forward to using a mount I can relay in Bortle 6 skys (My CCD needs some long exposures to get to it's Mean ADU). Thanks for the video 🙂
Hi, John
Appreciate the video.....glad you also touched on its faults, btw.
The video is timely for me because I'm at the decision point of pulling the trigger and purchasing it. So, I'm already significantly incined in that direction.
Do want too know, though, almost 4 mos later, anything you'd be willing to share...especially if it's a significant change in your mount. I've read all the todo about the encoders, but I tend to take unguided images especially when it's just for EAA......and only have a few minutes in the evening to enjoy the skies. Back to work early, so.........
Let me know, please. Look forward to your response, either way.
Al
Hats off, very nice and informative review!
Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm looking for a new mont and considering a iOptron CEM60. What is your experience with the three-star alignment? I have read in some forums that the CEM60 would seem imprecise in positioning the three stars for alignment, although once done manually then the goto is correct. However, I consider this aspect important especially if the alignment is not done visually but with the ccd mounted and therefore with a relatively small field. Thank you.
I have aa C14 on the CEM60EC mount (which has RA encoder) Do you know what PHD2 algorithm I should use with the encoder? Would I be better off to turn the encoder off and allow PHD2 to correct for both mount axis errors? I am running at F7 with the ZWO071MCpro camera at bin2 and off axis guider ZWO290mm mini. Thanks
Great video, thanks.
They have a second gen CEM60EC. Is this the second gen? Because they say it has .3 rms error.
Thank you for the review. I really want the EC version, but $1,300 more? Difficult decision. Is it possible to get 4 minute subs without an auto-guider?
I think so. You’d need good polar alignment and a focal length that can handle .5 arc second PE, but after that, it should be solid.
Thank you for the video. Can this mount be run directly from a computer without going thru the hand controller? A bit like eqmod with the EQ6 and a shoestring cable? Thank you!
Ha El , yes, you can fully computer control the scope using the same kind of cable. That’s how I run it. IOptron’s version of Eqmod is called iOptron Commander and it works great.
Thank you.
Hi Lazy Astronomy, you said on the Alt knob others have come with a no tool solution, could you link that info? Thank you John!
Christopher, I may have misspoken there or forgotten. I don’t know of a non-tool way to work the az knob other than just gripping it with your hands. That works, just takes more effort and isn’t as precise. Maybe someone had hacked together a replacement knob that’s easier, but I’m not aware of it.
Thank you for very instructive video. I would like ask you for your judgement... I just bought new CEM 60 EC and I am testing it. Unfortunately, the tracking (SDRL) noise sound not so good for me. I just placed video on my UA-cam channel. Could you look at and hear this noise ? Is it normal ? Produce your CEM60EC same noise ? I carefully red Instruction manual and tried to adjust it with Gear switch knob, but this adjustment has no influence on this noise. Please be so kind and give your feedback. Many thanks in advance.
I watched your video. I don't have the same noise on mine. Mine is not completely silent, but the noise I have is very quiet and very smooth, more like an electronic whine. I don't know what is causing yours or if it means that the mount has a problem.
@@lazyastronomy3348 Thank you very much for your feedback. I very appreciate it. Clier Skies
Thanks a lot for the video John. One year later, have you found a good solution to the USB 3.0 question? I am asking because I have an older version of the CEM60 and I am considering upgrading the USB ports to USB 3.0 in the USB hub, but as the port on the input panel is USB B 2.0, I'd like to know if a USB B 3.0 would fit in there if I cut out the input panel to the correct shape.
Come Raczy I actually use the Pocket Powerbox Advanced from Pegasus Astro for both power and USB3 and bypass the onboard connections of the mount. The onboard stuff is nice in theory, but I found I needed more power and better usb flexibility, so I don’t use it. I still like the mechanics of the mount though, and I enjoy it just fine.
What happened? Like 7min of no video lol. Great video though
Oops! I left some of the cut pieces way at the end apparently. I've trimmed them up and the video should be refreshing shortly. Thanks!
Thanks you i got a question i want to buy the cem 60 and i am wondering if i can do long exposure with a setup that weight 24kg
I don’t recommend it. 24kg comes out to over 50 pounds. Since the Cem60 is rated for 60 pounds, it can probably handle the weight, but I don’t think it would be stable enough for 2-3 minute exposures. The Cem 120 is the equivalent mount for that kind of payload.
Lazy Astronomy thanks i got it but 2-3 min with guidescope or without? Because i have a guidescope
orlando007 even with a guidescope I don’t think it will track well with that much weight on it. The rule of thumb for astrophotography is up to 1/2 the stated payload is usually what works well for long exposure guided. Beyond that, most mounts struggle with the minor corrections needed for guiding.