Great video, I was wondering if the pole camera would stick out but is goes inside and you can put the dust cover back on! seems like Ioptron thought of everything! nicely done.
Thanks for your videos. I’m considering a purchase of a CEM-120 and need to decide EC or non EC version. Frankly I can purchase a non EC version now but will have to delay the purchase if I go with the EC version. I’m debating if the encoders are going to be of benefit to me as I have seen so many people post guiding stats of 0,5 - 0,9 rms with huge payloads. If that’s the norm I’m questioning if I really need the encoder or am I missing something?
Hi. The encoders effectively just reduce the periodic error, meaning it is easier to guide out any issues with the crown. However, the mounts are extremely well made anyway, so the periodic error is pretty good even without encoders. I would say that unless you are going to image at a very long focal length, or with an extremely high image resolution, then the non ec version is going to work absolutely fine so long as you are planning to guide.
3 months since your last video, 3 MONTHS :( Seems like I don’t keep nagging for more and you don’t upload them :D Really great an informative video as usual mate. This kit looks the part and a dream. Really impressive work by TS guys. Oh and the shock and horror, please do wear the simplified Astro t-shirt ;) as the kids say these days, promote the merc :)
Ha ha. Noted mate. I have been recording and reviewing kit, but unfortunately have had very little time to dedicate to editing, which is what takes most of the time. I promise to upload at least one video every 2 weeks from now. Unfortunately I forgot to pack my T-shirts, so all future videos will have the requisite uniform attire :)
Hahahaha good man. No worries mate,it’s great to see you back with you mojo and fantastic tips and reviews. Oh and if you ever need any help with the reviews, I don’t mind popping to Spain for ya :D
No polar scope was fitted. I'm not entirely sure if the newer models come with it, but this is an early model which wasn't, but you can but the mounting kit.
@@simplifiedastro2092 I believe the newer version give you the option. I curently have the CEM70 which has the iOptron version, I don't really care for. Still using my QHY Polemaster since it works great
Not in the format of a PHD2 log, George, but I have managed, with default settings, to guide at 0.4"/p RMS. I have no doubts at all that this can be improved upon with some tuning, and expect to get to circa 0.35"/p RMS or slightly better. Naturally seeing becomes the limiting factor beyond this, so if I can achieve 0.3"/p RMS I will be very happy as this reflects what I achieve with my Mesu 200. Once I have made the adjustments I will make my guide logs available for those interested.
Just to UPDATE the I-optron polar scope is now used and is the only compatible polar scope for post 2019 CEM 120's. The Polemaster apparently is not compatible with the new design.
It was this or another Mesu 200. However, as this will be used primarily remotely, the through the mount cabling and centre balance design, leaving the camera end very clear, was what swung the balance this mount's way. I know there are others with the same features, but not with the incredibly low PE that this mount has at this price bracket. I intend to load this up with a fairly heavy dual rig, so the load capacity was important. I guess you could argue that a EQ8 has a very good load capacity and is cheaper, but this mount just seemed to offer the extra elements that I really wanted.
@@simplifiedastro2092 Thanks for this insight. I was also looking at the Mesu 200 at it amazing how the kilos pile up when you started adding gear and a second OTA, faster than even me in a cake and chocolate shop. Only thing that has been putting me off the Mesu 200 is the price point. At the tip of Africa where i live the bulk of the population has to work 3 months to earn the difference between the 2 mounts. Would so love the Mesu though.
@@shaunozs1ra92 Yes the Mesu200 is not cheap, especially when you add the items that you have to buy separately such as the weights, saddle plate and pier adaptor. However, it performs as well, if not better, than mounts costing twice as much, and has a very high carrying capacity for its price point. As with all things astro related, there is never one single product that will fit every application, and this could include cost, hence me getting the CEM120 in Spain as it just suited my needs there better than the Mesu. Both are very good mounts, but actually for different reasons, and I really enjoy using both.
@@simplifiedastro2092 I have now made the necessary mental leap to spend the extra on the Mesu mainly because of another video I watched where he guy was telling a story of how Lukas flew to the UK to fix mounts that were shipped with dodgy motors. Now that the cost is out of the equation I need to think about the other factors. The Mesu s a lot more industrial than I first imagined but that is not a problem to me. The biggest problem I need to consider is the weight. I live in a white zone so there will be the occasion that I will want to take my telescope to a dark site and judging by the build of the Mesu I don't think it is going to want to be moved around much.. Aah, decisions, decisions...
@@shaunozs1ra92 Great decision. The Mesu is an awesome mount and Lucas is a great engineer and a very nice chap. I had the good fortune of spending a day in his workshop with him and he is a true gentleman who definitely knows his stuff (and his Wife serves up excellent biscuits). I believe you can now get the Mesu200 in split form, meaning you can split it in to two sections for transportation. Well worth looking at that as an option. That said, I was using the CEM120 last night and in not perfect conditions was guiding nicely at 0.4"/p which is pretty good. In perfect conditions this reduces to 0.3"/p, which is about what I get from my Mesu, meaning the seeing is the limiting factor and not the guiding.
Great video, I was wondering if the pole camera would stick out but is goes inside and you can put the dust cover back on! seems like Ioptron thought of everything! nicely done.
Nice looking mount. Do you use it for visual or imaging mostly? Is there somewhere we can see your images? Thanks.
Very useful info for me. Thanks Ray.
Thanks @Galacticus really appreciate the feedback 👍🏻
do you have to use the QHY adapter? Ioptron or pole master does not make one?
Thanks for your videos. I’m considering a purchase of a CEM-120 and need to decide EC or non EC version. Frankly I can purchase a non EC version now but will have to delay the purchase if I go with the EC version. I’m debating if the encoders are going to be of benefit to me as I have seen so many people post guiding stats of 0,5 - 0,9 rms with huge payloads. If that’s the norm I’m questioning if I really need the encoder or am I missing something?
Hi. The encoders effectively just reduce the periodic error, meaning it is easier to guide out any issues with the crown. However, the mounts are extremely well made anyway, so the periodic error is pretty good even without encoders.
I would say that unless you are going to image at a very long focal length, or with an extremely high image resolution, then the non ec version is going to work absolutely fine so long as you are planning to guide.
Another informative video Ray, nice work
Thanks, Mark, much appreciated. Sorry it's been a while in the making.
3 months since your last video, 3 MONTHS :( Seems like I don’t keep nagging for more and you don’t upload them :D
Really great an informative video as usual mate. This kit looks the part and a dream. Really impressive work by TS guys.
Oh and the shock and horror, please do wear the simplified Astro t-shirt ;) as the kids say these days, promote the merc :)
Ha ha. Noted mate. I have been recording and reviewing kit, but unfortunately have had very little time to dedicate to editing, which is what takes most of the time. I promise to upload at least one video every 2 weeks from now. Unfortunately I forgot to pack my T-shirts, so all future videos will have the requisite uniform attire :)
Hahahaha good man. No worries mate,it’s great to see you back with you mojo and fantastic tips and reviews.
Oh and if you ever need any help with the reviews, I don’t mind popping to Spain for ya :D
I'm gathering that your CEM 120 didn't come with the iPolar installed or did you remove it previously?
No polar scope was fitted. I'm not entirely sure if the newer models come with it, but this is an early model which wasn't, but you can but the mounting kit.
@@simplifiedastro2092 I believe the newer version give you the option. I curently have the CEM70 which has the iOptron version, I don't really care for. Still using my QHY Polemaster since it works great
@@TheMje1963 Ah ok. Yes I quite like the Polemaster. Very easy to use so enables regular checking of PA a doddle.
Do you have any examples of the guiding that this mount is capable of?
Not in the format of a PHD2 log, George, but I have managed, with default settings, to guide at 0.4"/p RMS. I have no doubts at all that this can be improved upon with some tuning, and expect to get to circa 0.35"/p RMS or slightly better. Naturally seeing becomes the limiting factor beyond this, so if I can achieve 0.3"/p RMS I will be very happy as this reflects what I achieve with my Mesu 200.
Once I have made the adjustments I will make my guide logs available for those interested.
Just to UPDATE the I-optron polar scope is now used and is the only compatible polar scope for post 2019 CEM 120's. The Polemaster apparently is not compatible with the new design.
Thanks. How to tell is one got a CEM120 of a new design or not?
Can you elaborate on post 2019? Mine was mid 2019
Just a question. Why’d you buy an iOptron?
It was this or another Mesu 200. However, as this will be used primarily remotely, the through the mount cabling and centre balance design, leaving the camera end very clear, was what swung the balance this mount's way. I know there are others with the same features, but not with the incredibly low PE that this mount has at this price bracket. I intend to load this up with a fairly heavy dual rig, so the load capacity was important.
I guess you could argue that a EQ8 has a very good load capacity and is cheaper, but this mount just seemed to offer the extra elements that I really wanted.
@@simplifiedastro2092 Thanks for this insight. I was also looking at the Mesu 200 at it amazing how the kilos pile up when you started adding gear and a second OTA, faster than even me in a cake and chocolate shop. Only thing that has been putting me off the Mesu 200 is the price point. At the tip of Africa where i live the bulk of the population has to work 3 months to earn the difference between the 2 mounts. Would so love the Mesu though.
@@shaunozs1ra92 Yes the Mesu200 is not cheap, especially when you add the items that you have to buy separately such as the weights, saddle plate and pier adaptor. However, it performs as well, if not better, than mounts costing twice as much, and has a very high carrying capacity for its price point.
As with all things astro related, there is never one single product that will fit every application, and this could include cost, hence me getting the CEM120 in Spain as it just suited my needs there better than the Mesu. Both are very good mounts, but actually for different reasons, and I really enjoy using both.
@@simplifiedastro2092 I have now made the necessary mental leap to spend the extra on the Mesu mainly because of another video I watched where he guy was telling a story of how Lukas flew to the UK to fix mounts that were shipped with dodgy motors. Now that the cost is out of the equation I need to think about the other factors. The Mesu s a lot more industrial than I first imagined but that is not a problem to me. The biggest problem I need to consider is the weight. I live in a white zone so there will be the occasion that I will want to take my telescope to a dark site and judging by the build of the Mesu I don't think it is going to want to be moved around much.. Aah, decisions, decisions...
@@shaunozs1ra92 Great decision. The Mesu is an awesome mount and Lucas is a great engineer and a very nice chap. I had the good fortune of spending a day in his workshop with him and he is a true gentleman who definitely knows his stuff (and his Wife serves up excellent biscuits). I believe you can now get the Mesu200 in split form, meaning you can split it in to two sections for transportation. Well worth looking at that as an option.
That said, I was using the CEM120 last night and in not perfect conditions was guiding nicely at 0.4"/p which is pretty good. In perfect conditions this reduces to 0.3"/p, which is about what I get from my Mesu, meaning the seeing is the limiting factor and not the guiding.
That's a beefy mount for the takahasi.
Yes it definitely is, Chris. I will actually be running it as a dual rig, so at the moment there is a bit in reserve with just the FSQ106 on it!