iOptron HEM44 Hybrid Strain Wave Gear Mount with iPolar

Say goodbye to bulky counterweights and shafts—meet the HEM44 and HEM44EC, the latest game-changers from iOptron. These compact, medium payload beasts weigh just 13.65lbs but can handle a 44lb payload, no counterweight needed. Thanks to iOptron's decades of expertise, these mounts are a breakthrough in precision astronomy. At the core, these mounts use cutting-edge strain wave gear tech for the RA movement, paired with a backlash-free DEC worm/belt drive. This gives the HEM44 series an unmatched weight-to-payload ratio. Built with a sleek, black anodized, all-metal CNC machined body, these mounts aren't just eye candy—they're built to last. Got a power outage? No stress. Unique features like an electronic friction brake and power-down memory let your mount safely pause and pick up where it left off. No need to start from scratch. Control your HEM44 mount using various options: a Windows PC via ASCOM/Commander, MacOS through third-party INDI drivers, smartphone/tablet via iOptron Commander Lite or apps like SkySafari, or even a Raspberry Pi via INDI driver. Go for the HEM44EC if you want ultra-precise RA axis tracking—so good, you might ditch manual guiding altogether. Need low-latitude options? We got you covered with special orders for 0~50-degree latitude ranges. Feature Rundown: Next-gen strain wave drive tech 44lb payload on a 13.65lb mount CNC machined for durability Unique electronic friction brake for safe stops during power issues 270-second gear period Go2Nova® hand controller loaded with ~212,000 celestial objects iPolar electronic polar scope for simple, precise alignment Cable management: no messy, hanging cables Dual saddle compatible with Vixen and Losmandy-D Zero position locator Power down memory feature Integrated ST-4 autoguiding port Built-in Wi-Fi via hand controller USB for firmware and computer control Aluminum carrying case 2-year warranty Interested? Learn more about the HEM44 mount. Specifications Mount Hybrid Strain Wave Equatorial Mount RA gear system StrainWave DEC gear system Backlash-free worm/belt system RA reduction ratio 640:1 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 * 200mm, with payload center of gravity to the RA rotation axis. Or an OTA size of ~220mm.