Meet the HEM27 and HEM27EC—iOptron's groundbreaking mounts that employ a hybrid strain wave drive. These compact powerhouses redefine what you can expect from an astronomy setup. Picture a mount head that only weighs 8.15 lbs but can support an impressive 29.74 lbs of payload, all without the hassle of extra counterweights or shafts. Building on iOptron's long history of precision engineering, the HEM27 makes this vision come alive.

These mounts leverage cutting-edge strain wave drive tech for the RA movement, combined with a backlash-free DEC worm/belt drive system. The result? Unmatched payload-to-weight efficiency. The sleek black anodized, all-metal, CNC-machined body isn't just eye candy—it's a robust foundation designed to deliver top-notch performance for years. Cool extras like an electronic friction brake and power-down memory mean you can pause a GoTo slew or keep tracking, even if you lose power suddenly (no need to start over from scratch).

Controlling a HEM27 mount is a breeze. You can use a Windows PC via ASCOM/Commander, MacOS software with a third-party INDI driver, a smartphone/tablet via iOptron Commander Lite or an app like SkySafari, or even a Raspberry Pi device with an INDI driver.

Opt for the HEM27EC, and you'll benefit from an ultra-precise RA axis encoder that provides such reliable tracking, many opt to image without additional guidance.

Want to know more about the HEM27 mount?

Special-order versions for low latitudes (0~22 degrees) are also available.

Features:

• Cutting-edge strain wave drive tech
• Handles a payload of 29.7 lbs while weighing only 8.15 lbs
• Crafted from CNC-machined metal
• Electronic friction brake for safe stops during power issues
• 360-second gear period
• Built-in permanent periodic error correction (PPEC)
• Go2Nova® hand controller with a database of approximately 212,000 celestial objects
• Clean cable management—no hanging wires on moving parts
• Dual saddle accommodates both Vixen and Losmandy-D styles
• Zero-position search and locator built in
• Remembers last position and location after power down
• ST-4 autoguiding port integrated
• Wi-Fi connectivity (via hand controller)
• USB port for updates and computer control
• Comes with a soft carry case
• Two-year warranty

Specifications

Mount Hybrid Equatorial Mount RA gear system StrainWave 17 DEC gear system Backlash-free worm/belt system RA reduction ratio 480:1 Payload w/o CW * 29.74 lbs (13.5kg) Mount weight 7.49lbs (3.4kg) w/o dovetail saddle 8.15lbs (3.7kg) with dovetail saddle Payload/Mount weight 3.65 Maximum payload with CW * 44 lbs (20kg) Period 360 second Drive motor Stepper motor Structure Material All metal, CNC machined Exterior finish Anodized black PEC Yes, Permanent PEC Latitude adjustment range 15º ~ 65º Azimuth adjustment range ± 5º Polar Scope No Level indicator Level bubble Control system GOTONOVA/Commander Hand Controller Go2Nova® 8409 with ~212,000 objects database Tracking Automatic Maximum slew speed 6º/sec Power consumption 0.5A(Tracking), 1A(GOTO) Power requiremention 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) 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.