Say hello to iOptron's latest and greatest in German equatorial mounts: the GEM28! Just like its older siblings, this bad boy is built for the wanderer in you. We're talking a featherlight 10 pounds that can lug around a whopping 28 pounds of gear. Yep, that's a 2.8 mount-to-payload weight ratio! How? We borrowed some cool engineering tricks from our CEM family.

So, you're into the classics, huh? These German EQ models are your jam, especially if you're stargazing from higher latitudes.

But we didn't stop at just slimming it down. We slapped on some wicked features for ease and functionality. Glove-friendly positive lock gear engagement? Check. Wi-Fi that connects like a dream? Yup. Recordable PEC training sessions? You betcha. And if you’re worried about precision, don’t. The GEM28 nails it with on-point pointing and tracking.

Tech-wise, this mount's got game. Thanks to the latest GOTONOVA® GOTO tech, we’re talking primo accuracy here. And get this: the Go2Nova® Hand Controller sports a 4-line LCD screen that makes finding celestial objects a breeze. Don't forget the ginormous library of 212,000 objects; you'll never run out of stuff to look at.

You want specs? Cool, here’s the nitty-gritty:

• Design: German equatorial, latitude sweet spot between 10° and 70°
• Usage: Awesome for both eyeballing and snapping pics
• Error Margin: Super low, less than ± 12 arc seconds
• Payload: 28 pounds, while the mount is a mere 10 pounds
• Material: CNC machined and cast metal
• Gear System: Spring-loaded, for smooth moves
• Gear Lock: Quick-lock clutches that are user-friendly
• Motor: Stepper type, doesn't guzzle power
• Polar Scope: AccuAlignTM calibrated
• Polar Alignment Help: In case the Pole Star’s shy
• Controller: Go2Nova® 8409 with Advanced GOTONOVA® GOTO tech
• Autoguiding: Integrated ST-4 port
• Wi-Fi: Built-in, 'cause we're living in the future
• USB Port: Firmware updates and computer control
• Tripod: LiteRoc in heavy-duty stainless steel, weighs 7.5kg
• Tripod Extras: Die-cast metal spreader and accessory tray
• Add-ons: Carrying case, 32-channel GPS, and iGuiderTM autoguiding system (#3360) are all optional but totally worth it.

What comes in the box? Or should I say boxes?

• Box 1: G281B-GEM28 Head w/ AccuAlign/Tray (G281B)
• Box 2: 8283-CEM26/GEM28 LiteRoc Tripod w/o Tray (C26/G28 LiteRoc)

So, what are you waiting for? The universe isn’t gonna explore itself!

Specifications

Mount German Equatorial Mount Payload * 28 lbs (12.7kg), exclude counterweight Mount weight 10 lbs (4.5kg) Payload/Mount weight 2.80 Structure Material All metal, Casting + CNC machined Exterior Finish Powder coating Periodic error (PE) ** <±12 arcsec PEC Yes, Permanent PEC Worm period 600 sec Right Ascension worm wheel Φ88mm, 144 teeth aluminum Declination worm wheel Φ88mm, 144 teeth aluminum Right Ascension axis shaft Φ35mm steel Declination axis shaft Φ35mm steel Right Ascension bearing Φ55mm ball bearing Declination bearing Φ55mm ball bearing Worm gears Φ15.2mm, Brass Motor drive 1.8º stepper motor, 128X microdivision Resolution 0.17 arc seconds Transmission Synchronous belt Latitude adjustment range 10º ~ 70º Azimuth adjustment range ± 6º Polar Scope AccuAlign TM optical polar scope Level indicator Level bubble Hand Controller Go2Nova® 8409 with ~212,000 objects database Tracking Automatic Slew speed 1×,2×,8×,16×,64×,128×,256×,512×,MAX(6º/sec) Power consumption 0.6A(Tracking), 0.9A(GOTO) Power requirement 12V DC, 5A AC adapter 100V ~ 240V (included, for indoor use only) Power-down memory Yes Wi-Fi Built-in Communication port Yes (Wi-Fi and USB) Autoguide port Yes (ST-4 compatible) Firmware upgrade Yes PC computer control Yes (ASCOM) Counterweight shaft Φ20X200mm (M16), Stainless Steel Shaft extension Φ20X120mm (M16), Stainless Steel Counterweight 10 lbs (4.5kg) Tripod LiteRoc heavy-duty stainless steel tripod (7.5kg) Dovetail saddle 3.8" Vixen-style, center adjustable Carrying case Optional GPS Optional external 32-channel GPS Autoguiding Optional external iGuider 1 Operation temperature -10ºC ~ 40ºC Warranty Two year limited * OTA size and length dependent, smaller than 6" in diameter recommended ** Measured with encoder on bench, 10 minutes