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.