iOptron CEM70 — 31.8 kg centre-balanced equatorial mount The iOptron CEM70 brings the centre-balanced equatorial design to the 70 lb payload class. Weighing 13.6 kg, it carries up to 31.8 kg excluding counterweights, centring the load directly over the pier or tripod for natural stability. It suits heavier imaging rigs that still need to travel.
Manufacturer model: iOptron CEM70 (standard) · Specifications checked against manufacturer data on 2026-11-03
The iOptron CEM70 brings the centre-balanced equatorial design to the 70 lb payload class. Weighing 13.6 kg, it carries up to 31.8 kg excluding counterweights, centring the load directly over the pier or tripod for natural stability. It suits heavier imaging rigs that still need to travel.
Large 151 mm, 248-tooth worm wheels and precision stepper motors with 0.07-arcsecond resolution give precise GoTo pointing and smooth tracking. iOptron specifies periodic error under ±5 arcseconds peak-to-peak over the 348-second worm period, with permanent periodic error correction (PPEC).
An internal iPolar electronic polar scope, large gear-engagement levers that work with gloves, a level indicator and an advanced cable-management system simplify setup. The spring-loaded 8-inch saddle accepts both Losmandy D and Vixen dovetails.
| Design | Centre-balanced equatorial (CEM) |
|---|---|
| Payload | 31.8 kg, excluding counterweight |
| Mount weight | 13.6 kg |
| Latitude range | 0–65° |
| Azimuth adjustment | ±4° |
| Periodic error | Under ±5 arcsec peak-to-peak (encoder-measured, 348 s); PPEC |
| Worm gears | 151 mm, 248 teeth, zero backlash; 21.2 mm worm |
| Axes | 55 mm steel; 80 mm bearings |
| Resolution | 0.07 arcsec |
| Maximum slew | About 3.5–3.75°/s (900×) |
| Saddle | 8-inch Losmandy D and Vixen, spring-loaded |
| Counterweight shaft | 28 × 415 mm stainless steel (1.9 kg) |
| Counterweight | 9.5 kg × 1 |
| Mount base | 152 mm diameter |
| Hand controller | Go2Nova 8410, 212,000+ objects, built-in heater |
|---|---|
| Polar scope | Internal iPolar electronic polar scope |
| Ports | USB, ST-4 autoguide port; GPS |
| Meridian handling | Stop (0–10° past), automatic flip |
| Power | 12 V DC, 5 A; 100–240 V AC adapter with 5.5/2.5 mm plug included, indoor use only |
| Consumption | 0.6 A tracking; 0.8 A GoTo |
| Computer control | ASCOM |
| Operating temperature | −10 to +40 °C |
iOptron CEM70 instruction manual
Standard CEM70 (PPEC), not CEM70G (iGuider), CEM70EC (encoder, <0.3 arcsec RMS), CEM70AW (USB3/Wi-Fi) or CEM70-NUC. Manual lists ~3.5 deg/s, product page 3.75 deg/s. Package (tripod/pier) not identifiable from shop data (no SKU).
| Latitude range (°) | 0–65 |
|---|---|
| Azimuth adjustment (°) | ±4 |
| Periodic error | <±5 arcsec p-p, PPEC |
| Worm period (s) | 348 |
| Axis shafts bearings | 55 mm steel; 80 mm bearings |
| Resolution (arcsec) | 0.07 |
| Max slew | ~3.5 deg/s (900x) |
| Cw shaft | 28 x 415 mm SS, 1.9 kg |
| Counterweight (kg) | 9.5 |
| Mount base (mm) | 152 |
| Hand controller | Go2Nova 8410 |
| Polar scope | Internal iPolar |
| Consumption | 0.6 A tracking; 0.8 A GoTo |
| Operating temperature (°C) | -10 to 40 |
Data sheet
iOptron CEM70 — 31.8 kg centre-balanced equatorial mount The iOptron CEM70 brings the centre-balanced equatorial design to the 70 lb payload class. Weighing 13.6 kg, it carries up to 31.8 kg excluding counterweights, centring the load directly over the pier or tripod for natural stability. It suits heavier imaging rigs that still need to travel.
Manufacturer model: iOptron CEM70 (standard) · Specifications checked against manufacturer data on 2026-11-03
