Sky-Watcher Wave 150i Strainwave Mount

A 15 kg / 25 kg Dual-Mode Mount

The strain wave design's high torque and compact construction deliver high precision and power in an affordable, portable package, with smooth and precise tracking without bulky counterweights.

With the optional 5 kg counterweight and rod, the capacity rises to 25 kg (55 lb). The Wave mounts stow in durable carry cases with dense, machine-cut foam, suited for travel.

Strain-Wave Drive: 303:1 and 275.4:1 Ratios

The drive uses belt-driven stepper motors with harmonic reducers, with gear ratios of 303:1 in R.A. and 275.4:1 in Dec.

The stepper motors run at 1.8° per step with 256 microsteps per step. RA power-off braking is built in, and the mount has RA and Dec home positions.

Payload and Balancing: 15 kg Without Counterweight, 25 kg With

The Wave 150i carries 15 kg (33 lb) without counterweight. The manual rates a maximum unbalanced R.A. load of 3 kgf·m (15 kg at 0.2 m) and a maximum balanced payload of 5 kgf·m (25 kg at 0.2 m).

The Wave 150i can carry unbalanced payloads on both axes, but balancing, even partially, gives higher stability (especially on a tripod with a small footprint), lower power consumption and better tracking. To balance R.A. in equatorial mode, hold the counterweight rod, fully release the R.A. locking knob, let the telescope lean to one side and slide the counterweight until it balances, then re-lock it and return to the R.A. home position. The counterweight distance is telescope mass x telescope distance / counterweight mass.

Dual-Mode Operation: Full 0° to 90° Latitude Range for EQ & Alt-Az

For equatorial mode, loosen the two latitude locking knobs, set the latitude scale to your site with the latitude adjustment knob and lock the knobs, with one tripod leg toward the pole. For alt-az mode, turn the altitude adjustment knob counterclockwise until it stops, then lock it. The latitude scale and bubble level are illuminated, with brightness set through the Polar Scope Illuminator setting in the app or hand controller.

Slewing, Satellites and Guiding

The 7.5° per second slew rate, with Sky-Watcher's downloadable Satellite Tracker application for Windows PC, lets the Wave track satellites and space stations.

The GUIDE port takes an ST-4 autoguider.

• Selectable Guide Speeds: 0.125x, 0.25x, 0.5x, 0.75x, and 1x sidereal rate.
• Catalogs: Messier, NGC, IC, Caldwell, double stars, variable stars, named stars and planets.

GoTo Control: SynScan Pro App with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB

The SynScan Pro app is Sky-Watcher's recommended controller, connecting over the mount's built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth or by USB. An optional SynScan hand controller plugs into the HAND CNTRL port. The mount also works with third-party control platforms such as ASIAIR, Eagle and StellarMate, for plate solving and automated imaging runs.

SynScan Pro platform support:

• Windows & Mac: Supports USB, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connections.
• Android: Supports USB (with an OTG dongle), Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.
• iOS: Supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections.

For users who prefer a dedicated physical controller, the mount is fully compatible with the optional SynScan hand controller. The mount's USB port also allows direct connection to a PC or to third-party astrophotography controllers like an ASIAIR, ZWO ASIAIR, or StellarMate, enabling advanced automation, plate solving, and scripted imaging runs.

Power & Connectivity: 12-16V DC Input and Through-Mount Cabling

Wiring runs inside the mount to the declination saddle: the AUX USB interface connects a host to USB devices on the telescope (use a USB hub there for several devices), and the AUX PWR connectors power devices on the telescope.

The ports:

• Saddle: AUX USB, and AUX PWR connectors (2.5mm I.D., 5.5mm O.D., maximum DC 5A).
• Control panel: USB for a computer or Android device, HAND CNTRL for a SynScan hand controller, and GUIDE for an ST-4 autoguider.
• Power: DC 12 to 16 V (higher voltage recommended), rated over 35 W (over 3 A at 12 V or 2.2 A at 16 V), with a 2.1mm I.D. / 5.5mm O.D. center-positive barrel plug. Do not use an unregulated AC-to-DC adapter. The power supply is not included.

RA Power-Off Braking and Auto-Home

RA power-off braking is built in, and the mount has RA and Dec home positions.

The SynScan Pro app can return the mount to the same home position (Utility, Advanced, Auto Home): a Dec offset of 0 returns to the polar-home position in equatorial mode, and -90 to the north-level position in alt-az mode. Do not start Auto-Home at Dec/Alt -90°/270°.

Polar Alignment: App-Assisted Routines for High-Precision Setup

The Wave 150i has no polar scope. Loosen the two latitude locking knobs, turn the latitude adjustment knob until the scale reads your latitude, and point the R.A. axis to the pole.

Then polar align by one of these methods:

• Star alignment: run a 2-star alignment with the SynScan Pro app or hand controller, then its polar alignment routine, and repeat two or three times.
• Imaging-based: Applications such as SharpCap Pro and PHD2 offer highly accurate imaging-based polar alignment.

Saddle & Mounting: A D/V Hybrid Saddle for 43-73mm Dovetails

A single D/V hybrid saddle takes Vixen-style and Losmandy-style dovetail bars from 43mm to 73mm wide.

To mount a telescope, level the saddle with the app's direction keys, loosen the two locking knobs alternately until the groove is slightly wider than the dovetail bar, seat the bar and tighten the knobs alternately.

First Night Out: Step-by-Step Setup and Alignment

Follow these steps for a typical setup in equatorial mode:

1. Tripod: orient one tripod leg north (south in the southern hemisphere) and align the R.A. axis with it as you attach the head. The tripod is not included.
2. Set Latitude: Loosen the latitude locking knobs, turn the adjustment knob to match your local latitude on the illuminated scale, and re-tighten the locks.
3. Telescope: level the saddle with the app's direction keys, then seat and lock the dovetail bar.
4. Balance: balancing, even partially, gives higher stability, lower power consumption and better tracking.
5. Power and Connect: Connect your 12-16V DC power supply and any USB or accessory cables. Connect your phone or PC to the mount via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or USB.
6. Align: Perform a star alignment (e.g., 2-star) using the SynScan Pro app, then run the polar alignment routine to dial in your accuracy. You are now ready to begin your session.