iOptron HAE43 Dual AZ/EQ SWG Mount

Strain Wave Gears: 44 lb Capacity on a 12.6 lb Head

At the core of the HAE43 are strain wave gear (SWG) drives on both the Right Ascension and Declination axes. The RA axis uses a 640:1 reduction ratio and the DEC axis 480:1, each driven by a stepper motor.

The HAE43 is rated at 44 lbs (20 kg) on its Vixen/Losmandy dual saddle without a counterweight. The gear period is 270 seconds. The HAE is operated unbalanced and could tip over if the tripod is not secured.

Counterweight-Free Operation and 3.51 Payload Ratio

The payload-to-mount weight ratio is 3.51 on the 12.6 lb (5.7 kg) C versions and 3.45 on the B and Original versions at 12.8 lbs (5.8 kg).

By adding the optional SS Φ20x200mm counterweight shaft and a 10 lb (4.5 kg) counterweight, the total payload capacity of the HAE43 increases to 55 lbs (25 kg).

Alt-Azimuth and Equatorial Modes with 6°/sec GoTo

The HAE43 can be used as an altazimuth or an equatorial mount. The control system is GoToNova / Commander, the maximum slew speed is 6°/sec, and there is a level bubble.

• Equatorial (EQ) Mode: Set to your latitude, the mount tracks around one axis, which avoids field rotation in long exposures. The original versions have a 0° to 90° latitude range, set in three steps (0°~31°, 29°~60° and 59°~90°).
• Alt-Azimuth (AZ) Mode: Set to 90°, the mount is used as an altazimuth mount, which needs no polar alignment.

Tracking Performance: < ±18 arcsec PE and Realtime Encoder Options

The HAE43C versions have a periodic error of less than 36 arcsec (less than ±18 arcsec); no figure is stated for the B versions. The EC versions (HAE43C-EC, HAE43B-EC, and HAE43EC) integrate a high-precision encoder on the RA axis. It enables Realtime PEC.

The Electronic Friction Power-Off Brake

The HAE43 has an electronic friction brake on both RA and DEC, which safely stops movement during a planned or unplanned power interruption.

Wi-Fi, USB-C, iMate, and Go2Nova Control Across All Versions

The ports depend on the version. The HAE manual, which covers the original versions, lists control from a Windows PC via ASCOM/Commander, from macOS software via a third-party INDI driver, from a smartphone or tablet via iOptron Commander Lite or an app like SkySafari, or from a Raspberry Pi via INDI.

• HAE43C Versions: Built-in Wi-Fi and a USB-C port.
• HAE43B Versions: Communication through the iMate computer, or through a USB port (HAE43B) or USB-C port (HAE43B-EC).
• Original Versions: Control is routed through the included Go2Nova® 8409 hand controller, which contains the Wi-Fi module and USB port for computer connection.
• Autoguiding: The mount has an ST-4 compatible autoguide port.

The iMate Controller: 3x 12V Outputs and KStars/Ekos

The HAE43B and HAE43B-EC versions have an integrated iMate computer, an open-source architecture preloaded with KStars/Ekos and iPolarServer.

The iMate ports are:

• 1x USB 3.0 port
• 2x USB 2.0 ports
• 3x DC 12V outputs

Polar Alignment and the iPolar

In EQ mode the HAE43 can use the optional iOptron iPolar electronic polar scope (included with original HAE43 w/ iPolar and HAE43EC w/ iPolar versions).

On the HAE the iPolar is an external unit placed over the bubble level, and it connects to a computer with a miniUSB cable.

Vixen/Losmandy Saddle, Ports, and Power

The Vixen/Losmandy dual saddle accepts Vixen or Losmandy-D style dovetail bars, and the structure is all metal and CNC machined.

All versions run on DC 12V-5A. The C and B versions use a modern 5.5/2.1mm plug, while the original versions use a 5.5/2.5mm plug. A 100V ~ 240V AC adapter is included for indoor use. Power consumption is 0.7A while tracking and 1.2A during GoTo (0.8A and 1.3A for the HAE43B).

Choosing Your HAE43: C, B, EC, and Original Models

All HAE43 versions share the core 44 lb counterweight-free payload, dual-mode operation, and strain wave gear system. The primary differences lie in control integration, weight, and whether a high-precision encoder is included.

• HAE43C: The current-generation standard model. At 12.6 lbs (5.7 kg), it's the lightest version. Built-in Wi-Fi and USB-C.
• HAE43B w/ iMate: Adds an integrated iMate computer with KStars/Ekos, 3x 12V power outputs, and USB 3.0/2.0 ports. The head weighs 12.8 lbs (5.8 kg).
• EC Versions (C-EC, B-EC): Add a high-precision RA encoder and Realtime PEC to their respective base models.
• Original Generation: These models (HAE43, HAE43 w/ iPolar, HAE43EC w/ iPolar) weigh 12.8 lbs (5.8 kg) and are controlled via the included Go2Nova® 8409 hand controller, which provides the system's Wi-Fi and USB connections.