{"product_id":"ioptron-c26-cwsml","title":"iOptron CEM26 CW Shaft Mounting House (Low Latitude)","description":"\u003cul class=\"DAV-feature-list\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEnables low-latitude operation of the iOptron CEM26 mount\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrevents counterweight shaft collision with tripod or pier\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReplaces the standard counterweight shaft housing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEssential for equatorial locations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOfficial iOptron accessory for the CEM26\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- more --\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"tabs\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"active\"\u003eDescription\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFAQ\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIn the Box\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWarranty\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"tabs-content\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"active\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-bg-light\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-section-center\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCEM26 CW Shaft Mounting House (Low Latitude)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor astronomers operating the iOptron CEM26 mount near the equator, this Low Latitude Counterweight (CW) Shaft Mounting House is an essential accessory. It is specifically designed to replace the standard housing, providing critical mechanical clearance for the counterweight shaft. This modification prevents the shaft from colliding with the tripod or pier legs when the mount is tracking objects at or near the zenith, a common issue at very low latitudes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-bg-light\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-section\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSolving Zenith Clearance for the CEM26 at Low Latitudes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA standard German Equatorial Mount's geometry can create a physical conflict at low latitudes. As the polar axis is tilted closer to the horizon, the counterweight shaft swings lower during meridian flips or when tracking objects high overhead. This can lead to a session-ending collision between the end of the shaft and a tripod leg.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe iOptron CEM26 Low Latitude CW Shaft Mounting House solves this problem by altering the mounting point of the shaft. This provides the necessary clearance to allow full, unimpeded movement of the Right Ascension axis, ensuring you can image any part of the sky from your equatorial observing site without interference.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhat is the purpose of the CEM26 Low Latitude CW Shaft Mounting House?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a specialized replacement part for the iOptron CEM26 mount. Its purpose is to prevent the counterweight shaft from hitting the tripod or pier when the mount is used at very low latitudes (i.e., near the Earth's equator). It provides the necessary physical clearance for the mount to operate through its full range of motion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhy is this CEM26 accessory necessary near the equator?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen you set the latitude of a German Equatorial Mount to a low number (e.g., under 10-15 degrees), the polar axis becomes more horizontal. As the mount tracks an object passing overhead through the meridian, the counterweight shaft swings very low and can physically strike the mount's own tripod or pier. This housing changes the shaft's position to avoid this collision.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWhen tracking the Orion Nebula (M42) from a low latitude, how does this CEM26 part help?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom low latitudes, the Orion Nebula (M42) culminates very high in the sky, close to the zenith. As your CEM26 mount tracks it across the meridian, the counterweight shaft will be at its lowest point. Without this low-latitude housing, the shaft would likely collide with your tripod, interrupting tracking and potentially damaging your equipment. This part provides the clearance needed for a smooth, uninterrupted pass.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eI'm setting up my CEM26 in Panama for astrophotography. Is this part required?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, most likely. Panama is at a very low northern latitude (around 9°). At this latitude, you will almost certainly experience collisions between the counterweight shaft and tripod when imaging objects that pass near the zenith. This Low Latitude Housing is considered a mandatory accessory for reliable imaging from such locations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eIs the CEM26 Low Latitude Housing difficult to install?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInstallation involves removing the stock counterweight shaft housing and replacing it with this low-latitude version. While it requires basic mechanical aptitude and tools, it is a straightforward process. You should refer to iOptron's official documentation for detailed installation instructions to ensure it is done correctly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"DAV-accordion-Q\"\u003eWill this accessory affect the payload capacity or tracking of my CEM26 mount?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"DAV-accordion-A\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo, this part does not alter the fundamental performance of the CEM26 mount. It is a purely mechanical component designed to solve a clearance issue. Your mount's payload capacity and tracking accuracy will remain the same.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"DAV-specifications\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eiOptron CEM26 Mount\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApplication\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLow Latitude Observing (Equatorial Regions)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"DAV-grid\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"DAV-grid-item\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"DAV-item-title\"\u003eCEM26 Low Latitude CW Shaft Housing\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"DAV-item-subtitle\"\u003e× 1\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/davidastro.com\/pages\/ioptron-warranty-policy\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eiOptron 2-Year Limited Warranty\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"iOptron","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52917275459869,"sku":"IOP-C26-CWSML","price":50.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0753\/5280\/1565\/files\/iOptron-CEM26-CW-Shaft-Mounting-House-Low-Latitude-1_c2534169-6a93-48ba-9e80-60a4d13919ab.jpg?v=1789141727","url":"https:\/\/davidastro.com\/en-us\/products\/ioptron-c26-cwsml","provider":"David Astro","version":"1.0","type":"link"}