iOptron HAE43 Dual AZ/EQ SWG Mount

Strain Wave Gear Drive: 44 lbs on a Head Under 13 lbs

Every HAE43 uses strain wave gear (SWG) drives on both the RA and DEC axes, with reduction ratios of 640:1 (RA) and 480:1 (DEC) and a long 270-second gear period. That torque is what lets the mount carry 44 lbs (20 kg) of telescope and cameras straight off the Vixen/Losmandy dual saddle, with no counterweight to haul or balance. For larger optical tubes, an optional 10 lb (4.5 kg) counterweight and shaft raise the capacity to 55 lbs (25 kg).

The payload-to-mount weight ratio is 3.51 on the 12.6 lb (5.7 kg) HAE43C versions and 3.45 on the 12.8 lb (5.8 kg) HAE43B and original versions. Because the drive has no backlash, autoguiding corrections take effect immediately, and the smooth, slow error curve of the 270-second period is easy for guiding software to follow. The all-metal, CNC-machined body adds an electronic friction brake on both axes that stops movement safely during a planned or unplanned power interruption.

Dual AZ/EQ Modes with 6°/sec GoTo Slewing

The HAE43 is two mounts in one, so you set it up for the night's goal rather than buying a second platform. In either mode the GoToNova/Commander system slews at up to 6°/sec to center targets quickly, and a level bubble speeds up setup.

• Equatorial (EQ) Mode: Tracks the sky's rotation without field rotation, the mode for long-exposure deep-sky imaging of targets like M31 or M42. The optional iPolar electronic polar scope (included with the original iPolar versions) makes polar alignment quick and accurate.
• Alt-Azimuth (AZ) Mode: No polar alignment needed. Level the mount, align on a star and track the Moon, planets or bright deep-sky objects, ideal for visual sessions, outreach events and planetary work.
• Computer and App Control: ASCOM/Commander on Windows, INDI drivers on macOS or a Raspberry Pi, and apps such as iOptron Commander Lite or SkySafari on a phone or tablet. An ST-4 compatible autoguide port is standard on every version.

Choose Your HAE43 Version: C, B w/ iMate, EC and Original

All versions share the same 44 lb (20 kg) strain wave drive, 640:1 / 480:1 reduction, 270-second gear period, 6°/sec slewing, dual saddle and electronic friction brake. They differ in how the mount is controlled, whether a computer is built in, whether an RA encoder is fitted, and which accessories are included.

• HAE43C: The current-generation standard model and the lightest at 12.6 lbs (5.7 kg). The control board is built into the mount head, with Wi-Fi and USB-C for direct control from a computer, phone, tablet or dedicated astro-computer. The Go2Nova® 8411 OLED handset and iPolar are optional. Best if you already run your imaging from a laptop or mini-PC.
• HAE43B w/ iMate: Same drive, plus an integrated iMate onboard computer preloaded with KStars/Ekos and iPolarServer. The iMate adds 1x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0 and 3x DC 12V power outputs, alongside a USB-C port on the base, so cameras, filter wheel and accessories plug into the mount and run from a single 12V-5A input. The head weighs 12.8 lbs (5.8 kg), 0.2 lb (0.1 kg) more than the HAE43C. Best if you want to image without a separate laptop or controller.
• EC Versions (HAE43C-EC, HAE43B-EC w/ iMate): Add a high-precision RA encoder with Realtime PEC (RPEC), which measures the RA axis and corrects periodic error as it happens. Tracking is smooth enough that many imagers shoot unguided, and it eases the load on your autoguider at long focal lengths. Weight and features are otherwise the same as the matching non-EC model.
• Original Generation (HAE43, HAE43 w/ iPolar, HAE43EC w/ iPolar): The first HAE43 design, with the same 44 lb payload on a 12.8 lb (5.8 kg) head. Control runs through the included Go2Nova® 8409 hand controller (~212,000-object database), which provides the Wi-Fi and USB connection and power-down position memory. The HAE43 w/ iPolar adds the iPolar electronic polar scope, and the HAE43EC w/ iPolar combines iPolar with the high-precision RA encoder and Realtime PEC.

iMate Onboard Computer: 3x 12V Outputs and KStars/Ekos (B Versions)

The HAE43B and HAE43B-EC build an observatory controller into the mount. The iMate runs an open-source architecture with KStars/Ekos preloaded, so you connect wirelessly from a laptop, tablet or smartphone and control the mount, cameras and accessories from one interface, with iPolarServer ready for the optional iPolar.

• Data: 1x high-speed USB 3.0 port for the main imaging camera and 2x USB 2.0 ports for a guide camera, filter wheel or focuser.
• Power: 3x DC 12V outputs power those devices directly from the mount, cutting cable drag through the axes.
• Simpler Field Setup: One DC 12V-5A cable to the mount powers the whole system, replacing a separate mini-PC or ASIAIR at the telescope.

iOptron HAE43 vs. ZWO AM5: 44 lbs vs. 28.6 lbs Without Counterweights

The ZWO AM5 is a popular strain wave mount, slightly lighter at 11 lbs and tightly integrated with the ZWO ASIAIR ecosystem. For users who need more capacity, the HAE43 has clear advantages:

• Higher Native Payload: 44 lbs without a counterweight versus the AM5's 28.6 lbs, enough for an 8" SCT or a 5" refractor with a full imaging train.
• Higher Maximum Payload: 55 lbs with a counterweight versus 44 lbs for the AM5.
• Built-In Control Option: The HAE43B versions include the iMate computer and 3x 12V power outputs in the mount itself, where the AM5 needs an external controller such as an ASIAIR.
• Power-Off Protection: The HAE43's electronic friction brake locks both axes when power is removed, protecting your telescope and camera.