The iOptron HAZ31 is built around a simple idea: a visual GoTo mount should be easier to carry than the telescope it supports.
The mount head weighs just 8.2 lb (3.7 kg) with its saddle installed, yet iOptron rates it for a 31 lb (14 kg) payload without a counterweight or counterweight shaft. That makes it a natural match for portable refractors, SCTs, large binoculars, and other visual instruments that would normally sit on a much heavier conventional GoTo mount.
Both altitude and azimuth use strain-wave gearing with a 480:1 reduction ratio. The high torque of those drives is what allows the HAZ31 to operate intentionally unbalanced, so there is no counterweight to carry, install, or reposition when you change eyepieces. The result is a compact Alt-Az mount designed first and foremost for visual observing, outreach, and situations where fast setup matters.
Setup is straightforward. Level the mount, attach the telescope, turn it on, and the built-in Assistant Alignment Wizard finds the mount's zero position, acquires GPS information, and takes you to a bright star for calibration. After that, the Go2Nova 8409 hand controller gives you access to a database of roughly 212,000 objects, or you can control the mount from compatible software over USB or Wi-Fi.
Key Features
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31 lb payload without a counterweight. iOptron rates the HAZ31 for 14 kg (31 lb) while the mount head itself weighs only 8.2 lb.
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Strain-wave gearing on both axes. Altitude and azimuth each use a 480:1 strain-wave drive, giving the mount the torque needed to operate with an intentionally unbalanced telescope.
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Alt-Az GoTo operation. No polar alignment and no counterweight balancing are required for normal visual use.
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Built-in GPS. The mount can acquire its location and time information automatically during setup.
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Assistant Alignment Wizard. The HAZ31 can locate its zero position, acquire GPS data, and move to a bright star for final calibration.
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Go2Nova 8409 hand controller. Provides a database of approximately 212,000 objects and standalone operation without requiring a phone or computer.
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Built-in Wi-Fi through the hand controller. Supports wireless control from compatible applications such as iOptron Commander Lite and SkySafari.
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USB computer control. Windows users can operate the mount through iOptron Commander and ASCOM, with third-party INDI support available on other platforms.
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Vixen and Losmandy-D saddle. The convertible saddle supports both common dovetail formats.
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Dedicated binocular configuration. The saddle can be repositioned on top of the mount for large-binocular use and better zenith clearance.
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Maximum slew speed of 8° per second. Fast enough to move across large portions of the sky quickly during an observing session.
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Satellite tracking capable. The HAZ31 can be used with iOptron's Ultimate Orbit Tracker or compatible third-party software for moving-object tracking.
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Electronic friction brakes on both axes. Designed to stop mount movement safely during a planned or unexpected power interruption.
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Built-in zero-position sensing. Magnetic and altitude sensors help the mount establish a repeatable starting position.
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Low power consumption. iOptron specifies approximately 0.6A while tracking and 1A during GoTo operation.
- All-metal CNC-machined construction.
- Carrying case included.
- Two-year limited warranty.
Level, Turn It On, and Go
The HAZ31 avoids most of the setup routine associated with an equatorial mount.
There is no polar axis to align and no counterweight system to balance. What does matter is getting the mount reasonably level and making sure the tripod is stable before beginning the alignment procedure. Because the HAZ31 operates with an intentionally unbalanced load, a secure support is especially important.
When you turn the mount on, the Assistant Alignment Wizard can rotate the mount in azimuth to establish its reference direction, locate the altitude zero position, acquire GPS information, and then slew to a bright star.
Center that star as instructed and the mount is ready for GoTo operation.
If you move to another part of the sky and want to improve local pointing accuracy, the hand controller's Sync to Target function lets you center a known object and refine the model around that area.
A Mount Made for Visual Observing
The 31 lb payload rating puts the HAZ31 in an unusual place. It is light enough to carry outside with one hand, yet it can support telescopes that normally end up on substantially heavier mounts.
A 4-inch or moderate-size 5-inch refractor can make a very capable lunar, planetary, double-star, and deep-sky visual system. A compact 8-inch SCT gives you significantly more aperture without making the mount itself difficult to transport. Smaller telescopes become exceptionally easy grab-and-go systems.
The payload number is not the whole story, however. iOptron's 31 lb rating assumes the payload's center of gravity is approximately 200mm from the mount's rotation axis, or an optical tube around 220mm in diameter.
A compact 20 lb SCT and a very long 20 lb refractor do not put the same load on the mount. Tube length, center of gravity, accessories, and wind exposure all matter along with the number on the scale.
That is particularly important with longer refractors. The mount may have plenty of weight capacity while the telescope's length creates clearance or vibration considerations that a shorter tube does not.
Two Saddle Positions for Two Different Jobs
The HAZ31's saddle can be configured differently depending on what you are mounting.
For a conventional telescope, iOptron's normal configuration places the saddle on the side of the mount. The telescope then rides beside the altitude axis in the familiar Alt-Az arrangement.
For large astronomical binoculars, the saddle can be repositioned to the top of the mounting plate. That places the binocular assembly above the mount and gives it a much more natural path toward the zenith.
The same saddle can also be configured for either Vixen-style or Losmandy-D dovetail bars.
That binocular option is one of the HAZ31's more interesting features. Large 70mm, 82mm, 100mm, and similar binocular telescopes benefit tremendously from tracking because high-altitude targets no longer require continually repositioning the entire binocular assembly while you observe.
Under the Night Sky
For visual astronomy, the HAZ31's greatest benefit is not simply GoTo. It is what happens after the GoTo finishes.
Put Jupiter in the field at high power and the mount keeps it there while you wait for moments of steadier seeing. Move to Saturn and you can spend time studying the rings instead of continually nudging the telescope. On the Moon, you can work your way along the terminator while the same crater field remains centered.
That becomes even more useful with double stars. Rather than star hopping to one pair, observing it, and starting over for the next, the 8409 hand controller can take you from one object to another while the tracking lets you concentrate on the split.
With a larger-aperture SCT, globular clusters, planetary nebulae, galaxies, and smaller deep-sky objects become natural targets. With a wide-field refractor, open clusters and large star fields take over. And with large binoculars mounted on top, the HAZ31 becomes a particularly comfortable way to work through Milky Way clusters and nebulae without constantly moving a heavy binocular setup by hand.
How Accurate Is the Tracking?
The HAZ31 is designed for visual tracking rather than precision equatorial imaging, so the useful question is not whether the guide graph measures a particular RMS value. It is whether an object stays comfortably in the eyepiece while you observe it.
Owner experience on Cloudy Nights has generally been encouraging in that respect. One observer using 120mm binoculars reported being able to leave the mount unattended and return much later with the target still visible. Other owners have used 4- and 5-inch refractors and 8-inch Newtonians successfully for visual GoTo and tracking.
GoTo accuracy can vary more across widely separated parts of the sky. A useful habit is to use Sync to Target after moving to a distant region if the object is not as well centered as you would like. Once synchronized in that area, nearby GoTo moves can become noticeably more accurate.
What About Astrophotography?
The HAZ31 is an Alt-Az mount, and that should shape your expectations before you buy it.
It is very well suited to visual observing, and it can also be useful for lunar and planetary imaging, where cameras record large numbers of very short exposures or video frames. Short-exposure electronic-assisted observing and live stacking can also be practical.
It is not designed as a conventional long-exposure deep-sky imaging mount. Because an Alt-Az mount tracks the sky in altitude and azimuth rather than rotating around the celestial pole, the orientation of the field changes over time. That field rotation becomes increasingly visible as individual exposures get longer.
For traditional multi-minute guided exposures of galaxies and nebulae, an equatorial mount is the appropriate tool.
Power in the Field
The HAZ31 operates from 12V DC and iOptron specifies a 5.5/2.1mm center-positive power connection.
The included 100–240V AC adapter provides 12V/5A power for indoor use. At a dark site, you'll need a suitable external 12V supply or battery.
The mount itself is relatively easy on power. iOptron specifies approximately 0.6A while tracking and about 1A during GoTo operation, although the field power source should still be capable of supplying the mount's required voltage reliably.
From the Cloudy Nights Community
HAZ31 owners repeatedly come back to the same strengths: low weight, easy transport, quiet operation, and surprisingly capable visual tracking.
One owner uses the HAZ31 with 120mm binoculars and reported that after the initial synchronization, GoTo accuracy was particularly good within the same region of the sky and tracking was good enough that targets remained in view during extended observing periods.
Another owner has used both a 125mm ED refractor and a 24 lb 8-inch f/4 Newtonian on the mount. The HAZ31 moved both successfully, although the lightweight carbon-fiber tripod took somewhat longer to settle than a much heavier steel tripod.
That is a useful reminder of something true for any lightweight mount: payload capacity and vibration performance are not the same specification. A very light tripod makes the system wonderfully portable; a heavier support can improve settling behavior with a long or demanding telescope.
What's Included
- iOptron HAZ31 strain-wave Alt-Az GoTo mount head
- Convertible Vixen / Losmandy-D dovetail saddle
- Go2Nova 8409 V2 hand controller with built-in Wi-Fi
- 6P6C coiled hand-controller cable
- USB 2.0 cable for computer control and firmware updates
- 100–240V AC to 12V/5A DC power adapter for indoor use
- Carrying case
Not included: tripod, MiniPier, or field battery.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the HAZ31 weigh?
The mount head weighs 8.2 lb (3.7 kg) with its dovetail saddle installed.
How much can the HAZ31 carry?
iOptron rates it for 31 lb (14 kg). That rating assumes the payload center of gravity is about 200mm from the rotation axis, so telescope length and geometry matter in addition to actual weight.
Does the HAZ31 need a counterweight?
No. It is designed to operate without a counterweight or counterweight shaft.
Does it need polar alignment?
No. The HAZ31 is an Alt-Az mount rather than an equatorial mount, so there is no polar axis to align.
Does it have GPS?
Yes. GPS is built into the mount and is used during setup to obtain location information.
Does it have Wi-Fi?
Yes. Wi-Fi is provided through the included Go2Nova 8409 hand controller.
How fast does it slew?
The maximum published slew speed is 8° per second.
Can I control it with a phone or tablet?
Yes. iOptron lists support for Commander Lite and compatible applications such as SkySafari over the hand controller's Wi-Fi connection.
Can the HAZ31 carry an 8-inch SCT?
Most typical 8-inch SCT visual configurations fall comfortably within the published weight rating and their relatively compact tubes suit the HAZ31 well. As always, include the diagonal, eyepiece, finder, dew equipment, and other accessories when calculating the total load.
Can it carry a 5-inch refractor?
Many 5-inch refractor systems can fall within the 31 lb payload rating, but a long refractor places more leverage on the mount than a compact telescope of the same weight. Tube length, center of gravity, tripod stability, and zenith clearance should all be considered.
Is the HAZ31 suitable for large binoculars?
Yes. Large-binocular mounting is an intended feature of the design. The saddle can be repositioned to the top of the mount to provide a more suitable geometry for binocular observing.
Can the HAZ31 do astrophotography?
It can be useful for lunar and planetary imaging and for short-exposure EAA or live stacking. It is not intended as a traditional long-exposure deep-sky imaging mount because Alt-Az tracking produces field rotation over time.
HAZ31 or HAZ46?
The HAZ31 emphasizes portability with an 8.2 lb mount head and 31 lb payload rating. The HAZ46 is the larger member of the family for heavier or more demanding telescope systems. Choose based on the complete telescope's weight, length, center of gravity, and the support system you intend to use rather than aperture alone.
What tripod does the HAZ31 use?
iOptron lists the 8061A Carbon Fiber Tripod as a current matched option. The mount itself uses a 3/8"-16 threaded mounting base, so other suitable supports can also be used when properly configured.
What MiniPier fits the HAZ31?
iOptron's current 8044 MiniPier fits the HAZ31 and adds approximately 7 inches (178mm) of height. When paired with the 8061A carbon-fiber tripod, it also provides three-point fine leveling.
Why would I want a MiniPier?
The extra height can improve clearance between long refractors or rear-mounted accessories and the tripod legs when observing high in the sky. It also puts the mount controls at a more convenient working height.
Accessories
iOptron 8061A Carbon Fiber Tripod, Version A (sold separately): a 5 lb carbon-fiber support with an adjustable height of approximately 21–36.8 inches. It is the version designed to work with iOptron's three-point leveling MiniPier arrangement.
iOptron 8044 MiniPier (sold separately): adds approximately 7 inches of height and supports three-point fine leveling when used with the 8061A tripod. Particularly useful with long refractors and other systems that need additional tripod clearance.
12V field power supply or battery (sold separately): required away from AC power. The included AC adapter is intended for indoor use.
Final Thoughts
The HAZ31 is for the observer who wants GoTo and tracking without turning a night at the eyepiece into a small moving project.
An 8.2 lb mount head carrying up to 31 lb without a counterweight changes how easy it is to take a capable telescope outside. There is no polar alignment, no counterweight balancing, and no heavy mount head to wrestle onto the tripod before you can begin.
At the same time, this is not simply a lightweight mount for lightweight telescopes. With the right tube geometry and support, it has enough published capacity for substantial refractors, SCTs, Newtonians, and large astronomical binoculars.
The built-in GPS, Assistant Alignment Wizard, fast GoTo system, 8409 hand controller, Wi-Fi control, and automatic tracking handle the repetitive parts of the night while you spend your time at the eyepiece.
If visual astronomy is the priority and you want a mount that carries far more telescope than its own weight suggests, that's the HAZ31's reason for being.
