iOptron CEM70AW Center-Balanced GoTo Equatorial Mount with iPolar, USB 3.0, and WiFi – No Tripod Included
iOptron Part Number: CEM70AW
Some mounts are built to impress on paper. The iOptron CEM70 is built to impress in the field—night after night, load after load. With its center-balanced design, exceptional 70-pound payload capacity, and thoughtful engineering throughout, the CEM70 delivers an uncommon combination of tracking precision, equipment capacity, and transportability that appeals to imagers and visual observers alike.
Whether you’re chasing galaxies at f/8 or riding a full-frame sensor with narrowband filters until dawn, the CEM70 keeps you locked on target with accuracy and reliability—no pier required.
The Heart of the System: Center-Balanced Design
The signature feature of the CEM series is right in the name—CEM stands for Center-Balanced Equatorial Mount, and it’s more than just a clever acronym. Traditional German equatorials place the payload off-center relative to the mount head. That’s fine—until you scale up. At that point, torque increases, vibration creeps in, and balance becomes finicky.
The CEM70 solves this by placing the weight of the OTA, accessories, and counterweight directly over the center of the mount’s pier or tripod, minimizing torque and maximizing natural stability. This design allows the CEM70 to support up to 70 pounds (31.8 kg) of telescope and accessories with a mount head that weighs just 30 pounds (13.6 kg)—a feat rarely achieved in this class.
That design also makes for a mount that’s surprisingly easy to transport. It's heavy-duty without being a hernia hazard. For backyard astronomers, remote imagers, and observatory builders alike, that matters.
Serious Astrophotography Performance – Standard
The CEM70 isn’t just about lifting big gear—it’s about tracking it, too. The mount uses 248-tooth, 151mm aluminum drive gears in both right ascension and declination, driven by brass worms and dual-axis DC stepper motors with high-resolution encoders. Periodic error is rated at a respectable ±3.5 arcseconds peak-to-peak, and thanks to permanent periodic error correction (PPEC), that error can be trained and stored for long-term consistency.
The stepper motors are controlled by a temperature-compensated quartz crystal oscillator, which allows for 0.06 arcsecond per step resolution. The result? Guiding is tight, accurate, and effortless, especially when paired with the built-in ST-4 autoguider port and your preferred guide camera/software.
Whether you're shooting broadband galaxies or fine-detail planetary nebulae, the CEM70 delivers the stability and tracking finesse serious imaging demands.
GoTo Accuracy Powered by Go2Nova® and GPS
Controlling the CEM70 is the Go2Nova® 8410 hand controller, a powerful and intuitive interface that brings the entire sky to your fingertips. Its 8-line, 21-character backlit LCD is the largest of any commercial hand controller and includes a built-in heater for cold-weather visibility down to -4°F (-20°C). An LED reading light on the back of the handset makes it easy to swap eyepieces or consult charts without grabbing a flashlight.
Inside, you’ll find a 32-channel GPS receiver, which ensures that the mount always knows your exact time and location for accurate alignment—no manual entry required.
The database includes over 359,000 celestial objects, from Messier and NGC targets to comets, asteroids, variables, and deep catalog galaxies:
This is not your average hand control—this is a database built to last you a lifetime.
Alignment Made Simple: Built-in iPolar Polar Scope
Included with every CEM70AW is iOptron’s iPolar™ electronic polar scope, a powerful tool that eliminates guesswork from polar alignment. Built directly into the RA axis and always aligned with the mount, iPolar allows for rapid, accurate alignment—even when Polaris is obscured or you’re in the southern hemisphere.
With its clean software interface and real-time feedback, iPolar is a favorite among imagers who want repeatable, precise alignment without wasting valuable imaging time.
Drive Rates, Tracking Modes, and Slew Speed
The CEM70 provides nine tracking and slewing rates for complete flexibility:
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Guiding: Sidereal and 2x sidereal
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Centering: 8x, 16x, 64x, 128x sidereal
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Slewing: 256x (1°/sec), 512x (2°/sec), and a blazing ~3.75°/sec
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Tracking Rates: Sidereal, solar, lunar, King (for horizon imaging), and one user-defined
These options let you tailor your imaging sessions precisely to the demands of your target and setup.
Power consumption is modest: the mount draws 0.6A during tracking and 1.1A during slewing, and it operates on 12VDC (9–15V range) via either the included AC power supply or DC cigarette-style cable.
Advanced Cable Management – A Dream for Imagers
No more tangled USB cords or snagged guide cables. The CEM70AW features a fully integrated cable management system that passes data and power through the mount head, keeping your cables safe from snags or wraparound during slewing.
Onboard outputs include:
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(2) 12VDC power outlets for cameras, focusers, etc.
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(4) USB 3.0 ports (Type A)
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(1) 6P6C aux port for accessories
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(1) USB 2.0 Type B input
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(1) Additional 6P6C port
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(1) 12VDC input (5A max)
With these pre-wired pass-through ports, your setup can remain tidy and consistent all night—and every night after that.
Mounting Versatility and Compatibility
The CEM70AW features a spring-loaded, 8" dual saddle that accepts both Losmandy D-plate and Vixen-style dovetails right out of the box. Whether you're mounting a big Ritchey-Chrétien or a lightweight triplet refractor, your OTA is locked in securely and balanced with ease.
Tripod Not Included – Build Your System Your Way
To support a wide range of user needs, the CEM70AW package does not include a tripod or pier. iOptron offers multiple mounting options:
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#8030 – 48" Pier (ideal for SCTs and astrographs)
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#8033 – 42" Pier (better suited to Newtonians or refractors)
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Adjustable 2" Stainless Steel Tripod, max height 52", weighs 17.1 lbs
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Tri-Pier or permanent pier options for observatory installation
This flexibility allows you to configure your CEM70 precisely for your setup, without paying for components you don’t need.
What’s in the Box
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CEM70AW Center-Balanced Mount Head
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iPolar Electronic Polar Scope (factory installed)
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Go2Nova® 8410 Hand Controller with heater
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32-Channel GPS module (built-in)
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21 lb Counterweight
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Counterweight shaft
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100–240V AC to 12VDC Power Supply
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12V DC power cable (car-style)
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RS232 to RJ9 Serial Cable
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Integrated Cable Management System
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Hardware & Documentation
Observing Tip
When balancing the CEM70, remember that the center-balanced design means the mount may feel "correct" slightly differently than a traditional German equatorial. Trust the center of mass—not just visual symmetry—especially if you're running multiple accessories. iPolar makes alignment painless, but proper mechanical balance gives you the best tracking the mount has to offer.
Why Choose the CEM70AW?
The CEM70 is a mount for serious astrophotographers and deep-sky visual observers who demand accuracy, load capacity, and flexibility in one platform. It's at home under a permanent pier or under a dark sky at your favorite star party. And with the iPolar system, Go2Nova control, onboard GPS, and cable management, it's fully modern—no third-party upgrades needed.
If you're ready to stop outgrowing your mount and start trusting it, the iOptron CEM70AW might be the only mount you’ll need for years to come.
