Sky-Watcher Wave 100i Strainwave Mount Kit w/ Steel Tripod

The carbon fiber version of this kit prioritizes minimum weight. This steel tripod version prioritizes stability and working height. The Wave 100i mount head is the same — 9.5 pounds, strain wave drive, 22-pound payload without counterweight, sub-arcsecond guided tracking. But the tripod underneath it is a different animal entirely. The EQ6-style steel tripod weighs roughly 16 pounds, stands up to 48 inches tall on its own, and plants itself with the kind of rigidity that 2-inch rolled steel legs provide. Add the 7-inch pier extension and you're at 55 inches of height below the mount head — standing height for most people, and a comfortable working position for visual observing or adjusting imaging gear without kneeling on the ground. If you have a permanent or semi-permanent setup in the backyard, a roll-off roof observatory, or simply prefer stability over portability, this is the kit.

Same Mount, Different Foundation

The Wave 100i head is identical in both kits. Strain wave drive with a 300:1 gear ratio, near-zero backlash, 22-pound payload without counterweight (33 pounds with the optional counterweight kit), dual D/V hybrid saddles for both Losmandy and Vixen dovetails, EQ and AZ operating modes, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, ASIAir compatibility via included USB-B cable, and independent review guiding numbers of 0.35–0.45 arcseconds RMS. Everything that makes the Wave 100i a capable imaging platform applies here.

What changes is the base. The carbon fiber tripod weighs 5.3 pounds and maxes out at 29 inches. The steel tripod weighs roughly 16 pounds and adjusts from 28 to 48 inches. That's a significant difference in both stability and usable height. The steel legs damp vibrations through mass rather than material properties — they don't settle as fast as carbon fiber, but they resist wind loading and accidental bumps more effectively when you're working around the setup all evening. For a backyard installation where the tripod stays in place between sessions, or an observatory where the mount lives on the tripod permanently, the extra weight is a feature, not a penalty.

How Strain Wave Drives Work

A strain wave (harmonic) drive replaces the worm gear and worm wheel of a traditional mount with a flexible spline, a wave generator, and a circular spline. The result is a 300:1 gear reduction with virtually zero backlash. When the mount moves, it moves cleanly — minimal overshoot and no noticeable reversal delay compared to worm-gear mounts. For imaging, that means faster and more accurate GoTo slewing, tighter guiding corrections, and no backlash-induced star elongation when the wind shifts or the guide algorithm reverses direction. Independent reviews have measured guiding accuracy at 0.35–0.45 arcseconds RMS with autoguiding, dropping to 0.25 arcseconds on excellent nights. At those numbers, it can support round stars at focal lengths over 1000mm under good conditions.

What's in the Kit

This bundle brings together three components that Sky-Watcher sells separately:

• Wave 100i mount head (S30900). The strain wave GoTo head with dual D/V hybrid saddles (accepts both Losmandy and Vixen dovetails), Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, EQ and AZ operating modes, ASIAir compatibility with included USB-B cable, and a secondary saddle that mounts over the counterweight port for dual-telescope setups in alt-az mode.
• EQ6-style steel tripod (S30918). Heavy-duty tripod with 2-inch rolled steel legs. Adjustable height from 28 to 48 inches. Weighs approximately 16 pounds. The same EQ6 tripod platform used under Sky-Watcher's NEQ6, EQ6, EQ6-R, and AZ-EQ6 mounts — proven in the field for over a decade. Matching black trim complements the Wave 100i head.
• Pier adapter and extension tube (S30916). A combined adapter and 7-inch pier extension. The adapter mates the Wave 100i head to the EQ6 tripod (the head doesn't bolt directly to the EQ6 platform without it). The extension adds 7 inches of height between the mount and tripod, raising the telescope above the tripod legs for optical tube clearance. Weighs 2.4 pounds.

Total system weight with all three components: approximately 28 pounds. Not a backpacking setup — but a solid foundation that you set up once and use all season.

Height Advantage

The steel tripod's 48-inch maximum height is the practical difference most people will notice first. With the 7-inch pier extension, the bottom of the mount head sits at roughly 55 inches above the ground. That puts an eyepiece at a comfortable standing height for most refractors and SCTs. It also means you're not crouching to adjust camera connections, swap filters, or check focus. For imaging sessions that run several hours, working at a comfortable height matters more than most people expect.

The carbon fiber kit tops out at 36 inches below the mount head (29-inch tripod plus 7-inch extension). That's seated height or low-stool height. Fine for dedicated imaging where you polar-align and walk away, but less practical for visual observing or hands-on imaging adjustments.

EQ and AZ Modes

The Wave 100i operates as both an equatorial mount (for astrophotography — tracking the sky's rotation) and an alt-azimuth mount (for visual observing and solar work). In EQ mode, you polar-align, connect your autoguider, and image. In AZ mode, the mount tracks in both axes simultaneously — no polar alignment required. AZ mode is particularly useful for solar observing, outreach events, and quick visual sessions where you don't want to spend time on alignment.

The included secondary saddle turns the mount into a dual-saddle alt-az setup. Mount a telescope on top and a second instrument — a guidescope, a solar scope, a camera lens — on the counterweight port side. Both saddles accept up to 22 pounds in AZ mode, though the practical limit for dual instruments depends on balance and the combined moment arm.

Connectivity

The Wave 100i connects wirelessly via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to Sky-Watcher's SynScan app on your phone or tablet. For deeper integration, a USB-B cable (included) connects directly to ZWO's ASIAir controller, allowing plate-solving, automated framing, and multi-target sequencing without a laptop. The mount also supports ASCOM and INDI protocols for users running N.I.N.A., Sequence Generator Pro, KStars/Ekos, or other imaging software on a Windows or Linux computer.

RA power-off braking holds the mount's position when you cut power — the telescope doesn't swing free. RA and DEC home position functions let you return to a known reference point for repeatable setups night after night. If you're leaving the mount on the tripod between sessions, the home position function means you can power up and be aligned in minutes.

Features

• Strain wave drive, 300:1 ratio. Near-zero backlash. Smooth, precise tracking without the reversal delays of worm-gear mounts. Sub-arcsecond guided imaging at a weight class that traditional mounts can't match.
• 22 lb payload without counterweight. Enough for a 100mm-class APO refractor with camera, guidescope, and accessories. No counterweight bar, no counterweight shaft, no extra iron. Just telescope on top, mount underneath.
• 33 lb payload with optional counterweight. Add the counterweight kit (sold separately) and the capacity jumps to 33 pounds — enough for 6" refractors, 8" Newtonians, and larger SCTs. On the steel tripod, heavier payloads sit more naturally than on the lighter CF legs.
• 9.5-pound mount head. Light enough to carry in one hand. The weight is in the tripod, not the head — which means the center of gravity stays low and the system stays stable.
• Dual D/V hybrid saddles. Accept both Losmandy D-style and Vixen-width dovetail bars without swapping saddle plates. Whatever dovetail your telescope uses, it fits.
• EQ and AZ operating modes. Polar-aligned equatorial for imaging. Alt-azimuth for visual, solar, and outreach. One mount handles both without hardware changes.
• Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-B. Wireless control via SynScan app. Wired connection to ASIAir, N.I.N.A., SGP, or any ASCOM/INDI-compatible software. The USB-B cable for ASIAir is included in the box.
• EQ6-style steel tripod, 2" rolled steel legs. Heavy-duty tripod proven across the EQ6 mount family. Adjustable from 28 to 48 inches. Compatible with NEQ6, EQ6, EQ6-R, and AZ-EQ6 mounts if you ever change heads.
• Pier adapter and extension tube included. The S30916 adapter mates the Wave head to the EQ6 tripod and adds 7 inches of height. Prevents optical tube/tripod leg collisions. Essential for refractors and long-focus instruments.
• Red LED latitude scale and bubble level. Set your latitude in the dark without a white flashlight ruining your night vision. The bubble level ensures the tripod is plumb before you begin polar alignment.
• 2400x maximum slew rate (10°/sec). GoTo slews are fast enough minimizing wait time between targets. Point, slew, arrive, image.

Practical Considerations

The 22-pound unweighted payload assumes a balanced load. A heavy camera hanging far behind the saddle creates a longer moment arm than the same weight centered over the saddle. Balance matters on every mount. The mount requires 12V 2A DC power, which is not included — a lithium field battery or a 12V power tank is the standard solution. If you're running in the backyard with access to AC power, a regulated 12V DC power supply works too. The counterweight kit is not included; if your imaging setup stays under 22 pounds, you'll never need it.

At roughly 28 pounds total, this kit is not designed for dark-sky travel. If portability is your priority, the carbon fiber version of this kit (S40013) weighs under 18 pounds and fits in a bag. This steel tripod kit is designed for setups where the tripod stays planted — a patio, a backyard pad, an observatory floor. The weight is an advantage in that context: a heavier tripod resists wind and accidental contact better, and the taller height range means you can work comfortably without stooping.

Who Should Choose Steel vs. Carbon Fiber

If you drive to dark sites, fly with your gear, or value minimum pack weight above all else, the carbon fiber kit is the better choice. If you observe from home, have a permanent or semi-permanent setup, want standing-height operation, or plan to run heavier payloads where the extra tripod mass improves stability, this steel tripod kit makes more sense. The mount head is identical — the choice is entirely about how you plan to use the tripod.

Observing Tip

If you're setting this up as a semi-permanent backyard station, take the time to level the tripod carefully on the first night and mark the leg positions on your pad or patio with tape or paint. On subsequent sessions, drop the legs back into the marks, level the bubble, and you'll be polar-aligned in minutes. The home position function means you can start where you left off rather than running a full alignment every session. Over time, this shaves 15–20 minutes off your setup and gets you imaging while the sky is still darkening.

Frequently Asked Questions

What telescopes fit within the 22-pound unweighted payload?
Most 80mm to 130mm APO refractors with camera and guidescope. An Astro-Tech AT130EDT with imaging accessories weighs about 19 pounds — well within range. Lightweight 6" Newtonians and compact 8" f/4 imaging Newtonians also work. With the counterweight kit extending capacity to 33 pounds, larger instruments like 8" SCTs and heavy refractors become practical, and the steel tripod handles those loads more confidently than the CF legs.

Do I need the counterweight kit?
Not for most refractor-based imaging setups. The mount handles 22 pounds without one. If you plan to use heavier instruments — a 6" refractor, an 8" SCT, a large Newtonian — you'll want the counterweight kit to reach the 33-pound capacity. On the steel tripod, the additional weight of a counterweight doesn't affect portability the way it would on the CF setup.

Why does the steel tripod need a pier adapter?
The Wave 100i head was designed to mate directly with Sky-Watcher's dedicated Wave tripods (like the CF tripod in the other kit). The EQ6-style steel tripod has a different mounting interface — the S30916 pier adapter bridges the two. It also serves as a 7-inch pier extension, which is a practical benefit: it raises the mount above the tripod legs for optical tube clearance. The adapter is included in this kit.

Can I use this tripod with other mounts?
Yes. The EQ6-style steel tripod (S30918) is compatible with Sky-Watcher's NEQ6, EQ6, EQ6-R, and AZ-EQ6 mounts. If you upgrade or change mount heads later, the tripod still works. The pier adapter (S30916) is specific to the Wave mount.

How does it connect to ASIAir?
Via the included USB-B cable. Plug the cable from the mount's USB-B port into the ASIAir's USB-A port. ASIAir recognizes the mount automatically and provides plate-solving, framing, GoTo control, and automated sequencing through its app.

What power supply do I need?
12V DC at 2A minimum. For portable use, a lithium battery pack with a 12V DC output works. For backyard use, a regulated 12V DC power supply plugged into household AC is simpler and eliminates battery management entirely. The mount draws very little current.

Is the pier extension necessary?
For short-tube instruments like 80mm f/6 refractors, you might not need the height — the tube clears the tripod legs at most orientations. But you still need the adapter portion of the S30916 to mount the Wave head on the EQ6 tripod. For anything longer — a 130mm f/7, a 6" refractor, an SCT — the 7-inch extension prevents the optical tube from colliding with the tripod legs near the zenith. It's included in this kit either way.

Accessories

• Sky-Watcher Wave Counterweight Kit. Extends payload capacity from 22 lbs to 33 lbs. Necessary for heavier optical tubes. Sold separately.
• 12V DC power supply. For backyard use, a regulated AC-to-12V adapter eliminates battery concerns. For field use, a 6–12Ah lithium battery with 12V DC output will will typically power the mount for a full imaging session.
• ZWO ASIAir Plus or ASIAir Mini. The wireless imaging controller that turns the Wave 100i into a phone-controlled imaging station. Plate-solving, framing, guiding, and sequencing — no laptop required.
• Autoguider (guidescope + guide camera). The mount tracks well unguided for short exposures, but autoguiding is what delivers the 0.35–0.45" RMS accuracy. A 30mm or 50mm guidescope with a small guide camera is the standard addition.

Final Thoughts

The steel tripod version of the Wave 100i kit is for the imager who wants stability and height over portability. At 48 inches before the pier extension, the steel tripod gives you standing-height operation that the carbon fiber version can't match — and the 2-inch rolled steel legs plant themselves with authority. You give up the ability to toss the tripod in a backpack, but you gain a setup that stays where you put it when the wind gusts or you bump a leg reaching for a cable. The mount head is the same capable strain wave platform either way: 22 pounds of capacity, sub-arcsecond guided tracking, ASIAir and ASCOM ready, EQ and AZ modes. If your telescope lives in the backyard, this is the foundation that makes sense under it.

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