Sky-Watcher Wave 150i Strainwave Mount and Tripod

Sky-Watcher Wave 150i Strainwave Mount and Tripod

The Sky-Watcher Wave 150i Strainwave Mount and Tripod is a revolutionary piece of equipment designed for both amateur and professional astronomers. This mount and tripod combination brings together cutting-edge technology, robust construction, and user-friendly features to provide an unparalleled stargazing and astrophotography experience.

High Torque, High Precision, High Portability

At the heart of the Wave 150i is its strain wave drive technology, also known as harmonic drive. This advanced system delivers exceptionally smooth and precise tracking without the need for bulky counterweights. The strain wave design allows for high torque in a compact and lightweight package, making it ideal for both home use and travel. Weighing only 12.8 pounds (5.8 kg), the Wave 150i can easily be transported to your favorite dark sky site.

Robust Payload Capacity

Despite its compact size, the Wave 150i boasts an impressive payload capacity. It can carry up to 33 pounds (15 kg) without an optional counterweight and up to 55 pounds (25 kg) with the counterweight kit. This makes it suitable for a wide range of optical tubes, from small wide-field refractors to large astrographs. Whether you’re an astrophotographer with a heavy setup or a visual observer with a lightweight telescope, the Wave 150i has you covered.

Versatile Tracking Modes

The Wave 150i features both equatorial (EQ) and alt-azimuth (AZ) tracking modes, providing flexibility for different observing and imaging needs. The EQ mode is perfect for long-exposure astrophotography, while the AZ mode is ideal for visual observing and short-exposure imaging. The mount also includes RA and DEC home position functions, making it easy to return to a known starting point.

Built-In Cable Management

One of the standout features of the Wave 150i is its built-in cable management system. Designed with the serious astro-imager in mind, the mount includes through-mount cabling and a powered hub built into the saddle. This hub features ports for autoguiding, DEC USB, and two DEC outputs, keeping all your cables neat, organized, and safe from snags.

Fast Slewing and Satellite Tracking

The Wave 150i is capable of fast slewing at a rate of 7.5 degrees per second, allowing you to quickly move between targets. Additionally, the mount supports satellite tracking with the downloadable Satellite Tracker Application for Windows PC. This feature is perfect for tracking satellites and space stations, adding another layer of versatility to the mount.

User-Friendly Features

Sky-Watcher has packed the Wave 150i with a host of user-friendly features to enhance your observing and imaging experience. The mount includes a red LED for the latitude scale and bubble level, making setup in the dark a breeze. It also features Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to control the mount wirelessly from your smartphone or tablet.

High-Quality Tripod

The Wave 150i comes with a high-quality tripod that complements the mount’s capabilities. The tripod is designed to be lightweight yet sturdy, providing a stable platform for your telescope. It features adjustable legs and a robust construction that can handle the mount’s payload capacity with ease.

Optional Accessories

To further enhance the functionality of the Wave 150i, Sky-Watcher offers a range of optional accessories. These include a counterweight kit, pier extension, and various adapters to suit different optical tubes. These accessories allow you to customize the mount to your specific needs, ensuring you get the most out of your observing and imaging sessions.

Conclusion

The Sky-Watcher Wave 150i Strainwave Mount and Tripod is a game-changer in the world of astronomy mounts. Its combination of high torque, precision tracking, and portability makes it an excellent choice for both amateur and professional astronomers. Whether you’re looking to capture stunning images of celestial objects or simply enjoy a night of visual observing, the Wave 150i has the features and performance to meet your needs.

With its robust payload capacity, versatile tracking modes, and user-friendly features, the Wave 150i is designed to provide an exceptional stargazing experience. The built-in cable management system and fast slewing capabilities further enhance its appeal, making it a top choice for serious astro-imagers. The high-quality tripod and optional accessories add to the mount’s versatility, ensuring it can be tailored to suit a wide range of observing and imaging setups.

In summary, the Sky-Watcher Wave 150i Strainwave Mount and Tripod is a highly capable and versatile piece of equipment that offers exceptional performance in a compact and portable package. Whether you’re a seasoned astronomer or just starting out, this mount and tripod combination is sure to elevate your stargazing and astrophotography to new heights.