iOptron CEM25P mount setup

December 29, 2018

Want to see what I do when I setup my wide-field narrowband astro gear for the night? I shot this with a GoPro on a headband, so it's kind of fun to watch. It's like playing a first-person game where you have to install some astronomy equipment to test your patience and dexterity before they hand over the more lethal hardware. This is close to real time, and my goal with setting up the 4x4 post in the ground and using drilled 4" x 6" aluminum plates was to allow me to spend the minimum time outside. I started using this a little over a year ago--to avoid being outside when it's really cold, and so far it's worked well. I have both mounts (iOptron and Orion Atlas) with the same size and format base plate, and I have mounting plates on the backyard "pier", tripod I can carry anywhere, and a rolling cart that I can set up in the driveway.