Great unboxing video on what looks to be a very serious piece of hardware. It will be very interesting indeed to hear how this compares to the Mesu 200 and for that matter the EQ6. Looking forward to watching your future videos. Well done!
Thanks, Peter, that's really appreciated. I am suitably impressed so far I have to say. I don't think it will hold up against the Mesu200, purely because of the friction drive, but it is a fair bit cheaper so this is kind of expected. However, I really do expect it to be very good indeed, and first impressions are that it will be.
iv ordered the 120EC2 should arrive in a few days. very excited!! Ordered from OPT. when adjusting the RA knobs it looked like you were loosing one than turning the other? are they not connected and move the mount left and right ? or is it two separate knobs??
Lucky man that’s an absolutely beautiful mount. My favorite of all mounts but I could only afford the LX85 package, it’s good but that is just awesome. Have fun!
Finally the man behind these ingenious videos shows his face 😊 My heart was in my mouth when you said "I hope this bar doesn't roll off the table" and then you got side tracked by the beauty of the mount and the bar did start to roll BUT thankfully it went the other way hehehe... The man with Simplified Astro T-shirt, TV logo, Mug and a notebook (yes I'm a keep observer) now finally has everything or it may seem 😊 Brilliant first impression video and what a beauty this mount is mate. Look, we're friends right? Seeing you were out of breath taking this beast out of the box, let me extend my help by saying I'll happily fly out to Spain with you and help you put this beauty on the pier 😉Can't wait for the next installment mate 😊
Ha ha thanks Ahmed. Well spotted, Sir! Product placement at its best, but only with my own products of course (the mug was used for a cup of coffee) 😊 Given the awkward lift of this mount, I look forward to seeing you at the airport mate 😊
Hahahaha I'm at boots website looking for effective bug sprays already ;) One question though, since this mount is such a big piece of brilliance, will this fit on any normal pier or would you need something constructed specifically for it to carry the load?
I have spare bug repellent, they love me for some reason so I'm always covered in it. It needs a really beefy tripod (they do make a specific one but it is way out of my price range I'm afraid) so I am having a custom pier made by a local fabricator. The top plate needs to suit the mount as the bed plate is part of the mount.
I'm a B+ bloody type so these bugs love my blood 😂 Yeah that's what I thought that this beast might need a special pier to carry all the weight not only of its own but also what you're going to put on it. It will be interesting to see how easy or hard will it be for you to balance the scopes on it. The total RMS test value report is just crazy good, would you happen to know how many minutes unguided you can go on this mount?
Yes it is really impressive. I guide everything anyway, but I will be interested to tune the PA with a long drift and then see what can be achieved unguided. Perhaps the subject of a separate video.
I am interested in buying this mount or the EC2 version but I can't decide if the extra Dec encoder on the EC2 version is worth the extra money. What I would like to know is how good is the tracking on the EC model.
Great Video! Thank you for the details. I was surprised, that you mentioned to own a Mesu 200 before but bought the CEM120. I am currently in the decision process and unsure, which of these mounts to get: CEM120, EQ8-R, Mesu 200, GTD e.fric. The friction drive mounts seem to be very interesting and seem also to deliver exceptional guiding results. Did you have issues with your Mesu 200? Are friction drives problematic? How happy are you with your CEM120 since you own it quite some time now? Hope you don't mind this rainfall of questions ^^. It is a tough decision. One can find good and bad ratings for all these mounts.
Hi and firstly thanks for commenting. I still have both the Mesu200 and the CEM120. The Mesu is absolutely awesome and I honestly can't fault it in operation. There are a couple of areas where they lack a little, which is well documented, such as the pretty basic handbox and the not so pretty looking software. However, performance wise it is, in my opinion, unbeatable in its price range. I got the CEM120 as it is used remotely in Spain from the UK, so the through the hub wiring really appealed to me. This has proven to be a real bonus and makes it really easy to connect everything. I really enjoy both but they are quite different. The Mesu being friction means the guiding is incredible, but balancing can be tricky. However, balancing is not as critical as it is on the CEM120, which needs to be absolutely spot on. When done well, though, the guiding for me on the CEM120 is as good as the Mesu200, with as low as 0.24"/p being achieved. On balance I think the Mesu200 is a better mount for the money and has been flawless since I've had it, but the CEM120 is also really excellent, but for different reasons. There has been some negative reviews about the CEM120 performance, but this has not been my experience with mine, which performs excellently. If I owned neither, I would go for the Mesu200 personally, but I'm not a great fan of the newer mounting design. As such I would probably scout for a good example of the gen2 one (same as mine), but I do understand that performance is still the same on the new one so getting new is still a great choice. Good luck with your selection, whichever you make, and please let us know which route you go.
@@simplifiedastro2092 thank you very much for taking the time to give that detailed answer! But it does make the decision even tougher ^^. I will talk to some vendors and see, if they will give me some extra time to test the CEM120 just in case I got a bad sample and if that does not work out, I will go the friction mount route. They both have pros and cons. Maybe either choice is a good one and I should just do it ;)
@@angryBOT I have the Mesu200. For over 7 years now actually. Never had a second thought. It is not as refined as the CEM120, I'm sure but it is an awesome performer, especially in the price-to-features ratio. With 100 KG capacity you can't really beat it!
These are cleverly engineered mounts. I do like Ioptron for thinking out the box (no pun intended). I remember really wanting a CEM60 when they first hit the scene. Good unboxing, any video of the mount in action at all?
Hi, thanks for commenting. Yes, the design was what swung it for me over another Mesu200. I just liked the concept, and the different approach, and of course the through the mount cabling! I have another video posted with it slewing during firmware update and calibration, and have another in edit with it running with my FSQ106 on, which will be posted very soon.
Thanks for the great video! I've been lusting over the CEM120 for a couple of months and really appreciate the info. Now, how long can I hold my breath waiting for more?
Hi Bob. Thanks for the comment. Yes it is a very nice mount, I'm really impressed. So far it feels like a mount of a much higher price mark and, whilst I appreciate this isn't cheap, it is actually incredibly good value. I've been making some more videos so will be posting them very soon.
@@simplifiedastro2092 I was just reviewing this video again and noticed that the serial number of your CEM120EC is GD10041, mine (purchased shortly after watching your video) is GD10042 😎.
Hi. No problem at all, that's a really good question. I use the Alnitak Flip Flat which has been superb. It also lets me redo flat frames remotely when necessary.
Hi. Yes I can see what you mean, especially the dovetail plate. I think the clever thing with this is the centre balance, which does seem very good, but comes at the expense of limited travel past the meridian.
this is just so beautiful . thanxs for sharing your happy day for us
Great unboxing video on what looks to be a very serious piece of hardware. It will be very interesting indeed to hear how this compares to the Mesu 200 and for that matter the EQ6. Looking forward to watching your future videos. Well done!
Thanks, Peter, that's really appreciated. I am suitably impressed so far I have to say. I don't think it will hold up against the Mesu200, purely because of the friction drive, but it is a fair bit cheaper so this is kind of expected. However, I really do expect it to be very good indeed, and first impressions are that it will be.
That is a monster mount! I have its smallest sibling :-) Love the CEM design.
Great piece of equipment, and great video. Cannot wait to the next one.
This is great. A very useful channel.
iv ordered the 120EC2 should arrive in a few days. very excited!! Ordered from OPT.
when adjusting the RA knobs it looked like you were loosing one than turning the other? are they not connected and move the mount left and right ? or is it two separate knobs??
You make great videos.you should make more. Merry Christmas.
Lucky man that’s an absolutely beautiful mount. My favorite of all mounts but I could only afford the LX85 package, it’s good but that is just awesome. Have fun!
Hi again Simplified Astro, I was wondering when you will be doing the follow up video's to this? Clear Skies!!
Finally the man behind these ingenious videos shows his face 😊 My heart was in my mouth when you said "I hope this bar doesn't roll off the table" and then you got side tracked by the beauty of the mount and the bar did start to roll BUT thankfully it went the other way hehehe... The man with Simplified Astro T-shirt, TV logo, Mug and a notebook (yes I'm a keep observer) now finally has everything or it may seem 😊 Brilliant first impression video and what a beauty this mount is mate. Look, we're friends right? Seeing you were out of breath taking this beast out of the box, let me extend my help by saying I'll happily fly out to Spain with you and help you put this beauty on the pier 😉Can't wait for the next installment mate 😊
Ha ha thanks Ahmed. Well spotted, Sir! Product placement at its best, but only with my own products of course (the mug was used for a cup of coffee) 😊
Given the awkward lift of this mount, I look forward to seeing you at the airport mate 😊
Hahahaha I'm at boots website looking for effective bug sprays already ;) One question though, since this mount is such a big piece of brilliance, will this fit on any normal pier or would you need something constructed specifically for it to carry the load?
I have spare bug repellent, they love me for some reason so I'm always covered in it.
It needs a really beefy tripod (they do make a specific one but it is way out of my price range I'm afraid) so I am having a custom pier made by a local fabricator. The top plate needs to suit the mount as the bed plate is part of the mount.
I'm a B+ bloody type so these bugs love my blood 😂
Yeah that's what I thought that this beast might need a special pier to carry all the weight not only of its own but also what you're going to put on it. It will be interesting to see how easy or hard will it be for you to balance the scopes on it. The total RMS test value report is just crazy good, would you happen to know how many minutes unguided you can go on this mount?
Yes it is really impressive. I guide everything anyway, but I will be interested to tune the PA with a long drift and then see what can be achieved unguided. Perhaps the subject of a separate video.
I am interested in buying this mount or the EC2 version but I can't decide if the extra Dec encoder on the EC2 version is worth the extra money. What I would like to know is how good is the tracking on the EC model.
Great Video! Thank you for the details. I was surprised, that you mentioned to own a Mesu 200 before but bought the CEM120. I am currently in the decision process and unsure, which of these mounts to get: CEM120, EQ8-R, Mesu 200, GTD e.fric. The friction drive mounts seem to be very interesting and seem also to deliver exceptional guiding results.
Did you have issues with your Mesu 200? Are friction drives problematic? How happy are you with your CEM120 since you own it quite some time now?
Hope you don't mind this rainfall of questions ^^. It is a tough decision. One can find good and bad ratings for all these mounts.
Hi and firstly thanks for commenting. I still have both the Mesu200 and the CEM120. The Mesu is absolutely awesome and I honestly can't fault it in operation. There are a couple of areas where they lack a little, which is well documented, such as the pretty basic handbox and the not so pretty looking software. However, performance wise it is, in my opinion, unbeatable in its price range.
I got the CEM120 as it is used remotely in Spain from the UK, so the through the hub wiring really appealed to me. This has proven to be a real bonus and makes it really easy to connect everything. I really enjoy both but they are quite different. The Mesu being friction means the guiding is incredible, but balancing can be tricky. However, balancing is not as critical as it is on the CEM120, which needs to be absolutely spot on. When done well, though, the guiding for me on the CEM120 is as good as the Mesu200, with as low as 0.24"/p being achieved.
On balance I think the Mesu200 is a better mount for the money and has been flawless since I've had it, but the CEM120 is also really excellent, but for different reasons. There has been some negative reviews about the CEM120 performance, but this has not been my experience with mine, which performs excellently.
If I owned neither, I would go for the Mesu200 personally, but I'm not a great fan of the newer mounting design. As such I would probably scout for a good example of the gen2 one (same as mine), but I do understand that performance is still the same on the new one so getting new is still a great choice.
Good luck with your selection, whichever you make, and please let us know which route you go.
@@simplifiedastro2092 thank you very much for taking the time to give that detailed answer! But it does make the decision even tougher ^^. I will talk to some vendors and see, if they will give me some extra time to test the CEM120 just in case I got a bad sample and if that does not work out, I will go the friction mount route.
They both have pros and cons. Maybe either choice is a good one and I should just do it ;)
@@angryBOT I have the Mesu200. For over 7 years now actually. Never had a second thought. It is not as refined as the CEM120, I'm sure but it is an awesome performer, especially in the price-to-features ratio. With 100 KG capacity you can't really beat it!
Awesome, not jealous....not at all jealous !
Ha ha it was a big decision, Mark, so I really do hope it performs as well as it looks!
Great video. Thanks . Love an unboxing.
Ha ha Thanks. Look forward to the next Pony unboxing :)
These are cleverly engineered mounts. I do like Ioptron for thinking out the box (no pun intended). I remember really wanting a CEM60 when they first hit the scene. Good unboxing, any video of the mount in action at all?
Hi, thanks for commenting. Yes, the design was what swung it for me over another Mesu200. I just liked the concept, and the different approach, and of course the through the mount cabling!
I have another video posted with it slewing during firmware update and calibration, and have another in edit with it running with my FSQ106 on, which will be posted very soon.
Thanks, I'll take a look. I bet it looks stunning with the FSQ.
Thanks for the great video! I've been lusting over the CEM120 for a couple of months and really appreciate the info. Now, how long can I hold my breath waiting for more?
Hi Bob. Thanks for the comment. Yes it is a very nice mount, I'm really impressed. So far it feels like a mount of a much higher price mark and, whilst I appreciate this isn't cheap, it is actually incredibly good value.
I've been making some more videos so will be posting them very soon.
@@simplifiedastro2092 I was just reviewing this video again and noticed that the serial number of your CEM120EC is GD10041, mine (purchased shortly after watching your video) is GD10042 😎.
@@bobtracy8069 Spooky!! I hope yours performs as well as mine has, and still does.
@@simplifiedastro2092 Yep, I'm totally happy with it, especially with the latest firmware (v210420).
Very nice review!
This is a bit off topic, but you'd mentioned you're going to use this for a remote observatory. How do you cover the optics on the telescope remotely?
Hi. No problem at all, that's a really good question. I use the Alnitak Flip Flat which has been superb. It also lets me redo flat frames remotely when necessary.
Wow, they copied the SB versa plate - big time!
Hi. Yes I can see what you mean, especially the dovetail plate. I think the clever thing with this is the centre balance, which does seem very good, but comes at the expense of limited travel past the meridian.