Sky-Watcher Strainwave Mounts | Full Review

Weighing in at just 9.5 lbs, the Sky-Watcher Wave 100i is impressively lightweight but still boasts a payload capacity of 22 lbs without a counterweight and 33 lbs with the optional counterweight set. This mount is incredibly versatile, featuring both a standard hand controller port and a USB port for PC control. Users can also take advantage of its built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing full control via the Sky-Watcher app. One standout feature of the 100i is its dual-saddle configuration, which allows two telescopes to be mounted simultaneously. This makes it ideal for visual setups in Alt-Az mode or for dual astrophotography systems in equatorial mode.

The Sky-Watcher Wave 150i is regarded as a major upgrade from traditional equatorial mounts like the Sky-Watcher EQ6-R. The 150i weighs just 13.5 lbs, which is a significant reduction compared to the EQ6-R’s 38 lbs mount head. This weight difference makes the 150i much easier to bring out on a nightly basis. The 150i's payload capacity is 33 lbs without a counterweight and an impressive 55 lbs with one, giving it an 11 lb advantage over the EQ6-R while being much lighter. Although it doesn’t support dual saddles like the 100i, it comes with a declination saddle that features both USB and 2.5 mm output ports for efficient cable management. The RA axis also includes a power input and a USB port for full system control, adding to its versatility.

For testing, the 150i was paired with an Apertura CarbonStar 8" Ritchey-Chretien Telescope, mounted on the optional Sky-Watcher Carbon Fiber Tripod. The setup did not require the optional pier extension, as the telescope's optical tube assembly (OTA) had no issue clearing the tripod legs. In terms of cable management, users can power the declination hub and camera using 2.5 mm ports and USB hubs, ensuring that cables do not interfere with the mount's movement. While this method requires additional cables, it keeps the setup clean and snag-free.

After assembling both mounts and spending several nights under the stars, the performance of the Sky-Watcher Wave 100i and 150i truly stood out. Both mounts consistently guided at an RMS error of 0.35 to 0.45 arcseconds, and on some occasions, the error was as low as 0.25 arcseconds. These results were achieved with a telescope setup at a 1625 mm focal length, proving that these mounts are incredibly stable even with high focal length instruments. Sky-Watcher's experience with producing reliable, high-performance mounts is evident in the strainwave technology used in the Wave series, making them highly dependable options for astrophotographers.

While most of the testing focused on astrophotography, the dual-saddle feature of the 100i also makes it an exceptional option for visual astronomy. On one clear night, a dual-scope setup featuring the Apertura 6" Classical Cassegrain and the Apertura 90mm APO refractor was used in Alt-Az mode. Controlled through the Sky-Watcher Wi-Fi app, this setup provided a smooth and enjoyable visual experience, highlighting the mount’s flexibility in handling both astrophotography and visual astronomy with ease.