Sky-Watcher Wave-100i Strainwave Mount Review

Introduction

The Sky-Watcher Wave-100i is Sky-Watcher’s entry into the compact strain wave mount market, offering a high payload-to-weight ratio at a competitive price. Designed to rival the ZWO AM3, this mount provides 10 kg of payload without a counterweight and 15 kg with the optional counterweight kit. It features dual tracking modes (equatorial and alt-azimuth), Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and an innovative dual-saddle design, making it one of the more versatile options in its class. But how does it perform in the field? We put it to the test.

Build Quality and Design

The Wave-100i is impressively lightweight at just 4.3 kg, making it an excellent choice for portable astrophotography setups. The mount is well-machined with a precision CNC body, giving it a premium feel. One standout feature is the dual-saddle system, which allows for dual mounting in alt-az mode or equatorial setups with dual imaging rigs—something the ZWO AM3 lacks.

The RA power-off braking function is a useful safety feature, ensuring stability in case of unexpected power loss. The latitude range of 0° to 90° allows for operation across different geographical locations, and the red LED illumination on the latitude scale and bubble level makes polar alignment easier in the dark (although more about this later).

Performance in the Field

Tracking Accuracy and Guiding The Wave-100i was tested with a RedCat 71 telescope, ASI2600MM Pro camera, and an ASIAIR Mini for imaging. Out of the box, guiding performance was 0.35″ to 0.45″ RMS error, occasionally dropping as low as 0.25″ RMS, which is remarkably consistent for a strain wave mount. This is on par with the ZWO AM3, proving that Sky-Watcher’s first attempt at a harmonic drive mount is well-engineered.

However, early firmware versions had some guiding issues. A firmware update resolved this, highlighting the importance of keeping firmware up to date!

Slewing and Operation The slew speed reaches 10°/s (2400x), which is standard for mounts in this category. The adjustment knobs for altitude and azimuth are large and easy to handle, making polar alignment straightforward. Unlike traditional equatorial mounts, there is no provision for a polar scope, meaning software-assisted polar alignment (such as in ASIAIR or NINA) is required.

Cable Management and Connectivity One minor drawback is the placement of the USB port, which can cause the supplied cable to catch on certain dovetail bars when the mount is slewing. Using a Lynx Astro EQ-Dir cable to connect via the RJ45 SynScan port provides a more reliable solution for ASCOM control.

The Wave-100i supports USB, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connections, allowing for wireless operation via the Sky-Watcher SynScan Pro app. Users who prefer traditional control can use the SynScan Hand Controller (sold separately).

Strengths and Limitations

Strengths:

• Lightweight and highly portable – ideal for travel astrophotography.
• Solid strain wave drive performance – low backlash and smooth guiding.
• Dual-saddle capability – supports two scopes simultaneously.
• Multiple connectivity options – Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB, and SynScan compatibility.
• Equatorial and alt-az tracking – great for both imaging and visual use.

Limitations:

• No built-in polar scope – software alignment is necessary.
• Firmware updates required – early versions had guiding calibration issues.
• USB port placement could be improved – potential cable snagging issues.

Final Thoughts: A Worthy Alternative to the ZWO AM3?

The Sky-Watcher Wave-100i is a strong competitor to the ZWO AM3, offering comparable tracking performance, an innovative dual-saddle design, and robust connectivity options. While the AM3 benefits from ZWO’s ASIAIR ecosystem integration, the Wave-100i counters with a more flexible dual-mount system and a slightly higher payload capacity.

At ~£1,549 (mount head only), the Wave-100i undercuts many other strain wave mounts while delivering excellent astrophotography performance. For users looking for a compact, high-precision mount without breaking the bank, this is an exceptional choice.