Paramount ME Series 6 Robotic Telescope Mount

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About this product

Introducing the new ME Series 6 portable observatory.

The Paramount MX Series 6 represents the latest in gear-driven GEM performance. 

Watch the video below for an overview of what’s new with the Series 6 Paramounts.

Features

• All-new MKS 6000 provides built-in Ethernet, Wi-Fi and USB C communication options, and more.
• Optional Power On and Observe™ absolute encoder technology. No homing, no periodic error.
• High-amperage XT60 connectors can supply continuous 12V DC power up to 60A.
• Improved Versa-Plate dovetail features drop-in telescope installation.
• Carrying capacity up to 240 lb. (109 kg) of instrumentation, 480 lb. (218 kg) with counterweights.
• Streamlined Instrument Panel provides a pass-through Ethernet connection and four XT60 power ports.
• Red components are powder-coated aluminium for fade-resistant durability, and black components are anodised aluminium.

The Paramount ME delivers superior performance through its artful integration of precision mechanics, advanced control system electronics, and the uniquely capable TheSky Universal Bundle (included).

Skillfully carrying up to 240 lb./109 kg total instrument capacity of telescopes, cameras, and accessories (480 lb./218 kg total capacity), the Paramount ME can help you create your next photographic masterpiece or help make your next discovery in your permanent observatory.

Legendary Paramount system performance is within reach. Grab yours today.

Hardware Specifications

• 240 lb. (109 kg) instrument capacity; 480 lb. (218 kg) maximum payload capacity (instruments + counterweights)
• All sky pointing accuracies at or below 30 arcseconds RMS (see Software Specifications below for details)
• The unibody mount design weighs 85 lb. (38 kg) without counterweights or counterweight shaft
• Maximum seven (7) arcseconds peak-to-peak periodic error before correction
• After a one-time training, the periodic error is one arcsecond, peak-to-peak or less
• Optional 26-bit Renishaw encoders eliminate periodic error and the need for homing and operate in temps as low as –40° C
• If you skip encoders now and later decide you want them, they can be retrofitted on Series 6 Paramounts
• There’s been confusion about what encoders contribute to the Paramount’s performance; see FAQ below regarding whether encoders are right for you
• Encoder cables located inside the mount to prevent snags
• All electronics and through-the-mount cables are housed inside the mount with ample room for additional cables
• Its state-of-the-art MKS 6000 telescope control system (TCS) lets you connect via USB C, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi
• (MKS 6000 Upgrade Kits will be available for older Paramounts.)
• A two-port USB 2.0 hub located on the instrument panel
• Included Versa-Plate™ accepts most telescopes
• 48V DC power supply and PC-to-mount USB and Ethernet cables included
• Two 30 lb. (14 kg) counterweights included. You may need more if your imaging system weighs more than 60 lb. (28 kg).
• Belt-driven gears with spring-loaded worm gears produce virtually zero backlash
• Durable and fade-resistant red powder coating and black anodised finish; components are aluminium
• Clutch-free design helps maintain its TPoint™ assisted pointing accuracy
• AutoHome™ homing capability ensures the mount always knows its orientation (after performing an initialising process called “homing,” which usually takes a minute or less)
• Calibrated azimuth and elevation polar alignment adjustments speed polar alignment

Encoders FAQ

What is the difference between motor-based incremental encoders and on-axis absolute encoders?

Paramount's equipped with on-axis absolute encoders know where they are at all times.  Paramounts with incremental encoders (or motor-based encoders) know only how far they have moved since they were initialised using a nightly process called homing.

The crucial additional difference is that the on-axis absolute encoders are fitted directly to the mount axes, bypassing the worm drives.  Paramounts with incremental encoders are fitted to the worms instead, which means that with incremental encoders alone, periodic errors in the worm drive show up in the tracking.  These mounts must be calibrated and corrected using periodic error correction (PEC), which measures and records the repeatable gear train errors and removes them.  (TheSky features advanced, multi-harmonic PE detection and PEC calibration that minimises periodic error in mounts with incremental encoders.)

For mounts with incremental encoders, homing re-zeros the encoders when precise sensors on each of the axes are reached. From then on, the incremental encoders are, in effect, delivering absolute readings.

However, the crucial additional difference remains: the incremental encoder system is behind the worm drive, and periodic error correction is still required to get the best out of the RA tracking.

High-resolution on-axis absolute encoder technology is significantly more expensive than incremental encoders.

Are on-axis absolute encoders right for you?

The short answer is, “it depends.”

On-axis absolute encoders eliminate periodic error and enable the mount to always know where “home” is.

That’s convenient and expedites setup for an evening of imaging. However, with Paramount, the periodic error is already very low, and after a one-time training, it becomes negligible. Moreover, Paramount’s included Homing software homes in only 15 to 60 seconds.

So, at least with Paramounts, periodic error is practically non-existent, and homing is a breeze.

What about pointing and tracking?

Without encoders, Paramounts routinely deliver 5-to-10-minute unguided exposures; many customers have reported 20 minutes. Also, without encoders, Paramount’s produce all sky pointing accuracies at or below 30 arcseconds RMS.

Absent Paramount’s exceptional software, that performance would not be possible. Operating in conjunction with TPoint™, ProTrack™ continuously updates the mount’s position across both axes to correct system-wide tracking errors, including tube flexures, atmospheric refraction, polar misalignment, harmonic errors from mis-centred encoders and/or worm gears, and more.

On-axis absolute encoders alone cannot correct these errors, which exist with all telescopes. A properly applied telescope model is necessary to achieve superior pointing and tracking.

So, are on-axis absolute encoders right for you?

Perhaps, if you want to enjoy the conveniences mentioned above. And for many, that’s enough.

That said, the optional on-axis 26-bit Renishaw absolute encoders with 0.02 arc second precision are the finest available and operate in temps as low as –40° C.

Software Specifications

• Paramount’s unequalled pointing and tracking wouldn’t be possible without its TPoint™ and ProTrack™ software.
• By employing TPoint’s calibration and telescope modelling tools, you’ll enjoy all sky pointing accuracies at or below 30 arcseconds RMS.
• Operating in conjunction with TPoint™, ProTrack™ continuously updates the mount’s position across both axes to correct system-wide tracking errors, including tube flexures, atmospheric refraction, polar misalignment, harmonic errors from mis-centred encoders and/or worm gears, and more.
• On-axis absolute encoders alone cannot correct these errors, which exist with all telescopes. A properly applied telescope model is necessary to achieve superior tracking.
• Without encoders, Paramounts can deliver uncommonly long unguided exposures (one customer reported 20 minutes).
• Please see the FAQ below for more information about what encoders can and cannot do.
• All the included software is integrated into a single, easy-to-use application consisting of TheSky™ Professional, TPoint™, Cameras+, Domes, Multi-OS+, and Weather modules.
• You can control all your astrophotography-related cameras and devices with this one app.
• t runs on macOS™, Windows™, Ubuntu™, and Linux (x86_64 and ARM64 architectures.
• Regardless of the operating system you run it on, it appears and operates identically. You can even switch between operating systems, and its license allows up to six computers. Why paint yourself or your institution into a corner?
• Absent ProTrack™, which is unique to Paramount, and all its included software, is sold separately as TheSky™ Universal Bundle and represents a £1,095 value.

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