Introducing the new Paramount MX Series 6 transportable observatory.
The Paramount MX Series 6 represents the latest in gear-driven GEM performance.
Its new features include a 25% instrument capacity increase, an option for absolute digital encoders, and multiple connectivity options.
The MX German equatorial mount has always been a popular Paramount model and the new Paramount MX Series 6 offers several important improvements.
On-axis Absolute Encoders vs. Motor-based Encoders.
Paramount's equipped with on-axis absolute encoders know where they are at all times. Paramount's with incremental encoders (or motor-based encoders) know only how far they have moved since they were initialized using a nightly process called homing.
The crucial additional difference is that the on-axis absolute encoders are fitted directly to the mount axes themselves, bypassing the worm drives. Paramount's 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 a process called 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 minimizes 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, namely that 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 me ?
The short answer is, “it depends.”
Gear-driven Paramounts equipped with on-axis absolute encoders do not have periodic error, require no mechanical initialization (or homing), and the number of TPoint pointing samples needed for precision calibration is reduced.
These advantages expedite nightly setup, negate one-time periodic error training, and shorten the calibration process require to achieve spectacular pointing and tracking performance. However, the Paramount worm gear's uncorrected periodic error is low (below 7 arc seconds peak to peak), and, after a one-time PE training, periodic error correction (PEC) generally make it negligible. The Paramount without on-axis absolute encoders requires a nightly Find Home process that usually takes a minute or less to complete.
So, at least with Paramounts, periodic error is effectively in the noise, and homing straightforward.
What about pointing and tracking?
Without on-axis absolute encoders, Paramounts routinely produce 5-to-10-minute unguided exposures; many have reported 20 minutes. Also without on-axis absolute encoders, Paramount’s produce all-sky pointing accuracies at or below 30 arcseconds RMS (usually less than 15 arcseconds on fixed mirror telescopes).
Paramount’s exceptional software makes the above performance possible. TheSky Professional edition, in conjunction with TPoint™ and ProTrack™ the mount’s position is continually updated in both axes to correct system-wide pointing and tracking errors caused by tube flexure, atmospheric refraction, polar misalignment, harmonic errors from mis-centered 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. With that said, the optional on-axis 26-bit Renishaw absolute encoders with 0.02 arc second precision are the finest available and they operate in temperatures between +80°C and –40°C.
Hardware Specifications
- 56 kg instrument capacity; 113 kg maximum payload capacity (instruments + counterweights)
- All sky pointing accuracies at or below 30 arcseconds RMS (see Software Specifications below for details)
- Unibody mount design weighs 24 kg without counterweights or counterweight shaft
- Maximum seven (7) arcseconds peak-to-peak periodic error before correction
- After a one-time training, periodic error is 1 arcsecond, peak-to-peak or less
- Optional 26-bit Renishaw encoders eliminate periodic error and the need for homing; operates in temps as low as –40° C
- If you skip encoders now and later decide you want them, they can be retrofitted on the Paramount MX Series 6
- As there’s some confusion about what encoders can and cannot do, there’s an FAQ below that elaborates on that and whether they’re right for you
- Its encoder cables are located inside the mount to help 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
- Two-port USB 2.0 hub located on the instrument panel
- Redesigned Versa-Plate™ (included) accepts most telescopes and makes mounting them a breeze
- 48V DC power supply and PC-to-mount USB and Ethernet cables included
- Two 9 kg counterweights are included which can balance 18-22 kg. You may need more for heavier payloads.
- Belt-driven gears with spring loaded worm gears produce virtually zero backlash
- Durable and fade-resistant red powder coating and black anodized finish; components are aluminum
- Clutch-free design helps maintain its TPoint™ assisted pointing accuracy
- AutoHome™ homing capability ensures the mount always knows its orientation (after performing an initializing process called “homing” that typically takes less than a minute)
- Calibrated azimuth and elevation polar alignment adjustments speed polar alignment
Software Specifications
- Paramount’s unequaled pointing and tracking wouldn’t be possible without its TPoint™ and ProTrack™ software.
- By employing TPoint’s calibration and telescope modeling 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-centered encoders, 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).
- For more information about what encoders can and cannot do, please see the FAQ below.
- 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.
- It 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 Paramounts, the included software is sold separately as TheSky™ Universal Bundle and represents a US$1,095 value.
SKU: SB-10613
Optional Black Anodised available on request
