The new mount from Software Bisque, the PARAMOUNT ME II mount has been designed to cover any astronomical application with the utmost professionalism from anywhere on Earth.
The new Software Bisque PARAMOUNT ME II mount can carry the heaviest tubes and allows remote control over the Internet via PC or MAC.
Themost significant new features are highlighted below:
- Periodic error of maximum 7 seconds of Peak-Peak arc before applying PEC (Periodic Error Correction).
- Targeting accuracy of 30 arc seconds or better over the entire sky with the T-Point and Super ModelTM.
- two USB 2.0 ports on the panel.
- Completely redesigned MKS 5000 Control System with USB 2.0 ports.
- calibrated Polar Alignment settings.
- versaPlate Paramount 3.
- crowns driven by toothless belts guaranteeing virtually no backlash.
- mount designed with a single body weighing only 38kg.
- Total instrument capacity 109kg (218kg total capacity)
- two 14kg counterweights.
- space available to route all cabling through the mount.
- power and communication cable from PC to mount included.
- all electronics and cabling are integrated into the mount (power is external).
- includes TheSkyX Pro, Tpoint Ad On and Ad On camera software for MAC and Windows
The Paramount ME robotic system from Software Bisque robotic system features a German equatorial mount with a 28-centimeter diameter ring gear that provides unmatched tracking performance. Astronomers equipped with a Paramount ME II equatorial mount are defining new levels of reliability, productivity and performance. Carrying up to 68 kilograms of astronomical equipment and designed for uninterrupted operation, the Paramount ME II from Software Bisque can be used as a remote device or Internet astronomy solution. Through advanced computer numerically controlled (CNC) machining, this large capacity mount is incredibly portable - 38kg! The Paramount ME II equatorial mount is built for the digital age, integrating controls for the telescope and a CCD camera, automated operation, 5 arc second periodic error correction, and precision tracking function with and without guidance (via TPoint and ProTrack software). The result is unsurpassed observatory performance and image quality.
Highlights of the Paramount ME II mount:
- 109kg load capacity. The design employs 20cm bearings in the R.A. axis to ensure maximum stability.
- Ultra-precise gearing. Software Bisque guarantees a periodic error in the R.A. axis of less than 5 arc seconds before applying the correction function.
- Portability. The efficient design of this mount reduces the overall weight to 38 kilograms (without accessories) and improves overall robustness.
- Improved altitude and azimuth adjustment mechanism. New design makes alignment with Polar even easier.
- Renewed external finish. Every part has been manufactured with computerized numerical control machinery.
- Modernized and ergonomic control panel. Inputs for CCD camera cables, autoguiders, focusers and other optional accessories.
- MKS 5000 electronic control system with smaller board design and increased features.
- AutoHome™ accurate night-to-night positioning function.
- ProTrack™ unguided image capture function.
MKS 5000 control system
The Paramount ME II mount dual-axis telescope motion control system, referred to as the "MKS 5000" includes the following features as standard:
- Port for autoguider.
- Focuser port.
- Brushless DC servo motors. These motors are designed so that all moving parts are bearing mounted. If the mount is used all night long, there is no other type of motor to support this use. Some mounts use brushed motors that do not offer the performance of the former and are not designed to operate for extended periods of time at sidereal (relatively low) speed.
- DC servomotors offer fast rotational speeds and consistent torque throughout the speed range. Maximum rotational speed is set at 5 degrees per second for each axis. The design of the Paramount ME's crown and bis-infinity assembly is extremely efficient with no loss of power in any condition. Although it is always advisable to keep the mount well balanced, the Paramount ME has no problem turning or tracking objects when it is off balance by a few centimeters.
- Programmable periodic error correction function.
- AutoHome rest position function (resolution better than one arc second) with integrated sensor circuitry in each axis. This way the mount always knows its orientation, even in the event of a power failure.
- Integrated telescope control via TheSkyX Professional Edition software.
- Programmable rest position.
- Audible indication of home position and any errors in mount movement or configuration.
- 56-bit internal accuracy. What does this mean? The right ascension and declination motors move between 0 and 4000 rpm, providing precision tracking, rapid turn (up to 5 degrees per second). Thanks to this, you can track comets, asteroids and even fast or slow objects such as LEO satellites or any object moving at a speed faster or slower than sidereal.
- The gears have a high quality belt drive mechanism. Thus the Paramount has such a small backlash that it is negligible (generally less than 2 arc seconds on both axes). As a result, calibration of the automatic guidance is instantaneous.
- USB 2.0 communication interface.
- Temperature compensation.
ProTrack
ProTrack is a program integrated with TPoint that is used to apply small corrections to the MKS 5000 control system to improve unguided tracking results.
ProTrack provides amateurs with the ability to obtain images with long unguided exposures (up to 20 minutes at 2,500mm focal length) that are completely spot-on. These types of images are impossible to obtain without this software and its integration with the mount. ProTrack technology is used in many of the large instruments distributed around the planet, including the Gemini 8-meter telescopes.
