{"product_id":"sb-paramount-me-on-axis-absolute-encoders","title":"Paramount ME - On-axis absolute encoders","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIntroducing the new ME Series 6 observatory workhorse.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Paramount ME™ Series 6 represents the latest in gear-driven German equatorial mount performance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt includes the advanced MKS 6000 telescope control system which lets you connect via USB C, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi. For more information,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.bisque.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Introducing-the-Paramount-Series-6.pdf\"\u003eclick here\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eor watch the video below.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe ME is an observatory-favorite among advanced amateur and professional astronomers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardware Specifications\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e240 lb. (109 kg) instrument capacity; 480 lb. (218 kg) maximum payload capacity (instruments + counterweights).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWeighs 85 lb. (38 kg) without counterweights or counterweight shaft.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncludes two 30 lb. (14 kg) stainless steel counterweights. Purchase more for payloads heavier than 60 lb. (28 kg).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAll-sky pointing accuracies at or below 30 arcseconds RMS (see Software Specifications below for details).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIts standard motor-based encoders provide:\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA maximum peak-to-peak periodic error before correction is seven (7) arcseconds.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAfter a one-time PE training, the peak-to-peak periodic error is typically 1 arcsecond or less.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBelt-driven pulleys with spring-loaded worm gears produce virtually zero backlash.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNo clutches mean the TPoint™ model’s pointing accuracy is maintained.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAutoHome™ homing capability ensures the mount always knows its orientation (after performing an initializing process called “homing” which usually takes a minute or less).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOptional on-axis absolute encoders provide:\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNo mount initialization (a.k.a. homing) required.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNo periodic error.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNo backlash.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExceptional TPoint™ pointing and tracking results from fewer calibration points which saves time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e0.02 arcsecond resolution extended temperature range absolute on-axis encoders operate from –40° C to +80° C.  See the FAQ below to find out if absolute on-axis encoders are right for you.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIts telescope control system motor, power, and electronics cables are conveniently housed inside the mount to prevent snags.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAmple room to run additional through-the-mount cables.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdvanced MKS 6000 telescope control system lets you connect via USB-C, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi  (\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.bisque.com\/product\/paramount-mks-6000-upgrade-kit\/\"\u003eMKS 6000 Upgrade Kits\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ewill be available for earlier models).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThree high-power XT60 ports on the Instrument Panel.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIts included Versa-Plate™ accepts most telescopes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e48V DC power supply and PC-to-mount USB and Ethernet cables included.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDurable, fade-resistant red powder coating with black anodized finish; external components are machined aluminum alloy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoftware Specifications  \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eParamount’s unsurpassed pointing and tracking performance is made possible by its integrated\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.bisque.com\/product\/tpoint\/\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eTPoint\u003c\/a\u003e™ modeling and ProTrack™ technologies. For more information about why accurate pointing is non-trivial,\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.bisque.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/TenReasonsWhyAccuratePointingIsNonTrivial.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eclick here\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBy employing TPoint’s calibration and telescope modeling tools, you’ll enjoy all sky pointing accuracies below 30 arcseconds RMS. Nothing outperforms that — and that’s \u003cem\u003ewithout\u003c\/em\u003e on-axis absolute encoders.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOperating in conjunction with TPoint™, ProTrack™ continuously updates the mount’s position in both axes to correct system-wide tracking errors including tube flexure, atmospheric refraction, polar misalignment, harmonic errors caused by evenly slightly misaligned encoders or the main gear, and more.\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOn-axis absolute encoders \u003cem\u003ealone\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003ecannot correct those errors which exist with all telescopes. A properly applied telescope model is required to achieve superior tracking.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEven without on-axis absolute encoders, 5-to-10-minute unguided exposures are common with many enjoying up to\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.bisque.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/Paramount-GEM-Series-6.pdf\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e20 minutes\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFor more information about the differences between motor-based and on-axis absolute on axis encoders, please see the FAQs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIts included software is integrated into a single, easy-to-use, application consisting of TheSky™ Professional, TPoint™, Cameras+, Domes, Multi-OS+, and Weather modules. Enjoy the simplicity of controlling your cameras and astrophotography devices with one application. Its included\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.bisque.com\/product\/universal-subscription\/\"\u003eTheSky™ Universal Bundle\u003c\/a\u003e represents a $1,095 value.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIts Accurate Polar Alignment feature does not require pole visibility.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompatible with Windows™, macOS™, and Linux (arm64 and x86_64 processors).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTheSky’s user-interface is consistent across all operating systems. You can install TheSky on multiple operating simultaneously on up to six computers per OS. Why paint yourself or your institution into a corner?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor more detailed information about the Series 6 Paramounts, please\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"http:\/\/www.bisque.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Paramount-Series-6-Specifications.pdf\"\u003eclick here\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"jetpack-video-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ciframe title=\"Introducing the Paramount Series 6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/MBrZfffFIg8?feature=oembed\" data-ratio=\"0.5625\" data-width=\"640\" data-height=\"360\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Software Bisque","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50769589895456,"sku":"SB10617","price":23995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0849\/2135\/2480\/files\/Paramount-ME-Series-6-Web-600x797.png?v=1760097322","url":"https:\/\/firstlightastro.com\/products\/sb-paramount-me-on-axis-absolute-encoders","provider":"First Light Astro","version":"1.0","type":"link"}