Software Bisque Paramount ME...
The Paramount ME is an excellent choice for 12.5 to 20 inch RCOS Ritchey-Chrétien Telescopes.
RCOS is an authorized Software Bisque dealer.
Software Bisque has introduced their third-generation telescope mount, the Paramount ME.
They have literally redesigned every component of the Paramount ME to optimize your efficiency, productivity and enjoyment while observing.
In order to create the ME, Software Bisque has assembled a world-class mount production and manufacturing staff at their facility in Golden, Colorado. Combined, their team has over 50 years of telescope mount manufacturing experience. They have surrounded the "A-team" with state-of-the-art CNC machining stations and tooling. The result? An astronomical survey machine that actually blurs the line between professional and amateur astronomy.
The cost? $14,500. Order your Paramount ME today!
The Paramount ME's superior design stems from the integration of engineering,
software and control system.
Control System:
The Paramount ME's control system uses brush-less DC Servo motors (which means that all moving parts in the motors are on bearing surfaces). If your mount is used for survey astronomy all night, every clear night, no other type of motor is sufficient. Competing mounts use motors with "brushes" that don't have nearly the life expectancy of brush-less motors and are not designed to be operated for long periods at the Sidereal rate.
Note that the life of the brush-less DC servo motor is limited to the service life of the bearings. This translates to 100,000 hours under normal operating conditions. On the other hand, the life of brushed DC Servo motors is limited to the life of the carbon brushes, which is limited to 4,000-10,000 hours according to the manufacturers specifications.
Software:
TheSky Astronomy Software or TheSky Pocket Edition pumps life into the Paramount and is the heart of the mount. TheSky supplies the onscreen control panel for operating the mount, and unleashes the power of your personal computer or mobile device, thereby increasing your productivity in data acquisition. In addition, TheSky's seamless integration with other astronomical hardware and software enables even first-timers to achieve impressive results!
The Paramount's mind becomes even more powerful when coupled with the TPoint Telescope Pointing Analysis Software. Providing repeatable pinpoint pointing accuracy, TPoint does the thinking so that you don't have to. TPoint learns the quirks and idiosyncrasies of your mount and your optical system, and it makes automatic pointing adjustments to help eliminate these inherent flaws. With TPoint, you no longer have to recalibrate, realign, or "re-synchronize" each time you point the telescope to a new part of the sky or change a piece of equipment!
Introducing ProTrack™ - The Paramount ME now incorporates the latest release of the world-renowned TPoint "pointing kernel." This technology (which is used on the 8-meter Gemini telescopes, too) now brings professional-quality tracking capabilities to the amateur astronomer. TPoint uses the telescope modeling data that makes the telescope point better to also make the mount track better. Four minute *unguided* images, with pin-point stars at 100-inches of focal length, are possible.
Engineering:
The brawn of the Paramount can be found in its high-strength construction.
The mount can accommodate up to 68 kg (150 lb.) of equipment (optical tube
assembly, CCD camera, color filter wheel, focuser, etc.). All external parts
are made of stainless-steel or anodized aluminum to ensure their longevity,
even in brackish environments.
The Paramount features unique in the astronomical mount community, including:
- AutoHome™ technology to start tonight precisely where you left off last night, or after you've lost power.
- Internet accessibility to remotely control the mount vial LAN or WAN.
- "Through the mount" wiring for serial- or parallel-type CCD cameras, dew heater, focuser and control system to reduce cable clutter.
- Altitude and azimuth adjustment screws to simplify polar alignment.
| Paramount Features/Specifications: |
|
| Software Bisque Paramount ME Pricing effective 5-15-04 : | |
| ITEM |
Price |
| Paramount ME 1100GT w/Software Suite and (2) two 20lb Counterweights |
$14,500 |
| Extra 20lb Counterweight |
$230 |
| Counterweight Shaft Extension |
$145 |
| Heavy Duty Base Plate |
$150 |
| Lightweight Base Plate |
$200 |
| Permanent Pier (all sizes) |
$680 |
| Latitude Adjustment Wedge |
$570 |
| Wedge to Pier Adapter Plate - Lightweight | $230 |
| Wedge to Pier Adapter Plate - Heavy Duty | $130 |
| Versa-Plate | $920 |
| Paramount ME Joystick |
$345 |
RCOS also makes custom stainless steel counterweights...
The small counterweight on top (of the three together) is a standard Software
Bisque 20 pound counterweight.
The middle counterweight is 50 pounds and custom made by RCOS. It bolts to
the end of the counterweight shaft.
The lower counterweight is 75 pounds (also custom made by RCOS) and bolts
to the end of the Paramount ME counterweight shaft allowing for maximum mechanical
advantage.
| RCOS Stainless Steel or Carbon Steel with nickel plate - 50lb Counterweight |
$650
|
| RCOS Stainless Steel or Carbon Steel with nickel plate - 75lb Counterweight |
$900
|
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