10Micron GM4000 HPS II (Ref. 1454010)

Overview

The 10Micron GM4000 HPS II is a German equatorial mount engineered for professional observatories and long-term scientific setups. It provides unmatched mechanical stability, extreme precision and reliable remote or autonomous operation with no need for autoguiding.

Mechanical design

This 125 kg mount features massive 85 mm and 80 mm steel axes on tapered roller bearings. It uses 32 mm tempered steel worms driving 430 and 315 tooth bronze worm wheels. Dual-axis brushless servo motors with belt-driven zero-backlash transmission ensure stable movement even under heavy loads.

Tracking and pointing

With absolute encoders on both axes, the GM4000 HPS II achieves unguided tracking accuracy better than 1 arcsecond RMS over 15 minutes. Its internal sky model handles up to 100 stars, correcting polar misalignment, flexure and refraction errors. Pointing accuracy stays below 20 arcseconds RMS across the whole sky.

Control and connectivity

The system operates autonomously via a heated red-backlit multilingual hand controller and integrated Linux control box. Full remote operation is available via RS-232 or Ethernet. The mount is fully compatible with ASCOM, LX200, and all major automation software.

Observatory-level features

• 100-star internal modeling

• Multiple alignment model memory

• Satellite, comet and object tracking

• Dome control via RS-232

• Electronic balancing

• Custom parking positions

• Adjustable tracking rates (sidereal, solar, lunar)

• Slew speeds up to 12°/sec (48 V)

• Operating temperature down to -35 °C (optional)

• USB firmware updates

• Onboard multilingual interface

Technical specifications

• Mount type: German equatorial

• Payload: 150 kg

• Weight: 125 kg

• Motors: Dual-axis servo brushless

• Transmission: Belt drive, backlash-free

• Worm wheels: 430 teeth (RA), 315 teeth (DEC)

• Worms: 32 mm tempered steel

• Axes: 85 mm (RA), 80 mm (DEC)

• Bearings: Tapered roller

• Encoders: Absolute on both axes

• Tracking accuracy: under 1 arcsecond over 15 min

• Pointing accuracy: under 20 arcseconds RMS

• Slew speed: up to 12°/s (48 V) or 8° (standard)

• Latitude range: 20 to 70°

• Operating temperature: -15 to +35 °C (optional -35 °C)

• Power: 24 V or 48 V DC – 1.5 A tracking – 5 A max – 6 A peak

• Interfaces: RS-232, Ethernet, GPS, ST-4

• Built-in database: stars, deep sky, planets, comets, user objects

• Included: Hand controller, control unit, cables, counterweight bar, Wi-Fi module

Advantages

• Heavy-duty design for permanent observatories

• Absolute encoder tracking without guiding

• Fully autonomous or remote-capable

• Extreme stability for long focal length imaging

• Comprehensive database and software integration