Software Bisque Paramount MX Series 6 heavy duty robotic German equatorial mount

$10,995.00

Availability: More on the way

Standard shipping: $250.00
The Paramount MX™ Series 6 represents the latest in gear-driven German equatorial mount performance.
Our Product #: PMX
Software Bisque Product #: Paramount MX
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Product Description

Introducing the Paramount MX Series 6 transportable mount.  

The Paramount MX™ Series 6 represents the latest in gear-driven German equatorial mount performance.

Its new features include a 25% instrument capacity increase, an option for absolute on-axis encoders, and multiple connectivity options.

The Paramount MX might be the observatory class mount that you’re looking for, and it’s transportable.

Hardware Specifications

  • 125 lb. (56 kg) instrument capacity; 250 lb. (113 kg) maximum payload capacity (instruments + counterweights).
  • Unibody mount design weighs 54 lb. (24 kg) without counterweights or counterweight shaft.
  • Includes two 20 lb. (9 kg) counterweights to balance 40-50 lb. (18-22 kg). You may need more for heavier payloads.
  • All-sky pointing accuracies at or below 30 arcseconds RMS (see Software Specifications below for details).
  • Its standard motor-based encoders provide:
    • A maximum peak-to-peak periodic error before correction is seven (7) arcseconds.
    • After a one-time PE training, the peak-to-peak periodic error is typically 1 arcsecond or less.
    • Belt-driven pulleys with spring-loaded worm gears produce virtually zero backlash.
    • No clutches mean the TPoint™ model’s pointing accuracy is maintained.
    • AutoHome™ homing capability ensures the mount always knows its orientation (after performing an initializing process called “homing” which usually takes a minute or less).
  • Optional on-axis absolute encoders provide:
    • No mount initialization (a.k.a. homing) required.
    • No periodic error.
    • No backlash.
    • Exceptional TPoint™ pointing and tracking results from fewer calibration points which saves time.
    • 0.02 arcsecond resolution extended temperature range absolute on-axis encoders operate from –40° C to +80° C.
    • If you skip absolute on-axis absolute encoders now, they can be purchased and installed in the field later.
    • See the FAQ below to find out if absolute on-axis encoders are right for you.
  • Its telescope control system motor, power, and electronics cables are conveniently housed inside the mount to prevent snags.
  • Ample room to run additional through-the-mount cables.
  • Advanced MKS 6000 telescope control system lets you connect via USB-C, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi  (MKS 6000 Upgrade Kits will be available for earlier models).
  • Three high-power XT60 ports on the Instrument Panel.
  • The drop-in dovetail on the Versa-Plate™ (included) accepts most telescopes and makes installation simpler.
  • 48V DC power supply and PC-to-mount USB and Ethernet cables included.
  • Durable, fade-resistant red powder coating with black anodized finish; external components are machined aluminum alloy.

Software Specifications

  • Paramount’s unsurpassed pointing and tracking performance is made possible by its integrated TPoint™ modeling and ProTrack™ technologies. For more information about why accurate pointing is non-trivial, click here.
  • By 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 without on-axis absolute encoders.
  • Operating 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.
    • On-axis absolute encoders alone cannot correct those errors which exist with all telescopes. A properly applied telescope model is required to achieve superior tracking.
    • Even without on-axis absolute encoders, 5-to-10-minute unguided exposures are common with many enjoying up to 20 minutes.
    • For more information about the differences between motor-based and on-axis absolute on axis encoders, please see the FAQs.
  • Its 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 TheSky™ Universal Bundle represents a $1,095 value.
  • Its Accurate Polar Alignment feature does not require pole visibility.
  • Compatible with Windows™, macOS™, and Linux (arm64 and x86_64 processors).
  • TheSky’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?

Tech Details

Weight 90 lbs.
Warranty 2 years

Reviews

Review by:
My Paramount MX is currently on a permanent pier in a remote observatory where it carries a Takahashi Epsilon astrograph. It is the most reliable mount I've ever owned, hands down. People often question whether "premium" mounts are worth the expense and are hesitant about spending the extra money to own one. As someone who personally experienced the growing pains of purchasing multiple mounts over several years and struggling through the regular issues, I can say definitively... it is absolutely worth it and I wish I had purchased my MX much sooner than I did.

TheSkyX is an excellent tool, easy to use and understand and the ASCOM driver for TheSkyX is very stable. I have used this mount with SGP, Prism, Voyager, and N.I.N.A. all with excellent results. If you're reading the reviews for this mount to help you decide whether the results and user experience will be worth the expense, rest assured - it is worth every penny. It is also worth mentioning that my experience with Software-Bisque customer service has been excellent, they're very helpful and very responsive. (Posted on 10/23/2019)
Review by:
This is one of the best mounts available in its weight class. I used mine to carry a TOA-130 and a 10" f/4.8 reflector for imaging, which it did very well. The tracking and pointing performance is outstanding.

I used this mount in a semi-portable fashion, rolling it out from my garage to driveway each night that conditions allowed. One thing I disliked about the mount was the requirement to run a series of T-Point runs (each requiring 20+ minutes) in order to polar align the mount. In practice this meant that I lost an hour or so of imaging time to the polar alignment routine. Compared with my previous Takahashi mount, which could be precisely polar aligned in seconds using its fixed polar scope, this was a significant weakness. However, the overall pointing, tracking, and especially automation performance of the MX was superior to my old (excellent) NJP mount. As such, this mount is best suited for permanent installations. (Posted on 1/8/2019)
Review by:
Had it for 5 years and love it. If you want to do astrophotography, this is the bomb. (Posted on 12/13/2018)
Review by:
I've had my MX+ mount for 4 years now and am very please with it. The product description on this website is a bit dated, as the newer model can carry 100 lbs / 45 kg. I would have liked to have a tutorial on the software. I purchased a polar scope from Bisque, thinking that it would be required for setting it up at various star parties. The polar scope is a "straight-thru" type, and I found myself having to sit on the ground in order to see Polaris. A right angle polar alignment scope would be a lot better on the back. I also have to keep moving the wiring out of the polar scope field of view as the wires run thru the central axis but are not "constrained". Software is very powerful and updates are included. Note that this beast requires 48 Volts. You can opt for the Bisque battery power pack if you are at powerless observing sites, I made my own from 4 smaller 12 volt batteries with a 48/12 volt series/parallel switch for charging. Nice mount, solid, accurate, and looks good on their portable pier. Not cheap. (Posted on 10/25/2018)
Review by:
This mount was just what I was looking for to conduct asteroid astrometry routines. Its ability to precisely point when imaging a list of asteroids saves a tremendous amount of time, not having to platesolve and recenter every asteroid. (Posted on 10/24/2018)
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