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800 GERMAN EQUATORIAL MOUNT WITH DUAL AXIS DRIVE
(discontinued in 1996)
The importance of mechanical stability in a mounting cannot be
overstated. You may own a fine, high resolution instrument, but
unless your mount is rock-solid, you will rarely achieve the results
that you want in the eyepiece or on film. The image will be subject
to frequent movement, so you will not be able to perceive the
subtlety of detail that would be possible if your image were steady.
For astrophotography, movement in the Image will result in a streak
or blur on your negative.
Astro-Physics mountings are engineered to be steady even in
gusting winds. Both axes respond to fingertip pressure with no hint
of backlash. Built-in clutches can be disengaged for uftra-smooth
sweeping or locked for astrophotography. The thrust bearing design
allows for compactness, yet this mount will carry large telescopes
with ease. Gear aocuracy is also exceedingly important. Our gears
were specifically designed for precision tracking. The fine pitch
gears on our drives are cut with Class AA hobbs on a highly
accurate gear-cutflng machine. Wth easy polar-alignment
capabilities, it is possible to take excellent astrophotos with minimal
or no guiding on most telescopes.
Included in the hand control is a choice of drive rates for lunar, solar,
sidereal and variable (handy for comets) tracking. A reversing switch
for declination allows the 4-button controller to be properly oriented
on both sides of the meridian. The fine-guiding rate is designed for
aocurate tracking of guidestars at very high powers. The slew rate
can be used for leisurely cruising on the lunar surfaoe or for rapidly
centering objects in the field of view.
Over the years, our mounts and drive systems have functioned
reliably in the coldest environments of Canada, Norway and remote
Alaska. The circuitry of our controller has been proven since the
mid-1970s and is comprised of the highest-quality military spec
components. We have seen many of our competitors' controllers
constructed with flimsy, hygroscopic (water absorbing) circuit
boards, components rated for indoor use, and poor solder
connections. Astro-Physics controllers will stand up to the humidity
and temperature extremes oommon to many observing locations.
When coupled with the options described separately, the 800 will be
your portable observatory for home or dark-sky site. Within minutes,
you will be assembled and polar-aligned, ready to enjoy the
wonders of the night sky.
| SPECIFICATIONS OF EQUATORIAL HEAD |
| Worm wheel: |
6" fine pitched wheel |
| Worm gear: |
stainless steel |
| Latitude range: |
0 to 57 degrees with polar soope in place |
| Azimuth adjustment: |
approximately 14 degrees |
| Setting circles:
| Porter Slip Ping design |
| Right ascension: |
10-minute increments, 2-minute vernier |
| Declination: |
5-degree increments, 1 -degree vernier |
| Capacity: |
Will accommodate refractors up to 7",reflectors to 10", Cassegrains to 12" |
| Weight of equatorial head: |
45 lbs (20.5 kg) |
| SPECIFICATIONS OF MOTOR DRIVE SYSTEM |
| Dimensions of controller: |
4" x 3" x 1.5" |
| Drive rates: |
Sidereal, solar, lunar, variable |
| Guiding/ Slowing rates: |
2x / 8x |
| Hemisphere: |
Northern is standard, Southern circles on request |
| Power consumption: |
0.25 amps at normal rates |
| Power requirements: |
12 VDC |
| Suggested power sources: |
Portable battery pack, auto battery, power inverter for 110 volts |
FEATURES
- Virgin aluminum sand castings, precision hollow cast and
machined for light weight yet provides rigid performance
- Precision 6" Gear with + - 5 second periodic error
- Dual Axis Pulse Motor Drive with 12-Volt Controller
- Manual slow-motion knob in both axes
- Tangent arm in declination
- Massive tapered Timken roller bearings form ultra-stable thrust
surfaces for tremendous rigidity in a small package
- Hollow 1.5" stainless-steel right-ascension and declination shafts
maximize strength at minimum weight Right ascension shaft threaded
for optional polar scope for quick, accurate alignment in the field
- Removable 1.125" stainless-steel counterweight shaft for compact storage
- Polar and declination axes come apart quickly for light weight easy handling
- Fine altitude and azimuth adjustments for quickly and accurately
zeroing in on the pole in the field
- Engraved setting circles with Porter Slip Ring Design; polar-axis
ring is driven; it follows the stars without having to be reset each
time you look at a now object
- Converts to an alt-azimuth mount for comet hunting and terrestrial viewing.
Imagine, two mounts in one!
- When most scopes are mounted on our 8" diameter pier, they damp out
in 1-2 seconds
AVAILABLE OPTIONS
Please see accompanying information shoots for description
- Modification of hand controller for SBIG ST-4 and ST-6 Star Tracker
- Right-Ascension Drive Cord for Southern Hemisphere
- Portable Pier - 8" diameter with heights 48", 54", 62"
- SBIG ST-4 and ST-6 Star Tracker/ Imaging Systems
- 12 Amp-hr, 12-Volt Rechargeable Baftery Pack
- Stainless Steel Counterweights - 6 lbs., 9 lbs.
- Encoders for Digital Setting Circles
- Polar-Axis Scope with Illuminator
- Hexagonal Mounting Rings
- Set of two Carrying Cases
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