Paramount ME

On-axis Absolute Encoders vs. Motor-based Encoders.

Paramount's equipped with on-axis absolute encoders know where they are at all times.  Paramount's with incremental encoders (or motor-based encoders) know only how far they have moved since they were initialized using a nightly process called homing.

The crucial additional difference is that the on-axis absolute encoders are fitted directly to the mount axes themselves, bypassing the worm drives.  Paramount's with incremental encoders are fitted to the worms instead, which means that with incremental encoders alone, periodic errors in the worm drive show up in the tracking.  These mounts must be calibrated and corrected using a process called periodic error correction (PEC), which measures and records the repeatable gear train errors and removes them.  (TheSky features advanced, multi-harmonic PE detection and PEC calibration that minimizes periodic error in mounts with incremental encoders.)

For mounts with incremental encoders, homing re-zeros the encoders when precise sensors on each of the axes are reached. From then on, the incremental encoders are in effect delivering absolute readings.

However, the crucial additional difference remains, namely that the incremental encoder system is behind the worm drive, and periodic error correction is still required to get the best out of the RA tracking.

High-resolution on-axis absolute encoder technology is significantly more expensive than incremental encoders.

The short answer is, “it depends.”

Gear-driven Paramounts equipped with on-axis absolute encoders do not have periodic error, require no mechanical initialization (or homing), and the number of TPoint pointing samples needed for precision calibration is reduced.

These advantages expedite nightly setup, negate one-time periodic error training, and shorten the calibration process require to achieve spectacular pointing and tracking performance. However, the Paramount worm gear's uncorrected periodic error is low (below 7 arc seconds peak to peak), and, after a one-time PE training, periodic error correction (PEC) generally make it negligible. The Paramount without on-axis absolute encoders requires a nightly Find Home process that usually takes a minute or less to complete.

So, at least with Paramounts, periodic error is effectively in the noise, and homing straightforward.

What about pointing and tracking?

Without on-axis absolute encoders, Paramounts routinely produce 5-to-10-minute unguided exposures; many have reported 20 minutes. Also without on-axis absolute encoders, Paramount’s produce all-sky pointing accuracies at or below 30 arcseconds RMS (usually less than 15 arcseconds on fixed mirror telescopes).

Paramount’s exceptional software makes the above performance possible. TheSky Professional edition, in conjunction with TPoint™ and ProTrack™ the mount’s position is continually updated in both axes to correct system-wide pointing and tracking errors caused by tube flexure, atmospheric refraction, polar misalignment, harmonic errors from mis-centered encoders and/or worm gears, and more.

On-axis absolute encoders alone cannot correct these errors which exist with all telescopes. A properly applied telescope model is necessary to achieve superior pointing and tracking.

So are on-axis absolute encoders right for you?  Perhaps if you want to enjoy the conveniences mentioned above. And for many, that’s enough.  With that said, the optional on-axis 26-bit Renishaw absolute encoders with 0.02 arc second precision are the finest available and they operate in temperatures between +80°C and –40°C.

Visit https://www.bisque.com/series6 for the latest shipping status.

A new Paramount Series 6 feature is a redesigned through-the-mount power solution that uses XT60 power connectors. These connectors are commonly used for recharging batteries in e-bikes, RC cars and drones. They also excel at supplying power to astronomical equipment.  Rated at 500V up to 30A (15KW maximum), they accept 12 AWG wires, and can provide sufficient power to all the direct-current astronomical devices on the telescope.

Yes. The latest information about MKS 6000 Upgrade Kits is available at https://www.bisque.com/6K.

No. The Paramount Series 6 models have been redesigned to accept the Renishaw absolute rotatory encoders. The Paramount ME II, which presently uses tape encoders, is the only mount that can be upgraded with absolute on-axis encoders.

Yes.  Paramount Series 6 mounts are available with optional on-axis absolute ring encoders.  The encoders can be installed at the time of purchase, or purchased separately and installed later in the field.

No. TheSky software, required to control the Paramount, issues autoguiding corrections directly to the control system using Software Bisque's exclusive Direct Guide™ autoguiding technology.  This eliminates the need for camera relays, autoguider ports and failure-prone autoguider cables.

Third-party automation software can access Direct Guide through TheSky’s scripting interface.

Yes, all Paramount mounts come with Software Bisque’s Universal bundle that includes:

• TheSky Professional edition
• Cameras+ module
• Domes module
• TPoint™ module
• Weather module
• Multi-OS+ module to install TheSky on macOS™, Ubuntu™ Linux (ARM64), Ubuntu™ Linux (x86_64), and Windows™ operating systems.

No, Paramount Series 6 models, only, can accept the on-axis absolute ring encoders.  On-axis ring encoders cannot be installed on the Paramount MYT classic, Paramount MX classic, Paramount MX+ or Paramount ME II mounts.

Note that on-axis absolute tape encoders can be installed on the Paramount ME II, and the MKS 6000 is compatible with both ring and tape encoders.

At this time, Software Bisque does not presently offer a Paramount trade-in program.

See the Paramount Lubrication Video for details how to lubricate gear-driven Paramount mounts.  (Log in required.)

See the Paramount Limited Warranty page for details about what's covered.

PSU extension cables can be purchased from Amazon and other retailers.  See this Amazon product for specifications.