GM4000 HPS II

PRODUCT OVERVIEW

The GM4000 HPS II represents the pinnacle of 10Micron’s German Equatorial design, engineered specifically for permanent observatory installations requiring massive instrument support without compromising on precision. This "Go-to" system integrates 10Micron’s exclusive HPS technology, featuring absolute on-axis encoders and high-performance brushless motors to deliver elite tracking and pointing accuracy. Our sky modeling eliminates the need for autoguiding, reducing setup complexity, weight, and costs while enabling tracking where guide stars are critical or unavailable.

As a professional-grade mount, it utilizes a German configuration to maintain perfect balance through a leverage-based counterweight system. This structural choice provides extreme versatility, allowing the mount to host a diverse range of high-end optical tubes while maintaining the absolute rigidity necessary for long-exposure deep-sky applications.

Heritage and Vision

First introduced in 2004 as the brand's second major mount project, the GM4000 was a strategic and ambitious leap designed to provide institutional-level value. It extended 10Micron’s proprietary control technology to heavier professional instruments, fulfilling a vision to bridge the gap between amateur excellence and advanced research requirements. Today, the HPS II version carries forward this legacy of Italian mechanical craftsmanship, evolved with modern digital standards to serve the most demanding astronomical facilities.

Applications and Targets

Designed for high-end astronomers, professional observatories, and scientific institutions, the GM4000 HPS II is the ideal platform for remote observation sites. Its reliability and automated precision make it perfectly suited for systematic research tasks, including supernova monitoring, asteroid and comet searches, and exoplanet tracking. It also serves as a robust base for educational outreach, transforming complex data acquisition into a seamless experience for schools and universities.

Payload and Setup

The mount is built for heavy-duty instrumentation, offering a maximum instrument payload capacity of 150 kg (330 lb). This significant loading capacity is specifically designed to support large-aperture systems, such as 300 mm refractors, 400 mm Newton reflectors, or 600 mm Cassegrain telescopes. Despite its massive capacity, the system remains efficient, operating on low voltage with a maximum power draw of approximately 100W, facilitating installation in locations with limited power infrastructure.

Motion and Mechanical Engineering

Precision movement is achieved through our exclusive HPS technology, which utilizes a traditional, high-precision worm-gear system paired with high-performance motor drives and absolute encoders mounted directly on the axes. This closed-loop system provides backlash-free movement and instantaneous feedback and correction, resulting in exceptional pointing accuracy and tracking fluidity of approximately 15 arcseconds RMS and a typical tracking error below 1 arcsecond, effectively eliminating the need for autoguiding in most professional use cases.

A critical design feature for remote observatories is the 60 mm internal through-hole, which allows instrumentation cables to pass through the axes, preventing entanglement and potential damage during slewing.

Advanced Control and Connectivity

The system is powered by the Control Box, featuring a new high-end processor and industrial-grade Binder connectors for extreme environmental resilience. It includes a specialized GPS interface with a PPS signal for ultra-precise timekeeping, essential for satellite work. Users can operate the mount via the ergonomic, heated keypad or through an integrated web interface that allows for comprehensive remote control and firmware updates via LAN or Wi-Fi.

The software ecosystem completes the package with advanced firmware capable of 100-star sky modeling, which corrects for mechanical flexure and atmospheric refraction. This allows for full remote control and automated workflows, ensuring the mount functions as a truly intelligent node in any research environment.

Explore our comprehensive range of included features and products in detail. Here, you will find a selection of dedicated articles covering different aspects of our mounts.

AVAILABLE OPTIONS

Cold Temperature Version: This option allows operation down to -30°C (-22°F). It includes special low-temperature lubricants, silicone-sheathed wiring, and certified electronics for flawless performance in harsh environments.

INCLUDED ITEMS

Note: This product does not include counterweights. You can find them sold separately in our pricelist.