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I am not sure of the difference between Direct Drive and Encoders. I assumed they were the same thing.
AP's absolute encoders are promoted as removing PE completely (I think down to .2 of arc sec or less) and they have examples of 10 minute unguided perfectly round stars on their site.
They don't exaggerate their claims.
Cost would be an inhibiting factor as these cost about AUD$6000 on one axis and less on the other. So something like AUD$10,000 to $12,000 at the moment.
Its one reason why I chose an AP1600 as it is user upgradable in the field to install these encoders. At some point in the future I'll probably go for that.
It seems inevitable that these will be cheaper for all mounts as Chinese manufacturers make their products more sophisticated.
Just like RC scopes used to be multi thousand dollar scopes until just a few years ago.
Greg.
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