This german equatorial mount is massive, pictures don't do it justice. The quality of the machining is exceptional. The mount dating from 2009, is the creation of Kevin Iott who is responsible for the Planewave Acension 200HR. The IPI393 is the precursor to the Planewave mount and was sold commercially until Kevin joined Planewave. Currently set up with the brilliant Sidereal Technology controller, it can also be used with the FS2 controller.
Features:
- Carrying capacity conservatively rated at 200 lbs (around 90 kg)
- 11.5-inch, 360-tooth 6061 aluminum worm gears with stainless matched and lapped worms PE out of the box ~ 2 arc secs (http://www.aeroquest-machining.com/)
- Pittman stepper motors driving worms through toothed belts
- Massive 3" axes on both right ascension and declination axes
- Sidereal technology controller (original model) with radio remote control, PEC, autoguider port. The accompanying software is particularly powerful with builtin mount modelling, satellite tracking and a host of features. All the mount specs are programmed into the controller.
- 2* 15 KG S/S counterweights and 1 * 30KG S/S counterweight all on a massive stainless steel shaft 1.875-inch diameter, 24-inch length which is almost a counterweight in its own right
- Has optical homing sensors on both axes which I have not been able to get working consistently
- Separate high resolution encoders on each shaft - not absolute
- Losmandy saddle
- Remote control hand paddle
$8,250 (Planewave Ascension $27,999 new) - all reasonable offers considered
This mount separates into two components, but it is very heavy - making shipping possible but also likely very expensive.
