PlaneWave Instruments
1819 Kona Dr., Rancho Domingues, CA 90220
310-639-1662

PlaneWave Instruments introduces the L-500 Direct Drive Mount ($18,000). This single-arm fork mount can operate in equatorial or alt-azimuth configurations, and is rated to support up to 200 pounds of equipment (including its own CDK17 and CDK20 telescopes). The mount incorporates axial-flux direct drive motors, providing no backlash or periodic error, and can slew to objects at speeds of up to 50° per second. Both axes include high-resolution encoders for precise pointing accuracy when operated with the included PlaneWave Interface (PWI4) control software. Additional features include through-the-mount cabling, and a dual mounting bracket, allowing users to mount a second telescope outside of the fork arm.

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Comments


Image of Cosmic Ray

Cosmic Ray

November 13, 2017 at 9:48 pm

Kudos to the makers of a direct drive mount at a reasonable price. However, is flex (particularly of large telescope bodies weighing over 200 pounds) not a concern with the design and implementation of single arm fork mounts?

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