Perfect, mobile trio for planetary and lunar observation: 10micron GM 1000 HPS on a Euro EMC column and 10" MAK 1 rather recommended for stationary use. The following criteria let the GM 1000 HPS remain at the top in comparison to competitors in the first place:
- Simple and logically structured menu navigation, identical to the software of the GM 2000 HPS
- Manual control unit on the mount and PC control unit
- Absolute encoders, by which the mount after the no longer loses orientation after alignment
- Photographic up to 20kg, visual and for planetary videos loadable up to approx. 25kg
- Highly precise tracking with negligible error for 10 minutes without guiding
The first impression
So I decided to buy the 10micron GM 1000 HPS, which arrived on time at the beginning of summer. The first contact was a deja vu experience, because the mount makes the same high quality impression as the big brother in my observatory in my observatory next door. The weight of the of 19 kilograms relativizes the statement of the unrestricted the statement of the unrestricted transportability a little bit - the individual axis crosses of the GM 2000 are even lighter. lighter. When the mount then sat on the mobile column (an adapter was made by Baader-Planetarium), I heard a groan of relief from at least three of my of my battered intervertebral discs.
The commissioning
Just as with its big brother, the GM 1000 HPS is is a real "Plug-and-Play" mount, which can be put into operation without previous knowledge. can be put into operation. A cable leads from the mount to the external electronics box, to which the handbox is connected via a spiral cable. spiral cable. I connected it to a 24 volt power supply for testing. power supply for testing. Only the location coordinates and the exact time must be entered during the entered during commissioning. How nice for me that the intuitively learnable software is identical to the GM 2000 HPS and that I felt immediately at home.
The setup
The first mounted instrument was a 10" MAK, with which the which was also to be used for the alignment.
Since almost 150 years ago the owners of the neighboring property had the idea to plant a small, sweet beech seedling, today a 35 meter high tree blocks the view to Polaris. The software-controlled polar alignment without this star works quite simple and very precise: A 3-star alignment and additional refinement with one star gives the orientation. The pole alignment then moves to the position where the targeted star should actually be. With the mechanical adjustment screws for the RA and DEC axes, the star is moved to the center of the the center of the crosshair eyepiece. Another 3-star alignment with subsequent refinement completes the completes the procedure and the mount is photographically ready for use! For me as a beginner the procedure still takes about 25 minutes, experienced users of a 10micron mount need hardly 10 minutes for this.
Sun, taken with SolarSpectrum H-alpha narrowband filter: GM 1000 HPS, 130 mm refractor f/15, camera DMK 51 2
GM1000 HPS with 130mm refractor, SolarSpectrum H-alpha filter and DMK camera as mobile Solar Observation System.
The star test
Now the mount should prove that the brash marketing slogans can be implemented in reality. A photographic test with the 130 mm refractor at
f/6.3 and 400 seconds exposure time without guiding. Since my CCD camera has a second chip for guiding, I will not do without this tool in the future, but it is good to know what the 10micron GM 1000 HPS is capable of.
The test object was a star in the constellation Hunting Dogs not far from M51, which was relatively high in the zenith. I must admit that the result itself surprised me when the image opened in MaximDL. At least I expected a small egg and was disappointed with it - what a quality compared to the experience with the fat-corrected Chinese device! The first complete CCD image will have to wait until the nights get longer again and a trip with all the equipment is worthwhile. Until
the sun will be used extensively as a target.
Further features
There are some more features worth mentioning, which support the astrophotographer in his work. First of all, of course, the absolute encoders, which despite loosening
the mount never loses its orientation. This is especially helpful in solar photography, when the accessories are changed frequently and the system is
the system has to be rebalanced accordingly.
must be rebalanced. And for this, too, the GM 1000 HPS offers a software helper that precisely indicates in which direction the instrument must be moved to find a balanced position.
How far the instrument is guided beyond the meridian can be adjusted. This avoids hitting the column or tripod.
When searching for a new object, a "meridian flip" is automatically performed and the axes swing around. In goto mode, the mount travels at an (adjustable) speed of up to 15º/sec, making neighborhood-friendly buzzing noises. This speed is also sufficient - if you need it - to automatically track and image satellites or the ISS.
My personal conclusion
The price of this mount of the 25-kilogram class is sporty and certainly not to be lifted by everyone. However, if you buy it, you also buy a completely problem-free operation with this precision instrument, whether in a small observatory or - if your back cooperates - also mobile.
The 10micron GM 1000 HPS can confidently be called the "little brother" of the GM 2000 HPS, without having to make the slightest compromise in quality and functionality. It has the identical software, the same high quality of workmanship and is certainly the top instrument in its class.
Kai v. Schauroth in September, 3, 2012
GM 1000 HPS: 400 second exposure without guiding.
The moon is not really a challenge for the GM 1000 HPS, however, even with a fast northing, the image does not run away.
(translated Team Baader)
