The 10Micron GM1000 is undoubtedly one of the high-end mounts on the market - and yet I was surprised at how mobile and easy it is to use in the field when combined with the N.I.N.A. control software. In this field report, I will show you step by step how easy it is to use the mount in the field - from the polar alignment routine with the “Three Point Polar Alignment” plug-in to the creation of the pointing model and automated acquisition using the Advanced Sequencer in N.I.N.A.
Many users initially shy away from the mobile use of high-end mounts with absolute encoders - mainly because of the widespread assumption that setting up an accurate pointing model in the field is time-consuming and complicated. In practice, for many this means that valuable imaging time is lost before the first image can be captured. But this is precisely where the GM1000 really shines - proving that high accuracy and mobile use are by no means mutually exclusive. On the contrary, with the right tools, such as N.I.N.A. and its automated “10u Model Builder”, mobile operation of this high-end mount is not only possible, but extremely efficient.
The GM1000 impressively demonstrates that accuracy and mobility do not necessarily have to be exclusive:
The GM1000 can be set up quickly and easily on the move. However, for accurate tracking with long exposures, precise balancing of the setup is essential. When I first set up my personal setup, I carefully determined the optimum balance position and marked it with a ruler. This allows me to reproduce this position quickly and reliably for future mobile applications. The 10Micron GM1000 offers a handy function for this in the handheld controller under the menu item Drive → Balance → Balance RA / Balance Dec. Here both the RA and DEC axes can be measured and adjusted in detail. Once the balancing routine is complete, the mount provides clear feedback as to whether the system is Scope Heavy or Shaft Heavy. The aim is to achieve a balance of less than 0.4% - only then is the setup considered to be optimally balanced in both axes.
Once the mechanical basis has been achieved, the clever part follows: Polar alignment. Here I use the Three Point Polar Alignment plug-in in N.I.N.A., which enables precise alignment without an additional polar scope
The plug-in allows you to perform a precise alignment in a matter of minutes - without the need for a polar scope or any other tools.
The procedure:
Tip: The integration in N.I.N.A. eliminates the need to change software - everything from a single source.
Important note:
When using the Three Point Polar Alignment plug-in, both Dual-Axis Tracking and Refraction Correction must be deactivated so that the mount does not automatically readjust when approaching the actual and target positions.
Important: After successfully completing the polar alignment, do not forget to reactivate both options!
The absolute encoders installed in the 10Micron enable the creation of an internal pointing model - a type of error map that compensates for various deviations. These include, for example:
When approaching or tracking in a certain area of the sky, the mount then dynamically adjusts the speed of its motors to compensate for the previously detected errors.
An internal Pointing Model can be perfectly automated from within N.I.N.A. and automatically reloaded onto the mount for all subsequent nights when reconnecting.
This is how the creation of a pointing model works step by step - automated with the main camera and plate solving:
As long as the mount is not moved (e.g. due to dismantling or transportation), the model is retained and can be reused.
Three programs are available for creating a Pointing Model:
A good model can be created with approx. 25-30 stars (maximum 100 stars) and significantly increases the tracking accuracy, which is particularly important for long focal lengths, narrowband images and long exposures. After creating the pointing model, individual “bad stars” can be removed using the Remove Worst Star option in order to specifically improve the RMS error of the mount.
Important: Don't forget to save the final Pointing Model!
Depending on the focal length used, an RMS error of less than 5 arc seconds is recommended. With a larger star model, however, values well below 1 arc second can also be achieved. In practice, with my current setup - a focal length between 380 and 530 mm - pointing models with 15 to 20 stars are perfectly sufficient.
The entire creation usually only takes about 10 minutes.
An additional advantage: the pointing model can already be taken in advanced twilight - so no valuable exposure time is lost.
300% view - 300 second exposure with 15 star model - Unguided!
The 10Micron GM1000 can be controlled completely from within N.I.N.A:
Thanks to ASCOM compatibility, communication is stable and reliable.
Sequence-controlled astrophotography with the Advanced Sequencer
The Advanced Sequencer is the heart of automated sessions - perfect for mobile use when you want to expose quickly and efficiently.
Exemplary steps in a sequence:
At the end of the mobile sessions between February and March 2025, this image of M45 (Pleiades) was taken with:
The combination of precision, software integration and reliability makes the 10Micron GM1000 an ideal choice - not only for a stationary observatory, but also for mobile astrophotography.
Particularly noteworthy:
The GM1000 HPS EP (Enhanced Performance) is the next evolutionary stage of the proven GM1000 HPS - not a replacement, but a targeted further development.Thanks to the new reinforced RA and DEC axis and bearings, this mount offers you 20 % more payload (up to 30 kg) - with almost the same weight. As an astrophotographer, you can therefore enjoy maximum stability in an extremely compact form.
This successor model is now available at the same price, including the likewise new V3 control box
