G. Nikolidakis
member
Reged: 06/27/08
Posts: 97
Loc: Greece , Athens
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Is there any alternative mount at the PARAMOUNT price level?
What about the European ASA Direct drive mount?
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George Nikolidakis
We live in a universe the dimensions of which are beyond of human imagination.
We count the time scale and analyze the creation mechanisms, trying to catch in mind the invisible.
http://geonik.homeip.net
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fetoma
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 09/26/06
Posts: 1098
Loc: NW Ohio
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ASA all the way!!!
--------------------
Frank in NW Ohio
Vixen CF VC200L and R200SS
Meade SN-10
Celestron 9.25" SCT
Meade 8" f/6.3 SCT
Intes-Micro M73
Stellarvue 80/480 LOMO Triplet
Takahashi FS-60C
Celestron CGE
QHY8 and SXV-H16
www.jerseydevilastronomy.com
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skybsd
professor emeritus
Reged: 02/01/08
Posts: 602
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Hello,
Quote:
ASA all the way!!!
Hello,
Given own my plans to purchase a Paramount ME in the near future for my interests in remote, video observation, I'd be interested understanding your reasons behind your affirmation of the ASA system, please..,
Thanks.
Regards,
skybsd
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skybsd
professor emeritus
Reged: 02/01/08
Posts: 602
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Hello George,
Quote:
Is there any alternative mount at the PARAMOUNT price level?
What about the European ASA Direct drive mount?
Do you mind my asking about your requirements driving your mount selection, and your asking about alternatives to the Paramount, please?
I only ask as I'm actually planning to buy a Paramount myself.
Thanks.
Regards,
skybsd
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G. Nikolidakis
member
Reged: 06/27/08
Posts: 97
Loc: Greece , Athens
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Quote:
Hello George,
Quote:
Is there any alternative mount at the PARAMOUNT price level?
What about the European ASA Direct drive mount?
Do you mind my asking about your requirements driving your mount selection, and your asking about alternatives to the Paramount, please?
I only ask as I'm actually planning to buy a Paramount myself.
Thanks.
Regards,
skybsd
Hi
I am in the same situation as you.
I am planning to buy the PARAMOUNT in the near future.
I plan to use it permanently in my observatory for remote operation.
Paramount is a very well constructed mount, but is also true that is based on a
Technology that is decline as a new one is rise leaded by ASA.
ASA mount is based on a new and very interesting technology of direct mount.
No gears no worms no PEC no backlash, the RC servomotors is direct mounted to the
RA and DEC axis.
High resolution encoder is used for movement and corrections adjustments.
It is very interesting and in the same time a risk for me to invest on ASA mount, as the paramount is a very successful mount with a high reputation in the community and some very useful functionality’s for remote operation.
I hope someone has more to say in order to make up my mind.
--------------------
George Nikolidakis
We live in a universe the dimensions of which are beyond of human imagination.
We count the time scale and analyze the creation mechanisms, trying to catch in mind the invisible.
http://geonik.homeip.net
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skybsd
professor emeritus
Reged: 02/01/08
Posts: 602
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Hello George,
Good to hear from you - thanks so much for taking the time to get back to me..,
Interesting reading your comments there.
MY reasons for deciding on the Paramount for my remote video observation requirements ARE actually pretty much for its being designed from the start for remote operation, long-established build quality, wide install base as well as excellent support record.
The ONLY other contender would have been the line from AP, but scheduled availability was a negative.
All other mounts (like ASA) and their relatively new and unestablished build record and respective control software were simply too much of a risk.
I guess to put it simply, I'm looking for designed to work, built to last - doing it a new way means little to me 
Hope your search goes well.
Regards,
skybsd
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horizon
member
Reged: 12/18/05
Posts: 88
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well especially if your looking for something that is build to last the ASA mount should be a consideration since there is no wear. As for: Last a lifetime, well both don't exist that long. But I think Byers does.
--------------------
Takahashi FS-102 NSV
H-EQ5 Sky Scan
Hyperion 13mm, Pentax XF 8.5mm, TS-HR 5mm
TMB ED Barlow x1.8
10x70 Orion Little Giants
--< I hate all light younger than 8.3 minutes >--
-Clear Skies
-Michael
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Psyire
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 06/24/07
Posts: 980
Loc: 55* North
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I have to agree that new technology is great, but the Paramount does have a solid track record. Even with that said though, the ASA does look extremely promising.
--------------------
Celestron CPC 1100 XLT, Sky-Watcher Equinox 80ED
TV 31T5-Nagler, 8&13mm-Ethos
EarthWin Binoviewers w/ 24mm Panoptics
Elusive Photons.com
Edited by Psyire (10/18/09 01:15 PM)
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skybsd
professor emeritus
Reged: 02/01/08
Posts: 602
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Hello,
Good to hear from you..,
Quote:
well especially if your looking for something that is build to last the ASA mount should be a consideration since there is no wear. As for: Last a lifetime, well both don't exist that long. But I think Byers does.
For the figures involved, the proven, long established track record that Software Bisque has set in both the design proof as well as performance and product support of delivery led to the Paramount topping MY list of mount solutions to base my remote video observation plans on.
The ASA may well turn_out_to_be a great mount for $PURPOSE, but where MY money is concerned, the Paramount is not only a safe hedge, but it is designed to and actually is doing for many individuals and organizations, exactly what I intend to use it for.
Regards,
skybsd
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gavinm
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 08/26/05
Posts: 807
Loc: Auckland New Zealand
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There's the NTM-500, not sure about price, but I guess its probably above that price bracket.
--------------------
Gavin
Mt Albert Grammar School Observatory
Auckland, New Zealand
http://www.mags.school.nz/astronomy/index.html
12" LX200R F6.8 AP
SBIG ST7-XME + CFW10
Moonlite SCT focuser w/ temp
Skywatcher Equinox ED80 Pro (ADM dovetail)
+ other stuff
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skybsd
professor emeritus
Reged: 02/01/08
Posts: 602
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Hello,
Good to hear from you..,
Quote:
There's the NTM-500, not sure about price, but I guess its probably above that price bracket.
I remember the initial press releases for the NTM - including the rather circus-like "look how fast this thing slews!" hype.
My thoughts: -
1] No pedigree / track record
2] Price/Payload:
NTM-500: £29950.00 / 50kg
PME: £13,310.00 / 68kg
So.., I'm paying more than twice the price of the PME for what exactly  ..., slews of up 100deg/sec?
For that money, I'd prefer to wait for the el Capitan - I'd prefer to invest my money in a company like AP, to be honest. Again.., maturity, long pedigree & established performance track record will always win when it comes to spending my money.
3] Support
Softwae Bisque: Phone, Forum, Email
ASTELCO: ??? ???
4] Availability
Paramount ME: S Bisque - 6 months max / Dealers - from stock
NTM-500: ??? ??? (no response to my email / no callback after leaving voicemail)
I did take the time to rationally assess my options in my decision-making and for so many reasons, the Paramount ME (rather easily) stays top.
Thanks.
Regards,
skybsd
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Psyire
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 06/24/07
Posts: 980
Loc: 55* North
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Have you looked at the Chronos mount or Planewave's new one?
--------------------
Celestron CPC 1100 XLT, Sky-Watcher Equinox 80ED
TV 31T5-Nagler, 8&13mm-Ethos
EarthWin Binoviewers w/ 24mm Panoptics
Elusive Photons.com
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skybsd
professor emeritus
Reged: 02/01/08
Posts: 602
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Hello,
Quote:
Have you looked at the Chronos mount or Planewave's new one?
Chronos: Returned in results based on capacity - eliminated for those reasons previously stated
"Planewave's new one" appears to actually be a rebadged IOTT PRECISION INSTRUMENTS mount - either the IPI 262 or IPI 393. None-starter.
I do appreciate the interest folks are showing in my situation, but George is the one who started this thread, and the one that asked the original question here.
I'm sure its only fair for folks to focus on addressing George's issues from here on end.
Many apologies, George 
Thanks.
Regards,
skybsd
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G. Nikolidakis
member
Reged: 06/27/08
Posts: 97
Loc: Greece , Athens
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Quote:
I guess to put it simply, I'm looking for designed to work, built to last - doing it a new way means little to me
I fully agree with you but… again this new technology is very promising...
If you consider that the weak point in the mounts with gears is the backlash and the periodic error and the source for these problems are the gears, and then even if you have an identical high precision system (gear worm gear) it will be wearied down by the use and the backlash-periodic error will get worst by the time.
It is a matter of design limitations.
In theory the new ASA mount does not suffer from these limitations and this means something.
I am thinking the above and that do not means that I am ready to buy the new technology as I am skeptic of what new problems can have.
--------------------
George Nikolidakis
We live in a universe the dimensions of which are beyond of human imagination.
We count the time scale and analyze the creation mechanisms, trying to catch in mind the invisible.
http://geonik.homeip.net
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fetoma
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 09/26/06
Posts: 1098
Loc: NW Ohio
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Skybsd,
It sounds like you mind is already made up by your replies. I don't understand why you asked the question?
--------------------
Frank in NW Ohio
Vixen CF VC200L and R200SS
Meade SN-10
Celestron 9.25" SCT
Meade 8" f/6.3 SCT
Intes-Micro M73
Stellarvue 80/480 LOMO Triplet
Takahashi FS-60C
Celestron CGE
QHY8 and SXV-H16
www.jerseydevilastronomy.com
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gavinm
scholastic sledgehammer
Reged: 08/26/05
Posts: 807
Loc: Auckland New Zealand
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Astelco make the mounts for some of the most advanced robotic telescopes used in research in the world. I wouldn't worry about their customer support or "track record".
The specifications of the NTM are far above the Paramount in all respects - it is expensive but it's aimed at a different market. I actually expected them to be more than twice the price of an ME - The ASA does look good as well though - definately one to watch.
--------------------
Gavin
Mt Albert Grammar School Observatory
Auckland, New Zealand
http://www.mags.school.nz/astronomy/index.html
12" LX200R F6.8 AP
SBIG ST7-XME + CFW10
Moonlite SCT focuser w/ temp
Skywatcher Equinox ED80 Pro (ADM dovetail)
+ other stuff
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skybsd
professor emeritus
Reged: 02/01/08
Posts: 602
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Hello George,
Good to hear from you again..,
Quote:
I fully agree with you but… again this new technology is very promising...
I'll not disagree with you here, and do not deny that ASA's approach is different.
Quote:
If you consider that the weak point in the mounts with gears is the backlash and the periodic error and the source for these problems are the gears, and then even if you have an identical high precision system (gear worm gear) it will be wearied down by the use and the backlash-periodic error will get worst by the time.
It is a matter of design limitations.
In theory the new ASA mount does not suffer from these limitations and this means something.
I am thinking the above and that do not means that I am ready to buy the new technology as I am skeptic of what new problems can have.
Yes, but as I said in my earlier responses to you, given that my interests lie in remote video observation the operating limits of the Paramount ME's design are not showstoppers.
We all have our own mounting requirements, associated budget plans and I'm sure that I'm not the only person that also includes some measure of risk assessment in our decision-making processes.
For me, the risks I concluded in ASA's solution resulted in the Paramount ME ending up ahead.
I had to go through the same process when reviewing observatory dome options as well - drawing up a table of requirements and risks variables and then assessing each vendor's solution on their own merit and record.
Hope that explains my situation a bit better.
Thanks.
Regards,
skybsd
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skybsd
professor emeritus
Reged: 02/01/08
Posts: 602
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Hello,
Good to hear from you..,
Quote:
Skybsd,
It sounds like you mind is already made up by your replies. I don't understand why you asked the question?
You're correct in that my assessment has resulted in my deciding to go with the PME.
That said, whilst I am comfortable in how I arrived at my decision, I'll not neglect that someone else may well have other variables or information that I did not consider or have access to in reviewing publicly available documentation or in correspondence with vendors and resellers.
Thanks.
Regards,
skybsd
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David Pavlich
Postmaster
Reged: 05/18/05
Posts: 8683
Loc: Mandeville, LA USA 30.22 X 90....
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The new harmonic drive mounts are really cool. However, no track record. Paramount ME...very much a proven mount. If it were me, it would be the ME, no doubt. Perhaps a year or so from now when we get some track record on the new harmonic drive mounts, the choice may be different.
David
--------------------
Proud Member; PAS NOLA,
"If we knew what we were doing, it wouldn't be called research..."
A. Einstein
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