Precision Beyond the Mechanical Limit — The Paramount ME Series 6 Robotic Mount
The Paramount ME Series 6 is Software Bisque's definitive observatory-class German equatorial mount, engineered for research institutions and advanced imagers who require maximum payload capacity and uncompromising tracking precision. It is not merely a platform for carrying large optics; it is an integrated robotic system where hardware and software work in concert to deliver pointing and tracking accuracy that transcends the limitations of its mechanical components. For the astronomer with a heavy, long focal length instrument, the ME Series 6 is the foundation for critical scientific work and deep-sky imaging.
The trade-off for this immense stability is portability. Weighing 85 pounds without counterweights, the Paramount ME is designed for a permanent pier or observatory, not for casual trips to a dark-sky site. It is an instrument built for a dedicated space where its full potential for remote, automated, and unguided imaging can be realized night after night.
TPoint™: Building a Perfect Map of the Sky
The Paramount's legendary pointing is achieved through its integrated TPoint™ software. TPoint is not a simple star alignment; it is a sophisticated modeling tool that maps out all the systematic errors of your entire telescope system, including cone error, tube flexure, and polar misalignment. By creating a model with as few as six or as many as hundreds of points, TPoint can deliver all-sky pointing accuracy of 30 arcseconds RMS or better, ensuring your target is centered on the sensor every time.
ProTrack™: Unguided Imaging Becomes Reality
Working with an established TPoint model, ProTrack™ elevates tracking performance to a new level. It provides continuous, real-time corrections for system-wide errors that autoguiding cannot address, such as atmospheric refraction and telescope flexure that changes as the instrument moves across the sky. The result is the ability to take unguided exposures of 5, 10, or even 20 minutes with round stars, reducing system complexity and eliminating a potential source of error from your imaging train.
Clean Setups with Through-the-Mount Cabling
Cable management is a critical challenge with large imaging systems. The ME Series 6 solves this by routing all motor, power, and data cables internally. The Versa-Plate includes an instrument panel with three high-power XT60 ports and a pass-through Ethernet port, allowing you to power cameras, focusers, and other accessories directly from the mount saddle. This prevents cable snags and drag, which are common causes of tracking errors during long imaging sessions.
TheSky Universal: A Complete Observatory Command Center
Every Paramount ME Series 6 includes TheSky Universal Bundle, a $1,095 value. This is not just a planetarium program; it is a complete, integrated application for controlling your mount, cameras, dome, and weather station. With Multi-OS+ support, you can run the entire system on Windows, macOS, or Linux, providing a consistent and powerful interface regardless of your computing platform.
Do I really need the on-axis absolute encoders for the Paramount ME?
For most users, the standard mount with TPoint and ProTrack provides exceptional, unguided performance. The absolute encoders are for those who need to eliminate periodic error at the source for critical applications like satellite tracking, photometry, or when every fraction of an arcsecond matters. They also eliminate the need to "home" the mount on startup.
Can I run the Paramount ME from a Mac or Linux computer?
Yes. Every Paramount Series 6 mount includes TheSky Universal Bundle, which comes with the Multi-OS+ module. This allows you to install and run the complete software suite on Windows, macOS, and Linux (arm64 and x86_64) for full operational control.
What is the difference between TPoint pointing and ProTrack tracking?
TPoint creates a static model of your telescope's pointing errors to ensure the mount can place any object in the sky precisely in the center of your eyepiece or camera sensor. ProTrack uses that model to make continuous, real-time adjustments that correct for dynamic tracking errors like atmospheric refraction and tube flexure, enabling very long unguided exposures.
How difficult is it to achieve the advertised pointing accuracy?
Achieving sub-arcminute pointing is straightforward using the automated TPoint calibration routine in TheSky software. The software guides you through acquiring a series of images across the sky, automatically plate-solving them and building the pointing model. A basic 25-point model can produce excellent results in under an hour.
What kind of pier is required for the Paramount ME?
A permanent, isolated concrete pier or a high-capacity steel pier is required to support the 85 lb. mount head and its 240 lb. payload. The mount is not designed to be used on a field tripod. Stability is critical, and the foundation must be robust enough to prevent any vibration.
Can this mount be operated remotely?
Yes, the Paramount ME is designed from the ground up for remote and robotic operation. With its Ethernet connectivity, AutoHome capability, and the integrated TheSky software suite (which includes dome control), it forms the core of a fully automated observatory.
