PrimaLuceLab EAGLE6 Pro Computer for Telescopes and Astrophotography

EAGLE6 PRO: A Windows 11 Computer for Remote Astrophotography

The EAGLE6 PRO takes the place of a laptop at the telescope, consolidating computer control, device connectivity, and power management into one component that rides on your telescope. By running a full version of Windows 11 Enterprise, it lets you install the drivers and software you already own, for example NINA, Sequence Generator Pro, Voyager, SharpCap, MaxIm DL, TheSkyX, Stellarium, Cartes du Ciel, PHD Guiding and PrimaLuceLab's PLAY.

This all-in-one design simplifies cable management. Instead of multiple USB and power cables hanging from your mount, all your devices plug directly into the EAGLE. As the telescope tracks, the entire cable bundle moves with it, reducing the risk of snags or detached cables. A single 12V cable is all that's needed to power the EAGLE and your entire imaging system.

The 12-Core Intel i5 CPU, 16GB RAM, and 512GB NVMe SSD

At the core of the EAGLE6 PRO is a 13th Generation Intel Core i5 processor with 12 cores, a 12MB cache, and a max turbo frequency of 4.60 GHz. The TDP is 28W. The PRO can handle very complex applications with a lot of calculations and many devices connected at the same time.

To support the processor, the system includes 16GB of DDR4 3200 MHz RAM and a 512GB NVMe SSD. The RAM and SSD are industrial-grade components, ensuring reliable operation even in very low temperatures.

EAGLE6 PRO vs. the EAGLE6 Family: A 310% Performance Increase

Using the PCMark benchmark, the EAGLE6 PRO shows a 310% performance increase over a common mini PC with an Intel Celeron N3160 processor, 4GB of RAM and SSD.

Within the EAGLE family, each model offers a distinct level of computing power to match different needs and budgets. While the base EAGLE6 already offers a 62% improvement over the reference mini PC, the EAGLE6 S raises that to 272%. The EAGLE6 PRO sits near the top of the line, surpassed only by the EAGLE6 XTM, which scores 349% in the same test.

A 10-Port Hub with USB 3.2 and 40 Gbps Thunderbolt 4

The EAGLE6 PRO eliminates the need for external USB hubs by integrating 10 ports directly into its chassis. This includes three high-speed USB 3.2 ports and five USB 2.0 ports. Four of the USB 2.0 ports can be remotely switched on and off through the EAGLE Manager X software, so a device that has temporarily crashed, such as an autoguider or planetary camera, can be reset without going to the telescope.

For maximum data throughput, the EAGLE6 PRO features two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 connectivity. These ports support data transfer rates up to 40 Gbps, for devices like external storage, displays or multi-port docking stations, with up to 6 devices daisy-chained through a single port. A standard USB-C device can also be connected, operating at a maximum speed of 10 Gbps.

The 7-Port 12V Power Bridge and Integrated Dew Control

A central feature of the EAGLE6 PRO is its integrated power bridge, which distributes 12V DC power to seven outputs from a single input. This lets you power 12V devices such as your camera, mount and focuser directly from the EAGLE. A dedicated chip on the power board disconnects power in case of an overcurrent, faster than traditional fuses, and re-activates it once the problem is resolved.

• 4x 12V Power Outputs: Two ports provide up to 3A each, while two ports deliver up to 8A each.
• 3x Variable Dew Heater Outputs: Three additional ports offer adjustable voltage up to 12V, allowing you to control dew heater strips directly from the EAGLE Manager X software without needing a separate controller.
• Power Monitoring: The software interface displays the real-time power consumption of each connected device, and the total power consumption of your setup.

WiFi 6E, GHOST Mode, and Remote Desktop Access

The EAGLE6 PRO can be controlled wirelessly. It features WiFi 6E (802.11ax), which adds the 6 GHz band to the standard 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies. The 6 GHz band reduces radio interference.

You can control the EAGLE with a Remote Desktop client (such as Microsoft Remote Desktop or the Parallels Client) on a smartphone, tablet, or computer. For added cable simplification, GHOST mode allows you to control PrimaLuceLab devices (SESTO SENSO 2, ESATTO, ARCO, GIOTTO and ALTO) via a wireless link instead of a USB cable. The EAGLE Manager X software creates a virtual COM port, as you would have with a USB cable, without special drivers or software.

Lights-Out Management (LOM) for Pre-Session System Checks

A key feature for remote observatories, Lights-Out Management (LOM) allows you to connect to the EAGLE6 PRO even when it is powered off. By connecting a network cable to a dedicated LOM Ethernet port, you can access a web interface from another computer on the same network. This interface lets you remotely power on the EAGLE, check the status of its sensors, and toggle power to the USB and 12V ports.

This out-of-band management is independent of the Windows operating system. PrimaLuceLab presents it as a way to check that everything is ready for observation before the EAGLE is turned on.

Observatory Actions: Remote Control via CTRL-IN and CTRL-OUT Ports

The EAGLE6 PRO has "Observatory Actions" through two ports: CTRL-IN and CTRL-OUT. These ports enable you to integrate the EAGLE with external switches and relays for advanced remote automation. The CTRL-IN port can be configured to trigger various actions, such as powering on, off or power cycling the EAGLE, switching a 12V power out port, a dew heater port or one of the A-B-C-D USB 2.0 ports, or activating DARK mode, when it receives a signal from an external device like a smart relay.

The CTRL-OUT port lets the EAGLE turn external devices such as mounts or domes on or off, in Switch or Pulse mode, when they accept an external switch input (the cable depends on the device and is not included). Both ports are configured within the EAGLE Manager X interface, including pulse duration and repetitions for CTRL-OUT.

Integrated GPS, EYE, Inclinometer, and Motion Detector Sensors

The EAGLE6 PRO is equipped with a suite of environmental and orientation sensors shown in EAGLE Manager X. A GPS sensor with a high-gain external antenna automatically detects your telescope's precise latitude, longitude, elevation, and the current UTC time, and EAGLE Manager X can write the UTC time to Windows.

• EYE Sensor: Measures sky brightness in a 5° field of view, providing real-time data on sky quality in magnitudes per square arcsecond.
• Inclinometer: Measures the elevation of your telescope with a resolution of 0.1 degrees, so you can remotely check the telescope's elevation or your equatorial mount's elevation setting.
• Motion Detector: Shows unexpected motions from wind or cable snags without confusing them with tracking or goto movements, so PLAY (or third-party software that supports it) can automatically repeat the last acquisition.
• DARK Mode: A dedicated function in the software allows you to instantly turn off all indicator LEDs on the EAGLE's chassis since artificial light reduces telescope performance.

EAGLE Manager X: Unified Control for All Onboard Systems

All of the EAGLE6 PRO's advanced hardware features are controlled through the EAGLE Manager X software. From this interface, you can remotely control power to every connected device, monitor consumption, and check the status of all onboard sensors.

The software allows you to enable or disable each of the four 12V power outputs and four of the USB 2.0 ports, name each port for the device connected to it, and set the voltage for the three dew heater outputs. You can also view real-time data from the GPS, EYE, Inclinometer, and Motion Detector sensors, activate DARK and GHOST modes, and configure Observatory Actions.

Mounting the 1.2 kg EAGLE6 PRO with the PLUS Aluminum Case

The EAGLE6 PRO weighs 1.2 kg and is housed in a rigid, all-aluminum PLUS chassis designed to attach to any telescope; maximum deformation is 0.002 mm with a 10 kg load. The case features a pattern of M5 and M6 threaded holes that are compatible with the full range of PrimaLuceLab PLUS accessories, including rings, bars, and clamps. Attach it at at least two points to keep the system rigid; it can sit above the support rings with a guide scope (up to 8 kg) on top, and it can also go below your main telescope.

When attaching accessories, it is critical to use the correct screw length. The threaded portion of any screw extending into the EAGLE's chassis must not exceed 6mm. For the specific holes located over the internal fan, the threaded portion must not exceed 4mm. Screws that are too long can touch the internal electronics and lead to breakage or malfunction. M6 screws from 6mm to 35mm are included in the box.