Astro Physics GTO-1100 Mount

• completely redesigned CTOCP4 Control Box with modern chip technology resulting in faster processing speed and increased memory capacity for future feature additions. More information about the GTOCP4 Controll Box are available here. VERLINKUNG
• Dec. axis gear increased to 7.2" (183mm) for higher payloads and more stability
• the R.A. and Dec. axes split easily for a more comfortable assembly and / or transport. The connection of the two components is achieved by a CNC-machined dovetail receptor clamp which has the same uncompromising stability. The R.A. axis/polar fork weighs 27.6lb (12.5kg) and the DEC axis 15.6lbs (7.1kg). Thus, the GTO-1100 can still be described as a transportable mount.
• Azimuth adjusters have been repositioned to the rear of mount which allows you to make minor corrections quite easily without reaching or moving around the mount. Since the knobs are now in front of you as you look through the polar scope, the graduations can be more easily seen as you dial in your position. Azimuth adjustment: (+/- 9 degrees from center)
• built-in precision-rotating pier adapter is now included and not purchased as a separate item
• altitude range now extends from 0-78 degrees in its normal configuration
• Right-Angle Polar Alignment Scope (optional) can be used without the need for an additional adapter. Unobstructed Dec. opening for Polar Alignment Scope allows greater field of view for both the Astro-Physics Right-Angle or the Losmandy Style Polar Alignment Scopes
• internal routing of motor cables to remove the possibility of snagging
• Eesy to adjust and maintain. All components are modular
• Precision bubble level built into mount base
• improved clutch system with NO clutch plugs that can potentially deform over time if they are overtightened. This issue has been eliminated. Clutch can be set to any amount of engagement up to complete locking of the axes so nothing can slip.
• greater capacity to provide a rigid platform for fairly large instruments or side-by-side setups. The mount loads easily a telescope (configuration) of over 110 lb. (50 kg)
• Control box mounted vertically rather than on the top to reduce the possibility of moisture getting into the electronics in damp environments
• Limit/Homing Switch option to provide home and limit functions using a mechanical switch (does not use the absolute encoders)
• the mount will track and guide well past the meridian in either direction if the object is located such that the telescope will clear the pier. This allows the user to set up the mount for a long series of exposures without stopping in the middle to flip sides. One can start the telescope under the mount while pointing at an object in the eastern part of the sky and track it all the way deep into the western sky. This is very useful for long exposure H-alpha or in cases where a large number of individual exposures are needed for stacking
• using modern CNC machining techniques. The critical angles are accurately machined so that the mount is orthogonal to a very high degree. This results in pointing accuracies well below 1 arc minute for a properly aligned mount
• operate with 12V battery. In the observatory, we suggest a minimum 5 amp filtered, regulated power supply like a 13.8-volt, 5-amp Power Supply
• multiple options for controlling your mount in the field or in your observatory: You have your choice of the GTO Keypad (optional), which is a full-featured handheld computer, PC computers using a wide variety of software with or without our ASCOM driver, Mac computers or even your mobile smart device (like your iPhone or iPad)

Please visit for more detailed information the original website of Astro Physics. If you have any further questions, please send us an email to kontakt (at) baader-planetarium.de or call us

We also offer two versions of the GTO-1100 German Equatorial Mount with Absolute Encoders:

• GTO-1100 German Equatorial Mount with Absolute Encoders (#1401406)
• GTO-1100 German Equatorial Mount with Extended Temperature Range Encoders (#1401407)

The GTO-1100 mount has been designed and engineered to accomodate extremely precise Absolute Encoders. These are the same encoders as are used on the GTO-1600.

Absolute Encoders allow the mount to know its exact location regardless of accidental software errors and will allow its recovery. This is particularly important in remote setups. Furthermore, they virtually eliminate periodic error, reducing it below 0.2 arcseconds in our tests. If you order the 1100GTO-AE or 1100GTO-AEL, the R.A. and Dec. encoders will be installed and fully tested with the mount prior to shipment.

However, if you purchase the GTO-1100 without encoders, you may purchase the Absolute Encoder Kit and install them yourself.

Check out the 10 minute (600 seconds) unguided exposure by clicking on the thumbnail to the right. Note that this image was taken with the 1600GTO, but as mentioned earlier, the same encoders are used on the 1100GTO, so the performance is representative.

Control Options for Astro-Physics Mounts

Detailed information about the GTOCP4 are available here

GTOCP4 Servo Drive System Specifications

Electronic components	Rated for industrial and automotive applications
Motors	Zero-cogging Swiss DC servo motors, enclosed in machined, aluminum housing
Motor encoder	2000 tic quadrature yielding an effective resolution of 0.050 arcseconds per tic
Motor reduction gear train	57.6:1 gear reduction through a custom built set of large diameter, fine-toothed, precision, spur gears for vastly superior performance
Servo Motor Control Box	GTOCP4 Control Box, removable
Hand-held computer (optional)	GTO Keypad to control all mount functions.Includes extensive databases and tour features in a simple, intuitive interface. Firmware updates via the internet. More information about the GTO Keypad are available here. VERLINKUNG
Power consumption	~ 0.3 to 0.6 amps at 13.8 volts - tracking ~ 1.3 to 2.5 amps at 13.8 volts - both motors slewing at 1200x
Power requirements	Nominal 12 volt DC supply at minimum of 5 amps continuous
Periodic error	7 arc seconds peak-to-peak (+/- 3.5 arc seconds) or less in one worm cycle (6.4 minutes); native, prior to any error correction
Maximum slew speed	5 degrees / second

For more detailed information please visit the original website of Astro Physics. If you have any further questions, please send us an email to kontakt (at) baader-planetarium.de or call us.

Detailed information about the Astro-Physics German Equatorial Mount are available hier. Verlinkung auf Wordpress-Artikel.

What's included (standard version):

• Polar Fork / Right Ascension Axis (R.A.) Assembly
• Declination Axis (Dec.) Assembly
• GTOCP4 Servo Control Box
• Control Box Adapter
• 14" Stainless Counterweight Shaft, 1.875" diameter and Safety Stop
• R.A. and Dec. Y-Cable
• Power Cable Set for GTOCP4, includes 6' Cable with PowerPole Connector, 18" Cable with Cigarette Lighter Plug and 18" Cable with Ring Terminals
• 15' Straight-through Serial Cable
• Allenhead wrench set
• CD containing: PEMPro v2 Software and PulseGuide Software, both written by Ray Gralak of Sirius Imaging. Also, PDF of 1100GTO and GTO Keypad instruction manuals
• Manual: 1100GTO German Equatorial and GTOCP4 Servo Motor Drive System
• Registration Card

If you have any further questions, please send us an email to kontakt (at) baader-planetarium.de or call us.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Applies to all mounts which are controlled by plug connections of hand controllers and / or by plug connections with electronic accessories.

Again and again, we received mounts for repair work, which have malfunctions due to corroded connections. Therefore, the following note:

The plug-in connections at all contact points in astronomical telescopes are generally exposed to humidity and dirt. For the current transmission on such plug-in connections there is often a higher risk of danger due to humidity or corrosion as is ussually the with plug-in connections in the household.

It is advisable to spray the connectors of all cable connections generously with contact spray and then plug in the respective plug several times. In this way, the contact is cleaned and at the same time corrosion and the accumulation of condensation water are prevented. Please do not spray into the socket! In this way, short circuits can be produced if contact liquid is used too generously and runs through electronic components inside the device.

In any case, if there are undefined malfunctions during the electricity or signal transmission, it is first of all advisable to clean the plug-in connections by means of contact spray.