ASTRO-PHYSICS
1100GTO German Equatorial Mount
with
GTOCP4 Control Box
Auto-Adjusting Motor/Gearboxes
1100GTO |
1100GTO-AE or 1100GTO-AEL |
Why an 1100GTO?
The 1100GTO is a mid-sized observatory-class mount that will provide reliable operation in your distant, remote observatory *** or *** eagerly travel to star parties where your 12V battery will keep it running all night.
We offer three versions: 1100GTO, 1100GTO-AE and 1100GTO-AEL. The latter two versions include the Standard Temperature Absolute Encoders or the Extended Temperature Absolute Encoders, respectively. If you order the 1100GTO without the absolute encoders, you will be able to purchase them at a later date to install yourself.
This webpage discusses the features that are common to all three mount versions, except where indicated.
The 1100GTO was introduced at the Northeast Astronomy Forum (NEAF) in Suffern, NY in April 2013. In the video below, George Whitney, from the Astro-Physics Technical Support staff, explains key features of the 1100GTO in an interview conducted by Dennis DiCicco, Sky & Telescope editor. We also invite you to view the entire video for demonstrations of these additional exciting products: 1600GTO German Equatorial mounts with discussion of the Absolute Encoder System used in both the 1100GTO and 1600GTO mounts, Right-Angle Polar Alignment Scope, the 10 x 60 Vario Finder with Quick Release Guider Bracket and the Astro-Physics Command Center (APCC) software.Features to Enhance your Observing or Imaging Sessions
Portable
Extremely solid, rugged, high payload mount, yet the equatorial head comes
apart into two components for hassle-free field setup.
Operate with 12V battery
You can take it to the darkest skies and power it with
a commonly available 12V battery. In the observatory, we suggest a minimum 5
amp filtered, regulated power supply like our 13.8-volt,
5-amp Power Supply (PS138V5A). For a heavy payload in cold conditions, we
offer a 25
Amp Variable Volt Power Supply (PSVPW25A)
Azimuth and Altitude Adjustment is convenient and quick
Through-the-mount cabling
The RA and Dec motor cables are routed internally to reduce the possibiity of
snagging. Additional cables can pass through the large openings in the R.A.
and Dec. axes. The top of the Dec. axis separates so that you can add cables
with large connectors.
Clutches
Use the clutches to easily balance your setup, then lock the R.A. and Dec.
axes so that they cannot move when the motors are engaged. Manual operation
is possible if power is not available.
Image past the meridian.
The mount will track and guide well past the meridian
in either direction if the object is located so 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. This feature of our GTO mounts has been a real customer favorite for
many years.
Easy polar alignment for critical viewing
Our optional Right-Angle
Polar Alignment Scope will allow you to quickly zero in on the pole or
the polar alignment routine in PEMPro (included) will guide you through the
process. You can even align the mount during the day with our clever
Daytime
Polar Alignment Routine (outlined in the Keypad Manual) for solar observing,
viewing the planets at twilight, or just getting a jump start on a long night.
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). Follow this link to
discussions of GTO control
options.
Auto-Adjusting Motor/Gearboxes
Our motor/gearboxes were designed to be responsive
for precision astro-photography, while at the same time making it super easy
to use and adjust.
Absolute Encoder option
Absolute
Encoders on both axes provide error-free tracking, software readable absolute position, customizable home and limit
functions for robotic imaging. This option can be installed when you purchase
your mount (order either the 1100GTO-AE or 1100GTO-AEL version) or you can
purchase the option as an upgrade kit when you are ready to take advantage
of its capabilities.
Mechanical Features
Precise Mechanical Fabrication
Using modern CNC machining techniques, we make all components to a high precision level, which results in a final package that is solid and accurate in all respects. 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. Massive thrust bearings and preloaded shaft bearings provide excellent stability under all imaging situations.
Easy to Adjust and Maintain
The design of the 1100GTO is straightforward with modular
construction. We provide information in the
Technical Support section of our website pertaining to typical adjustment issues.
Components are modular
All electronics including the GTOCP4 control box, motors,
gearbox or cables can be removed for servicing. The RA and Dec axes can be shipped
separately, if needed.
Mechanical Specifications
Construction | All CNC machined aluminum bar stock, stainless steel, brass; stainless steel fasteners |
Finishing and Assembly | Every part is hand-finished and inspected. All assembly is done by hand, by highly skilled mount assembly staff. |
Worm wheel - R.A. & Dec. | 7.2" (183 mm), 225 tooth aluminum |
Worm gear - R.A. & Dec. | 0.71" (18 mm) diameter |
Axis shaft - R.A. & Dec. | 3.15" (80 mm) diameter |
Shaft axis bearings - R.A. & Dec. | 3.94" (100 mm) diameter |
Latitude range | 0 to 78 degrees |
Azimuth adjustment | Approximately 18 degrees (+/- 9 degrees from center) |
Counterweight shaft | 1.875" (47.6 mm) diameter x 16.5" (419 mm) usable length, incl. large machined safety stop knob. Optional 8.675" (220 mm) shaft extension available. Weight 13 lb. (5.9 kg) |
Weight of mount | R.A. axis/polar fork: 27.6 lb. (12.5 kg) |
Capacity | Approximately 110 lb. (50
kg) of scope and accessories, depending on
length. Recommended for refractors up to 200 mm, 14-16" Cassegrains, Ritchey-Chretiens
and CDKs. These are only guidelines. Some telescopes are very long for their weight or heavy for their size and will require a larger mount. Remember also that imaging requirements are more rigid than visual observation. |
Instrument mounting interface | Refer to list of suitable mounting plates below |
Pier adapter base diameter | 7.730" (196.3 mm) Base. The base is an integral part of the mount and azimuth adjuster. |
GTOCP4 Servo Drive System
The GTOCP4 drive system uses a high-quality Swiss DC servo motor controlled by a microprocessor to an accuracy of 0.05 arc-seconds per step. Tracking is very smooth and repeatable from one worm cycle to the next, which enables PE correction to be very accurate. The system can be precisely controlled over a speed range of 4800:1, which allows 0.25x sidereal for manual guiding to 1200x sidereal for 5 degree per second slewing. The circuit draws approximately 0.5 amps when tracking the stars, 2.5 amps with both motors slewing and requires only 12 volts to operate. The servo drive will satisfy the requirements of the sophisticated, advanced astro-imager, yet is easy for the casual, visual observer to use.
Gear Accuracy and PE Performance1100GTO-AE or 1100GTO-AEL: If you purchase either
of these versions that feature absolute encoders, the final in-house
PEMPro run will utilize the corrections of the absolute encoders and the
values will be stored in the GTOCP4 Control Box.
GTOCP4 Control Box
The GTOCP4 Control Box offers multiple connection options to suit your requirements including wifi, ethernet, USB and serial ports. In addition to all the features carried forward from previous control boxes, the GTOCP4 applies safety slew logic to all slew commands. Future firmware updates will be available via direct downloads.
The GTOCP4 contains all of the circuitry to drive the two servo motors and the logic required to navigate the sky. It can be easily removed from the mount, if required. The 1100GTO uses the same GTOCP4 Control Box as the 1600GTO and Mach1GTO. In fact, the control boxes for all three mounts are interchangeable with one another in an emergency. However, the absolute encoder function is only available in the control boxes sold with those mounts. Extensive information regarding the GTOCP4 can be found here.Optimized for Astronomy
Astro-Physics mounts and the Astro-Physics GTO Servo Control System are designed
from the outset as tools for celestial observing and imaging. These
mounts do not have any military or defense applications. Applications like
missile, airplane, or very low earth orbit satellite tracking require faster
tracking rates and more rapid changes to those tracking rates than our mounts
allow. Note that the ISS is generally within the mount’s
tracking rate capabilities.
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 |
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 | +/- 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 |
Absolute Encoders - 1100GTO-AE and 1100GTO-AEL
The 1100GTO mount has been designed
and engineered to accomodate extremely precise Absolute
Encoders. These are the same encoders as are used on the 1600GTO. However, if you purchase the 1100GTO without encoders, you may purchase the Absolute Encoder Kit at some point in the future and install them yourself. Check out the 10 minute (600 seconds) unguided exposure by clicking on the thumbnail to the left. 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. |
Flexible Control with Your Keypad, Computer or even your Mobile Smart Device!
As this chart shows, there are many options
available for controlling your mount. Take a few minutes to link
to descriptions of the varied software and devices that are available. |
Pier Mounting Options
The 1100GTO mount integrates a precision rotating pier adapter and azimuth adjuster as part of its base. The mount's base will directly attach to the Astro-Physics pier, or it can be attached to any flat surface using the Flat Surface Adapter for 1100GTO and all 900 Mounts (119FSA). If you plan to use an 8" ATS pier, you will need the Flat Surface Adapter with Flat Pier Plate for 1100GTO and all 900 Mounts (119FSA-FP). The 1100GTO's wide adjustable 0 to 78 degree latitude range (which spans from Antarctica to the arctic circle) makes the use of a wedge unnecesary.