Paramount Duo Direct-Drive Gimbal Mount

Description

Paramount Duo — High-Performance Direct-Drive Gimbal

When precision, speed, and reliability are paramount, the Paramount Duo rises to the challenge. This high-performance direct-drive gimbal mount can carry a variety of instrumentation which make it an ideal and valuable asset for demanding applications—research, space domain awareness (SDA), space situational awareness (SSA), astronomical observatories, and serious astrophotography alike. This multi-purpose mount simply sets the standard for a flexible, and functional gimbal mount.

Apart from the exceptional control system and precision engineering, what makes the Paramount Duo so extraordinary is its control software. TPoint™, integrated with TheSky™, is famous for providing extreme pointing accuracy. That makes it attractive enough to be used by the world’s largest optical, infrared, and radio observatories. The Paramount Duo’s telescope control system utilizes TPoint’s Telescope Control System Pointing Kernel (TCSpk™) to provide unique integrated pointing, tracking and instrument rotation accuracy, regardless of the target you are imaging.

Duo Equatorial Wedge (optional)

What Makes the Paramount Duo Exceptional

• Extreme Payload & Flexibility
  The Duo supports up to 140 kg (300 lb) of instrumentation, enabling you to mount large optical tube assemblies or multiple telescopes. You can use it in alt-azimuth mode or convert it to equatorial mode with an optional wedge.
• Direct-Drive Motors & Slew Speed
  Industrial-grade, three-axis direct-drive motors deliver smooth, backlash-free motion. Typical slew speeds cap at 30°/sec under load, but when conditions allow, speeds up to 100°/sec are possible.
• Absolute Encoders — No Periodic Error
  Every axis includes 26-bit Renishaw ring encoders (15 cm diameter) with 0.02 arc-sec precision. That translates to no periodic error and no need for a homing procedure each session. The encoders are built to handle extreme cold—read heads work down to −40 °C.
• Sophisticated Control Software
  The Paramount Duo runs with TheSky Universal and TPoint software, integrating the Telescope Control System Pointing Kernel (TCSpk™). These tools enable advanced pointing, tracking, and instrument rotation with high accuracy. Compatible with macOS, Windows, and Linux (ARM / x86 architectures).
• Integrated Engineering
  The mount base includes a 10-20A motor controller (20 kHz algorithm rate) and power supply unit (120-220V AC, 15A), Ethernet TCP/IP interface, built-in pier electronics, and easy-access cable management.

Ideal Use & Benefits

• For research, observatories, SDA/SSA operations where the demands for speed, stability, and pointing precision are high.
• Long focal length imaging, spectrographic instrumentation, or multi-telescope arrays benefit from its high torque, stable platform, and minimal flexure.
• Reduced setup time: fewer calibration/homing steps thanks to absolute encoders and robust pointing model.
• Remote or harsh environments: operates well in cold, and electronics are designed with thermal management.

Key Specifications