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MARK III Harmonic German Equatorial Mount

Mark III is a lightweight and portable German equatorial mount with a delicate harmonic gear system. Despite its lightweight of 7.95kg, Mark III boasts outstanding payload capacity, quick dynamic response and accurate data-transmission and processing. It’s a great option for astro-observation or astrophotography, and a handy and functional helper along your journey to the universe exploration.

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Product introduction

Please be sure to read the Instruction Manual of Mark III before using the mount, and strictly follow the steps illustrated in it.

Mark III equatorial mount is powered by Onstep, a fantastic open source software. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the developers and all relevant contributors who have helped a lot to improve the Onstep software. We will also do our best to make possible improvements and modifications to Onstep based on the practical operations to make this software and thus our equatorial mount perform more smoothly.

OnStep is open source free software, licensed under the GPL:LICENSE.txt.

Specifications

MARK III Harmonic German Equatorial Mount Specification
Weight of the main body (without counterweight and counterweight bar )	7.65KG
Weight of special carbon fiber tripod (with extension tube)	4.95KG
Total weight (without counterweight and counterweight bar)	12.6KG
Counterweight and counterweight bar	A standard 5KG counterweight and a counterweight bar (304 stainless steel
Dovetail saddle	Standard 200mm Losmandy & Vixen style dovetail saddle
Dimension	The diameter of the main body’s base is 160mm, the maximum height of the main body is 38cm, and the maximum width is 30cm
Dimension of tripod (including a one-stage extension tube)	82cm of height and 98cm of width when expanded, 93cm of height when retracted，The above data includes the extension tube.
Level adjustment of tripod (with a high level bubble)	Height adjustment within 2.5cm, with fine-tuning and locking system
Latitude adjustment range	15-90°（90° is the motorized Alt-Azimuth mode）。
North pointing horizontal azimuth adjustment range	±4°
Effective payload	≤22kg (without counterweight) ≤28kg (with counterweight) Note: these are measured when the distance between telescope’ s central axis and the mounting surface of the equatorial mount is less than 150mm
Reduction/Gear Ratio	R.A. axis 1: 1000 Dec. axis 1: 1000
PE Cycle Error	<±20”
PE Cycle Time	432 seconds
Slew speed（GOTO speed）	Maximum slew speed: 4 deg/s default slew speed: 2 deg/s Note: switch to default or slower slew speed when carrying a heavy or bulky telescope
Guide speed	2x，4x，8x，20x，48x，120x，180x，240x，360x，480x，710x，950x
Harmonic reducer type	20mm 1:100 Harmonic reducer
Motor	42mm 1:10 precision stepping motor with automatic braking system (used in power-off situations)
Power enter (with a standard 24V power adapter and 12V to 24V power adapter)	24V stable power supply
Operating current	950mA
Standby current	475mA
Data transmission	Support WiFi wireless connection and USB wired connectio
Guiding Port	Through USB connectio
Hand controller	CNC processing control box with built-in celestial database
Compatibility	MARK III is perfectly compatible with ASCOM & INDI platforms, various commonly-used astronomy software, mobile phone apps, ASIAIR, star atlas software, etc., the mount can be controlled via smartphones/laptops/tablets etc. through WIFI or USB connection
Star alignment	Supports up to 9-star alignment
Home sensor style	Electrical zero position
Working temperature	-25℃-40℃
Polar alignment scope port	Built-in electronic polar alignment scope port with quick-release syste
PHD2 guiding test	±0.5”
Note: the specifications are subject to change without notice and all rights are reserved.

Unpacking diagram diagram

Number	Number	Note
1	Hand controller	To control and operate Mark Ill equatoria mount
2	Boost converter	12-24V boost converterx1
3	Tool packager	Thumb screw for fixing the mount on the tripodx2; M1.3 Allerwrenchx1; altitude adjustment barx1; M5 Allen wrenchx1
4	Power package	24V power adapterx1; power cablex1
5	Counterweight bar	With a thread at the bottom
6	Main body	Number
7	Counterweight	To balance the mount