0 to 90 degrees, Northern and Southern hemispheres
Capacity
Payload-to-weight ratio
0.9:1
Motion
Slew rate
20°/s standard; 50°/s maximum
Tracking accuracy
0.3 arcsec over 5 minutes at sidereal rate
Pointing accuracy
<10 arcsecond RMS with PointXP Model
Encoder
152 mm encoder rings, 18,880,000 counts/rev (0.069 arcsec resolution)
Electronics
Controller
PlaneWave Interface dual axis telescope control
Power
100-240 VAC 50/60 Hz
Astrophotography Fit
A heavy-payload mount that should be chosen by realistic imaging payload, not headline capacity alone.
L-500 Direct Drive Mount is a flagship observatory-class GoTo mount for computerized tracking and guiding.
For long-exposure astrophotography, use a conservative imaging payload. The telescope, camera, guide hardware, dew heaters, dovetails, and cables all count, and guiding performance matters more than the catalog payload number.
Observatory-class mounts ask for a pier, software integration, and careful commissioning; they are not casual grab-and-go hardware.
Best paired with
Autoguided refractors or corrected reflectors within conservative payload limits
Stable tripod or pier and balanced counterweights
Computer or hand-controller workflow with good polar alignment
Not recommended for
Payloads at the rated maximum for imaging
Users who need an airline-portable rig above all else
Long focal length work without guiding and careful balance
Where To Buy
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