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Mount Description
Strong, light and smart, with a total weight of 5.5 kg (12 lb), this very special version, being one
of the few equatorial mount suitable for very low latitude areas till 0° in the market, it is the
perfect instrument for the travelling astronomy, suitable for deep-sky imaging in the capacity
range up to 10 kg (22 lb).
The M-zero OBS design was developed on the basis of the M-zero standard version, making
use of the same technical concepts:
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Fast Reverse technology
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Computer aided design (CAD)
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High quality manufacturing with digital control 5 axes CNC machines (CNC + CAM)
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Absolute quality materials: Anodized aluminium from milled mono-bloc, stainless steel
components and screws, brass components, techno-polymers
The M-zero obs motion transmission technology is based on pulley-tooth belt without play,
while its peculiar geometry makes easy the imaging at the meridian crossing regardless the
typical problem affecting the classic German Equatorial Mounts, for both the risk of touching
the tripod and the need of waiting for the object cross the meridian.
Moreover, considering that at the meridian the sky is less subject to light pollution and to
atmospheric turbulence, the M-zero LHQ is the ideal tool to shoot deep-sky objects in their best
conditions, close to the meridian, especially when the time is short and the sky is not so dark
and clear.
The M-zero obs is mainly designed for astro-imaging with medium-short length tubes (such as
SC-Maksutov, RC up to 6-8″ aperture and 10 kg (22 lb) weight, according to the tube length). It
is possible to use the M-zero obs even with refractors (400-500 mm), with a piggyback or
parallel guidescope that can act also as an active counterweight.
The larger overhang of the single arm system will allow a greater pointing angle compared to
the classic German Equatorial Mounts.
Another M-zero obs basic advantage is that it doesn't need heavy counterweights, nor the long
bar. Its declination axis can be quickly balanced like in an equatorial mount, while, for the RA
axis, it is possible to fix the arm on six possible positions and to make the fine balance using a
very small counterweight.
The use of pulleys and toothed belts has allowed to obtain several advantages: a really steady
motion without play (no backlash) and sudden peaks, factors of paramount relevance for long
guided exposures and during high magnification visual observations. These features are of
particular relevance especially for the declination axis motor that can now quickly reverse the
motion without breaks to recover the plays: from here the mount name FAST REVERSE. The
toothed belts used in the M-zero obs have the structure made of special material with steel
strands to avoid any deformation, elongation and stress, much better than those used in the
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