Astronomy & Electronics Centre

TAKAHASHI PM-1

PORTABILTY + FLEXIBILITY + ACCURACY = TAKAHASHI PM-1

The TAKAHASHI PM-1 was developed as a replacement for the P-2Z super eclipse mount. This highly portable mount offers the eclipse chaser and casual observer extreme flexibility and great convenience. The built in 9x polar alignment allows the PM-1 to be accurately polar aligned in either hemisphere until the year 2030. A standard illuminator is proved to make the polar alignment procedure easier.

This mount weighs only 5kg (11 lbs) and has a payload capacity to match (5kg / 11 lbs). The PM-1 is very portable, and is small and light enough to be airline transportable with FC-S tripod.

Clutch System
The PM-1 features a clutch system that allows the mount to be operated in three modes:

Disengaged: for slow motion movement and no-movement by the motor drive. The clutch is loosened and RA shaft can slip.
Partial Clutching: the clutch knob is partially engaged to allow movement by motor-drive and by slow-motion control. The RA shaft can slip for slow-motion movement.
Total Clutching: the clutch knob is tightened as much as possible for motor-drive operation only.

Bubble Level and Altitude Scale
The altitude scale and bubble level are included to allow daytime polar alignment of the PM-1 using the meridian line for a solar eclipse. The meridian line can be determined with a compass. The altitude scale can be used to the polar axis on the north celestial pole. Altitude and azimuth slow motion controls are provided to allow for fine and precise polar alignment setting.

Motor Drive
The motor drive operates on 6v DC power located inside of the hand controller for the mount. This eliminates a separate battery pack. This controller allows the mount to track at five different rates: sidereal, solar, 0.7x, 0.5x and 0.3x sidereal rate in either Hemisphere. The solar and sidereal rates provide a stead platform for solar eclipse imaging as well as planetary, lunar and deep space observing. Drive correction is made with the buttons on the hand control.

Multi-Camera Platform
Installing the Teegul camera platform on top of the Dec assembly turns the PM-1 into a multi-camera platform. The mount has two ¼” x 20 studs on the side of the Dec. assembly to accept ball joint platforms for DSLR’s and lenses. A fourth camera can also be added to the counter weight shaft. This configuration is good for meteor imaging as well imaging large areas of the night sky.

PM-1 Images

PM-1 Technical Specifications

*General Specifications*
Product ID	TTM23000
Head Design	Equatorial
Electronics	Motorized - Dual Drive
Hand Controller	Teegul Motor Controller
Counterweights Included	1.4kg (x1)
Tracking Rates	Lunar, Sidereal, Solar
Special Features	Inegrated Bubble Level
Weight	5kg (11lbs)
Payload Capacity	5kg (11lbs)
Orientation tremor (GT)	Double Screw system, moveable range ±10°
Orientation flutter (GT)	± 360 °
Inclination angle tremor (GT)	Screw type, 0° ~ 55° range of motion advanced
Polar Telescope (GT)	Fixed Built-in, 9x magnification (Corresponding to 2030, timescale with) scale pattern * North star ring * Octans star ring star Antarctic * Horizontal and vertical reference crosshairs
Motor Drive (GT)	Drive frequency: about 40 PPS Driving speed: sidereal time, 0.7, 0.5, 0.3 times of sidereal time, solar time. Corresponding region: Northern Hemisphere, Southern Hemisphere Power Suppy: (4x) AA batteries, external power supply input socket
Optional Accessories
Planet Fork System Set	Includes parts #50, #51, #52, #53
Option Set	Includes parts #50, #51, #52, #53, #54, #55
System Chart Part #54	Dec. Adapter
System Chart Part #55	Camera Platform
System Chart Part #56	P-2 Tripod Adapter (for FC Tripod)
System Chart Part #57	TPL02000 P-Light

A partial-translation of the PM-1 System Chart is available at this time, a full System Chart PDF will be available soon
- CLICK HERE to view the current system chart -

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