Rainbow Astro RST-135 Weightless Mount
Starting Price: $3,895.00
Price as Configured: $3,895.00
Price as Configured: $3,895.00
Brand: RainbowAstro / SKU: RA-MNT000700
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Rainbow Astro is part of Rainbow Robotics, a professional mechatronics company providing robotic system engineering technology. The development of their telescope mounts is based on humanoid robotic technology.
The Rainbow Astro RST-135 uses a drive system new to small telescope mounts to drive both axes. Strain wave gears are commonly used for industrial robots. Strain wave, or harmonic, drives are based on the elastic mechanics of metals. They provide high reduction and high torque in a compact, lightweight package. In addition, the drives have essentially zero backlash with a long, sinusoidal error that makes them perfect for guiding.
The Rainbow Astro RST-135 uses a drive system new to small telescope mounts to drive both axes. Strain wave gears are commonly used for industrial robots. Strain wave, or harmonic, drives are based on the elastic mechanics of metals. They provide high reduction and high torque in a compact, lightweight package. In addition, the drives have essentially zero backlash with a long, sinusoidal error that makes them perfect for guiding.
A strain wave drive consists of a motor, a circular spline, a wave generator and a flexible or "flex" spline. In the animation on the left, the circular spline is blue, the wave generator is green and the flex spline is red. The circular spline is fixed, the flex spline is attached to the output shaft, and the wave generator is attached to the motor. Ball bearings are located between the wave generator and the flex spline.
Due to the high torque of the strain wave gear and motor, counterweights are not needed for loads under 30 lbs. (13.5kg). Strain wave gears are commonly used for industrial robots. The mount weighs only 7.28 lbs. (3.3kg) and measures only about 5.1 x 4.7 x 7.5 inches. Rainbow Astro calls this breakthrough mount a "Weightless Mount." With the RST-135, volume and weight of the mount is no longer a problem for traveling astrophotography and visual astronomy.
Depending on the tripod, the mount may be easily carried attached to the tripod and placed in a case while attached to the tripod.
The mount body and parts are machined from solid aluminum block making for a premium fit and feel.
WiFi (hotspot) and GPS (location and time) are built into the mount and home sensors are used to place the mount in the specified home position.
SPECIFICATIONS
| Mount Type | Equatorial / Alt-Az Dual Mount |
| Drive System | Strain Wave Gear |
| Payload | 13.5kg (30lbs) - without counterweight 18kg (40lbs) – with |
| Slew Speed | 6º / Second |
| Latitude Range | 0º to 90 |
| Power Input | 12 to 16 VDC |
| Power Consumption | 0.2A - Tracking at 16V 3A - Slewing at 16V |
| Weight | 3.3kg (7.3lbs) |
| Size | 130 x 120 x 190mm (5.1 x 4.7 x 7.5 in.) |
| Materials | AL 6061, Steel, Brass |
| ASCOM Compatible | Yes |
| Hand Controller | Multi-line text display |
| WiFi | Hotspot |
| GPS Receiver | Yes |
| Home Sensor | Yes |
Besides the stock Vixen bolt-lock saddle, V-series and D-series compression saddles are available from companies like ADM accessories.
Complete Travel Kits
At Deep Space Products, we specialize in putting together complete astronomy systems. We can put together a complete custom traveling astronomy/astrophotography kit. We can use Takahashi and Stellarvue telescopes, QHY cameras, Mission Control computers, Starlight and Optec focusers, etc. purchased from us or pieces that you supply. Below is an example of a cable-less setup that includes an 80mm refractor side-by-side with a 50mm refractor, one scope guiding while the other is imaging. Also shown is a complete PC for operating the mount, cameras, and an automated focuser that can all be connected to a remote laptop via a small travel router. The entire system is powered by a Lithium Polymer (LiFEPO4) battery mounted on top of the 80mm scope, eliminating the need to run a power cable up to the mount or other equipment. The imaging system can be removed from the mount by disconnecting two cables and then transported complete, or it can be completely disassembled without tools for transport.
