MKS 6000 Upgrade

Give your Paramount a technology refresh.

Upgrading your Paramount means you’ll not only get outstanding electronics (indeed, our best ever with fewer components), you’ll gain built-in Ethernet and Wi-Fi along with more robust USB Type C communication options and an improved through-the-mount power solution to accommodate higher amperages.

Order your MKS 6000 upgrade today!

Complete the steps below to purchase the MKS 6000 Upgrade.  For details about each step, see the tabs below labeled MKS 6000 Upgrade Kit, DIY or Factory Install, Return Shipping and Shipping Box.

If you’re not sure which MKS 6000 Upgrade Kit to purchase, see the document Which Paramount Do I Own?

Have you received your MKS 6000 Upgrade? If so, see the MKS 6000 Upgrade Getting Started page.

SKU: MKS-6000-Upgrade-Parent Category: Tags: , , , , ,

The MKS 6000 is now shipping.  With the current backlog, delivery time for new orders is 8-10 weeks.

TheSky version 10.5.0 build 13787 or later is required to control the MKS 6000.  See "How to renew my software subscription" for details how to renew your software subscription if is has expired.

No.  You will need to renew your subscription if it has expired. See "How to renew my software subscription" for details.

Other that selecting your model Paramount, no other mount-specific information (such as the motor index angles and PEC curve data) is required to purchase the MKS 6000 upgrade kit.

The Paramount's serial number and identification number for all Paramount GEMs shipped after July 2012 is located on the underside of the hour angle axis housing on the left-hand side.

No.  The MKS 6000 upgrade, stand-alone, does not increase the Paramount’s payload capacity.  The total payload capacity of the Paramount MYT Series 6 and the Paramount MX Series 6 mounts is higher because of the mechanical changes to the mount design, not specifically because of the new MKS 6000 TCS.

One component of the MKS 6000 Upgrade Kits is a redesigned through-the-mount power solution that uses XT60 power connectors. These connectors are commonly used for recharging batteries in e-bikes, RC cars and drones. They also excel at supplying power to astronomical equipment.  Rated at 500V up to 30A (15KW maximum), they accept 12 AWG wires, and can provide sufficient power to all the direct-current astronomical devices on the telescope.

No separate software device driver is require to control the MKS 6000 using the USB port on macOS*, Linux or Windows.

Caveat: macOS does not recognize the MKS 6000 when the mount is powered on and the USB-C cable is plugged into a USB-C port on the Mac computer.  For USB control on macOS, before powering on the mount, be sure to plug the USB cable into the computer, and then turn on the computer.  Or, use a USB-C to USB-B adapter and plug it into a USB hub on the Mac.

Yes, like earlier control systems, the MKS 6000 is compatible with ASCOM through the ASCOM2XAdapter.

Yes, with the following caveat. Upgrading these model mounts requires that the connectors on the existing encoder read heads to be modified for the MKS 6000. As this process requires expensive crimping tools for the very small terminals to the end of the wires, Software Bisque strongly recommends returning the mount to the factory so that our technicians can perform the MKS 6000 upgrade and encoder cable conversion.

See the MKS 6000 On-Axis Encoder Connector Crimping Instructions for details (log in required to access this resource).

Description

To upgrade your Paramount to the MKS 6000 telescope control system:

  1. Choose the MKS 6000 Upgrade Kit for your mount model.  See the MKS 6000 Upgrade Kit tab for details about supported models.
  2. Choose the Do-It-Yourself option to install it yourself, or choose one of the Factory Install options to have Software Bisque install the upgrade kit for you. See the DIY or Factory Install tab for details.
  3. Choose the Return Shipping option that covers the cost to ship your mount back from Software Bisque.  See the Return Shipping tab for details.
  4. For Factory Installs, your mount must make a round trip to and from Software Bisque.  If your original shipping boxes and foam are not in excellent condition, please order a new Shipping Box.  See the Shipping Box tab for details.  Before boxing your mount, please carefully read the Paramount Return for Service Procedure document.  It describes the critical steps required to safely prepare your mount for transit.

MKS 6000 Upgrade Ordering System Version 1.3

WiSky replacement

Additional information

Mount Model

Paramount MYT, Paramount MX, Paramount MX+, Paramount ME II motor-based encoders, Paramount ME II on-axis encoders, Paramount ME Classic, Paramount Taurus 400 motor-based encoders, Paramount Taurus 400 on-axis encoders, Bisque TCS

MKS 6000 Upgrade Kit

The MKS 6000 upgrade kits contain the components necessary to upgrade your Paramount mount with the MKS 6000 telescope control system (TCS), including:

  • MKS 6000 printed circuit board (PCB)
  • Electronics Box to hold the MKS 6000 PCB
  • Hour angle axis rear panel
  • Instrument Panel PCB
  • Instrument Panel housing
  • Updated through-the-mount cables
  • MKS 6000 power supply unit
Supported Paramount Model Mounts

The table below lists the Paramount models that can be upgraded with the MKS 6000 telescope control system.

  • All Paramount models sold since 2002 can be upgraded to the MKS 6000.
  • The MKS 6000 Upgrade Kits include the hardware and electronic components required to upgrade your model Paramount with the MKS 6000 control system.

The table lists the Paramount models, their manufacturing dates, and the mount identifiers for each model.

Paramount Model Manufacture Dates Mount Identifiers
Paramount MYT November 2014 – April 2023 C0001 – C00531
Paramount MX Classic July 2011 – July 2014 A00001 – A00499
Paramount MX+ August 2014 – July 2023 A00500 – A01299
Paramount ME II March 2013 – August 2023 B00001 – B00599
Paramount ME Classic 1 July 2001 – August 2012 N/A 2
Paramount Taurus 400/500 Gear Driven Models 4 November 2019 – April 2023 T00001 – T00060
Bisque TCS (with the MKS 3000, MKS 4000 or MKS 5000) 4 July 2001 – April 2023 N/A 3

 

1 The MKS 6000 Upgrade Kit does not include a hand paddle.  And, the MKS 3000 and MKS 4000 hand paddle that came with the original Paramount ME mounts is not compatible with the MKS 6000.  If you want to control an original Paramount ME (with an MKS 3000 or MKS 4000 control system), you must purchase the MKS 5000/MKS 6000 Hand Paddle separately.

2 The Paramount ME Classic does not have a unique mount identifier; the mount’s serial number as printed on the Paramount ME invoice from Software Bisque, so you may not have a record of it.

3 The Bisque TCS does not include a hardware serial number.  See the Which Paramount Do I Own? document for details how to determine which MKS version your mount uses.

4 Upgrade kits for these model mounts will be available in second quarter of 2024.

Upgrade Kit Photos

Do-It-Yourself or Factory Install

If you want to install the MKS 6000 Upgrade Kit, choose the Do It Yourself option and we’ll ship the upgrade kit to you.  Watch the MKS 6000 Upgrade Kit video (click here to watch) for step-by-step instructions how to remove the earlier control system and install the new components.

Or, let Software Bisque perform the upgrade for you.  Ship your mount back to the factory, and we will install the MKS 6000 upgrade.

  • Do It Yourself ($0)
    • Software Bisque ships the MKS 6000 Upgrade Kit to you so that you can perform the installation.

For Factory Installs, you box up your mount, ship it back to Software Bisque, we perform the upgrade for you and then ship it back.  The Factory Install options are described below.

  • Factory Install: Silver ($1000)
    • Install the MKS 6000 Upgrade Kit.1
    • Thoroughly clean all external mount surfaces.
    • Exercise the mount on the bench to ensure the mount operates normally.
    • Perform a 10-point quality control check.
    • Box the mount for shipping and return to customer.
  • Factory Install: Gold ($1500)
    • Includes everything listed in the Silver option.
    • Inspect the hour angle and declination worm blocks and internal cabling for wear, and test the motors and notify customer of out-of-specification components.2
    • Re-lubricate the hour angle and declination axes gears and worms.
  • Factory Install: Platinum ($2500)
    • Includes everything listed in the Silver and Gold options.
    • Completely disassemble mount, deep clean all the parts, apply new lubrication, and re-assemble the mount.
      • Inspect moving components under magnification for visual or mechanical damage.
      • Rebuild both worm blocks: replace the brass worm, worm block bearings and timing belts.
    • Replace external stickers, Delrin washers, and plastic worm block access covers.

1Includes a two-year limited warranty on all components.

2Components that are determined to be “out of specification” will be offered for replacement with new parts for an additional part replacement fee.

Return Shipping

Note that for Factory Installs, you are responsible for the costs to ship the mount to and from Software Bisque. Return Shipping is the cost to ship your mount back to you when the upgrade is complete.  The UPS shipping options will be displayed during checkout.

 

Shipping Box

For Factory Installs, and you do not have the original box and foam that came with your mount, you will need to purchase a new box so that your Paramount can safely make the round trip to and from Software Bisque.

The Shipping Box consists of new double-walled cardboard, double-boxed Paramount shipping boxes with custom high-density foam inserts that are designed to securely cradle your mount during transit will be shipped to you.

Before You Box Your Mount

Before boxing your mount, please carefully read the Paramount Return for Service Procedure document.  It describes the critical steps required to safely prepare your mount for transit.

 

MKS 6000 Upgrade Kit Documentation

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