MKS 6000 Upgrade Kit

Upgrade your Paramount mount with the MKS 6000 telescope control system (TCS).  The upgrade kit includes everything you need to install the new Electronics Box with the MKS 6000 PCB, the HA axis rear panel, the through-the-mount cabling and updated Instrument Panel.

To get started:

  1. Choose your model mount from the list below and checkout.
  2. Watch the upgrade instruction video (coming soon) and read the Paramount MKS 6000 Upgrade document (coming soon).
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SKU: MKS-6K-Upgrade-Parent Categories: , 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

Upgrade your Paramount mount with the MKS 6000 telescope control system (TCS).  The upgrade kit includes everything you need to install the new Electronics Box with the MKS 6000 PCB, the HA axis rear panel, the through-the-mount cabling and updated Instrument Panel.

Supported Mounts

Each upgrade kit includes the components necessary to install the MKS 6000 in your model Paramount.  The following table lists the Paramount models, their manufacturing dates, and the mount identifiers for each model.

Paramount Model Dates Manufactured Mount Identifiers
Paramount MYT November 2014 – April 2023 C0001 – C00531
Paramount MX 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 July 2001 – August 2012 N/A1
Paramount Taurus 400/500 Gear Driven Models November 2019 – April 2023 T00001 – T00060
Bisque TCS (with the MKS 3000, MKS 4000 or MKS 5000) July 2001 – April 2023 N/A2

 

1 The Paramount ME Classic did not have a mount identifier; the mount’s serial number as printed on the Paramount ME invoice from Software Bisque.

2 The Bisque TCS does not include a mount identifier or hardware serial number.  See the Bisque TCS Identification document for details how to determine which MKS version your mount uses.

 

Additional information

Weight N/A
Dimensions N/A

Enhance your MKS 6000 Upgrade Kit experience.

Complete your MKS 6000 Upgrade Kit with accessories designed specifically by Software Bisque.

  • Paramount Shipping Box

     $199.00 – $460.00
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