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Solid as a rock! A really BIG rock! This is the ultimate solution for imaging with large instruments or with setups that employ multiple instruments with a combined weight that would be excessive for smaller mountings. Please note: Although you might be tempted, Astro-Physics does not recommend rapelling off the side of this mount!

Some reasons to consider an AP3600 "el Capitan" mounting for your next large scope:

Originally designed to carry a large telescope in Antarctica for planetary research - the 3600GTO mount had to be reliable in the most severe environment on the planet and function flawlessly 24 hours per day for the entire polar night lasting 6 months. Once the mount is installed and the polar night begins, no maintainance can be done to the mount due to the extreme low temperatures and dangerous wind conditions that prevent technicians from working outdoors.

Our smaller mounts have proven themselves in these frigid Antarctic conditions over the past 3 years. We have had a number of 900GTO and 1200GTO mounts running continuously at Dome C in Antarctica, and they have shown themselves to be winners. In fact, they are some of the few things that actually work under those conditions, where the temperature is so cold that optics shatter and paint falls off tube assemblies like skin shed from a molting snake. The same design philosophy that has overcome these harsh conditions has made the 3600GTO the finest large mounting available.

Our 3600GTO mount was designed to be:

• Large, robust, rugged, simple modular design, easy to fix if something should go wrong
• The design has the same DNA as our smaller mountings, uses time-proven components that have withstood the test of time under all conditions, even in temperatures as cold as -70C.
• Extremely smooth and accurate dual servomotor-worm gear drive, designed for all astro-imaging situations
• Machining craftsmanship and beautiful mechanical design second to none
• Ability to carry very large and heavy scopes comfortably
• Will have many options for enhancing the operation and accuracy of the mount for remote imaging
• On-going development of the software and hardware will always be available to upgrade older mountings to bring them up-to-date
• Simple mechanics make adjustment easy and accurate
• Feature loaded software is intuitive and powerful
• Intensive support via direct communication with our technicians - we have never failed to fix a problem, and will always help someone get the most out of their mount
• Over 30 years of experience in making precision equipment for the amateur and professional astrophotographer

The 3600GTO uses the tried and true Astro-Physics GoTo electronics.

• Lead-free Electronics. The 3600GTO's electronics and components are totally lead-free for all customers. This includes wiring for the motor harness, the GTOCP3 Control box, Keypad and all cables. All functions of the lead-free GTOCP3 control box are the same as the original version.
• GTOCP3 Servo Motor Control Box. This control box has increased protection on all input lines, larger memory chip, and additional commands for mount control.
• GTO Keypad. Our unique keypad has evolved over the years to include a new circuit board with larger memory capacity, LED fiber optic backlit panel for greater longevity and quieter operation and epoxy coated elastomeric keys. We include the Keypad Pro
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Price is To Be Determined.