10Micron GM2000HPS II Combi Portable Equatorial Mount
Price as Configured: $17,847.00
Tell us what you're looking for, and we’ll point you in the right direction. Email Us.
10Micron GM2000HPS II Combi — Observatory-Grade Tracking in a Transportable Package
The 10Micron GM2000HPS II Combi is a 110 lb capacity German equatorial mount built in Italy by 10Micron, featuring absolute encoders on both axes and a standalone Linux-based controller that enables sub-arcsecond unguided tracking accuracy. Available from Deep Space Products with exclusive U.S. certified service and support, the GM2000HPS II Combi is designed for advanced astrophotographers and observatory builders who need a mount that can carry large-aperture imaging systems — from 7-inch refractors to 14-inch Cassegrains — through hours of unattended data collection without autoguiding.
The "Combi" designation solves a longstanding choice 10Micron customers had to make: the rock-solid stability of the Monolith, or the transportability of the Ultraport. The GM2000HPS II Combi replaces both. A quick-release locking system lets you split the mount into two manageable pieces — 40 lbs (18 kg) and 33 lbs (15 kg) — for transport to a dark site, while a secondary locking system can be engaged for permanent observatory installations, delivering long-term mechanical stability equivalent to the retired Monolith design. Remove the locking screws and you're portable again.
Unguided imaging that changes your workflow
The defining feature of every 10Micron HPS mount is the absolute encoder system integrated directly into each axis. Unlike add-on encoder solutions, the GM2000HPS II encoders are part of the mount's control loop from the ground up — the mount always knows exactly where it's pointing, even if you unlock the clutches, move it by hand, or lose power. Build a 25-star pointing model (which the mount's firmware handles internally, no external PC required), and the GM2000HPS compensates in real time for periodic error, atmospheric refraction, mechanical flexure, and polar alignment imperfections.
The real-world result: experienced users routinely shoot 15–30 minute unguided exposures with round stars, and some report as little as 1–2 pixels of drift over three-hour sessions with a well-built pointing model. Tracking accuracy with the up to a 100-point model and flexure compensation is typically < 0.6 arcsecond RMS — accurate enough that autoguiding becomes optional rather than mandatory, even at focal lengths above 1,500mm. For widefield setups in the 400–800mm range, unguided 10-minute exposures are straightforward from night one.
Engineering built on precision machining heritage
10Micron's parent company has decades of experience manufacturing precision machinery for the European machine tool industry, and it shows in the GM2000HPS. Both axes ride on 50mm diameter alloy steel shafts. The worm gear system uses 172mm bronze (B14) worm wheels with 215 teeth, driven by alloy steel worms — a material pairing chosen for low friction, minimal wear, and long service life. Two AC servo brushless motors with zero-backlash timing belt reduction drive the system, delivering 20°/sec slew speeds for rapid object acquisition while maintaining the smoothness required for sub-arcsecond tracking.
Every mount is fully machined and assembled in-house at 10Micron's production facility in Italy. The fit, finish, and mechanical tolerances reflect the company's machine tool roots — users consistently describe the build quality as among the finest they've encountered in astronomy equipment.
Built for remote and automated observatories
The GM2000HPS II Combi's standalone Linux-based controller makes it a natural fit for remote observatory use. The embedded computer handles pointing model calculation, object tracking (including comets, asteroids, and satellites from user-loaded orbital elements), and even dome rotation control — all without an external PC. Connect via Ethernet or WiFi for remote sessions, and control through ASCOM, the LX200/Meade protocol, or the AP GTO command set. The mount can also drive an external dome directly through its RS-232 port, calculating slit position for your specific optical train configuration.
Meridian tracking extends up to 30° past the meridian in both directions (configurable), enabling roughly four hours of continuous tracking on any object without a meridian flip — a significant advantage for unattended imaging sessions. Deep Space Products operates DSP Remote, a Bortle 1 telescope hosting facility in southwest New Mexico, where the GM2000HPS II is one of the most popular mounts among hosted customers.
How the GM2000 compares to other premium mounts
At this price point, the most common alternatives are the Astro-Physics 1150GTO-AE (with absolute encoders, ~$16–17K) and the PlaneWave L350 (~$10K, direct drive). The AP 1150GTO is lighter at 52.7 lbs and excels for portable imaging, but carries a multi-year wait list and offers about 100 lbs of payload versus the GM2000's 110 lbs. The PlaneWave L350 eliminates gears entirely with its direct drive system, making it compelling for permanent observatories, but it's heavier and not meant for portable use.
The GM2000HPS II Combi occupies a distinctive middle ground: enough payload for large-aperture imaging rigs, absolute encoder tracking that eliminates the need for autoguiding, the ability to split for transport when needed, and a fully self-contained control system that doesn't depend on an external computer. For astrophotographers who want one mount that works equally well on a pier and in a permanent dome, the Combi design is purpose-built for exactly that flexibility.
What's in the package
The standard GM2000HPS II Combi package includes the mount head with absolute encoders on both axes, the external control box with Linux-based standalone controller, professional hand control unit with graphic display and temperature control, counterweight bar, one 13.2 lb (6 kg) counterweight, one 26.4 lb (12 kg) counterweight, all required cables, WiFi capability, and a heavy-duty transport carton with shaped foam. A ColdTemp upgrade is available for installations in extreme cold environments — this must be specified at time of order, as it's integrated during factory assembly and cannot be retrofitted.
Talk to Deep Space Products before you buy
As the exclusive certified U.S. service provider for 10Micron, Deep Space Products doesn't just sell the GM2000HPS II — we service it, support it, and help you integrate it into a complete imaging system. Whether you're building a backyard observatory, outfitting a university facility, or hosting remotely at DSP Remote, the DSP team can help you choose the right mount, telescope, and accessories for your imaging goals. Contact us for a consultation — we'll walk through your setup, your targets, and your budget to make sure this is the right mount for the work you want to do.
