www.baader-observatories.com
Now that some time has passed since the AllSky Dome manufactured by you floated down onto my property, I would finally like to report to you some experiences from everyday life with this wonderful observatory.
As is well known, good things take time, and so the pickup date drew nearer. I was offered the option of picking up the AllSky Dome (it is the smallest one, with a diameter of 2.30 meters) fully assembled directly from you in Mammendorf – provided I had a suitable vehicle that could take this diameter as its loading area.
So my logistics worked out in such a way that I ultimately obtained a tow truck with a large loading platform from an acquaintance in the freight business, which also had side walls in order to minimize the risk of slipping. The pickup day came, and accompanied by my son we arrived at Baader. Everything was prepared, and thanks to the good and experienced help of your dome master, Mr. Hussel, everything was excellently secured and packed so that nothing stood in the way of the 250 km journey to its home location.
Everything went well, and by evening the dome was unloaded at its location with a truck-mounted crane. Everything was well bolted down, which worked excellently with the prepared holes in the lower metal ring.
Plug in the power cable, press the radio button, and the dome shells ran quietly – opening by themselves, as if by magic – into whatever position was desired. What more can I say, I was overwhelmed by pure goosebumps!
Of course, the little free time of the following days was intended for setting up the observatory and inspecting it more closely.
Now, after almost 10 months of operation, I can say about the AllSky Dome: workmanship, function, inside as well as outside – perfect Baader precision. All cables laid for the function, and the motors as well – everything neatly installed, and many small details have been thought of.
Regarding my hobby of astronomy, I can say that its usefulness and my enthusiasm have increased by 500%. Open the dome shells, the telescopes are almost at the same temperature, and after a short time nothing stands in the way of enjoying astronomy. Having withstood all weather and this harsh winter, the dome stands there like on the first day. The environmental dirt on the bright white surface can be removed well with water and a handled brush. Even with the most varied temperatures inside and outside, there was never any condensation in the dome. Only during severe night frosts could a slight inner frost structure be seen on the upper dome shells, but this disappeared again as the temperature rose.
My preparatory work and the corresponding advice from Mr. Baader also deserve thanks for the fact that a good interior climate prevails.
And when there is also a GM2000 standing on a Baader pier, everything is even more enjoyable.
You can see in me a completely satisfied customer who is always happy to buy from you and who appreciates your expertise as well as the knowledge of the entire staff.
Regarding software upgrade 2.7 of the GM 2000
Mr. Risch kindly provided me with the new firmware, or software update, whose additional functions and improvements are highly commendable.
The new software was quickly and problem-free transferred via LAN connection. In some parameters, the mount had to be set up again, including among other things the home position, which was no longer recognized. But after a brief consultation with Mr. Rolf Geissinger, who in a commendable way can provide very good assistance, this too could be solved well.
The current tracking in both axes is very good and already very helpful during alignment alone. The balancing for a good equilibrium is also well achieved and can be managed well with the new software.
Various innovations will only now be tested and used after the long winter.
Incidentally, I also join many previous speakers (Mr. Geissinger, Mr. Heinike, etc.), whose good experience reports on your website are very useful and informative.
Conclusion: The GM2000 from 10Micron is a perfect astro mount and justifies its price. Beautiful shape, perfect workmanship – a pleasure to work with it!
Willy Herbstreit
