Trident GT Custom

Tariff Busting Special Offer!

Free Shipping & No Import Costs

Direct Friction Drive
75 kg / 165 lb Payload

Starting at €3.300,00 (exc. VAT)

Optimized for safe remote observatory use

Make efficient use of your remote pier

Full Specifications

• 75 kg photographic payload*
  
• 30 kg mount head weight
  • Weight reduction option reduces this by ~30% for portable use
• Direct friction drive
• Slow and repeatable 16 minute periodic error easily handled by optical PEC system
• Ceramic-metal hybrid drive
• USB/WiFi/Ethernet connectivity
• Official supporter of Open Source OnStepX control system
• JTW Manticore controller
• Configurable 4-level remote safety system
  
• Magnetic failsafe brake 
  
• Preloaded precision roller bearings
• Sealed for life, maintenance free design
• 0.12" Resolution
• 10° per second maximum slewing speed by default. Unlockable to 20° per second
  
• On-the-fly changes to microstepping for fast slewing or fine tracking
• Missed step detection - advanced electronics use the motors own coils as a pseudo-encoder
• StealthChop™ silent running, no more stepper motor chirping
• 0° to 90° Latitude range
• ±5.0 Degrees of Azimuth adjustment for polar alignment
• Aerospace aluminium and stainless steel construction
• Sustainable metallic, textured powder coated finish
• ASCOM and INDI drivers
• Mobile app turns any mobile device into a smart hand pad
  
• Optional deluxe wireless hand pad 

*Maximum payload depends on more than just the total mass on the telescope, please contact us for advice if you are unsure. 

Customize your Trident (see configuration tool above)

Counterweight shaft

• Optional, reduces the price of the mount if you have another solution.
• Diameter - To suit the weights you already have or are more readily available.
• Length - Save on swing radius or make more efficient use of your counterweights.

Controller mounting point

• External mounting, more economical, easier to maintain, less elegant.
• Internal mounting, more elegant but less convenient if modification or repairs are needed later.
• Optional, if you already have your own OnStep controller or plan to make one. 

Payload mounting system

• Add your own saddle.
• Single Losmandy/Vixen saddle, adjustable offset, brass clamps to avoid marring your dovetail. 
• Dual or triple saddles on a JTW mounting arm (as seen in video below)

Remote Safety System

The Trident GT has optional layers of safety precautions -

• Level 1 - Non volatile FRAM memory will remember the mount's position between power cycles and software limits will prevent unintended motion. The OnStepX control also prevents motion in event of erroneous settings, e.g. time/date/site errors that could otherwise cause an unsafe GOTO.
• Level 2 - As above but with the addition of an optical home position, this is a hardware position and takes precedence over software positions ensuring safe recovery of position even in event of software precautions failing. 
• Level 3 - As above but with optical overtravel prevention. These override any software definitions and prevent an axis going beyond the defined limits. 
• Level 4 - As above but with hardware overtravel prevention, in any event, it will be physically impossible for the mount to travel beyond the defined limits.

Please note that these precautions do a great deal to prevent but do not guarantee immunity from events such as instrumentation striking the pier. Friction drive does have the benefit of slipping in such an event and will greatly reduce damage from such a collision vs. a gear driven mount. 

Smart Saddle

There are two options for a smart saddle on a Trident GT mount. 

• AFC
  • OnStepX Auxiliary Feature Controller (AFC)
    • 23 Amps max continuous power output
    •  XT60 Power in
    • USB 2.0 Hub (Mount + 3 ports)
    • 2x 8A 2.1/5.5 Jacks
    • 2x 4A 2.1/5.5 Jacks - Remotely switchable
    • 5 to 24 VDC 3000mA 2.1/5.5 NUC Power (adjustable)
    • 3x Dew output, 2x Dew sensor channels
    • 2x Accessory ports (OnStepX aux channels)
    • I2C Header (used for atmospheric sensor array)
    • WiFi
• AFC + NUC
  • OnStepX AFC as above
  • Youyeetoo X1 x86 Mini PC + OnStepX AFC above
    • 11th gen Celeron quad core (max 2.9 GHz)
    • UHD Graphics
    • 16 Gb Ram
    • 500 Gb M.2 SSD
    • Windows 11 (or KSTARS/Linux)
    • WiFi/Bluetooth/LAN
    • 2x USB 3.0 & 2x USB 2.0

Weight reduction/Bi-metallic drive

The Trident GT is a bit too heavy for portable use, tipping the scales at 30 kg / 66 lbs. Reassuringly heavy but heavy nonetheless. This doesn't really matter for remote use or with a fixed installation.

For portable use we have a weight reduced version, a racing version as it were. Replacing certain components with aerospace grade aluminium we're able to reduce the weight by ~30% making it manageable for one person to use in a mobile setting. 

The bi-metallic drive is part of this weight reduction but also has the very useful feature of making the mount less sensitive to temperature changes, this isn't necessary but is very useful for those who plan to fine tune their mount to get the tabletop flat guide graphs that the Trident series of mounts is known for. 

Motors and drivers

• Standard drive - totally acceptable for normal use of the mount, throughout the entire payload range
• Extra torque - 60% more torque. An inexpensive upgrade for those planning to carry heavier payloads. A bigger engine working at a lower percentage of it's maximum capacity increases service life, much like a large engine doing highway miles. This upgrade is also desirable for those planning to fit encoders due to the snappier response.

Feedthrough cabling to smart saddle

The smart saddle, both AFC and NUC require external cabling to supply power and data cables at the top of the Dec axis. It is possible to have feedthrough cables to the base of the mount with this upgrade. It requires a larger body for the Dec axis and additional parts. This is a relatively expensive upgrade, with proper cable management it isn't necessary but it certainly makes the cabling much more forgiving and is a quality of life upgrade. 

Encoders

Encoders are not required for premium performance from a JTW Trident GT series. They're required for specific applications or as a quality of life upgrade. In short, if you aren't sure that you need encoders then you probably don't need them. The JTW Trident is capable of unguided imaging up to 10 minutes with relative ease (does require proper installation). 

OnStepX supports telescope modelling and has up to 200 point automatic modelling. 

Note - Encoders supersede the remote safety system. If encoders are required then please select Level 1 for the remote safety system. Hard stops will be added free of charge. 

• Renishaw incremental
  • 26-bit equivalent resolution
  • 2" accuracy over 360°
  • On-axis 
  • Eliminates all systematic errors
  • Position doesn't persist over power cycles (requires homing)
• Lika 25-bit absolute encoders
  • 0.04" resolution
    
  • 20" accuracy over 360°
  • Absolute positioning (persists over power cycle)
• Renishaw 26-bit absolute encoders
• 0.02" resolution
• 2" accuracy over 360°
• Absolute positioning (persists over power cycle)
  

Deluxe SHC2+ Hand Controller

The OnStep SHC2+ is a modified version of the Smart Hand Controller. This is a fully functional controller and can do any task that a computer can do, even installation and utility functions. This is an old school hand pad with modern functionality.

• OLED screen, dimmable, works in low temperatures
• Glove friendly, tactile (read: clicky buttons)
• Full database of objects
• Setup and utility functions
• Dimmable red LED worklight
• WiFi operation
• Hangs from your neck and can be unclipped for incredible ease of use. 
• Li-ion battery and built-in BMS

Mount Installation

Assuming you don't already have a tripod or pier, we can supply everything you need to install your mount. 

• Standardized 3 ft / 1 meter height, 8"/ 200 mm diameter JTW vertical pier including anchors.
• Custom height JTW pier, specs as above but for a height of your choosing. Please contact us for 3D modelling your observatory to calculate the correct height if need be. 
• Custom equatorial pier, also known as a dog leg, bent or knee pier. These need to be custom built to your latitude but eliminate the need for meridian flips. 
• Berlebach planet tripod. Modified with the standard JTW fitting. The best option for a Trident in mobile use. 

Pier adapter

Please note that the JTW pier adapter is part of the azimuth alignment. If you wish to mount to another system you will need a plate between the JTW plate and the pier, if you do not wish or cannot otherwise drill the pier to match. We can make custom CNC machined plates on request. 

Laser engraving

Laser engraving has both practical and cosmetic applications. 

• Security
  • Internal and external markings of the mount's order number and some number/lettering relevant to the owner. To allow easy identification in a remote setting alongside easy identification in event of theft/loss. 
• Cosmetic
  • Names and logos of clubs, etc. Anything of personal importance.
• Both
  • Security and cosmetic markings taken together receive a discount.

Remote Support Level

Every mount comes with free remote support but we also offer a platinum service. 

• Standard (2 hours) - Enough to do a normal installation, provide a guided tour of the OnStepX control system and basic testing.
• Platinum (10 hours) - As above but also covers fine tuning of the mount installation, optional drive parameters and configuration of all software as per your individual instrumentation setup. A fully fine tuned setup for absolute peak performance. 

Extended Warranty

Somewhat self explanatory, this is an all-inclusive policy. Any faults other than accident or operator error will be fully covered, including return to manufacturer shipping costs. Full terms and conditions in link below. 

Custom Paint Job

Make your mount unique. Price includes the powder, individual painting process and MOQ fees. 

Delivery Date

Based on chosen options, lead time on your order will vary from 6 to 12 weeks. We will contact you when you place your order to discuss everything, if you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact us. 

Further Information 

Please see our social media for many more examples of setups and images made with our Trident mount.

JTW Astronomy Facebook

JTW Astronomy Instagram