Black Hole Astronomical Instruments has officially launched the gorgeous SFE210 Hybrid Friction Drive Equatorial Mount following a year of rigorous testing at a remote observatory. The new mount aims to deliver high precision, zero backlash, and
exceptional load capacity, meeting the needs of professional and advanced amateur astronomers alike. Designed specifically for fixed observatories, the SFE210 represents a significant step forward in equatorial mount technology. With so many folks mounting up their gear in remote observatories, their timing couldn't be better.
Details about the SFE210 hybrid friction drive equatorial mount from Black Hole Astronomical Instruments
The SFE210 employs a hybrid drive system engineered by Black Hole Astronomical Instruments. The RA axis features a two-stage friction reduction system with a 588:1 reduction ratio, while the DEC axis combines a harmonic reducer and synchronous belt drive for a 300:1 ratio. This design ensures precise control and smooth operation under heavy loads. With a maximum payload of 40 kg, the mount is suitable for large telescopes, including those with 14-inch apertures.
The mount is powered by specially tuned 0.9° low-vibration stepper motors, achieving a post-reduction periodic positioning error of less than 0.3 arcseconds. This ensures stable torque output and smooth power delivery, essential for high-quality astronomical imaging and observation. The use of friction transmission technology eliminates backlash, enhancing tracking accuracy and operational responsiveness.
A key feature of the SFE210 is its ability to perform unguided star tracking for over two minutes when the polar axis is aligned to within 30 arcseconds. This ultra-low drift rate supports consistent observation results without frequent manual adjustments. The mount’s robust construction, including large friction disks made from high-strength metal, provides exceptional rigidity and pressure resistance under heavy operational loads.
To ensure adaptability for various observation scenarios, the SFE210 includes pre-pressure adjustment capabilities. This feature optimizes load stability, making the mount versatile across different applications. The friction transmission system is fully enclosed to protect against dust and moisture, enhancing durability and reliability in diverse environments.
The SFE210 is compatible with tripods featuring 3/8-inch threads, enabling seamless integration with existing equipment. WiFi connectivity simplifies operation, offering remote control and easy integration into modern astrophotography workflows. With a power input requirement of DC12V 2A and an operational temperature range of -20°C to +30°C, the SFE210 is built to perform reliably in a wide range of conditions.
Black Hole Astronomical Instruments has designed the SFE210 with a focus on precision and usability. Key specifications include a self-weight of 15 kg, an angular resolution of approximately 0.09, a drift speed of 0.5 arcseconds per minute, and a maximum slewing speed of 3° per second. Pointing accuracy, after proper modeling, is approximately 20 arcseconds, reflecting the mount’s advanced engineering.
The release of the SFE210 Hybrid Friction Drive Equatorial Mount highlights Black Hole Astronomical Instruments’ commitment to advancing astronomical equipment. By integrating friction drive technology with robust features, the SFE210 provides a reliable, high-precision solution for long-term, high-load astronomical observation in fixed observatories.
Black Hole SFE165 two-stage friction equatorial mount completes technical verification
Black Hole Astronomical Instruments also announced the successful technical verification of its friction equatorial mount, the SFE165. Installed at Daocheng Observatory in November 2023 and paired with the Xinda 254F4.8 Newtonian telescope, the mount has undergone a year-long evaluation. It completed multiple deep-sky observation tasks while maintaining a guiding accuracy of 0.5 arcseconds, proving both its reliability and stability. The equipment will now be made available as a public-use instrument, loaned free of charge to observatory enthusiasts.
The SFE165 features a two-stage friction transmission system, both stages utilizing friction drive. This design enables a reduction ratio of 385:1 and supports a slewing speed of up to 5 degrees per second. The technology ensures zero backlash and low periodic error, critical for high-precision astronomical applications. The system, weighing 12 kg, supports payloads exceeding 20 kg, with periodic errors controlled within ±10 arcseconds. When paired with the Xinda telescope, the mount achieves RMS guiding errors between 0.45 and 0.65 arcseconds. Additionally, it provides unguided star tracking for up to two minutes, offering enhanced capabilities for deep-sky photography.
During its time at the observatory, the SFE165 contributed to several deep-sky observation missions, focusing on extragalactic supernova searches. It used a 1200 mm focal length telescope to observe celestial objects such as NGC 6946, M63, NGC 4438, and NGC 2403, producing high-quality deep-sky images. These observations have demonstrated the feasibility of using friction transmission technology in high-load, high-precision astronomical equipment.
The success of the SFE165 has provided valuable experience for the development of next-generation mounts. The SFE300 and SFE400 mounts, which feature further advancements in load capacity and guiding accuracy, have already entered the operational stage. The performance of these new models will continue to be monitored as they take on advanced observation tasks.
The SFE165 is available for pre-order at a discounted price of RMB 13,800 ($1,950) until January 1, 2025, after which it will be priced at RMB 15,200 ($2,100). Production updates will be shared regularly, with shipping expected in February 2025. Quantities are limited, and orders will be fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis.