Merlin hand controller

 Most of our customers use the MERLIN mounts for taking panoramic images, mostly using the "papywizard"software. To use this an UrsaMinor interface is needed, which connects to the PC using an USB cable or with a Bluetooth adapter. Using the PANOCONT (UrsaMinor) Standalone hand controller it is possible to use the mount even without a computer.

To take panoramic images during the night (TWAN, The World at Night) one can use the clock drive functionality of the Merlin mount (which can be turned off of course). The Ursa Minor planetarium software makes it a fully GoTo capable mount.

The Merlin MFF (Multi-Function Photo head) provides a wide range of possible uses. Mount a telescope and use it during daytime for panoramic observations, mount a camera and take breathtaking panoramic images, create time-lapse movies or other photo series. The two-motor photo head can be controlled by its own controller or from a computer. The mount can store up to 6 terrestrial targets and can move the telescope or camera on all of them repeatedly. The mount also contains a connector which can be used to trigger the exposure on the camera. Powered by 12V DC (can be powered using the built-in battery compartment, or from any external power source). The head can be mounted on practically any tripod with standard 3/8" screw.

Using the dovetail adapters it is also possible to mount smaller telescopes or teleobjective lenses. The hand controlled provides clock drive functionality and can be extended with GoTo functionality as well with the UMi SkyTour software, so that thousands of astronomical objects can be located quickly. To connect to computer, use a bluetooth module (BLTm) or the ATDCUmi interface cable. Purchase a SynScan AZ hand controller (available separately) and the mount becomes a fully functional GoTo mount. The Merlin head supports taking panoramic photographs, for example by using the freely available Papywizard software, which requires an UraMinor interface (cable or bluetooth). The head can also control exposures with the supported cameras. Some accessories might be needed for taking panoramic photos, like the Crown disk or the SINmer tails and the L platform. The head is also capable of slow movements, so even many hours time lapse movies can be recorded with additional slow movements.

Accessories:
Crown disk: for panoramic photography to set up the camera in vertical position. Helps in nodal point setting and corrects the parallax error. Compatible with Manfrotto accessories.
SINmer: low profile tails (shorter or longer versions) which can help to set the nodal point as precisely as possible. Can be used in both portrait and landscape modes.
EOS cables: to connect the head with Canon EOS cameras and automatize exposure control.

More links:
Autopano Forum: www.autopano.net/forum
how does it work?
YouTube Link Merlin, as a Gigapano-head: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuGIoE9QR2E
YouTube Link Merlin and accessories: UrsaMinor BlueTooth Interface, Crown-Adapter and Balance-plate: www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeBX6QN_nFM