Explore Scientific iEXOS-100-02 PMC-Eight Equatorial Tracker System with WiFi and Bluetooth®

On a fixed tripod, long exposures turn stars into trails. The Explore Scientific iEXOS-100-2 is a computerized German equatorial GoTo tracking system designed for portable astronomy and astrophotography: a 9.45 lb PMC-Eight GoTo head with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on a 5.35 lb tripod, rated to 15 lb for photography and 19 lb for visual use, counterweights included.

Key Features

• Payload. It is rated for about 9 lb of equipment alone; the 15 lb and 19 lb figures count the counterweights. Two 1 kg counterweights come in the box, and heavier setups may need more.
• PMC-Eight GoTo. Eight independent CPUs control quiet stepper motor belt drives on both axes. After a 2-star or 3-star alignment, Point mode adjusts both axes five times a second to hold a target centered without an exact polar alignment, though field rotation still limits exposures.
• Apps and software. The ExploreStars app works over the mount's own Wi-Fi network, and Explore Scientific recommends Envision the Heavens on a phone, tablet or Windows PC. Windows imaging programs connect through ALPACA or ASCOM, and KStars/Ekos on Linux, Raspberry Pi or macOS through INDI. An ST-4 port takes an autoguider, and wired control needs a Mini-USB cable, not included.
• Polar alignment. A bubble level, a latitude handle and dial, and a sight tunnel through the RA axis: with Polaris visible in the tunnel, the alignment is close enough. For finer azimuth than turning the mount on the tripod, add the iEXOS-100 Azimuth Adjuster Adapter, which the Twilight Medium Duty Tripod also requires.
• Power. An 8 C-cell pack (cells not included) rides on a tripod-leg bracket and feeds the 12 V DC input. Alkalines are rated at typically under two hours before voltage drop may affect the motors, and Explore Scientific's USB Power Bank at about 8 hours on the iEXOS 100; Explore Scientific recommends a lithium-ion power bank or AC adapter.

Who It's For

• Imagers with a camera and lens or a small telescope. The Camera Dovetail Plate, which Explore Scientific recommends for this mount, attaches a camera to it.
• Visual observers who want GoTo for a small telescope within the 19 lb rating.
• Choosing a version. The iEXOS-100 HD adds a polar finder, the azimuth adjuster, a Twilight Medium Duty tripod and the camera plate; the FirstLight 80mm CF Go-To Tracker Combo adds an 80 mm f/8 refractor and a solar filter; the EXOS2-GT PMC-Eight carries 28 lb for astrophotography, counterweights extra. Our comparison of the three mounts sets them side by side.