Explore Scientific EXOS2-GT Equatorial Mount with PMC-Eight GoTo System

Moving up to a larger telescope usually means moving up to a larger equatorial mount as well. Explore Scientific rates the EXOS2-GT at 28 lb of instrument for astrophotography and 40 lb for visual use, plus counterweights, on a head that weighs 13.4 lb, and runs it from a tablet or PC through its PMC-Eight GoTo system.

Key Features

• Separate imaging and visual ratings. 28 lb for astrophotography and 40 lb for visual use, plus counterweights. Explore Scientific sets the imaging figure lower because, past a certain weight, tracking error such as periodic error increases.
• Belt-driven stepper motors. Explore Scientific chose steppers over DC servo motors because they handle strain without damaging the mechanical or electronic components.
• PMC-Eight electronics. Eight CPUs that operate independently, a 64 KB non-volatile memory, Wi-Fi with full IP function, and an ST4 autoguider port.
• ExploreStars GoTo app. Free for Windows, Android, Amazon Fire and iOS, used wired or wireless, with 2-star and 3-star alignment and more than 80,000 objects: the Solar System, the Messier, NGC and IC catalogs, and over 70,000 stars. The database can be updated by download.
• ASCOM control. The included PMC-Eight ASCOM driver lets ASCOM software run the mount, Stellarium, SkyTools 3, StarryNight, Maxim DL and Sequence Generator Pro among them.
• Open-source software. Explore Scientific publishes the OpenGOTO code and invites developers to build on it.
• Illuminated polar finder. Installed before the mount ships, with Polar Assist markings for polar alignment.
• Stainless steel tripod. 2-inch stainless steel legs, a bubble level, and a height range of 26.8 to 42.5 inches.
• Either hemisphere. The PMC-Eight booklet's setup steps cover polar alignment in the Southern Hemisphere as well as the Northern.

Ideal For

• Astrophotographers moving to a heavier rig who need 28 lb of imaging capacity in a mount they can still carry: the head weighs 13.4 lb and the tripod 13 lb.
• Visual observers with larger telescopes, using the 40 lb visual rating.
• Imagers who run their sessions from a computer, through ASCOM software and an autoguider on the ST4 port.
• Tinkerers who want to read and change the code that drives their mount.

Accessories & Compatibility

Explore Scientific notes that carbon fiber telescopes may need a lighter counterweight than the two 11.25 lb counterweights included. The tablet or computer is sold separately. Away from an outlet, Explore Scientific measured about 8 hours on its EXOS 2 mounts with the Explore Scientific USB Power Bank.